diff --git a/core/src/components/modal/modal.tsx b/core/src/components/modal/modal.tsx
index 397daaa600..4cbb88d318 100644
--- a/core/src/components/modal/modal.tsx
+++ b/core/src/components/modal/modal.tsx
@@ -102,6 +102,8 @@ export class Modal implements ComponentInterface, OverlayInterface {
   private cachedOriginalParent?: HTMLElement;
   // Cached ion-page ancestor for child route passthrough
   private cachedPageParent?: HTMLElement | null;
+  // Whether to skip coordinate-based safe-area detection (for fullscreen phone modals)
+  private skipSafeAreaCoordinateDetection = false;
 
   lastFocus?: HTMLElement;
   animation?: Animation;
@@ -877,42 +879,61 @@ export class Modal implements ComponentInterface, OverlayInterface {
     const isCardModal = presentingElement !== undefined;
     const isTablet = window.innerWidth >= 768;
 
-    // Sheet modals: always touch bottom, top depends on breakpoint
+    // Sheet modals always touch bottom edge, never top/left/right
     if (isSheetModal) {
       style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-top', '0px');
-      // Don't override bottom - sheet always touches bottom
       style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-left', '0px');
       style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-right', '0px');
       return;
     }
 
-    // Card modals are inset from edges (rounded corners), no safe areas needed
+    // Card modals are inset from all edges
     if (isCardModal) {
-      style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-top', '0px');
-      style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-bottom', '0px');
-      style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-left', '0px');
-      style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-right', '0px');
+      this.zeroAllSafeAreas();
       return;
     }
 
-    // Phone modals are fullscreen, need all safe areas
+    // Phone-sized fullscreen modals inherit safe areas and use wrapper padding
     if (!isTablet) {
-      // Don't set any overrides - inherit from :root
+      this.applyFullscreenSafeArea();
       return;
     }
 
-    // Default tablet modal: centered dialog, no safe areas needed
-    // Check for fullscreen override via CSS custom properties
+    // Check if tablet modal is fullscreen via CSS custom properties
     const computedStyle = getComputedStyle(this.el);
     const width = computedStyle.getPropertyValue('--width').trim();
     const height = computedStyle.getPropertyValue('--height').trim();
+    const isFullscreen = width === '100%' && height === '100%';
 
-    if (width === '100%' && height === '100%') {
-      // Fullscreen modal - need safe areas, don't override
-      return;
+    if (isFullscreen) {
+      this.applyFullscreenSafeArea();
+    } else {
+      // Centered dialog doesn't touch edges
+      this.zeroAllSafeAreas();
     }
+  }
 
-    // Centered dialog - zero out all safe areas
+  /**
+   * Applies safe-area handling for fullscreen modals.
+   * Adds wrapper padding when no footer is present to prevent
+   * content from overlapping system navigation areas.
+   */
+  private applyFullscreenSafeArea() {
+    this.skipSafeAreaCoordinateDetection = true;
+
+    const hasFooter = this.el.querySelector('ion-footer') !== null;
+    if (!hasFooter && this.wrapperEl) {
+      this.wrapperEl.style.setProperty('padding-bottom', 'var(--ion-safe-area-bottom, 0px)');
+      this.wrapperEl.style.setProperty('box-sizing', 'border-box');
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Sets all safe-area CSS variables to 0px for modals that
+   * don't touch screen edges.
+   */
+  private zeroAllSafeAreas() {
+    const style = this.el.style;
     style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-top', '0px');
     style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-bottom', '0px');
     style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-left', '0px');
@@ -921,22 +942,27 @@ export class Modal implements ComponentInterface, OverlayInterface {
 
   /**
    * Updates safe-area CSS variable overrides based on whether the modal
-   * is touching each edge of the viewport. This is called after animation
+   * is touching each edge of the viewport. Called after animation
    * and during gestures to handle dynamic position changes.
    */
   private updateSafeAreaOverrides() {
+    if (this.skipSafeAreaCoordinateDetection) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     const wrapper = this.wrapperEl;
-    if (!wrapper) return;
+    if (!wrapper) {
+      return;
+    }
 
     const rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();
-    const threshold = 2; // Account for subpixel rendering
+    const threshold = 2;
 
     const touchingTop = rect.top <= threshold;
     const touchingBottom = rect.bottom >= window.innerHeight - threshold;
     const touchingLeft = rect.left <= threshold;
     const touchingRight = rect.right >= window.innerWidth - threshold;
 
-    // Remove override when touching edge (allow inheritance), set to 0 when not touching
     const style = this.el.style;
     touchingTop ? style.removeProperty('--ion-safe-area-top') : style.setProperty('--ion-safe-area-top', '0px');
     touchingBottom
@@ -1058,6 +1084,8 @@ export class Modal implements ComponentInterface, OverlayInterface {
     }
     this.currentBreakpoint = undefined;
     this.animation = undefined;
+    // Reset safe-area detection flag for potential re-presentation
+    this.skipSafeAreaCoordinateDetection = false;
 
     unlock();
 
diff --git a/core/src/components/popover/animations/ios.enter.ts b/core/src/components/popover/animations/ios.enter.ts
index aa4e056814..22e8da58d4 100644
--- a/core/src/components/popover/animations/ios.enter.ts
+++ b/core/src/components/popover/animations/ios.enter.ts
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ export const iosEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
     top,
     left,
     bottom,
+    checkSafeAreaTop,
+    checkSafeAreaBottom,
     checkSafeAreaLeft,
     checkSafeAreaRight,
     arrowTop,
@@ -118,15 +120,27 @@ export const iosEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
         baseEl.classList.add('popover-bottom');
       }
 
-      if (bottom !== undefined) {
-        contentEl.style.setProperty('bottom', `${bottom}px`);
-      }
-
+      /**
+       * Safe area CSS variable adjustments.
+       * When the popover is positioned near an edge, we add the corresponding
+       * safe-area inset to ensure the popover doesn't overlap with system UI
+       * (status bars, home indicators, navigation bars on Android API 36+, etc.)
+       */
+      const safeAreaTop = ' + var(--ion-safe-area-top, 0)';
+      const safeAreaBottom = ' + var(--ion-safe-area-bottom, 0)';
       const safeAreaLeft = ' + var(--ion-safe-area-left, 0)';
       const safeAreaRight = ' - var(--ion-safe-area-right, 0)';
 
+      let topValue = `${top}px`;
+      let bottomValue = bottom !== undefined ? `${bottom}px` : undefined;
       let leftValue = `${left}px`;
 
+      if (checkSafeAreaTop) {
+        topValue = `${top}px${safeAreaTop}`;
+      }
+      if (checkSafeAreaBottom && bottomValue !== undefined) {
+        bottomValue = `${bottom}px${safeAreaBottom}`;
+      }
       if (checkSafeAreaLeft) {
         leftValue = `${left}px${safeAreaLeft}`;
       }
@@ -134,7 +148,11 @@ export const iosEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
         leftValue = `${left}px${safeAreaRight}`;
       }
 
-      contentEl.style.setProperty('top', `calc(${top}px + var(--offset-y, 0))`);
+      if (bottomValue !== undefined) {
+        contentEl.style.setProperty('bottom', `calc(${bottomValue})`);
+      }
+
+      contentEl.style.setProperty('top', `calc(${topValue} + var(--offset-y, 0))`);
       contentEl.style.setProperty('left', `calc(${leftValue} + var(--offset-x, 0))`);
       contentEl.style.setProperty('transform-origin', `${originY} ${originX}`);
 
diff --git a/core/src/components/popover/animations/md.enter.ts b/core/src/components/popover/animations/md.enter.ts
index e25f745cec..31ec53ec07 100644
--- a/core/src/components/popover/animations/md.enter.ts
+++ b/core/src/components/popover/animations/md.enter.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export const mdEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
 
   const padding = size === 'cover' ? 0 : POPOVER_MD_BODY_PADDING;
 
-  const { originX, originY, top, left, bottom } = calculateWindowAdjustment(
+  const { originX, originY, top, left, bottom, checkSafeAreaTop, checkSafeAreaBottom } = calculateWindowAdjustment(
     side,
     results.top,
     results.left,
@@ -62,6 +62,25 @@ export const mdEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
     results.referenceCoordinates
   );
 
+  /**
+   * Safe area CSS variable adjustments.
+   * When the popover is positioned near an edge, we add the corresponding
+   * safe-area inset to ensure the popover doesn't overlap with system UI
+   * (status bars, home indicators, navigation bars on Android API 36+, etc.)
+   */
+  const safeAreaTop = ' + var(--ion-safe-area-top, 0)';
+  const safeAreaBottom = ' + var(--ion-safe-area-bottom, 0)';
+
+  let topValue = `${top}px`;
+  let bottomValue = bottom !== undefined ? `${bottom}px` : undefined;
+
+  if (checkSafeAreaTop) {
+    topValue = `${top}px${safeAreaTop}`;
+  }
+  if (checkSafeAreaBottom && bottomValue !== undefined) {
+    bottomValue = `${bottom}px${safeAreaBottom}`;
+  }
+
   const baseAnimation = createAnimation();
   const backdropAnimation = createAnimation();
   const wrapperAnimation = createAnimation();
@@ -81,13 +100,13 @@ export const mdEnterAnimation = (baseEl: HTMLElement, opts?: any): Animation =>
   contentAnimation
     .addElement(contentEl)
     .beforeStyles({
-      top: `calc(${top}px + var(--offset-y, 0px))`,
+      top: `calc(${topValue} + var(--offset-y, 0px))`,
       left: `calc(${left}px + var(--offset-x, 0px))`,
       'transform-origin': `${originY} ${originX}`,
     })
     .beforeAddWrite(() => {
-      if (bottom !== undefined) {
-        contentEl.style.setProperty('bottom', `${bottom}px`);
+      if (bottomValue !== undefined) {
+        contentEl.style.setProperty('bottom', `calc(${bottomValue})`);
       }
     })
     .fromTo('transform', 'scale(0.8)', 'scale(1)');
diff --git a/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/index.html b/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/index.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..306ac0ed04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/index.html
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en" dir="ltr">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
+    <title>Popover - Safe Area</title>
+    <meta
+      name="viewport"
+      content="viewport-fit=cover, width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no"
+    />
+    <link href="../../../../../css/ionic.bundle.css" rel="stylesheet" />
+    <link href="../../../../../scripts/testing/styles.css" rel="stylesheet" />
+    <script src="../../../../../scripts/testing/scripts.js"></script>
+    <script nomodule src="../../../../../dist/ionic/ionic.js"></script>
+    <script type="module" src="../../../../../dist/ionic/ionic.esm.js"></script>
+    <style>
+      /**
+       * Simulate safe-area insets for testing.
+       * These values represent typical Android edge-to-edge safe areas.
+       */
+      :root {
+        --ion-safe-area-top: 44px;
+        --ion-safe-area-bottom: 34px;
+        --ion-safe-area-left: 0px;
+        --ion-safe-area-right: 0px;
+      }
+
+      /* Visual indicator for safe areas */
+      .safe-area-indicator {
+        position: fixed;
+        background: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.2);
+        pointer-events: none;
+        z-index: 99999;
+      }
+
+      .safe-area-top {
+        top: 0;
+        left: 0;
+        right: 0;
+        height: var(--ion-safe-area-top);
+      }
+
+      .safe-area-bottom {
+        bottom: 0;
+        left: 0;
+        right: 0;
+        height: var(--ion-safe-area-bottom);
+      }
+
+      /* Position triggers at different locations */
+      .bottom-trigger {
+        position: fixed;
+        bottom: 100px;
+        left: 50%;
+        transform: translateX(-50%);
+      }
+
+      .near-bottom-trigger {
+        position: fixed;
+        bottom: 200px;
+        right: 20px;
+      }
+    </style>
+  </head>
+
+  <body>
+    <ion-app>
+      <!-- Visual indicators for safe areas -->
+      <div class="safe-area-indicator safe-area-top"></div>
+      <div class="safe-area-indicator safe-area-bottom"></div>
+
+      <div class="ion-page" id="main-page">
+        <ion-header>
+          <ion-toolbar>
+            <ion-title>Popover - Safe Area Positioning</ion-title>
+          </ion-toolbar>
+        </ion-header>
+
+        <ion-content class="ion-padding">
+          <p>Test that popovers are <strong>positioned away from</strong> unsafe areas (shown in red).</p>
+          <p>The popover should be moved up/down to avoid overlapping the safe-area zones.</p>
+
+          <ion-list>
+            <ion-item>
+              <ion-label>
+                <h2>Small Popover (Center)</h2>
+                <p>Floating popover - positioned in center, no adjustment needed</p>
+              </ion-label>
+              <ion-button slot="end" id="small-popover-trigger">Present</ion-button>
+            </ion-item>
+
+            <ion-item>
+              <ion-label>
+                <h2>Large Popover</h2>
+                <p>Tall content that may extend toward bottom safe area</p>
+              </ion-label>
+              <ion-button slot="end" id="large-popover-trigger">Present</ion-button>
+            </ion-item>
+          </ion-list>
+
+          <ion-button class="bottom-trigger" id="bottom-trigger"> Trigger Near Bottom </ion-button>
+
+          <ion-button class="near-bottom-trigger" id="near-bottom-trigger"> Near Bottom Right </ion-button>
+
+          <!-- Small popover -->
+          <ion-popover trigger="small-popover-trigger" trigger-action="click">
+            <ion-content class="ion-padding">
+              <ion-list>
+                <ion-item><ion-label>Option 1</ion-label></ion-item>
+                <ion-item><ion-label>Option 2</ion-label></ion-item>
+                <ion-item><ion-label>Option 3</ion-label></ion-item>
+              </ion-list>
+            </ion-content>
+          </ion-popover>
+
+          <!-- Large popover with many items -->
+          <ion-popover trigger="large-popover-trigger" trigger-action="click">
+            <ion-content>
+              <ion-list id="large-list"></ion-list>
+            </ion-content>
+          </ion-popover>
+
+          <!-- Popover triggered from near bottom -->
+          <ion-popover trigger="bottom-trigger" trigger-action="click">
+            <ion-content>
+              <ion-list id="bottom-list"></ion-list>
+            </ion-content>
+          </ion-popover>
+
+          <!-- Popover triggered from near bottom right -->
+          <ion-popover trigger="near-bottom-trigger" trigger-action="click">
+            <ion-content>
+              <ion-list id="near-bottom-list"></ion-list>
+            </ion-content>
+          </ion-popover>
+        </ion-content>
+      </div>
+    </ion-app>
+
+    <script>
+      // Generate list items for popovers
+      function generateItems(listId, count) {
+        const list = document.getElementById(listId);
+        if (!list) return;
+
+        for (let i = 1; i <= count; i++) {
+          const item = document.createElement('ion-item');
+          const label = document.createElement('ion-label');
+          label.textContent = `Item ${i}`;
+          item.appendChild(label);
+          list.appendChild(item);
+        }
+      }
+
+      generateItems('large-list', 15);
+      generateItems('bottom-list', 10);
+      generateItems('near-bottom-list', 8);
+
+      // Log positioning info for debugging
+      document.querySelectorAll('ion-popover').forEach((popover) => {
+        popover.addEventListener('ionPopoverDidPresent', () => {
+          const content = popover.shadowRoot.querySelector('.popover-content');
+          if (content) {
+            const rect = content.getBoundingClientRect();
+            const bottomSafeArea =
+              parseInt(getComputedStyle(document.documentElement).getPropertyValue('--ion-safe-area-bottom')) || 0;
+            console.log('Popover position:', {
+              top: rect.top,
+              bottom: rect.bottom,
+              windowHeight: window.innerHeight,
+              bottomSafeArea,
+              distanceFromBottom: window.innerHeight - rect.bottom,
+              overlapsBottomSafeArea: rect.bottom > window.innerHeight - bottomSafeArea,
+            });
+          }
+        });
+      });
+    </script>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/popover.e2e.ts b/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/popover.e2e.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b8d4272f87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/components/popover/test/safe-area/popover.e2e.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+import { expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { configs, test } from '@utils/test/playwright';
+
+/**
+ * Safe-area tests verify that popovers are correctly positioned
+ * to avoid overlapping with safe-area zones (status bars, navigation bars, etc.)
+ *
+ * This is especially important for Android API 36+ where edge-to-edge mode
+ * is enforced and apps can no longer opt out.
+ */
+
+configs({ modes: ['ios'], directions: ['ltr'] }).forEach(({ title, config }) => {
+  test.describe(title('popover: safe-area positioning'), () => {
+    test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+      await page.goto('/src/components/popover/test/safe-area', config);
+    });
+
+    test('popover pinned to bottom should account for safe-area-bottom in position', async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+      testInfo.annotations.push({
+        type: 'issue',
+        description: 'https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic-framework/issues/30900',
+      });
+
+      // Use a smaller viewport to force the popover to be constrained
+      await page.setViewportSize({ width: 375, height: 500 });
+
+      const ionPopoverDidPresent = await page.spyOnEvent('ionPopoverDidPresent');
+
+      // Click the trigger near the bottom of the screen
+      await page.click('#bottom-trigger');
+      await ionPopoverDidPresent.next();
+
+      // Target the specific popover that was presented (the one with trigger="bottom-trigger")
+      const popover = page.locator('ion-popover[trigger="bottom-trigger"]');
+      const popoverContent = popover.locator('.popover-content');
+
+      // Get the computed bottom style - should include safe-area calc
+      const bottomStyle = await popoverContent.evaluate((el) => el.style.bottom);
+
+      // The bottom should include the safe-area-bottom CSS variable
+      // This ensures the popover is positioned above the unsafe area
+      expect(bottomStyle).toContain('var(--ion-safe-area-bottom');
+    });
+
+    test('floating popover should not have safe-area adjustments', async ({ page }) => {
+      const ionPopoverDidPresent = await page.spyOnEvent('ionPopoverDidPresent');
+
+      await page.click('#small-popover-trigger');
+      await ionPopoverDidPresent.next();
+
+      // Target the specific popover
+      const popover = page.locator('ion-popover[trigger="small-popover-trigger"]');
+      const popoverContent = popover.locator('.popover-content');
+
+      // Get the computed top and bottom styles
+      const topStyle = await popoverContent.evaluate((el) => el.style.top);
+      const bottomStyle = await popoverContent.evaluate((el) => el.style.bottom);
+
+      // A floating popover in the middle shouldn't have safe-area adjustments
+      // The top should be a simple calc without safe-area
+      expect(topStyle).not.toContain('var(--ion-safe-area-top');
+      // The bottom should not be set for a floating popover
+      expect(bottomStyle).toBe('');
+    });
+  });
+});
+
+configs({ modes: ['md'], directions: ['ltr'] }).forEach(({ title, config }) => {
+  test.describe(title('popover: safe-area positioning - md mode'), () => {
+    test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+      await page.goto('/src/components/popover/test/safe-area', config);
+    });
+
+    test('popover pinned to bottom should account for safe-area-bottom in position', async ({ page }, testInfo) => {
+      testInfo.annotations.push({
+        type: 'issue',
+        description: 'https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic-framework/issues/30900',
+      });
+
+      // Use a smaller viewport to force the popover to be constrained
+      await page.setViewportSize({ width: 375, height: 500 });
+
+      const ionPopoverDidPresent = await page.spyOnEvent('ionPopoverDidPresent');
+
+      await page.click('#bottom-trigger');
+      await ionPopoverDidPresent.next();
+
+      // Target the specific popover
+      const popover = page.locator('ion-popover[trigger="bottom-trigger"]');
+      const popoverContent = popover.locator('.popover-content');
+
+      // Get the computed bottom style - should include safe-area calc
+      const bottomStyle = await popoverContent.evaluate((el) => el.style.bottom);
+
+      // The bottom should include the safe-area-bottom CSS variable
+      expect(bottomStyle).toContain('var(--ion-safe-area-bottom');
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/core/src/components/popover/utils.ts b/core/src/components/popover/utils.ts
index 794ebb2088..5b960aaecb 100644
--- a/core/src/components/popover/utils.ts
+++ b/core/src/components/popover/utils.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ export interface PopoverStyles {
   bottom?: number;
   originX: string;
   originY: string;
+  checkSafeAreaTop: boolean;
+  checkSafeAreaBottom: boolean;
   checkSafeAreaLeft: boolean;
   checkSafeAreaRight: boolean;
   arrowTop: number;
@@ -829,6 +831,8 @@ export const calculateWindowAdjustment = (
   let bottom;
   let originX = contentOriginX;
   let originY = contentOriginY;
+  let checkSafeAreaTop = false;
+  let checkSafeAreaBottom = false;
   let checkSafeAreaLeft = false;
   let checkSafeAreaRight = false;
   const triggerTop = triggerCoordinates
@@ -874,17 +878,32 @@ export const calculateWindowAdjustment = (
        * We chose 12 here so that the popover position looks a bit nicer as
        * it is not right up against the edge of the screen.
        */
-      top = Math.max(12, triggerTop - contentHeight - triggerHeight - (arrowHeight - 1));
+      top = Math.max(bodyPadding, triggerTop - contentHeight - triggerHeight - (arrowHeight - 1));
       arrowTop = top + contentHeight;
       originY = 'bottom';
       addPopoverBottomClass = true;
 
+      /**
+       * If the popover is positioned near the top edge, account for safe area.
+       * This ensures the popover doesn't overlap with status bars or notches.
+       */
+      if (top <= bodyPadding + safeAreaMargin) {
+        checkSafeAreaTop = true;
+        top = bodyPadding;
+      }
+
       /**
        * If not enough room for popover to appear
        * above trigger, then cut it off.
        */
     } else {
       bottom = bodyPadding;
+      /**
+       * When the popover is pinned to the bottom, account for safe area.
+       * This ensures the popover doesn't overlap with home indicators
+       * or navigation bars (e.g., Android API 36+ edge-to-edge).
+       */
+      checkSafeAreaBottom = true;
     }
   }
 
@@ -894,6 +913,8 @@ export const calculateWindowAdjustment = (
     bottom,
     originX,
     originY,
+    checkSafeAreaTop,
+    checkSafeAreaBottom,
     checkSafeAreaLeft,
     checkSafeAreaRight,
     arrowTop,