diff --git a/mobile/app/(tabs)/import.tsx b/mobile/app/(tabs)/import.tsx
index d25701e..324e2f0 100644
--- a/mobile/app/(tabs)/import.tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/(tabs)/import.tsx
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ export default function ImportScreen() {
     if (isImporting.current) return;
     const path = await getSetting(db, 'auto_import_path');
     if (!path) return;
+    const instanceUrl = await getSetting(db, 'instance_url');
+    if (!instanceUrl) return; // silently skip — engine can't be downloaded without an instance
 
     const newFiles = await discoverNewFiles(db, path);
     if (newFiles.length === 0) return;
@@ -69,6 +71,11 @@ export default function ImportScreen() {
     if (isImporting.current) return;
     const path = await getSetting(db, 'auto_import_path');
     if (!path) return;
+    const instanceUrl = await getSetting(db, 'instance_url');
+    if (!instanceUrl) {
+      setState({ status: 'error', message: 'No Bincio instance configured. Go to Settings and enter an instance URL first — it\'s needed to download the extraction engine.' });
+      return;
+    }
 
     setState({ status: 'loading', msg: 'Scanning…', current: 0, total: 0 });
     const newFiles = await discoverNewFiles(db, path);
diff --git a/mobile/app/(tabs)/settings.tsx b/mobile/app/(tabs)/settings.tsx
index 27fdef1..1d08085 100644
--- a/mobile/app/(tabs)/settings.tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/(tabs)/settings.tsx
@@ -165,18 +165,26 @@ export default function SettingsScreen() {
 
       {Platform.OS === 'android' && (
         <Section title="Auto-import (Android)">
-          <Field
-            label="Watch directory"
-            placeholder="/sdcard/FitFiles"
-            value={autoPath}
-            onChangeText={setAutoPath}
-            onBlur={() => setSetting(db, 'auto_import_path', autoPath.trim())}
-            autoCapitalize="none"
-          />
-          <Text style={styles.hint}>
-            New FIT files in this directory are imported automatically when you
-            open the app. Leave blank to disable. Requires storage permission.
-          </Text>
+          {!storedUrl ? (
+            <Text style={[styles.hint, styles.hintWarn]}>
+              Configure and save a Bincio instance URL above first — it's needed to download the extraction engine.
+            </Text>
+          ) : (
+            <>
+              <Field
+                label="Watch directory"
+                placeholder="/sdcard/FitFiles"
+                value={autoPath}
+                onChangeText={setAutoPath}
+                onBlur={() => setSetting(db, 'auto_import_path', autoPath.trim())}
+                autoCapitalize="none"
+              />
+              <Text style={styles.hint}>
+                New FIT files in this folder are imported automatically when you
+                open the app. Leave blank to disable. Requires storage permission.
+              </Text>
+            </>
+          )}
         </Section>
       )}
 
@@ -326,6 +334,7 @@ const styles = StyleSheet.create({
   fieldLabel: { color: '#71717a', fontSize: 11, marginBottom: 4 },
   input:      { color: '#f4f4f5', fontSize: 15 },
   hint:       { color: '#52525b', fontSize: 12, lineHeight: 16, padding: 12 },
+  hintWarn:   { color: '#a16207' },
   row: {
     flexDirection: 'row', justifyContent: 'space-between',
     paddingHorizontal: 14, paddingVertical: 12,