diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/harness-management.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/harness-management.spec.ts
index 50047f8f8..f6bf2afd4 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/harness-management.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/harness-management.spec.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 
 import { installMockBridge } from "../helpers/bridge";
+import { passThroughBackupStep } from "../helpers/onboarding";
 
 // ── Shared catalog fixtures ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -668,12 +669,10 @@ test("onboarding setup More-harnesses click navigates to Settings → Agents", a
   });
   await page.goto("/");
 
-  // Reach the setup page: create a new identity key → skip backup step.
+  // Reach the setup page: create a new identity key → pass the backup step
+  // (encrypted-by-default: Next is gated on creating the backup).
   await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Create a new identity key" }).click();
-  await expect(page.getByTestId("onboarding-page-backup")).toBeVisible({
-    timeout: 10_000,
-  });
-  await page.getByTestId("onboarding-next").click();
+  await passThroughBackupStep(page);
 
   // Now on the setup page.
   await expect(
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/onboarding-docked-cta-screenshots.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/onboarding-docked-cta-screenshots.spec.ts
index dbb8a92a1..ee6bd3fee 100644
--- a/desktop/tests/e2e/onboarding-docked-cta-screenshots.spec.ts
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/onboarding-docked-cta-screenshots.spec.ts
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ test("machine onboarding: landing, backup, setup docked CTAs", async ({
   await waitForAnimations(page);
   await page.screenshot({ path: `${SHOT_DIR}/02-backup.png` });
 
+  // Encrypted-by-default backup: the raw key sits behind an explicit click.
+  await page.getByTestId("backup-show-raw-key").click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("nsec-value")).toBeVisible();
+
   // Reveal the key: box must not reflow (same-length monospace mask).
   await page.getByTestId("nsec-reveal-toggle").click();
   await expect(page.getByTestId("nsec-value")).toHaveClass(/select-text/);