diff --git a/frontend/src/components/BackfillBanner.tsx b/frontend/src/components/BackfillBanner.tsx
index 5ad907d..2b7575d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/BackfillBanner.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/BackfillBanner.tsx
@@ -13,9 +13,12 @@ export function BackfillBanner() {
   const accounts = useQuery({ queryKey: ["accounts"], queryFn: api.accounts });
 
   const importing = (accounts.data ?? []).filter(
-    // Also require done < total so a completed account whose state event was missed
-    // (e.g. a dropped WS) never leaves a stuck "X of X" banner.
-    (a) => a.state === "backfilling" && a.backfill_total > 0 && a.backfill_done < a.backfill_total,
+    // Show while backfilling — including the brief start window before the worker has
+    // counted the total (total === 0). Hide only once done, so a completed account
+    // whose state event was missed (e.g. a dropped WS) never leaves a stuck banner.
+    (a) =>
+      a.state === "backfilling" &&
+      (a.backfill_total === 0 || a.backfill_done < a.backfill_total),
   );
   const active = importing.length > 0;
 
@@ -40,8 +43,10 @@ export function BackfillBanner() {
       }`}
     >
       {importing.map((a) => {
+        // total === 0: the worker hasn't counted yet — show an indeterminate bar.
+        const preparing = a.backfill_total === 0;
         const done = Math.min(a.backfill_done, a.backfill_total);
-        const pct = Math.round((done / a.backfill_total) * 100);
+        const pct = preparing ? 0 : Math.round((done / a.backfill_total) * 100);
         return (
           <div
             key={a.id}
@@ -52,16 +57,22 @@ export function BackfillBanner() {
               <span className="truncate text-xs font-medium text-app-fg">{a.email}</span>
             </div>
             <div className="mb-1.5 text-xs text-app-muted">
-              {t("backfill.importing", {
-                done: done.toLocaleString(),
-                total: a.backfill_total.toLocaleString(),
-              })}
+              {preparing
+                ? t("backfill.preparing")
+                : t("backfill.importing", {
+                    done: done.toLocaleString(),
+                    total: a.backfill_total.toLocaleString(),
+                  })}
             </div>
             <div className="h-1.5 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-full bg-app-hover">
-              <div
-                className="h-full rounded-full bg-app-accent transition-all duration-500"
-                style={{ width: `${pct}%` }}
-              />
+              {preparing ? (
+                <div className="h-full w-full animate-pulse rounded-full bg-app-accent/60" />
+              ) : (
+                <div
+                  className="h-full rounded-full bg-app-accent transition-all duration-500"
+                  style={{ width: `${pct}%` }}
+                />
+              )}
             </div>
           </div>
         );
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/en.ts b/frontend/src/i18n/en.ts
index a6aaa8c..80aa59e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/en.ts
@@ -236,7 +236,15 @@ export const en = {
   "wizard.port": "Port",
   "wizard.security": "Security",
   "wizard.accountPassword": "Account password",
-  "wizard.appPasswordHint": "For Gmail/Yahoo/iCloud use an app password.",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHint": "For Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, or Outlook use an app password.",
+  "wizard.help": "Help",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.title": "Set up an app password",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.intro":
+    "These providers need a one-time app password instead of your normal password:",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.prefix": "Make sure to",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.twoStep": "turn on 2-step verification",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.middle": "if you haven't done it yet, and then",
+  "wizard.appPasswordHelp.generate": "generate the app password",
   "wizard.test": "Test & continue",
   "wizard.testing": "Testing connection…",
   "wizard.testOk": "Connection works.",
@@ -303,6 +311,7 @@ export const en = {
   "settings.downloadAllMail": "Sync remaining mail",
   "settings.syncedPartially": "Synced partially",
   "backfill.importing": "Importing messages… {done} of {total}",
+  "backfill.preparing": "Preparing to import messages…",
   "settings.appearance": "Appearance",
   "settings.handle": "Handle",
   "settings.recoveryEmail": "Recovery email",
@@ -376,6 +385,7 @@ export const en = {
   "settings.addAccount": "Add account",
   "settings.syncState": "State: {state}",
   "settings.confirmRemoveAccount": "Remove this account and all its mail?",
+  "settings.removingAccount": "Removing account…",
   "settings.editAccount": "Edit account",
   "settings.color": "Color",
   "settings.serverSettings": "Change server settings / password",
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/MailLayout.tsx b/frontend/src/routes/MailLayout.tsx
index 7339ad5..9d0a04d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/MailLayout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/MailLayout.tsx
@@ -583,8 +583,7 @@ export function MailLayout() {
                     color={a.color}
                     syncing={
                       a.state === "backfilling" &&
-                      a.backfill_total > 0 &&
-                      a.backfill_done < a.backfill_total
+                      (a.backfill_total === 0 || a.backfill_done < a.backfill_total)
                     }
                     total={a.backfill_total}
                     done={a.backfill_done}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/settings/Settings.tsx b/frontend/src/routes/settings/Settings.tsx
index ca6e468..645c383 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/settings/Settings.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/settings/Settings.tsx
@@ -251,9 +251,15 @@ function AccountsSection() {
   const [editing, setEditing] = useState<{ id: string; mode: "account" | "signature" } | null>(
     null,
   );
+  // Which account is being deleted — drives the blocking spinner overlay until the
+  // (slow) server cascade finishes and the refetched list no longer includes it.
+  const [deletingId, setDeletingId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const remove = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (id: string) => api.deleteAccount(id),
-    onSuccess: () => queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["accounts"] }),
+    onSettled: async () => {
+      await queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ["accounts"] });
+      setDeletingId(null);
+    },
   });
   const downloadAll = useMutation({
     mutationFn: (id: string) => api.updateAccount(id, { sync_window: "all" }),
@@ -325,7 +331,10 @@ function AccountsSection() {
                   <button
                     className="text-xs text-red-500"
                     onClick={() => {
-                      if (confirm(t("settings.confirmRemoveAccount"))) remove.mutate(a.id);
+                      if (confirm(t("settings.confirmRemoveAccount"))) {
+                        setDeletingId(a.id);
+                        remove.mutate(a.id);
+                      }
                     }}
                   >
                     {t("common.remove")}
@@ -336,6 +345,18 @@ function AccountsSection() {
           </li>
         ))}
       </ul>
+      {deletingId && (
+        <div className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40 backdrop-blur-sm">
+          <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 rounded-xl bg-app-elevated px-8 py-6 shadow-2xl">
+            <span
+              className="h-8 w-8 animate-spin rounded-full border-2 border-app-border border-t-app-accent"
+              role="status"
+              aria-label={t("settings.removingAccount")}
+            />
+            <span className="text-sm text-app-muted">{t("settings.removingAccount")}</span>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
     </section>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/wizard/AccountWizard.tsx b/frontend/src/routes/wizard/AccountWizard.tsx
index 192943b..ca5a84a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/wizard/AccountWizard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/wizard/AccountWizard.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,31 @@ import { ProviderCredentialPanel } from "./ProviderCredentialPanel";
 const PALETTE = ["#2563eb", "#16a34a", "#d4762a", "#9333ea", "#dc2626", "#0891b2"];
 const EMPTY: ServerConfig = { host: "", port: 993, tls: "ssl", auth: "password" };
 
+// Providers that need an app password, with direct links to enable 2-step
+// verification and to generate the app password (shown in the Help popup).
+const APP_PASSWORD_HELP: { name: string; twoStep: string; appPassword: string }[] = [
+  {
+    name: "Gmail",
+    twoStep: "https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/two-step-verification",
+    appPassword: "https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Outlook",
+    twoStep: "https://account.microsoft.com/security",
+    appPassword: "https://account.live.com/proofs/AppPassword",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Yahoo",
+    twoStep: "https://login.yahoo.com/account/security",
+    appPassword: "https://login.yahoo.com/account/security/app-passwords",
+  },
+  {
+    name: "iCloud",
+    twoStep: "https://account.apple.com/account/manage",
+    appPassword: "https://account.apple.com/account/manage",
+  },
+];
+
 // 1 = email, 15 = provider app-password panel (step "1.5"), 2 = details, 3 = done.
 type Step = 1 | 15 | 2 | 3;
 
@@ -38,6 +63,7 @@ export function AccountWizard({ embedded = false, onDone }: WizardProps = {}) {
   const [usedPanel, setUsedPanel] = useState(false);
   const [syncWindow, setSyncWindow] = useState<SyncWindow>("all");
   const [syncSpam, setSyncSpam] = useState(false);
+  const [helpOpen, setHelpOpen] = useState(false);
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
   const [tested, setTested] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState("");
@@ -303,7 +329,16 @@ export function AccountWizard({ embedded = false, onDone }: WizardProps = {}) {
                   setTested(false);
                 }}
               />
-              <p className="text-xs text-app-faint">{t("wizard.appPasswordHint")}</p>
+              <p className="text-xs text-app-faint">
+                {t("wizard.appPasswordHint")}{" "}
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="text-app-accent hover:underline"
+                  onClick={() => setHelpOpen(true)}
+                >
+                  {t("wizard.help")}
+                </button>
+              </p>
               {detailsBlock}
               {tested && <p className="text-sm text-emerald-500">{t("wizard.testOk")}</p>}
               <div className="flex gap-2">
@@ -356,6 +391,56 @@ export function AccountWizard({ embedded = false, onDone }: WizardProps = {}) {
       )}
 
       {error && <p className="mt-3 text-sm text-red-500">{error}</p>}
+
+      {helpOpen && (
+        <div
+          className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/50 p-4"
+          onClick={() => setHelpOpen(false)}
+        >
+          <div
+            className="w-full max-w-4xl rounded-xl border border-app-border bg-app-elevated p-5 shadow-2xl"
+            onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+          >
+            <div className="mb-3 flex items-center justify-between">
+              <h2 className="text-base font-semibold">{t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.title")}</h2>
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                className="text-app-muted hover:text-app-fg"
+                onClick={() => setHelpOpen(false)}
+                aria-label={t("common.close")}
+              >
+                ✕
+              </button>
+            </div>
+            <p className="mb-3 text-sm text-app-muted">{t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.intro")}</p>
+            <ul className="space-y-3 text-sm text-app-fg">
+              {APP_PASSWORD_HELP.map((p) => (
+                <li key={p.name}>
+                  <span className="font-bold">{p.name}:</span> {t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.prefix")}{" "}
+                  <a
+                    href={p.twoStep}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    className="text-app-accent hover:underline"
+                  >
+                    {t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.twoStep")}
+                  </a>{" "}
+                  {t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.middle")}{" "}
+                  <a
+                    href={p.appPassword}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    className="text-app-accent hover:underline"
+                  >
+                    {t("wizard.appPasswordHelp.generate")}
+                  </a>
+                  .
+                </li>
+              ))}
+            </ul>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
     </div>
   );
 }