diff --git a/src/app_network.cpp b/src/app_network.cpp
index 1224927..0fdcc56 100644
--- a/src/app_network.cpp
+++ b/src/app_network.cpp
@@ -6374,6 +6374,9 @@ void App::finishConsolidation()
 
 // Start the shared ConsolidationRun with the SAME guards as startConsolidation but SILENTLY and with a
 // caller-chosen (gentle) config — the background driver's entry point. No toasts; marks the run as ours.
+// Like the manual "keep in each address" mode, this run merges every address's notes back into THAT SAME
+// address (z_mergetoaddress [addr] -> addr in postConsolidationCall), so auto-consolidation NEVER moves
+// funds between addresses — it only sheds notes. It never uses the "into one address" sweep.
 bool App::startConsolidationQuiet(const std::vector<services::NoteGroup>& groups, services::RunConfig cfg)
 {
     if (isLiteBuild() || capture_mode_ || shutting_down_.load()) return false;
diff --git a/src/config/settings.h b/src/config/settings.h
index f2e7387..07b2ec1 100644
--- a/src/config/settings.h
+++ b/src/config/settings.h
@@ -230,7 +230,9 @@ public:
     bool getAutoShield() const { return auto_shield_; }
     void setAutoShield(bool shield) { auto_shield_ = shield; }
     // Automatic background note consolidation (full-node): when on, the wallet quietly merges small notes
-    // in tiny batches while idle (see App::pumpAutoConsolidation). Off by default.
+    // in tiny batches while idle (see App::pumpAutoConsolidation). Each address's notes are merged back into
+    // THAT SAME address (z_mergetoaddress [addr] -> addr), so funds never move between addresses. On by
+    // default — a missing key in an older config therefore enables it on upgrade, which is intended.
     bool getAutoConsolidate() const { return auto_consolidate_; }
     void setAutoConsolidate(bool v) { auto_consolidate_ = v; }
 
@@ -731,7 +733,7 @@ private:
     int   time_format_ = 0;            // global clock: 0 = 24h, 1 = 12h
     bool save_ztxs_ = true;
     bool auto_shield_ = true;
-    bool auto_consolidate_ = false;
+    bool auto_consolidate_ = true;
     bool use_tor_ = false;
     bool allow_custom_fees_ = false;
     double default_fee_ = 0.0001;
diff --git a/src/ui/pages/settings_page.cpp b/src/ui/pages/settings_page.cpp
index 4d501b7..717b9c1 100644
--- a/src/ui/pages/settings_page.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/pages/settings_page.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ struct SettingsPageState {
     bool save_ztxs = true;
     bool allow_custom_fees = false;
     bool auto_shield = false;
-    bool auto_consolidate = false;
+    bool auto_consolidate = true;   // on by default (loaded from settings on open; see getAutoConsolidate)
     bool fetch_prices = true;
     bool use_tor = false;
     char rpc_host[128] = DRAGONX_DEFAULT_RPC_HOST;