diff --git a/bin/phonescreenctl b/bin/phonescreenctl
index 6a1e358..cde2af7 100755
--- a/bin/phonescreenctl
+++ b/bin/phonescreenctl
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Usage:
     phonescreenctl state
     phonescreenctl claim <name> <priority> <x> <y> <w> <h> [serial] [--above 0|1] [--borderless 0|1] [--extra "args"]
     phonescreenctl release <name>
+    phonescreenctl raise                          # bring the mirror to the front and keep it there
     phonescreenctl window [serial]                # pop out: movable window (pauses pinned)
     phonescreenctl lock   [serial]                # lock the phone (instant hide)
     phonescreenctl unlock [serial]                # wake + PIN-unlock (instant show)
@@ -91,13 +92,11 @@ def cmd_release(args):
 
 
 def cmd_raise():
-    """Raise the pinned mirror to the top of the stack — used by the tray popup so
-    its embedded mirror sits above the popup window. No-op if kdotool isn't set up."""
-    try:
-        subprocess.run(["kdotool", "search", "--name", ps.TITLE_TOKEN, "windowraise"],
-                       capture_output=True, timeout=5)
-    except (OSError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
-        pass
+    """Bring the pinned mirror to the front and keep it there while a widget claims
+    it, even if it was pinned below normal windows. No-op if kdotool isn't set up."""
+    ps.request_front()
+    time.sleep(0.4)
+    ps.raise_window()
     return 0
 
 
diff --git a/plasmoids/org.devl0rd.phonescreen/contents/ui/main.qml b/plasmoids/org.devl0rd.phonescreen/contents/ui/main.qml
index 1a73473..6159a59 100644
--- a/plasmoids/org.devl0rd.phonescreen/contents/ui/main.qml
+++ b/plasmoids/org.devl0rd.phonescreen/contents/ui/main.qml
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ PlasmoidItem {
         if (!_pinTarget || !root.dataWanted) return
         var r = screenRect()
         var a = "claim desktop 1 " + r.x + " " + r.y + " " + r.w + " " + r.h + root.serialArg
-        a += " --above " + (Plasmoid.configuration.keepBelow ? 0 : 1)
+        a += " --above " + (root.inPanel || !Plasmoid.configuration.keepBelow ? 1 : 0)
         a += " --borderless " + (Plasmoid.configuration.borderless ? 1 : 0)
         var extra = (Plasmoid.configuration.extraArgs || "").replace(/'/g, "").trim()
         if (extra !== "") a += " --extra '" + extra + "'"
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ PlasmoidItem {
         if (root.dataWanted) claimMirror()
         else ctl("release desktop")
     }
+    onExpandedChanged: if (root.inPanel && root.expanded) ctl("raise")
+    function bringToFront() { ctl("raise") }
     function popOut() { ctl("window" + root.serialArg) }
     function toggleLock() {
         root.pendingLock = !root.displayLocked
@@ -122,6 +124,16 @@ PlasmoidItem {
                 statusColor: root.statusColor
                 statusText: root.mirrorView.text
 
+                PlasmaComponents.ToolButton {
+                    icon.name: "go-top"
+                    display: QQC2.AbstractButton.IconOnly
+                    enabled: feed.ready && feed.reachable && feed.status !== "external"
+                    onClicked: root.bringToFront()
+                    text: i18n("Bring to front")
+                    QQC2.ToolTip.text: text
+                    QQC2.ToolTip.visible: hovered
+                    QQC2.ToolTip.delay: 600
+                }
                 PlasmaComponents.ToolButton {
                     icon.name: "window-new"
                     display: QQC2.AbstractButton.IconOnly
diff --git a/src/core/phonescreen.py b/src/core/phonescreen.py
index b6d1413..cf182b4 100644
--- a/src/core/phonescreen.py
+++ b/src/core/phonescreen.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 STATUS_PATH = os.path.join(RUNTIME_DIR, "phonescreen.json")
 CLAIM_GLOB = os.path.join(RUNTIME_DIR, "phonescreen_claim_*.json")
 WINDOW_PATH = os.path.join(RUNTIME_DIR, "phonescreen_window")
+FRONT_PATH = os.path.join(RUNTIME_DIR, "phonescreen_front")
 LOG_PATH = os.path.join(RUNTIME_DIR, "phonescreen.log")
 LAUNCHER = cam.LAUNCHER
 
@@ -70,6 +71,29 @@ def read_claims():
     return out
 
 
+def request_front():
+    touch(FRONT_PATH)
+
+
+def clear_front():
+    try:
+        os.remove(FRONT_PATH)
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+
+
+def front_requested():
+    return os.path.exists(FRONT_PATH)
+
+
+def raise_window():
+    try:
+        subprocess.run(["kdotool", "search", "--name", TITLE_TOKEN, "windowraise"],
+                       capture_output=True, timeout=5)
+    except (OSError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+        pass
+
+
 def pick_winner(claims):
     live = [c for c in claims if c.get("visible")]
     if not live:
@@ -581,6 +605,7 @@ def wants(self, serial):
     def reconcile(self):
         win = pick_winner(read_claims())
         if win is None:
+            clear_front()
             if not self.persist or self.last_geom is None:
                 return
             x, y, w, h, above, borderless = self.last_geom
@@ -588,7 +613,7 @@ def reconcile(self):
         else:
             x, y = int(win.get("x", 0)), int(win.get("y", 0))
             w, h = int(win.get("w", 400)), int(win.get("h", 800))
-            above = bool(win.get("above", False))
+            above = bool(win.get("above", False)) or front_requested()
             borderless = bool(win.get("borderless", True))
             self.last_geom = (x, y, w, h, above, borderless)
             serial = win.get("serial") or resolve_serial()