diff --git a/debye_bec/devices/nidaq/nidaq.py b/debye_bec/devices/nidaq/nidaq.py
index cea6fac..0707d58 100644
--- a/debye_bec/devices/nidaq/nidaq.py
+++ b/debye_bec/devices/nidaq/nidaq.py
@@ -184,49 +184,49 @@ class Nidaq(PSIDeviceBase, NidaqControl):
 
     # fmt: off
     ### Per-channel async groups: emitted names are channel-first (nidaq_ai0_mean) ###
-    ai0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai1 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai1", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai2 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai2", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai3 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai3", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai4 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai4", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai5 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai5", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai6 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai6", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ai7 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai7", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci1 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci1", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci2 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci2", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci3 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci3", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci4 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci4", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci5 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci5", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci6 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci6", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci7 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci7", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci8 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci8", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci9 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci9", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci10 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci10", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci11 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci11", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci12 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci12", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci13 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci13", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci14 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci14", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci15 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci15", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci16 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci16", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ci17 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci17", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    di0_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di0_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    di1_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di1_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    di2_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di2_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    di3_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di3_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    di4_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di4_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    energy = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="energy", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["energy"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    enc = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="enc", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["enc"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    smpl_abs = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="smpl_abs", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["smpl_abs"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    smpl_fluo = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="smpl_fluo", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["smpl_fluo"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    ref_abs = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ref_abs", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["ref_abs"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    cisum = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="cisum", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["cisum"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    rle = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="rle", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["rle"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    xas_timestamp = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xas_timestamp", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["xas_timestamp"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    xrd_timestamp = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_timestamp", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["xrd_timestamp"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    xrd_angle = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_angle", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["xrd_angle"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    xrd_energy = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_energy", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["xrd_energy"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
-    xrd_ai0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_ai0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, signals=["xrd_ai0"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai1 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai1", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai2 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai2", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai3 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai3", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai4 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai4", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai5 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai5", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai6 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai6", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ai7 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ai7", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci1 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci1", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci2 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci2", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci3 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci3", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci4 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci4", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci5 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci5", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci6 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci6", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci7 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci7", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci8 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci8", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci9 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci9", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci10 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci10", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci11 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci11", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci12 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci12", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci13 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci13", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci14 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci14", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci15 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci15", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci16 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci16", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ci17 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ci17", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["mean", "std_dev"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    di0_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di0_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    di1_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di1_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    di2_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di2_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    di3_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di3_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    di4_max = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="di4_max", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["max"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    energy = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="energy", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["energy"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    enc = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="enc", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["enc"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    smpl_abs = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="smpl_abs", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["smpl_abs"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    smpl_fluo = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="smpl_fluo", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["smpl_fluo"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    ref_abs = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="ref_abs", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["ref_abs"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    cisum = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="cisum", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["cisum"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    rle = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="rle", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["rle"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    xas_timestamp = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xas_timestamp", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["xas_timestamp"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    xrd_timestamp = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_timestamp", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["xrd_timestamp"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    xrd_angle = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_angle", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["xrd_angle"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    xrd_energy = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_energy", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["xrd_energy"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
+    xrd_ai0 = Cpt(DynamicSignal, name="xrd_ai0", ndim=1, max_size=1000, saved=False, signals=["xrd_ai0"], async_update={"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]})
     # fmt: on
 
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_config"]
@@ -319,6 +319,39 @@ class Nidaq(PSIDeviceBase, NidaqControl):
             # Annotate the alignment: these rows are in sync with the
             # monitored readouts (cf. MCSCardCSAXS acquisition_group logic).
             self._guarded_group_put(group, batch, acquisition_group="monitored")
+        self._send_sw_file_stream(buckets, now)
+
+    def _send_sw_file_stream(self, buckets: dict[str, dict], timestamp: float) -> None:
+        """Mirror the software readings onto device_async_readback for the writer.
+
+        The groups are declared saved=False: their device_async_signal streams
+        serve the GUI only, otherwise the writer would consume the same
+        channel-first names twice during hardware scans (backend push + bridge).
+        The file is therefore fed exclusively from device_async_readback — by
+        the backend in hardware mode and by this mirror in software mode.
+        """
+        connector = getattr(self.device_manager, "connector", None)
+        if connector is None:
+            return
+        from bec_lib import messages
+        from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+
+        signals = {}
+        for group, batch in buckets.items():
+            for key, data in batch.items():
+                name = key if key.startswith(f"{self.name}_") else f"{self.name}_{group}_{key}"
+                signals[name] = {"value": data["value"], "timestamp": timestamp}
+        msg = messages.DeviceMessage(
+            signals=signals, metadata={"async_update": {"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]}}
+        )
+        connector.xadd(
+            MessageEndpoints.device_async_readback(
+                scan_id=getattr(self.scan_info.msg, "scan_id", None), device=self.name
+            ),
+            {"data": msg},
+            max_size=1000,
+            expire=600,
+        )
 
     def _guarded_group_put(
         self,
diff --git a/debye_bec/scans/nidaq_continuous_scan.py b/debye_bec/scans/nidaq_continuous_scan.py
index d1afd99..6a5da9d 100644
--- a/debye_bec/scans/nidaq_continuous_scan.py
+++ b/debye_bec/scans/nidaq_continuous_scan.py
@@ -71,11 +71,7 @@ class NidaqContinuousScan(ScanBase):
         self.motors = [self.daq]
 
         self.update_scan_info(scan_duration=scan_duration, compression=compression)
-        # NOTE: the daq is deliberately NOT promoted to async readout priority:
-        # the file writer would then ALSO consume the backend's legacy
-        # device_async_readback stream, whose signal names are now identical to
-        # the bridged ones, double-writing every dataset. The unified-bridge
-        # emission on device_async_signal is stored for every scan regardless.
+        self.actions.set_device_readout_priority([self.daq], priority="async")
 
     @scan_hook
     def prepare_scan(self):
diff --git a/debye_bec/scans/xas_simple_scan.py b/debye_bec/scans/xas_simple_scan.py
index dad2973..d6a313f 100644
--- a/debye_bec/scans/xas_simple_scan.py
+++ b/debye_bec/scans/xas_simple_scan.py
@@ -80,11 +80,7 @@ class XasSimpleScan(ScanBase):
             scan_duration=scan_duration,
             monitored_readout_cycle=monitored_readout_cycle,
         )
-        # NOTE: the daq is deliberately NOT promoted to async readout priority:
-        # the file writer would then ALSO consume the backend's legacy
-        # device_async_readback stream, whose signal names are now identical to
-        # the bridged ones, double-writing every dataset. The unified-bridge
-        # emission on device_async_signal is stored for every scan regardless.
+        self.actions.set_device_readout_priority([self.daq], priority="async")
 
     @scan_hook
     def prepare_scan(self):
diff --git a/tests/tests_devices/test_nidaq.py b/tests/tests_devices/test_nidaq.py
index 03f3ee2..9b83187 100644
--- a/tests/tests_devices/test_nidaq.py
+++ b/tests/tests_devices/test_nidaq.py
@@ -284,3 +284,30 @@ def test_device_manager_is_an_explicit_init_parameter():
     import inspect
 
     assert "device_manager" in inspect.signature(Nidaq).parameters
+
+
+def test_groups_are_gui_only_and_sw_mode_mirrors_to_writer_stream(mock_nidaq, scan_info_mock):
+    """saved=False keeps the writer off the group streams; software mode mirrors
+    the readings onto device_async_readback so the file has ONE source with the
+    channel-first names in both trigger modes."""
+    dev = mock_nidaq
+    assert dev.ai0.saved is False
+    assert dev.energy.saved is False
+
+    dev.device_manager = mock.MagicMock()
+    dev.ai0_epics._read_pv.mock_data = 5.0
+    scan_info_mock.scan_name = "line_scan"
+    dev.scan_parameters = scan_info_mock
+    from types import SimpleNamespace as _NS
+
+    with mock.patch.object(dev.scan_info, "msg", _NS(status="open", scan_id="swscan")):
+        dev._staged = Staged.yes
+        dev.read()
+        dev._staged = Staged.no
+    call = dev.device_manager.connector.xadd.call_args
+    assert "async_readback" in str(call.args[0])
+    payload = call.args[1]["data"]
+    assert payload.signals["nidaq_ai0_mean"]["value"] == 5.0
+    assert payload.signals["nidaq_di2_max"]["value"] is not None
+    assert payload.signals["nidaq_energy"]["value"] is not None
+    assert payload.metadata["async_update"] == {"type": "add", "max_shape": [None]}
diff --git a/tests/tests_scans/test_mono_bragg_scans_v4.py b/tests/tests_scans/test_mono_bragg_scans_v4.py
index fab5f6f..e33fe92 100644
--- a/tests/tests_scans/test_mono_bragg_scans_v4.py
+++ b/tests/tests_scans/test_mono_bragg_scans_v4.py
@@ -52,10 +52,7 @@ def test_xas_simple_scan_v4_prepare_scan_updates_metadata(v4_scan_assembler):
     np.testing.assert_array_equal(scan.scan_info.positions, np.array([8000.0, 9000.0]))
     assert scan.scan_info.additional_scan_parameters["scan_time"] == 1.0
     assert scan.scan_info.additional_scan_parameters["scan_duration"] == 10.0
-    # the daq is no longer promoted to async: with unified channel-first
-    # names the writer must consume ONLY the bridged device_async_signal
-    # streams, never the backend's legacy per-device stream in parallel
-    assert scan.scan_info.readout_priority_modification["async"] == []
+    assert scan.scan_info.readout_priority_modification["async"] == ["nidaq"]
     scan.actions.add_scan_report_instruction_device_progress.assert_called_once_with(scan.motor)
     scan.actions.read_baseline_devices.assert_called_once_with(wait=False)
     assert scan._baseline_readout_status is baseline_status
diff --git a/tests/tests_scans/test_nidaq_continous_scan.py b/tests/tests_scans/test_nidaq_continous_scan.py
index 6679939..f2c10ec 100644
--- a/tests/tests_scans/test_nidaq_continous_scan.py
+++ b/tests/tests_scans/test_nidaq_continous_scan.py
@@ -41,10 +41,7 @@ def test_nidaq_continuous_scan_v4_prepare_scan_updates_metadata(v4_scan_assemble
 
     assert scan.scan_info.additional_scan_parameters["scan_duration"] == 10.0
     assert scan.scan_info.additional_scan_parameters["compression"] is False
-    # the daq is no longer promoted to async: with unified channel-first
-    # names the writer must consume ONLY the bridged device_async_signal
-    # streams, never the backend's legacy per-device stream in parallel
-    assert scan.scan_info.readout_priority_modification["async"] == []
+    assert scan.scan_info.readout_priority_modification["async"] == ["nidaq"]
     scan.actions.add_scan_report_instruction_device_progress.assert_called_once_with(scan.daq)
     scan.actions.read_baseline_devices.assert_called_once_with(wait=False)
     assert scan._baseline_readout_status is baseline_status