diff --git a/briar-android/build.gradle b/briar-android/build.gradle
index 3e6d17c84737136c217d1038a2df68590f3a43aa..f06ca62b13bf98364984b0d5a32fabfd16e240ae 100644
--- a/briar-android/build.gradle
+++ b/briar-android/build.gradle
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ dependencies {
     compile project(':briar-core')
     compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: '*.jar')
     compile "com.android.support:appcompat-v7:23.1.1"
+    compile 'com.android.support:recyclerview-v7:23.1.1'
 }
 
 android {
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_connected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_connected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 9fa452b33cdc41c6771b7df4bd6d24c60458d851..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_connected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_disconnected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_disconnected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 9de4968499c5c464a53beb423088bbe7c618b5b4..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/contact_disconnected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/social_add_person.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/social_add_person.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 38b91cc7ce29dac49f4f048c4e7738bde2e41bf1..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-hdpi/social_add_person.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_connected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_connected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index d91970da5b783896c4d9054cbd9e37538fe20d2e..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_connected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_disconnected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_disconnected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index bef15c40b285d783f8586d6e0af2476ec8c609d7..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/contact_disconnected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/social_add_person.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/social_add_person.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 2c9899ec8a0368e314306dd6525edd74932f47d2..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-mdpi/social_add_person.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_connected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_connected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 4341f01a1a16797592c31e81c119d260cff7f9c9..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_connected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_disconnected.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_disconnected.png
deleted file mode 100644
index d0499ddf1ffb6335c4b4f48d42ffed128d863a62..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/contact_disconnected.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/social_add_person.png b/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/social_add_person.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 2cefca64503310db99633e3b989344bc96c8b75f..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Binary files a/briar-android/res/drawable-xhdpi/social_add_person.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_connected.xml b/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_connected.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..95e7a0bc06c3edc780303abda49339d19d31b8fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_connected.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+        android:width="24dp"
+        android:height="24dp"
+        android:viewportWidth="24"
+        android:viewportHeight="24"
+        android:alpha="0.56">
+
+    <path
+        android:fillColor="#FF000000"
+        android:pathData="M12,2 C6.48,2,2,6.48,2,12 S6.48,22,12,22 S22,17.52,22,12 S17.52,2,12,2 Z M12,20
+C7.58,20,4,16.42,4,12 S7.58,4,12,4 S20,7.58,20,12 S16.42,20,12,20 Z" />
+    <path
+        android:pathData="M0,0 L24,0 L24,24 L0,24 Z" />
+    <path
+        android:fillColor="#95d220"
+        android:strokeWidth="0.76779664"
+        android:strokeLineJoin="round"
+        android:strokeLineCap="round"
+        android:pathData="M10.8972,19.9503 C6.5514,19.3493,3.43091,15.2154,4.0625,10.896
+C4.55452,7.53099,7.09451,4.8236,10.394,4.14714
+C14.2569,3.35517,18.1698,5.54347,19.5236,9.25295
+C20.0698,10.7495,20.1616,12.4612,19.777,13.9758
+C19.5457,14.8864,18.8106,16.3388,18.2072,17.0771
+C16.4904,19.1779,13.581,20.3215,10.8973,19.9503 Z" />
+</vector>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_disconnected.xml b/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_disconnected.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d8ee38c1e146d5c49c6f7464358c6e1664d6e7ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/drawable/contact_disconnected.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+<vector android:alpha="0.56" android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportHeight="24.0" android:viewportWidth="24.0"
+    android:width="24dp" xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
+    <path android:fillColor="#FF000000" android:pathData="M12,2C6.48,2 2,6.48 2,12s4.48,10 10,10 10,-4.48 10,-10S17.52,2 12,2zm0,18c-4.42,0 -8,-3.58 -8,-8s3.58,-8 8,-8 8,3.58 8,8 -3.58,8 -8,8z"/>
+</vector>
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable/social_add_person.xml b/briar-android/res/drawable/social_add_person.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..982183dea2a080d264a93261192e532907099735
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/drawable/social_add_person.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+<vector android:alpha="0.56" android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportHeight="24.0" android:viewportWidth="24.0"
+    android:width="24dp" xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
+    <path android:fillColor="#FF000000" android:pathData="M15,12c2.21,0 4,-1.79 4,-4s-1.79,-4 -4,-4 -4,1.79 -4,4 1.79,4 4,4zm-9,-2V7H4v3H1v2h3v3h2v-3h3v-2H6zm9,4c-2.67,0 -8,1.34 -8,4v2h16v-2c0,-2.66 -5.33,-4 -8,-4z"/>
+</vector>
diff --git a/briar-android/res/drawable/social_remove_person.xml b/briar-android/res/drawable/social_remove_person.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..4adacc148f6a1be74b7fa11f15d2b6a6201e76bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/drawable/social_remove_person.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+<vector android:alpha="0.56" android:height="24dp"
+    android:viewportHeight="24.0" android:viewportWidth="24.0"
+    android:width="24dp" xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
+    <path android:fillColor="#FF000000" android:pathData="M6,19c0,1.1 0.9,2 2,2h8c1.1,0 2,-0.9 2,-2V7H6v12zM19,4h-3.5l-1,-1h-5l-1,1H5v2h14V4z"/>
+</vector>
diff --git a/briar-android/res/layout/activity_contact_list.xml b/briar-android/res/layout/activity_contact_list.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..acde6fdc93da9c68106d74c21e77dd8747e2c77b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/layout/activity_contact_list.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<LinearLayout
+	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
+	android:layout_width="match_parent"
+	android:layout_height="match_parent"
+	android:orientation="vertical"
+	android:gravity="center">
+
+	<android.support.v7.widget.RecyclerView
+		android:id="@+id/contactList"
+		android:scrollbars="vertical"
+		android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="match_parent"
+		tools:listitem="@layout/list_item_contact"/>
+
+	<ProgressBar
+		android:id="@+id/progressBar"
+		style="?android:attr/progressBarStyleLarge"
+		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:indeterminate="true"
+		android:visibility="gone"/>
+
+	<TextView
+		android:id="@+id/emptyView"
+		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_large"
+		android:text="@string/no_contacts"
+		android:visibility="gone"/>
+
+</LinearLayout>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/res/layout/list_item_contact.xml b/briar-android/res/layout/list_item_contact.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..69ec0383e31bda3ec65b01e7fea2faab620448b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/layout/list_item_contact.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<LinearLayout
+	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
+	android:orientation="vertical"
+	android:layout_width="match_parent"
+	android:layout_height="wrap_content">
+
+	<LinearLayout
+		android:orientation="horizontal"
+		android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackground"
+		android:padding="12dp">
+
+	<ImageView
+		android:id="@+id/bulbView"
+		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_marginRight="@dimen/margin_medium"
+		android:layout_marginEnd="@dimen/margin_medium"
+		android:layout_gravity="center_vertical"
+		tools:src="@drawable/contact_disconnected"/>
+
+	<TextView
+		android:id="@+id/nameView"
+		android:layout_width="0dp"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_weight="1"
+		android:layout_gravity="center_vertical"
+		android:layout_marginRight="@dimen/margin_small"
+		android:layout_marginEnd="@dimen/margin_small"
+		android:textSize="@dimen/text_size_medium"
+		android:gravity="center_vertical"
+		tools:text="This is a name of a contact. It can be quite long."/>
+
+	<TextView
+		android:id="@+id/dateView"
+		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+		android:layout_height="match_parent"
+		android:layout_marginRight="@dimen/margin_small"
+		android:layout_marginEnd="@dimen/margin_small"
+		android:gravity="center_vertical"
+		android:textColor="@color/no_private_messages"
+		tools:text="Dec 24"/>
+
+	</LinearLayout>
+
+	<View style="@style/Divider.Horizontal"/>
+
+</LinearLayout>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/res/layout/transports_list.xml b/briar-android/res/layout/transports_list.xml
index c1ec632f658d0e13d723f1e17a6af8963c78a4a1..c359d7c1de2a233cdb26db8ec9486726c21726a6 100644
--- a/briar-android/res/layout/transports_list.xml
+++ b/briar-android/res/layout/transports_list.xml
@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@
 	android:layout_width="match_parent"
 	android:layout_height="wrap_content">
 
-	<View
-		android:layout_width="match_parent"
-		android:layout_height="1px"
-		android:background="@color/horizontal_border"/>
+	<View style="@style/Divider.Horizontal"/>
 
 	<GridView
 		android:id="@+id/transportsView"
diff --git a/briar-android/res/menu/contact_actions.xml b/briar-android/res/menu/contact_actions.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3cce37ad83fcdac5083f7620d935e4184ce66038
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/menu/contact_actions.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<menu
+	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">
+
+	<item
+		android:id="@+id/action_social_remove_person"
+		android:icon="@drawable/social_remove_person"
+		app:showAsAction="always"
+		android:title="@string/delete_contact"/>
+
+</menu>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/res/menu/contact_list_actions.xml b/briar-android/res/menu/contact_list_actions.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..718200a659598ace0bc040e4b034b05c2885cd8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/briar-android/res/menu/contact_list_actions.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<menu
+	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">
+
+	<item
+		android:id="@+id/action_social_add_person"
+		android:icon="@drawable/social_add_person"
+		app:showAsAction="always"
+		android:title="@string/add_contact_title"/>
+
+</menu>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/res/values/strings.xml b/briar-android/res/values/strings.xml
index fe43fd7c254ebda72225d15a2c9f0c46dbbb2fd3..0a7c7b1f0e5f97faa642e5295c5634c8dd28b43a 100644
--- a/briar-android/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/briar-android/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -126,4 +126,6 @@
     <!-- Dialogs -->
     <string name="dialog_title_lost_password">Lost password</string>
     <string name="dialog_message_lost_password">Password recovery is not possible. Do you wish to delete your user, all contacts, and re-register ?</string>
+    <string name="dialog_title_delete_contact">Confirm Contact Deletion</string>
+    <string name="dialog_message_delete_contact">Are you sure that you want to remove this contact and all messages exchanged with this contact?</string>
 </resources>
diff --git a/briar-android/res/values/styles.xml b/briar-android/res/values/styles.xml
index f40b8b54192edabca573f826520f778d41b3e5fa..0e0c2c0b94c661f7ab66b33956cc4621dd1587fa 100644
--- a/briar-android/res/values/styles.xml
+++ b/briar-android/res/values/styles.xml
@@ -33,4 +33,13 @@
         <item name="android:textSize">@dimen/text_size_small</item>
         <item name="android:textColor">@android:color/primary_text_light</item>
     </style>
+
+    <style name="Divider">
+        <item name="android:background">?android:attr/listDivider</item>
+    </style>
+
+    <style name="Divider.Horizontal">
+        <item name="android:layout_width">match_parent</item>
+        <item name="android:layout_height">1px</item>
+    </style>
 </resources>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListActivity.java b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListActivity.java
index fff550fc46bdb88af5a84902795bfb7be2de9401..1edbd2d2a08f86a59102b9c1bc9b9ebcd6a59441 100644
--- a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListActivity.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListActivity.java
@@ -1,28 +1,20 @@
 package org.briarproject.android.contact;
 
 import android.content.Intent;
-import android.content.res.Resources;
+import android.graphics.PorterDuff;
 import android.os.Bundle;
-import android.view.ContextMenu;
-import android.view.ContextMenu.ContextMenuInfo;
+import android.support.v7.widget.LinearLayoutManager;
+import android.support.v7.widget.RecyclerView;
+import android.view.Menu;
+import android.view.MenuInflater;
 import android.view.MenuItem;
-import android.view.View;
-import android.view.View.OnClickListener;
 import android.view.View.OnCreateContextMenuListener;
-import android.widget.AdapterView;
-import android.widget.AdapterView.AdapterContextMenuInfo;
-import android.widget.AdapterView.OnItemClickListener;
-import android.widget.ImageButton;
-import android.widget.LinearLayout;
-import android.widget.ListView;
+import android.widget.ProgressBar;
 import android.widget.TextView;
-import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import org.briarproject.R;
 import org.briarproject.android.BriarActivity;
 import org.briarproject.android.invitation.AddContactActivity;
-import org.briarproject.android.util.HorizontalBorder;
-import org.briarproject.android.util.ListLoadingProgressBar;
 import org.briarproject.api.contact.Contact;
 import org.briarproject.api.contact.ContactId;
 import org.briarproject.api.contact.ContactManager;
@@ -36,43 +28,34 @@ import org.briarproject.api.event.Event;
 import org.briarproject.api.event.EventBus;
 import org.briarproject.api.event.EventListener;
 import org.briarproject.api.event.MessageAddedEvent;
-import org.briarproject.api.identity.AuthorId;
 import org.briarproject.api.messaging.MessagingManager;
 import org.briarproject.api.messaging.PrivateMessageHeader;
 import org.briarproject.api.plugins.ConnectionRegistry;
 import org.briarproject.api.sync.GroupId;
 
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.List;
 import java.util.logging.Logger;
 
 import javax.inject.Inject;
 
-import static android.view.Gravity.CENTER;
-import static android.view.Gravity.CENTER_HORIZONTAL;
-import static android.view.Menu.NONE;
 import static android.view.View.GONE;
 import static android.view.View.VISIBLE;
-import static android.widget.LinearLayout.VERTICAL;
-import static android.widget.Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;
 import static java.util.logging.Level.INFO;
 import static java.util.logging.Level.WARNING;
-import static org.briarproject.android.util.CommonLayoutParams.MATCH_MATCH;
-import static org.briarproject.android.util.CommonLayoutParams.MATCH_WRAP;
-import static org.briarproject.android.util.CommonLayoutParams.MATCH_WRAP_1;
 
 public class ContactListActivity extends BriarActivity
-implements OnClickListener, OnItemClickListener, OnCreateContextMenuListener,
-EventListener {
+		implements OnCreateContextMenuListener, EventListener {
 
-	private static final int MENU_ITEM_DELETE = 1;
 	private static final Logger LOG =
 			Logger.getLogger(ContactListActivity.class.getName());
 
 	@Inject private ConnectionRegistry connectionRegistry;
 	private TextView empty = null;
 	private ContactListAdapter adapter = null;
-	private ListView list = null;
-	private ListLoadingProgressBar loading = null;
+	private RecyclerView list = null;
+	private ProgressBar loading = null;
 
 	// Fields that are accessed from background threads must be volatile
 	@Inject private volatile ContactManager contactManager;
@@ -82,47 +65,28 @@ EventListener {
 	@Override
 	public void onCreate(Bundle state) {
 		super.onCreate(state);
-		LinearLayout layout = new LinearLayout(this);
-		layout.setLayoutParams(MATCH_MATCH);
-		layout.setOrientation(VERTICAL);
-		layout.setGravity(CENTER_HORIZONTAL);
 
-		empty = new TextView(this);
-		empty.setLayoutParams(MATCH_WRAP_1);
-		empty.setGravity(CENTER);
-		empty.setTextSize(18);
-		empty.setText(R.string.no_contacts);
-		empty.setVisibility(GONE);
-		layout.addView(empty);
+		setContentView(R.layout.activity_contact_list);
 
 		adapter = new ContactListAdapter(this);
-		list = new ListView(this);
-		list.setLayoutParams(MATCH_WRAP_1);
+		list = (RecyclerView) findViewById(R.id.contactList);
+		list.setLayoutManager(new LinearLayoutManager(this));
 		list.setAdapter(adapter);
-		list.setOnItemClickListener(this);
 		list.setOnCreateContextMenuListener(this);
 		list.setVisibility(GONE);
-		layout.addView(list);
 
-		// Show a progress bar while the list is loading
-		loading = new ListLoadingProgressBar(this);
-		layout.addView(loading);
-
-		layout.addView(new HorizontalBorder(this));
+		// Show a notice when there are no contacts
+		empty = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.emptyView);
 
-		LinearLayout footer = new LinearLayout(this);
-		footer.setLayoutParams(MATCH_WRAP);
-		footer.setGravity(CENTER);
-		Resources res = getResources();
-		footer.setBackgroundColor(res.getColor(R.color.button_bar_background));
-		ImageButton addContactButton = new ImageButton(this);
-		addContactButton.setBackgroundResource(0);
-		addContactButton.setImageResource(R.drawable.social_add_person);
-		addContactButton.setOnClickListener(this);
-		footer.addView(addContactButton);
-		layout.addView(footer);
+		// Show a progress bar while the list is loading
+		loading = (ProgressBar) findViewById(R.id.progressBar);
+		loading.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
+	}
 
-		setContentView(layout);
+	@Override
+	public void onPause() {
+		super.onPause();
+		eventBus.removeListener(this);
 	}
 
 	@Override
@@ -132,12 +96,47 @@ EventListener {
 		loadContacts();
 	}
 
+	@Override
+	public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
+		// Inflate the menu items for use in the action bar
+		MenuInflater inflater = getMenuInflater();
+		inflater.inflate(R.menu.contact_list_actions, menu);
+
+		// adapt icon color to dark action bar
+		menu.findItem(R.id.action_social_add_person).getIcon().setColorFilter(
+				getResources().getColor(R.color.action_bar_text),
+				PorterDuff.Mode.SRC_IN);
+
+		return super.onCreateOptionsMenu(menu);
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(final MenuItem item) {
+		// Handle presses on the action bar items
+		switch (item.getItemId()) {
+			case R.id.action_social_add_person:
+				startActivity(new Intent(this, AddContactActivity.class));
+				return true;
+			default:
+				return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
+		}
+	}
+
+
 	private void loadContacts() {
-		clearContacts();
+		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
+			public void run() {
+				empty.setVisibility(GONE);
+				list.setVisibility(GONE);
+				loading.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
+			}
+		});
 		runOnDbThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
 				try {
 					long now = System.currentTimeMillis();
+					List<ContactListItem> contacts =
+							new ArrayList<ContactListItem>();
 					for (Contact c : contactManager.getContacts()) {
 						try {
 							ContactId id = c.getId();
@@ -145,15 +144,20 @@ EventListener {
 									messagingManager.getConversationId(id);
 							Collection<PrivateMessageHeader> headers =
 									messagingManager.getMessageHeaders(id);
-							displayContact(c, conversation, headers);
+
+							boolean connected =
+									connectionRegistry.isConnected(c.getId());
+							contacts.add(new ContactListItem(c, connected,
+									conversation,
+									headers));
 						} catch (NoSuchContactException e) {
 							// Continue
 						}
 					}
+					displayContacts(contacts);
 					long duration = System.currentTimeMillis() - now;
 					if (LOG.isLoggable(INFO))
 						LOG.info("Full load took " + duration + " ms");
-					hideProgressBar();
 				} catch (DbException e) {
 					if (LOG.isLoggable(WARNING))
 						LOG.log(WARNING, e.toString(), e);
@@ -162,110 +166,19 @@ EventListener {
 		});
 	}
 
-	private void clearContacts() {
-		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
-			public void run() {
-				empty.setVisibility(GONE);
-				list.setVisibility(GONE);
-				loading.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
-				adapter.clear();
-				adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
-			}
-		});
-	}
-
-	private void displayContact(final Contact c, final GroupId conversation,
-			final Collection<PrivateMessageHeader> headers) {
-		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
-			public void run() {
-				list.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
-				loading.setVisibility(GONE);
-				boolean connected = connectionRegistry.isConnected(c.getId());
-				// Remove the old item, if any
-				ContactListItem item = findItem(c.getId());
-				if (item != null) adapter.remove(item);
-				// Add a new item
-				adapter.add(new ContactListItem(c, connected, conversation,
-						headers));
-				adapter.sort(ContactListItemComparator.INSTANCE);
-				adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
-			}
-		});
-	}
-
-	private void hideProgressBar() {
+	private void displayContacts(final List<ContactListItem> contacts) {
 		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
-				if (adapter.isEmpty()) empty.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
-				else list.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
+				if(contacts.size() > 0) {
+					list.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
+					empty.setVisibility(GONE);
+				} else {
+					list.setVisibility(GONE);
+					empty.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
+				}
 				loading.setVisibility(GONE);
-			}
-		});
-	}
-
-	private ContactListItem findItem(ContactId c) {
-		int count = adapter.getCount();
-		for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-			ContactListItem item = adapter.getItem(i);
-			if (item.getContact().getId().equals(c)) return item;
-		}
-		return null; // Not found
-	}
-
-	@Override
-	public void onPause() {
-		super.onPause();
-		eventBus.removeListener(this);
-	}
-
-	public void onClick(View view) {
-		startActivity(new Intent(this, AddContactActivity.class));
-	}
-
-	public void onItemClick(AdapterView<?> parent, View view, int position,
-			long id) {
-		ContactListItem item = adapter.getItem(position);
-		ContactId contactId = item.getContact().getId();
-		String contactName = item.getContact().getAuthor().getName();
-		GroupId groupId = item.getConversationId();
-		AuthorId localAuthorId = item.getContact().getLocalAuthorId();
-		Intent i = new Intent(this, ConversationActivity.class);
-		i.putExtra("briar.CONTACT_ID", contactId.getInt());
-		i.putExtra("briar.CONTACT_NAME", contactName);
-		i.putExtra("briar.GROUP_ID", groupId.getBytes());
-		i.putExtra("briar.LOCAL_AUTHOR_ID", localAuthorId.getBytes());
-		startActivity(i);
-	}
-
-	@Override
-	public void onCreateContextMenu(ContextMenu menu, View view,
-			ContextMenu.ContextMenuInfo info) {
-		String delete = getString(R.string.delete_contact);
-		menu.add(NONE, MENU_ITEM_DELETE, NONE, delete);
-	}
-
-	@Override
-	public boolean onContextItemSelected(MenuItem menuItem) {
-		if (menuItem.getItemId() == MENU_ITEM_DELETE) {
-			ContextMenuInfo info = menuItem.getMenuInfo();
-			int position = ((AdapterContextMenuInfo) info).position;
-			ContactListItem item = adapter.getItem(position);
-			removeContact(item.getContact().getId());
-			String deleted = getString(R.string.contact_deleted_toast);
-			Toast.makeText(this, deleted, LENGTH_SHORT).show();
-		}
-		return true;
-	}
 
-	private void removeContact(final ContactId c) {
-		runOnDbThread(new Runnable() {
-			public void run() {
-				try {
-					contactManager.removeContact(c);
-				} catch (DbException e) {
-					if (LOG.isLoggable(WARNING))
-						LOG.log(WARNING, e.toString(), e);
-				}
+				adapter.addAll(contacts);
 			}
 		});
 	}
@@ -314,7 +227,7 @@ EventListener {
 			final Collection<PrivateMessageHeader> headers) {
 		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
-				ContactListItem item = findItem(c);
+				ContactListItem item = adapter.findItem(c);
 				if (item != null) {
 					item.setHeaders(headers);
 					adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
@@ -326,10 +239,10 @@ EventListener {
 	private void removeItem(final ContactId c) {
 		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
-				ContactListItem item = findItem(c);
+				ContactListItem item = adapter.findItem(c);
 				if (item != null) {
 					adapter.remove(item);
-					adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
+
 					if (adapter.isEmpty()) {
 						empty.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
 						list.setVisibility(GONE);
@@ -342,7 +255,7 @@ EventListener {
 	private void setConnected(final ContactId c, final boolean connected) {
 		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
-				ContactListItem item = findItem(c);
+				ContactListItem item = adapter.findItem(c);
 				if (item != null) {
 					item.setConnected(connected);
 					adapter.notifyDataSetChanged();
diff --git a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListAdapter.java b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListAdapter.java
index 1acb52435dcd49487f0c7e5990af5f87f5d4927b..7e511ea9a431c4e914bd4f8e88d5a245f78cb140 100644
--- a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListAdapter.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ContactListAdapter.java
@@ -1,80 +1,194 @@
 package org.briarproject.android.contact;
 
-import static android.text.TextUtils.TruncateAt.END;
-import static android.view.Gravity.CENTER_VERTICAL;
-import static android.widget.LinearLayout.HORIZONTAL;
-import static org.briarproject.android.util.CommonLayoutParams.WRAP_WRAP_1;
-
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-
-import org.briarproject.R;
-import org.briarproject.android.util.LayoutUtils;
-
 import android.content.Context;
+import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.res.Resources;
+import android.support.v7.util.SortedList;
+import android.support.v7.widget.RecyclerView;
 import android.text.format.DateUtils;
+import android.view.LayoutInflater;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.view.ViewGroup;
-import android.widget.ArrayAdapter;
 import android.widget.ImageView;
-import android.widget.LinearLayout;
 import android.widget.TextView;
 
-class ContactListAdapter extends ArrayAdapter<ContactListItem> {
+import org.briarproject.R;
+import org.briarproject.api.contact.ContactId;
+import org.briarproject.api.identity.AuthorId;
+import org.briarproject.api.sync.GroupId;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+public class ContactListAdapter
+		extends RecyclerView.Adapter<ContactListAdapter.ContactHolder> {
 
-	private final int pad;
+	private SortedList<ContactListItem> contacts =
+			new SortedList<ContactListItem>(ContactListItem.class,
+					new SortedList.Callback<ContactListItem>() {
+						@Override
+						public void onInserted(int position, int count) {
+							notifyItemRangeInserted(position, count);
+						}
 
-	ContactListAdapter(Context ctx) {
-		super(ctx, android.R.layout.simple_expandable_list_item_1,
-				new ArrayList<ContactListItem>());
-		pad = LayoutUtils.getPadding(ctx);
+						@Override
+						public void onChanged(int position, int count) {
+							notifyItemRangeChanged(position, count);
+						}
+
+						@Override
+						public void onMoved(int fromPosition, int toPosition) {
+							notifyItemMoved(fromPosition, toPosition);
+						}
+
+						@Override
+						public void onRemoved(int position, int count) {
+							notifyItemRangeRemoved(position, count);
+						}
+
+						@Override
+						public int compare(ContactListItem c1,
+								ContactListItem c2) {
+							return (int) (c1.getTimestamp() -
+									c2.getTimestamp());
+						}
+
+						@Override
+						public boolean areItemsTheSame(ContactListItem c1,
+								ContactListItem c2) {
+							return c1.getContact().getId().equals(c2.getContact().getId());
+						}
+
+						@Override
+						public boolean areContentsTheSame(ContactListItem c1,
+								ContactListItem c2) {
+							return c1.equals(c2);
+						}
+					});
+	private Context ctx;
+
+	public ContactListAdapter(Context context) {
+		ctx = context;
 	}
 
 	@Override
-	public View getView(int position, View convertView, ViewGroup parent) {
-		ContactListItem item = getItem(position);
-		Context ctx = getContext();
+	public ContactHolder onCreateViewHolder(ViewGroup viewGroup, int i) {
+		View v = LayoutInflater.from(viewGroup.getContext())
+				.inflate(R.layout.list_item_contact, viewGroup, false);
+
+		return new ContactHolder(v);
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public void onBindViewHolder(final ContactHolder ui, final int position) {
+		final ContactListItem item = getItem(position);
 		Resources res = ctx.getResources();
 
-		LinearLayout layout = new LinearLayout(ctx);
-		layout.setOrientation(HORIZONTAL);
-		layout.setGravity(CENTER_VERTICAL);
 		int unread = item.getUnreadCount();
-		if (unread > 0)
-			layout.setBackgroundColor(res.getColor(R.color.unread_background));
-
-		ImageView bulb = new ImageView(ctx);
-		bulb.setPadding(pad, pad, pad, pad);
-		if (item.isConnected())
-			bulb.setImageResource(R.drawable.contact_connected);
-		else bulb.setImageResource(R.drawable.contact_disconnected);
-		layout.addView(bulb);
-
-		TextView name = new TextView(ctx);
-		name.setLayoutParams(WRAP_WRAP_1);
-		name.setTextSize(18);
-		name.setSingleLine();
-		name.setEllipsize(END);
-		name.setPadding(0, pad, pad, pad);
+		if (unread > 0) {
+			ui.layout.setBackgroundColor(
+					res.getColor(R.color.unread_background));
+		}
+
+		if (item.isConnected()) {
+			ui.bulb.setImageResource(R.drawable.contact_connected);
+		} else {
+			ui.bulb.setImageResource(R.drawable.contact_disconnected);
+		}
+
 		String contactName = item.getContact().getAuthor().getName();
-		if (unread > 0) name.setText(contactName + " (" + unread + ")");
-		else name.setText(contactName);
-		layout.addView(name);
+		if (unread > 0) {
+			ui.name.setText(contactName + " (" + unread + ")");
+		} else {
+			ui.name.setText(contactName);
+		}
 
 		if (item.isEmpty()) {
-			TextView noMessages = new TextView(ctx);
-			noMessages.setPadding(pad, pad, pad, pad);
-			noMessages.setTextColor(res.getColor(R.color.no_private_messages));
-			noMessages.setText(R.string.no_private_messages);
-			layout.addView(noMessages);
+			ui.date.setText(R.string.no_private_messages);
 		} else {
-			TextView date = new TextView(ctx);
-			date.setPadding(pad, pad, pad, pad);
 			long timestamp = item.getTimestamp();
-			date.setText(DateUtils.getRelativeTimeSpanString(ctx, timestamp));
-			layout.addView(date);
+			ui.date.setText(
+					DateUtils.getRelativeTimeSpanString(ctx, timestamp));
 		}
 
-		return layout;
+		ui.layout.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
+			@Override
+			public void onClick(View v) {
+				ContactId contactId = item.getContact().getId();
+				String contactName = item.getContact().getAuthor().getName();
+				GroupId groupId = item.getConversationId();
+				AuthorId localAuthorId = item.getContact().getLocalAuthorId();
+
+				Intent i = new Intent(ctx, ConversationActivity.class);
+				i.putExtra("briar.CONTACT_ID", contactId.getInt());
+				i.putExtra("briar.CONTACT_NAME", contactName);
+				i.putExtra("briar.GROUP_ID", groupId.getBytes());
+				i.putExtra("briar.LOCAL_AUTHOR_ID", localAuthorId.getBytes());
+
+				ctx.startActivity(i);
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public int getItemCount() {
+		return contacts == null ? 0 : contacts.size();
+	}
+
+	public boolean isEmpty() {
+		return contacts == null || contacts.size() == 0;
+	}
+
+	public ContactListItem getItem(int position) {
+		if (position == -1 || contacts.size() <= position) {
+			return null; // Not found
+		}
+		return contacts.get(position);
+	}
+
+	public ContactListItem findItem(ContactId c) {
+		int count = getItemCount();
+		for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+			ContactListItem item = getItem(i);
+			if (item.getContact().getId().equals(c)) return item;
+		}
+		return null; // Not found
+	}
+
+	public void addAll(final List<ContactListItem> contacts) {
+		this.contacts.addAll(contacts);
+	}
+
+	public void add(final ContactListItem contact) {
+		this.contacts.add(contact);
+	}
+
+	public void remove(final ContactListItem contact) {
+		this.contacts.remove(contact);
+	}
+
+	public void clear() {
+		contacts.beginBatchedUpdates();
+
+		while(contacts.size() != 0) {
+			contacts.removeItemAt(0);
+		}
+
+		contacts.endBatchedUpdates();
+	}
+
+	public static class ContactHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
+		public ViewGroup layout;
+		public ImageView bulb;
+		public TextView name;
+		public TextView date;
+
+		public ContactHolder(View v) {
+			super(v);
+
+			layout = (ViewGroup) v;
+			bulb = (ImageView) v.findViewById(R.id.bulbView);
+			name = (TextView) v.findViewById(R.id.nameView);
+			date = (TextView) v.findViewById(R.id.dateView);
+		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ConversationActivity.java b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ConversationActivity.java
index ff90470feaaff73345443e50375886a640272853..98dcd179f828d0e5a40e8681fda3916076be9d17 100644
--- a/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ConversationActivity.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/org/briarproject/android/contact/ConversationActivity.java
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 package org.briarproject.android.contact;
 
+import android.content.DialogInterface;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.res.Resources;
+import android.graphics.PorterDuff;
 import android.graphics.drawable.ColorDrawable;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.support.v7.app.ActionBar;
+import android.support.v7.app.AlertDialog;
+import android.view.Menu;
+import android.view.MenuInflater;
+import android.view.MenuItem;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.view.View.OnClickListener;
 import android.view.ViewGroup;
@@ -15,6 +21,7 @@ import android.widget.ImageButton;
 import android.widget.ListView;
 import android.widget.ProgressBar;
 import android.widget.TextView;
+import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import org.briarproject.R;
 import org.briarproject.android.BriarActivity;
@@ -66,6 +73,7 @@ import javax.inject.Inject;
 
 import static android.view.View.GONE;
 import static android.view.View.VISIBLE;
+import static android.widget.Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;
 import static java.util.logging.Level.INFO;
 import static java.util.logging.Level.WARNING;
 import static org.briarproject.android.contact.ReadPrivateMessageActivity.RESULT_PREV_NEXT;
@@ -161,6 +169,33 @@ implements EventListener, OnClickListener, OnItemClickListener {
 		loadHeaders();
 	}
 
+	@Override
+	public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
+		// Inflate the menu items for use in the action bar
+		MenuInflater inflater = getMenuInflater();
+		inflater.inflate(R.menu.contact_actions, menu);
+
+		// adapt icon color to dark action bar
+		menu.findItem(R.id.action_social_remove_person).getIcon().setColorFilter(
+				getResources().getColor(R.color.action_bar_text),
+				PorterDuff.Mode.SRC_IN);
+
+		return super.onCreateOptionsMenu(menu);
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(final MenuItem item) {
+		// Handle presses on the action bar items
+		switch (item.getItemId()) {
+			case R.id.action_social_remove_person:
+				askToRemoveContact();
+
+				return true;
+			default:
+				return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
+		}
+	}
+
 	private void loadContactAndGroup() {
 		runOnDbThread(new Runnable() {
 			public void run() {
@@ -478,4 +513,59 @@ implements EventListener, OnClickListener, OnItemClickListener {
 		i.putExtra("briar.POSITION", position);
 		startActivityForResult(i, REQUEST_READ);
 	}
+
+	private void askToRemoveContact() {
+		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
+			@Override
+			public void run() {
+				DialogInterface.OnClickListener okListener =
+						new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
+							@Override
+							public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog,
+									int which) {
+								removeContact();
+							}
+						};
+
+				AlertDialog.Builder builder =
+						new AlertDialog.Builder(ConversationActivity.this);
+				builder.setTitle(
+						getString(R.string.dialog_title_delete_contact));
+				builder.setMessage(
+						getString(R.string.dialog_message_delete_contact));
+				builder.setPositiveButton(android.R.string.ok, okListener);
+				builder.setNegativeButton(android.R.string.cancel, null);
+				builder.show();
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	private void removeContact() {
+		runOnDbThread(new Runnable() {
+			public void run() {
+				try {
+					contactManager.removeContact(contactId);
+				} catch (DbException e) {
+					if (LOG.isLoggable(WARNING))
+						LOG.log(WARNING, e.toString(), e);
+				} finally {
+					finishAfterContactRemoved();
+				}
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	private void finishAfterContactRemoved() {
+		runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
+			@Override
+			public void run() {
+				String deleted = getString(R.string.contact_deleted_toast);
+				Toast.makeText(ConversationActivity.this, deleted, LENGTH_SHORT)
+						.show();
+
+				finish();
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
 }