diff --git a/src/helpers/NRF52Board.cpp b/src/helpers/NRF52Board.cpp
index 17265f045..8d0538960 100644
--- a/src/helpers/NRF52Board.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/NRF52Board.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 #if defined(NRF52_PLATFORM)
 #include "NRF52Board.h"
 
+// Single definitions for noinit backup variables (declared extern in NRF52Board.h)
+uint32_t _noinit_backup_time __attribute__((section(".noinit")));
+uint32_t _noinit_backup_magic __attribute__((section(".noinit")));
+
 #include <bluefruit.h>
 #include <nrf_soc.h>
 
diff --git a/src/helpers/NRF52Board.h b/src/helpers/NRF52Board.h
index 17065cf44..2d1a47173 100644
--- a/src/helpers/NRF52Board.h
+++ b/src/helpers/NRF52Board.h
@@ -5,6 +5,47 @@
 
 #if defined(NRF52_PLATFORM)
 
+// noinit variables survive watchdog, soft, pin, and lockup resets (RAM retained).
+// Lost on power-on and System OFF (magic check handles this).
+extern uint32_t _noinit_backup_time __attribute__((section(".noinit")));
+extern uint32_t _noinit_backup_magic __attribute__((section(".noinit")));
+#define NRF52_BACKUP_MAGIC  0xAA55CC33
+#define NRF52_TIME_MIN      1772323200  // 1 Mar 2026
+
+class NRF52RTCClock : public mesh::RTCClock {
+  uint32_t base_time;
+  uint64_t accumulator;
+  unsigned long prev_millis;
+public:
+  NRF52RTCClock() {
+    if (_noinit_backup_magic == NRF52_BACKUP_MAGIC && _noinit_backup_time > NRF52_TIME_MIN) {
+      base_time = _noinit_backup_time;
+    } else {
+      base_time = NRF52_TIME_MIN;
+    }
+    accumulator = 0;
+    prev_millis = millis();
+  }
+  uint32_t getCurrentTime() override { return base_time + accumulator / 1000; }
+  void setCurrentTime(uint32_t time) override {
+    base_time = time;
+    accumulator = 0;
+    prev_millis = millis();
+    _noinit_backup_time = time;
+    _noinit_backup_magic = NRF52_BACKUP_MAGIC;
+  }
+  void tick() override {
+    unsigned long now = millis();
+    accumulator += (now - prev_millis);
+    prev_millis = now;
+    uint32_t current = base_time + accumulator / 1000;
+    if (current > NRF52_TIME_MIN && current != _noinit_backup_time) {
+      _noinit_backup_time = current;
+      _noinit_backup_magic = NRF52_BACKUP_MAGIC;
+    }
+  }
+};
+
 #ifdef NRF52_POWER_MANAGEMENT
 // Shutdown Reason Codes (stored in GPREGRET before SYSTEMOFF)
 #define SHUTDOWN_REASON_NONE          0x00
diff --git a/variants/heltec_mesh_solar/target.cpp b/variants/heltec_mesh_solar/target.cpp
index d140864cd..7f96d3f58 100644
--- a/variants/heltec_mesh_solar/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/heltec_mesh_solar/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
 SolarSensorManager sensors = SolarSensorManager(nmea);
diff --git a/variants/heltec_t114/target.cpp b/variants/heltec_t114/target.cpp
index cb8f75db5..7f1fccf8c 100644
--- a/variants/heltec_t114/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/heltec_t114/target.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/ikoka_handheld_nrf/target.cpp b/variants/ikoka_handheld_nrf/target.cpp
index 6c53c5e32..e041d82e6 100644
--- a/variants/ikoka_handheld_nrf/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/ikoka_handheld_nrf/target.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
diff --git a/variants/ikoka_nano_nrf/target.cpp b/variants/ikoka_nano_nrf/target.cpp
index baf02c3d1..f1b818baf 100644
--- a/variants/ikoka_nano_nrf/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/ikoka_nano_nrf/target.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 
diff --git a/variants/ikoka_stick_nrf/target.cpp b/variants/ikoka_stick_nrf/target.cpp
index bb140505a..007eff097 100644
--- a/variants/ikoka_stick_nrf/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/ikoka_stick_nrf/target.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 
diff --git a/variants/keepteen_lt1/target.cpp b/variants/keepteen_lt1/target.cpp
index f1879ac56..34a668fce 100644
--- a/variants/keepteen_lt1/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/keepteen_lt1/target.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
   #include <helpers/sensors/MicroNMEALocationProvider.h>
diff --git a/variants/lilygo_techo/target.cpp b/variants/lilygo_techo/target.cpp
index 278fc76da..36b633a56 100644
--- a/variants/lilygo_techo/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/lilygo_techo/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/lilygo_techo_lite/target.cpp b/variants/lilygo_techo_lite/target.cpp
index 95a62fcd2..2236c59ac 100644
--- a/variants/lilygo_techo_lite/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/lilygo_techo_lite/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/mesh_pocket/target.cpp b/variants/mesh_pocket/target.cpp
index ee8f944de..b93c03def 100644
--- a/variants/mesh_pocket/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/mesh_pocket/target.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
 SensorManager sensors = SensorManager();
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
diff --git a/variants/meshtiny/target.cpp b/variants/meshtiny/target.cpp
index 50d678266..0e954167f 100644
--- a/variants/meshtiny/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/meshtiny/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors = EnvironmentSensorManager();
 
diff --git a/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.cpp b/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.cpp
index 9944a38b9..2fced756d 100644
--- a/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 extern EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
   #include <helpers/sensors/MicroNMEALocationProvider.h>
diff --git a/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.h b/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.h
index f8d42863b..e7850c467 100644
--- a/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.h
+++ b/variants/minewsemi_me25ls01/target.h
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 extern MinewsemiME25LS01Board board;
 extern WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver;
-extern VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+extern NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 extern EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 
 bool radio_init();
diff --git a/variants/nano_g2_ultra/target.cpp b/variants/nano_g2_ultra/target.cpp
index 69a2772cc..620b1ca87 100644
--- a/variants/nano_g2_ultra/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/nano_g2_ultra/target.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
 NanoG2UltraSensorManager sensors = NanoG2UltraSensorManager(nmea);
diff --git a/variants/promicro/target.cpp b/variants/promicro/target.cpp
index b5a74c90d..f5e9a3350 100644
--- a/variants/promicro/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/promicro/target.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
   #include <helpers/sensors/MicroNMEALocationProvider.h>
diff --git a/variants/rak3401/target.cpp b/variants/rak3401/target.cpp
index 5309e6b22..b7ff17359 100644
--- a/variants/rak3401/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/rak3401/target.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/rak4631/target.cpp b/variants/rak4631/target.cpp
index a41ba7207..bb27af447 100644
--- a/variants/rak4631/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/rak4631/target.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/rak_wismesh_tag/target.cpp b/variants/rak_wismesh_tag/target.cpp
index cdf81f4f5..02669cd11 100644
--- a/variants/rak_wismesh_tag/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/rak_wismesh_tag/target.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #if ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/sensecap_solar/target.cpp b/variants/sensecap_solar/target.cpp
index 466415176..108f04cd6 100644
--- a/variants/sensecap_solar/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/sensecap_solar/target.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
diff --git a/variants/t1000-e/target.cpp b/variants/t1000-e/target.cpp
index 425328270..0b775b34e 100644
--- a/variants/t1000-e/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/t1000-e/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
 T1000SensorManager sensors = T1000SensorManager(nmea);
 
diff --git a/variants/t1000-e/target.h b/variants/t1000-e/target.h
index db003cc5f..7233e9881 100644
--- a/variants/t1000-e/target.h
+++ b/variants/t1000-e/target.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public:
 
 extern T1000eBoard board;
 extern WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver;
-extern VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+extern NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 extern T1000SensorManager sensors;
 
 bool radio_init();
diff --git a/variants/thinknode_m1/target.cpp b/variants/thinknode_m1/target.cpp
index 69306fc0e..f26f3921f 100644
--- a/variants/thinknode_m1/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/thinknode_m1/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
 ThinkNodeM1SensorManager sensors = ThinkNodeM1SensorManager(nmea);
diff --git a/variants/thinknode_m3/target.cpp b/variants/thinknode_m3/target.cpp
index 1e6c2ad13..110235643 100644
--- a/variants/thinknode_m3/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/thinknode_m3/target.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
diff --git a/variants/thinknode_m6/target.cpp b/variants/thinknode_m6/target.cpp
index de167194e..1ae94d9b2 100644
--- a/variants/thinknode_m6/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/thinknode_m6/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
 MicroNMEALocationProvider nmea = MicroNMEALocationProvider(Serial1, &rtc_clock);
diff --git a/variants/wio-tracker-l1/target.cpp b/variants/wio-tracker-l1/target.cpp
index 7a573258e..89c99265c 100644
--- a/variants/wio-tracker-l1/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/wio-tracker-l1/target.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 #ifdef ENV_INCLUDE_GPS
diff --git a/variants/wio_wm1110/target.cpp b/variants/wio_wm1110/target.cpp
index 1bb7cec8c..0435f2801 100644
--- a/variants/wio_wm1110/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/wio_wm1110/target.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 
 #ifndef LORA_CR
diff --git a/variants/wio_wm1110/target.h b/variants/wio_wm1110/target.h
index 79504ab8d..9617cd714 100644
--- a/variants/wio_wm1110/target.h
+++ b/variants/wio_wm1110/target.h
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 extern WioWM1110Board board;
 extern WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver;
-extern VolatileRTCClock rtc_clock;
+extern NRF52RTCClock rtc_clock;
 extern EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;
 
 bool radio_init();
diff --git a/variants/xiao_nrf52/target.cpp b/variants/xiao_nrf52/target.cpp
index ab6fe279a..0b732749c 100644
--- a/variants/xiao_nrf52/target.cpp
+++ b/variants/xiao_nrf52/target.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ RADIO_CLASS radio = new Module(P_LORA_NSS, P_LORA_DIO_1, P_LORA_RESET, P_LORA_BU
 
 WRAPPER_CLASS radio_driver(radio, board);
 
-VolatileRTCClock fallback_clock;
+NRF52RTCClock fallback_clock;
 AutoDiscoverRTCClock rtc_clock(fallback_clock);
 
 EnvironmentSensorManager sensors;