diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/auth/cookies.go b/apps/backend/internal/auth/cookies.go
index ddde4f3..a018c7c 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/auth/cookies.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/auth/cookies.go
@@ -62,3 +62,38 @@ func SetAuthCookies(c *fiber.Ctx, accessToken, refreshToken string, cfg CookieCo
 	c.Cookie(accessTokenCookie)
 	c.Cookie(refreshTokenCookie)
 }
+
+// ClearAuthCookies clears the HTTP-only auth cookies by setting them to an expired value.
+func ClearAuthCookies(c *fiber.Ctx, cfg CookieConfig) {
+	secure := c.Protocol() == "https"
+	expired := time.Unix(0, 0)
+
+	accessTokenCookie := &fiber.Cookie{
+		Name:     cookieKeyAccessToken,
+		Value:    "",
+		Path:     "/",
+		Expires:  expired,
+		SameSite: fiber.CookieSameSiteLaxMode,
+		HTTPOnly: true,
+		Secure:   secure,
+	}
+	if cfg.Domain != "" {
+		accessTokenCookie.Domain = cfg.Domain
+	}
+
+	refreshTokenCookie := &fiber.Cookie{
+		Name:     cookieKeyRefreshToken,
+		Value:    "",
+		Path:     "/",
+		Expires:  expired,
+		SameSite: fiber.CookieSameSiteLaxMode,
+		HTTPOnly: true,
+		Secure:   secure,
+	}
+	if cfg.Domain != "" {
+		refreshTokenCookie.Domain = cfg.Domain
+	}
+
+	c.Cookie(accessTokenCookie)
+	c.Cookie(refreshTokenCookie)
+}
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/auth/middleware.go b/apps/backend/internal/auth/middleware.go
index d158cc6..d29f99f 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/auth/middleware.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/auth/middleware.go
@@ -13,98 +13,157 @@ import (
 	"github.com/uptrace/bun"
 )
 
+var errUnauthorized = errors.New("unauthorized")
+
+// authAttempt is the normalized result of parsing and (optionally) authenticating
+// a request.
+//
+// It intentionally separates:
+//   - whether the request used cookie-based auth (SetCookies == true), which enables
+//     setting/refreshing HTTP-only cookies, from
+//   - what credentials were available (RefreshToken), and
+//   - the authenticated principal (AuthResult).
+//
+// This is shared by:
+//   - NewAuthMiddleware (strict): rejects unauthenticated requests with 401.
+//   - NewOptionalAuthMiddleware (best-effort): proceeds as anonymous on auth failure,
+//     and clears auth cookies when the failure came from cookies to avoid repeated
+//     failing auth attempts on public endpoints.
+type authAttempt struct {
+	// AuthResult is populated when access token authentication succeeds.
+	AuthResult *AccessTokenAuthentication
+
+	// SetCookies is true when the request used cookie-based auth (no Authorization header).
+	// When true, the middleware may set/refresh cookies on successful auth or refresh flows.
+	SetCookies bool
+
+	// RefreshToken is the refresh token extracted from cookies when SetCookies is true.
+	// It is used for auto-refreshing near-expiry access tokens.
+	RefreshToken string
+}
+
+func authenticateRequest(c *fiber.Ctx, s *Service, db *bun.DB, cookieConfig CookieConfig) (*authAttempt, error) {
+	var at string
+	var rt string
+	var setCookies bool
+
+	authHeader := c.Get("Authorization")
+	if authHeader != "" {
+		parts := strings.Split(authHeader, " ")
+		if len(parts) != 2 || parts[0] != "Bearer" {
+			return nil, errUnauthorized
+		}
+		at = parts[1]
+		setCookies = false
+	} else {
+		cookies := authCookies(c)
+		at = cookies[cookieKeyAccessToken]
+		rt = cookies[cookieKeyRefreshToken]
+		setCookies = true
+	}
+
+	if at == "" && rt == "" {
+		return nil, errUnauthorized
+	}
+
+	if at == "" {
+		// if there is no access token, attempt to get new access token using the refresh token.
+		tx, err := db.BeginTx(c.Context(), nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		defer tx.Rollback()
+
+		newTokens, err := s.RefreshAccessToken(c.Context(), tx, rt)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errUnauthorized
+		}
+
+		if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		SetAuthCookies(c, newTokens.AccessToken, newTokens.RefreshToken, cookieConfig)
+		at = newTokens.AccessToken
+		rt = newTokens.RefreshToken
+	}
+
+	authResult, err := s.AuthenticateWithAccessToken(c.Context(), db, at)
+	if err != nil {
+		var e *InvalidAccessTokenError
+		if errors.As(err, &e) {
+			return nil, errUnauthorized
+		}
+
+		var nf *user.NotFoundError
+		if errors.As(err, &nf) {
+			return nil, errUnauthorized
+		}
+
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return &authAttempt{
+		AuthResult:   authResult,
+		SetCookies:   setCookies,
+		RefreshToken: rt,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func maybeAutoRefresh(c *fiber.Ctx, s *Service, db *bun.DB, cookieConfig CookieConfig, attempt *authAttempt) {
+	if attempt == nil || attempt.AuthResult == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if !attempt.SetCookies || attempt.RefreshToken == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	if time.Until(attempt.AuthResult.Claims.ExpiresAt.Time) >= 5*time.Minute {
+		return
+	}
+
+	tx, txErr := db.BeginTx(c.Context(), nil)
+	if txErr != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	defer tx.Rollback()
+
+	newTokens, err := s.RefreshAccessToken(c.Context(), tx, attempt.RefreshToken)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Debug("auto-refresh failed", "error", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	SetAuthCookies(c, newTokens.AccessToken, newTokens.RefreshToken, cookieConfig)
+}
+
 // NewAuthMiddleware creates a middleware that authenticates requests via Bearer token or cookies.
 // To obtain the authenticated user in subsequent handlers, see reqctx.AuthenticatedUser.
 func NewAuthMiddleware(s *Service, db *bun.DB, cookieConfig CookieConfig) fiber.Handler {
 	return func(c *fiber.Ctx) error {
-		var at string
-		var rt string
-		var setCookies bool
-		authHeader := c.Get("Authorization")
-		if authHeader != "" {
-			parts := strings.Split(authHeader, " ")
-			if len(parts) != 2 || parts[0] != "Bearer" {
-				slog.Info("invalid auth header")
-				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-			}
-			at = parts[1]
-			setCookies = false
-		} else {
-			cookies := authCookies(c)
-			at = cookies[cookieKeyAccessToken]
-			rt = cookies[cookieKeyRefreshToken]
-			setCookies = true
-		}
-
-		if at == "" && rt == "" {
-			slog.Info("no access token or refresh token")
-			return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-		}
-
-		if at == "" {
-			// if there is no access token, attempt to get new access token using the refresh token.
-			tx, err := db.BeginTx(c.Context(), nil)
-			if err != nil {
-				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-			}
-			defer tx.Rollback()
-
-			newTokens, err := s.RefreshAccessToken(c.Context(), tx, rt)
-			if err != nil {
-				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-			}
-
-			if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
-				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-			}
-
-			SetAuthCookies(c, newTokens.AccessToken, newTokens.RefreshToken, cookieConfig)
-			at = newTokens.AccessToken
-			rt = newTokens.RefreshToken
-		}
-
-		authResult, err := s.AuthenticateWithAccessToken(c.Context(), db, at)
+		attempt, err := authenticateRequest(c, s, db, cookieConfig)
 		if err != nil {
-			var e *InvalidAccessTokenError
-			if errors.As(err, &e) {
-				slog.Info("invalid access token")
+			if errors.Is(err, errUnauthorized) {
 				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
 			}
-
-			var nf *user.NotFoundError
-			if errors.As(err, &nf) {
-				slog.Info("user not found")
-				return c.SendStatus(fiber.StatusUnauthorized)
-			}
-
 			return httperr.Internal(err)
 		}
 
-		reqctx.SetAuthenticatedUser(c, authResult.User)
-
-		// if cookie based auth and access token is about to expire (within 5 minutes),
-		// attempt to refresh the access token. if there is any error, ignore it and let the request continue.
-		if setCookies && time.Until(authResult.Claims.ExpiresAt.Time) < 5*time.Minute && rt != "" {
-			tx, txErr := db.BeginTx(c.Context(), nil)
-			if txErr == nil {
-				newTokens, err := s.RefreshAccessToken(c.Context(), tx, rt)
-				if err == nil {
-					if commitErr := tx.Commit(); commitErr == nil {
-						SetAuthCookies(c, newTokens.AccessToken, newTokens.RefreshToken, cookieConfig)
-					}
-				} else {
-					_ = tx.Rollback()
-					slog.Debug("auto-refresh failed", "error", err)
-				}
-			}
-		}
+		reqctx.SetAuthenticatedUser(c, attempt.AuthResult.User)
+		maybeAutoRefresh(c, s, db, cookieConfig, attempt)
 
 		return c.Next()
 	}
 }
 
-// NewOptionalAuthMiddleware conditionally runs the given auth middleware only when
-// the request contains auth credentials (Authorization header or auth cookies).
+// NewOptionalAuthMiddleware attempts to authenticate a request if it contains auth
+// credentials (Authorization header or auth cookies).
+//
+// Unlike NewAuthMiddleware, this middleware never rejects the request with 401. If
+// authentication fails, it proceeds as an anonymous request.
 //
 // This is useful for endpoints that are publicly accessible but can also behave
 // differently for authenticated callers (e.g. share consumption routes that may
@@ -112,15 +171,31 @@ func NewAuthMiddleware(s *Service, db *bun.DB, cookieConfig CookieConfig) fiber.
 // present).
 //
 // Usage:
-//   authMiddleware := auth.NewAuthMiddleware(...)
-//   router.Use(auth.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(authMiddleware))
-func NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(authMiddleware fiber.Handler) fiber.Handler {
+//
+//	router.Use(auth.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(authService, db, cookieConfig))
+func NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(s *Service, db *bun.DB, cookieConfig CookieConfig) fiber.Handler {
 	return func(c *fiber.Ctx) error {
-		hasAuthHeader := c.Get("Authorization") != ""
+		authHeader := c.Get("Authorization")
+		hasAuthHeader := authHeader != ""
 		hasAuthCookies := c.Cookies(cookieKeyAccessToken) != "" || c.Cookies(cookieKeyRefreshToken) != ""
 		if !hasAuthHeader && !hasAuthCookies {
 			return c.Next()
 		}
-		return authMiddleware(c)
+
+		attempt, err := authenticateRequest(c, s, db, cookieConfig)
+		if err != nil {
+			if errors.Is(err, errUnauthorized) {
+				if !hasAuthHeader && hasAuthCookies {
+					ClearAuthCookies(c, cookieConfig)
+				}
+				return c.Next()
+			}
+			return httperr.Internal(err)
+		}
+
+		reqctx.SetAuthenticatedUser(c, attempt.AuthResult.User)
+		maybeAutoRefresh(c, s, db, cookieConfig, attempt)
+
+		return c.Next()
 	}
 }
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/drexa/server.go b/apps/backend/internal/drexa/server.go
index d3e52f4..79dd7dc 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/drexa/server.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/drexa/server.go
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ func NewServer(c Config) (*Server, error) {
 	}
 
 	authMiddleware := auth.NewAuthMiddleware(authService, db, cookieConfig)
+	optionalAuthMiddleware := auth.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(authService, db, cookieConfig)
 
 	api := app.Group("/api")
 	auth.NewHTTPHandler(authService, db, cookieConfig).RegisterRoutes(api)
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ func NewServer(c Config) (*Server, error) {
 	accountRouter := account.NewHTTPHandler(accountService, authService, vfs, db, authMiddleware, cookieConfig).RegisterRoutes(api)
 	upload.NewHTTPHandler(uploadService, db).RegisterRoutes(accountRouter.VFSRouter())
 
-	shareHTTP := sharing.NewHTTPHandler(sharingService, accountService, vfs, db, authMiddleware)
+	shareHTTP := sharing.NewHTTPHandler(sharingService, accountService, vfs, db, optionalAuthMiddleware)
 	shareRoutes := shareHTTP.RegisterShareConsumeRoutes(api)
 	shareHTTP.RegisterShareManagementRoutes(accountRouter)
 
diff --git a/apps/backend/internal/sharing/http.go b/apps/backend/internal/sharing/http.go
index c979281..0f33b99 100644
--- a/apps/backend/internal/sharing/http.go
+++ b/apps/backend/internal/sharing/http.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/get-drexa/drexa/internal/account"
-	"github.com/get-drexa/drexa/internal/auth"
 	"github.com/get-drexa/drexa/internal/httperr"
 	"github.com/get-drexa/drexa/internal/nullable"
 	"github.com/get-drexa/drexa/internal/reqctx"
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ type HTTPHandler struct {
 	accountService *account.Service
 	vfs            *virtualfs.VirtualFS
 	db             *bun.DB
-	authMiddleware fiber.Handler
+	optionalAuthMiddleware fiber.Handler
 }
 
 // createShareRequest represents a request to create a share link
@@ -40,13 +39,13 @@ type patchShareRequest struct {
 	ExpiresAt nullable.Time `json:"expiresAt" example:"2025-01-15T00:00:00Z"`
 }
 
-func NewHTTPHandler(sharingService *Service, accountService *account.Service, vfs *virtualfs.VirtualFS, db *bun.DB, authMiddleware fiber.Handler) *HTTPHandler {
+func NewHTTPHandler(sharingService *Service, accountService *account.Service, vfs *virtualfs.VirtualFS, db *bun.DB, optionalAuthMiddleware fiber.Handler) *HTTPHandler {
 	return &HTTPHandler{
 		sharingService: sharingService,
 		accountService: accountService,
 		vfs:            vfs,
 		db:             db,
-		authMiddleware: authMiddleware,
+		optionalAuthMiddleware: optionalAuthMiddleware,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ func (h *HTTPHandler) RegisterShareConsumeRoutes(r fiber.Router) *virtualfs.Scop
 	// Public shares should be accessible without authentication. However, if the client provides auth
 	// credentials (cookies or Authorization header), attempt auth so share scopes can be resolved for
 	// account-scoped shares.
-	g := r.Group("/shares/:shareID", auth.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(h.authMiddleware), h.shareMiddleware)
+	g := r.Group("/shares/:shareID", h.optionalAuthMiddleware, h.shareMiddleware)
 	return &virtualfs.ScopedRouter{Router: g}
 }