diff --git a/modules/ensemble/lib/framework/definition_providers/cdn_provider.dart b/modules/ensemble/lib/framework/definition_providers/cdn_provider.dart
index 5ce6c2e7d..c05c8b1cf 100644
--- a/modules/ensemble/lib/framework/definition_providers/cdn_provider.dart
+++ b/modules/ensemble/lib/framework/definition_providers/cdn_provider.dart
@@ -488,6 +488,15 @@ class CdnDefinitionProvider extends DefinitionProvider {
     }
   }
 
+  /// Whether a CDN artifact refresh should update appBundle and fire UI events
+  /// immediately. Background/inactive lifecycle must defer until [resumed] so
+  /// [_handlePendingUpdate] runs when a BuildContext exists for i18n refresh.
+  @visibleForTesting
+  bool shouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately() =>
+      cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(
+        WidgetsBinding.instance.lifecycleState,
+      );
+
   /// Check for updates and update cache if available
   /// Sets _hasPendingUpdate flag if updates were fetched
   Future<void> _refreshIfStale() async {
@@ -513,15 +522,16 @@ class CdnDefinitionProvider extends DefinitionProvider {
       // Save to persistent cache
       await _saveCachedState(jsonString);
 
-      // If artifact refresh is enabled and app is already initialized,
-      // immediately update appBundle and fire refresh event.
-      // This handles the cold start scenario where background refresh
-      // completes after initial render.
-      if (isArtifactRefreshEnabled() && Ensemble().getConfig() != null) {
-        await _handlePendingUpdate();
-      } else {
-        // Mark for later refresh on next resume
-        _hasPendingUpdate = true;
+      // Foreground/cold-start: sync appBundle + translations before refresh event.
+      // Background: defer until resume (see onAppLifecycleStateChanged) so i18n
+      // refresh is not skipped when context is unavailable.
+      if (isArtifactRefreshEnabled()) {
+        if (shouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately() &&
+            Ensemble().getConfig() != null) {
+          await _handlePendingUpdate();
+        } else {
+          _hasPendingUpdate = true;
+        }
       }
     } catch (e) {
       if (kDebugMode) {
@@ -947,3 +957,9 @@ class CdnDefinitionProvider extends DefinitionProvider {
     }
   }
 }
+
+/// True when CDN artifact refresh events may be delivered immediately.
+@visibleForTesting
+bool cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState? state) {
+  return state == null || state == AppLifecycleState.resumed;
+}
diff --git a/modules/ensemble/test/cdn_provider_test.dart b/modules/ensemble/test/cdn_provider_test.dart
index 97d3df78d..5550df70a 100644
--- a/modules/ensemble/test/cdn_provider_test.dart
+++ b/modules/ensemble/test/cdn_provider_test.dart
@@ -9,6 +9,35 @@ import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
 import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
 
 void main() {
+  group('cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately', () {
+    test('allows delivery when lifecycle is unknown or resumed', () {
+      expect(cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(null), isTrue);
+      expect(
+        cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState.resumed),
+        isTrue,
+      );
+    });
+
+    test('defers delivery while app is backgrounded or inactive', () {
+      expect(
+        cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState.paused),
+        isFalse,
+      );
+      expect(
+        cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState.inactive),
+        isFalse,
+      );
+      expect(
+        cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState.hidden),
+        isFalse,
+      );
+      expect(
+        cdnShouldDeliverArtifactRefreshImmediately(AppLifecycleState.detached),
+        isFalse,
+      );
+    });
+  });
+
   group('CDN cache invalidation', () {
     test('resets freshness metadata when persisted manifest is invalid',
         () async {