diff --git a/docs/api-reference.md b/docs/api-reference.md
index 71eace6..8cddb2c 100644
--- a/docs/api-reference.md
+++ b/docs/api-reference.md
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ For `/health/ready` failure:
 - `file`
 - `circle_video`
 
+Note: `circle_video` is kept for API/mobile parity. Web client currently sends regular `video` (no circle compose UI).
+
 ### Message status events
 
 - `message_delivered`
diff --git a/docs/core-checklist-status.md b/docs/core-checklist-status.md
index d1c67eb..1b31e68 100644
--- a/docs/core-checklist-status.md
+++ b/docs/core-checklist-status.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Legend:
 15. Typing Realtime - `DONE` (typing start/stop + recording voice start/stop + recording video start/stop in circle-video send flow)
 16. Media & Attachments - `DONE` (upload/preview/download/gallery; sticker/GIF inline media no longer opens photo viewer on click)
 17. Voice Messages - `PARTIAL` (record/send/play/seek + global speed 1x/1.5x/2x; recorder uses improved mime priority for better duration metadata; backend media allowlist includes `audio/mp4`/`audio/x-m4a`; audio store tracks duration via `durationchange/seekable` fallback; websocket send/recorder stop race on fast chat switch is guarded; UX still being polished)
-18. Circle Video Messages - `PARTIAL` (send/play present, recording UX basic)
+18. Circle Video Messages - `PARTIAL` (mobile-priority only: backend type/realtime supported; web composer intentionally does not send circles)
 19. Stickers - `PARTIAL` (web sticker picker with preset pack + favorites)
 20. GIF - `PARTIAL` (web GIF picker with Tenor search + preset fallback + favorites)
 21. Message History/Search - `DONE` (history/pagination/chat+global search)
diff --git a/web/src/components/MessageComposer.tsx b/web/src/components/MessageComposer.tsx
index 551d112..2c07b79 100644
--- a/web/src/components/MessageComposer.tsx
+++ b/web/src/components/MessageComposer.tsx
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
   const [uploadError, setUploadError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [selectedFiles, setSelectedFiles] = useState<File[]>([]);
   const [selectedType, setSelectedType] = useState<"file" | "image" | "video" | "audio">("file");
-  const [sendAsCircle, setSendAsCircle] = useState(false);
   const [previewUrl, setPreviewUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [showAttachMenu, setShowAttachMenu] = useState(false);
   const [showFormatMenu, setShowFormatMenu] = useState(false);
@@ -546,11 +545,7 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     }
   }
 
-  async function handleUpload(
-    file: File,
-    messageType: "file" | "image" | "video" | "audio" | "voice" | "circle_video" = "file",
-    waveformPoints?: number[] | null
-  ) {
+  async function handleUpload(file: File, messageType: "file" | "image" | "video" | "audio" | "voice" = "file", waveformPoints?: number[] | null) {
     if (!activeChatId || !me || !canSendInActiveChat) {
       return;
     }
@@ -827,7 +822,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     setShowAttachMenu(false);
     const fileType = inferType(files[0]);
     setSelectedType(fileType);
-    setSendAsCircle(false);
     if (previewUrl) {
       URL.revokeObjectURL(previewUrl);
     }
@@ -842,12 +836,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     if (!selectedFiles.length || !activeChatId || !me) {
       return;
     }
-    const isCircleVideoFlow =
-      selectedFiles.length === 1 && inferType(selectedFiles[0]) === "video" && sendAsCircle;
-    if (isCircleVideoFlow) {
-      emitTypingStopIfActive();
-      sendRealtimeChatEvent("recording_video_start");
-    }
     setIsUploading(true);
     setUploadError(null);
     setUploadProgress(0);
@@ -886,8 +874,7 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
       } else if (kindSet.size === 1) {
         inferredType = uploaded[0].kind;
       }
-      const messageType =
-        inferredType === "video" && uploaded.length === 1 && sendAsCircle ? "circle_video" : inferredType;
+      const messageType = inferredType;
       const caption = captionDraft.trim() || null;
       const clientMessageId = makeClientMessageId();
       addOptimisticMessage({
@@ -915,9 +902,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     } finally {
       setIsUploading(false);
       setUploadProgress(0);
-      if (isCircleVideoFlow) {
-        sendRealtimeChatEvent("recording_video_stop");
-      }
     }
     if (previewUrl) {
       URL.revokeObjectURL(previewUrl);
@@ -926,7 +910,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     setPreviewUrl(null);
     setCaptionDraft("");
     setSelectedType("file");
-    setSendAsCircle(false);
   }
 
   function cancelSelectedFile() {
@@ -937,7 +920,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
     setPreviewUrl(null);
     setCaptionDraft("");
     setSelectedType("file");
-    setSendAsCircle(false);
     setUploadProgress(0);
     setUploadError(null);
   }
@@ -1452,17 +1434,6 @@ export function MessageComposer() {
                 value={captionDraft}
                 onChange={(event) => setCaptionDraft(event.target.value)}
               />
-              {selectedType === "video" && selectedFiles.length === 1 ? (
-                <label className="mb-2 flex items-center gap-2 text-xs text-slate-300">
-                  <input
-                    checked={sendAsCircle}
-                    onChange={(event) => setSendAsCircle(event.target.checked)}
-                    type="checkbox"
-                  />
-                  Send as video message (circle)
-                </label>
-              ) : null}
-
               {isUploading ? (
                 <div className="mb-2">
                   <div className="mb-1 text-xs text-slate-300">Uploading: {uploadProgress}%</div>