diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 52e0bf1eb..fcc2cace0 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -6380,6 +6380,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "hkdf",
  "log",
  "mockito",
+ "parking_lot",
  "rand 0.8.5",
  "regex",
  "reqwest 0.12.28",
diff --git a/walletkit-core/Cargo.toml b/walletkit-core/Cargo.toml
index 6d9600d0a..f971664fd 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/walletkit-core/Cargo.toml
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ sha2 = { version = "0.10", optional = true }
 strum = { version = "0.27", features = ["derive"] }
 subtle = "2"
 thiserror = "2"
+parking_lot = { version = "0.12", optional = true }
 tokio = { version = "1", features = ["sync"] }
 tracing = "0.1"
 tracing-log = "0.2"
@@ -97,6 +98,7 @@ storage = [
     "dep:rand",
     "dep:sha2",
     "dep:uuid",
+    "dep:parking_lot",
     "dep:walletkit-db",
 ]
 
diff --git a/walletkit-core/src/authenticator/mod.rs b/walletkit-core/src/authenticator/mod.rs
index 99c0c7fcf..362850919 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/src/authenticator/mod.rs
+++ b/walletkit-core/src/authenticator/mod.rs
@@ -566,10 +566,9 @@ mod tests {
         let provider = InMemoryStorageProvider::new(&root);
         let store = CredentialStore::from_provider(&provider).expect("store");
         store.init(42, 100).expect("init storage");
-        cache_embedded_groth16_material(store.storage_paths().expect("paths"))
-            .expect("cache material");
+        cache_embedded_groth16_material(store.storage_paths()).expect("cache material");
 
-        let paths = store.storage_paths().expect("paths");
+        let paths = store.storage_paths();
         Authenticator::init(&seed, &config, paths, Arc::new(store))
             .await
             .unwrap();
diff --git a/walletkit-core/src/storage/credential_storage.rs b/walletkit-core/src/storage/credential_storage.rs
index ed2d61da8..507f3f22f 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/src/storage/credential_storage.rs
+++ b/walletkit-core/src/storage/credential_storage.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 //! Storage facade implementing the credential storage API.
 
-use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+use parking_lot::Mutex;
 
 use world_id_core::FieldElement as CoreFieldElement;
 
@@ -148,12 +150,8 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     }
 
     /// Returns the storage paths used by this handle.
-    ///
-    /// # Errors
-    ///
-    /// Returns an error if the storage mutex is poisoned.
-    pub fn storage_paths(&self) -> StorageResult<Arc<StoragePaths>> {
-        self.lock_inner().map(|inner| Arc::new(inner.paths.clone()))
+    pub fn storage_paths(&self) -> Arc<StoragePaths> {
+        Arc::new(self.lock_inner().paths.clone())
     }
 
     /// Initializes storage and validates the account leaf index.
@@ -162,7 +160,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     ///
     /// Returns an error if initialization fails or the leaf index mismatches.
     pub fn init(&self, leaf_index: u64, now: u64) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        let mut inner = self.lock_inner()?;
+        let mut inner = self.lock_inner();
         inner.init(leaf_index, now)
     }
 
@@ -179,7 +177,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         issuer_schema_id: Option<u64>,
         now: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<Vec<CredentialRecord>> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.list_credentials(issuer_schema_id, now)
+        self.lock_inner().list_credentials(issuer_schema_id, now)
     }
 
     /// Deletes a credential by ID.
@@ -189,7 +187,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     /// Returns an error if the delete operation fails or the credential ID does
     /// not exist.
     pub fn delete_credential(&self, credential_id: u64) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.delete_credential(credential_id)?;
+        self.lock_inner().delete_credential(credential_id)?;
         self.notify_vault_changed();
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -207,7 +205,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         associated_data: Option<Vec<u8>>,
         now: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<u64> {
-        let id = self.lock_inner()?.store_credential(
+        let id = self.lock_inner().store_credential(
             credential,
             blinding_factor,
             expires_at,
@@ -224,7 +222,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     ///
     /// Returns an error if the cache lookup fails.
     pub fn merkle_cache_get(&self, valid_until: u64) -> StorageResult<Option<Vec<u8>>> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.merkle_cache_get(valid_until)
+        self.lock_inner().merkle_cache_get(valid_until)
     }
 
     /// Inserts a cached Merkle proof with a TTL.
@@ -238,7 +236,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         now: u64,
         ttl_seconds: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        self.lock_inner()?
+        self.lock_inner()
             .merkle_cache_put(proof_bytes, now, ttl_seconds)
     }
 
@@ -260,7 +258,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         reason = "non-owned strings cannot be lifted via UniFFI"
     )]
     pub fn import_vault_from_backup(&self, backup_path: String) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.import_vault_from_backup(&backup_path)
+        self.lock_inner().import_vault_from_backup(&backup_path)
     }
 
     /// **Development only.** Permanently deletes all stored credentials and their
@@ -280,7 +278,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     ///
     /// Returns an error if the delete operation fails.
     pub fn danger_delete_all_credentials(&self) -> StorageResult<u64> {
-        let mut inner = self.lock_inner()?;
+        let mut inner = self.lock_inner();
         let count = inner.danger_delete_all_credentials()?;
         drop(inner);
         if count > 0 {
@@ -291,48 +289,49 @@ impl CredentialStore {
 
     /// Registers a backup manager that will be notified after vault mutations
     /// ([`store_credential`](Self::store_credential),
+    /// [`delete_credential`](Self::delete_credential),
     /// [`danger_delete_all_credentials`](Self::danger_delete_all_credentials)).
-    /// Backup failures are logged but do not affect the mutation result.
     ///
-    /// # Errors
+    pub fn set_backup_manager(&self, manager: Arc<dyn WalletKitBackupManager>) {
+        *self.backup.lock() = manager;
+    }
+
+    /// Triggers a one-off backup sync without mutating the vault.
     ///
-    /// Returns an error if the backup mutex is poisoned.
-    pub fn set_backup_manager(
-        &self,
-        manager: Arc<dyn WalletKitBackupManager>,
-    ) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        *self.backup.lock().map_err(|_| {
-            StorageError::Lock("backup config mutex poisoned".to_string())
-        })? = manager;
-        Ok(())
+    /// Call this at initial backup creation to catch up any credentials
+    /// that were stored before the backup was set up. The registered
+    /// [`WalletKitBackupManager`] receives the same `on_vault_changed`
+    /// callback as after a normal vault mutation.
+    ///
+    /// Errors from the vault export or backup callback are logged but not
+    /// propagated — the caller can schedule a retry via another
+    /// `sync_backup` call if needed.
+    pub fn sync_backup(&self) {
+        self.notify_vault_changed();
     }
 }
 
 /// Implementation not exposed to foreign bindings
 impl CredentialStore {
-    fn lock_inner(
-        &self,
-    ) -> StorageResult<std::sync::MutexGuard<'_, CredentialStoreInner>> {
-        self.inner
-            .lock()
-            .map_err(|_| StorageError::Lock("storage mutex poisoned".to_string()))
+    fn lock_inner(&self) -> parking_lot::MutexGuard<'_, CredentialStoreInner> {
+        self.inner.lock()
     }
 
-    /// Best-effort export + notification to the backup manager, if one is set.
+    /// Exports a plaintext vault snapshot and notifies the registered backup
+    /// manager via [`on_vault_changed`](WalletKitBackupManager::on_vault_changed).
+    ///
+    /// Called after vault mutations and by [`sync_backup`](Self::sync_backup).
+    /// Returns `Ok(())` if no backup manager is configured (noop).
     ///
-    /// Called after any vault mutation (store, delete) so the host app can
-    /// sync the updated vault to its backup. Failures are logged but never
-    /// propagated — the vault mutation has already succeeded and callers
-    /// should not see an error from a backup side-effect.
+    /// Backup callback errors are logged but **not** propagated, because the
+    /// vault mutation has already been committed by the time this runs.
+    /// Propagating would cause callers to see a failed result for a mutation
+    /// that actually succeeded, leading to incorrect retries.
     fn notify_vault_changed(&self) {
         // Hold the backup lock for the entire export+callback path. This
         // serializes concurrent notifications so backups are delivered in
-        // mutation order. Recover the guard on poison — the manager is
-        // still valid after a prior panic.
-        let guard = self
-            .backup
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
+        // mutation order.
+        let guard = self.backup.lock();
 
         let dest_dir = guard.dest_dir();
         if dest_dir.is_empty() {
@@ -342,13 +341,11 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         // Export a plaintext snapshot of the vault. The file is sensitive
         // (unencrypted), so we wrap it in a guard that deletes it on drop —
         // no matter how we exit (normal return, early return, or panic).
-        let vault_path = match self
-            .lock_inner()
-            .and_then(|inner| inner.export_vault_for_backup(&dest_dir))
-        {
+        let export_result = self.lock_inner().export_vault_for_backup(&dest_dir);
+        let vault_path = match export_result {
             Ok(path) => path,
             Err(e) => {
-                tracing::error!("Failed to export vault for backup: {e}");
+                tracing::error!("Vault export for backup failed: {e}");
                 return;
             }
         };
@@ -372,7 +369,9 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         // the vault to Bedrock. The host must finish with the file during
         // this synchronous call — the guard deletes it on return.
         if let Err(e) = guard.on_vault_changed(vault_path) {
-            tracing::error!("Backup manager on_vault_changed failed: {e}");
+            tracing::error!(
+                "Backup callback failed (vault mutation already committed): {e}"
+            );
         }
     }
 
@@ -388,7 +387,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         issuer_schema_id: u64,
         now: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<Option<(Credential, FieldElement)>> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.get_credential(issuer_schema_id, now)
+        self.lock_inner().get_credential(issuer_schema_id, now)
     }
 
     /// Checks whether a replay guard entry exists for the given nullifier.
@@ -404,7 +403,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         nullifier: CoreFieldElement,
         now: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<bool> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.is_nullifier_replay(nullifier, now)
+        self.lock_inner().is_nullifier_replay(nullifier, now)
     }
 
     /// After a proof has been successfully generated, creates a replay guard entry
@@ -418,7 +417,7 @@ impl CredentialStore {
         nullifier: CoreFieldElement,
         now: u64,
     ) -> StorageResult<()> {
-        self.lock_inner()?.replay_guard_set(nullifier, now)
+        self.lock_inner().replay_guard_set(nullifier, now)
     }
 }
 
@@ -645,12 +644,8 @@ impl CredentialStore {
     }
 
     /// Returns the storage paths used by this handle.
-    ///
-    /// # Errors
-    ///
-    /// Returns an error if the storage mutex is poisoned.
-    pub fn paths(&self) -> StorageResult<StoragePaths> {
-        self.lock_inner().map(|inner| inner.paths.clone())
+    pub fn paths(&self) -> StoragePaths {
+        self.lock_inner().paths.clone()
     }
 }
 
@@ -1329,15 +1324,21 @@ mod tests {
         }
 
         fn call_count(&self) -> usize {
-            self.calls.lock().unwrap().len()
+            self.calls.lock().len()
         }
 
         fn last_path(&self) -> Option<String> {
-            self.calls.lock().unwrap().last().map(|(p, _)| p.clone())
+            self.calls
+                .lock()
+                .last()
+                .map(|(p, _): &(String, bool)| p.clone())
         }
 
         fn last_file_existed(&self) -> bool {
-            self.calls.lock().unwrap().last().is_some_and(|(_, e)| *e)
+            self.calls
+                .lock()
+                .last()
+                .is_some_and(|(_, e): &(String, bool)| *e)
         }
     }
 
@@ -1348,7 +1349,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         fn on_vault_changed(&self, vault_file_path: String) -> StorageResult<()> {
             let existed = std::path::Path::new(&vault_file_path).exists();
-            self.calls.lock().unwrap().push((vault_file_path, existed));
+            self.calls.lock().push((vault_file_path, existed));
             Ok(())
         }
     }
@@ -1366,9 +1367,7 @@ mod tests {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(&export_dir).expect("create export dir");
 
         let manager = MockBackupManager::new(export_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string());
-        store
-            .set_backup_manager(manager.clone())
-            .expect("set backup manager");
+        store.set_backup_manager(manager.clone());
 
         (store, manager, root, export_dir)
     }
@@ -1508,4 +1507,58 @@ mod tests {
         cleanup_test_storage(&root);
         cleanup_test_storage(&export_dir);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_sync_backup_triggers_notification_without_mutation() {
+        use world_id_core::Credential as CoreCredential;
+
+        let (store, manager, root, export_dir) = setup_store_with_backup();
+
+        // Store a credential so the vault is non-empty.
+        let cred: Credential = CoreCredential::new()
+            .issuer_schema_id(100)
+            .genesis_issued_at(1000)
+            .into();
+        store
+            .store_credential(&cred, &FieldElement::from(7u64), 9999, None, 1000)
+            .expect("store credential");
+        assert_eq!(manager.call_count(), 1);
+
+        // sync_backup triggers a notification without mutating the vault.
+        store.sync_backup();
+        assert_eq!(manager.call_count(), 2);
+        assert!(
+            manager.last_file_existed(),
+            "exported vault file should exist during the callback"
+        );
+        let path = manager.last_path().unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            !std::path::Path::new(&path).exists(),
+            "exported vault file should be cleaned up after the callback"
+        );
+
+        // Vault contents are unchanged — still the same credential.
+        let credentials = store.list_credentials(None, 1000).expect("list");
+        assert_eq!(credentials.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(credentials[0].issuer_schema_id, 100);
+
+        cleanup_test_storage(&root);
+        cleanup_test_storage(&export_dir);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_sync_backup_on_empty_vault() {
+        let (store, manager, root, export_dir) = setup_store_with_backup();
+
+        // sync_backup on an empty vault should still trigger a notification.
+        store.sync_backup();
+        assert_eq!(manager.call_count(), 1);
+        assert!(
+            manager.last_file_existed(),
+            "exported vault file should exist during the callback"
+        );
+
+        cleanup_test_storage(&root);
+        cleanup_test_storage(&export_dir);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/walletkit-core/src/storage/traits.rs b/walletkit-core/src/storage/traits.rs
index a3e5bb075..938a2e90d 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/src/storage/traits.rs
+++ b/walletkit-core/src/storage/traits.rs
@@ -121,9 +121,12 @@ pub trait WalletKitBackupManager: Send + Sync {
     ///
     /// # Errors
     ///
-    /// Returning `Err` is treated as best-effort — the error is logged but
-    /// does not affect the vault mutation that triggered this call. Returning
-    /// `Result` (rather than `()`) ensures that host-side exceptions are
-    /// translated into a Rust `Err` by `UniFFI` instead of panicking.
+    /// Errors returned here are **logged but not propagated** to the caller
+    /// of the vault mutation. The vault mutation has already been committed
+    /// by the time this callback runs, so a failure here only means the
+    /// backup sync failed — the credential data is safe. The host app can
+    /// schedule a retry via
+    /// [`sync_backup`](crate::storage::CredentialStore::sync_backup) if
+    /// needed.
     fn on_vault_changed(&self, vault_file_path: String) -> StorageResult<()>;
 }
diff --git a/walletkit-core/tests/authenticator_integration.rs b/walletkit-core/tests/authenticator_integration.rs
index 3aa91470c..e1cafb558 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/tests/authenticator_integration.rs
+++ b/walletkit-core/tests/authenticator_integration.rs
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ async fn test_authenticator_integration() {
 
     let authenticator_seeder = PrivateKeySigner::random();
     let store = common::create_test_credential_store();
-    let paths = store.storage_paths().unwrap();
+    let paths = store.storage_paths();
     cache_embedded_groth16_material(paths.clone()).expect("cache groth16 material");
 
     // When account doesn't exist, this should fail
diff --git a/walletkit-core/tests/proof_generation_integration.rs b/walletkit-core/tests/proof_generation_integration.rs
index 94c5c6b5c..ab32ea911 100644
--- a/walletkit-core/tests/proof_generation_integration.rs
+++ b/walletkit-core/tests/proof_generation_integration.rs
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ async fn e2e_authenticator_generate_proof() -> Result<()> {
     // Phase 2: Authenticator init with walletkit wrapper
     // ----------------------------------------------------------------
     let store = common::create_test_credential_store();
-    let paths = store.storage_paths().wrap_err("storage_paths failed")?;
+    let paths = store.storage_paths();
     cache_embedded_groth16_material(paths.clone())
         .wrap_err("cache_embedded_groth16_material failed")?;