diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
index 792fe17a86c..1a491308c86 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ class InfoResponseProtoMessage : public ProtoMessage {
   StringRef name{};
   bool disabled_by_default{false};
 #ifdef USE_ENTITY_ICON
-  StringRef icon{};
+  StringRef icon{nullptr, 0};
 #endif
   enums::EntityCategory entity_category{};
 #ifdef USE_DEVICES
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ class DeviceInfo final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY
 class SerialProxyInfo final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef name{};
+  StringRef name{nullptr, 0};
   enums::SerialProxyPortType port_type{};
   uint32_t configured_line_states{0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ class ListEntitiesBinarySensorResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_binary_sensor_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   bool is_status_binary_sensor{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -791,7 +791,7 @@ class ListEntitiesCoverResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_position{false};
   bool supports_tilt{false};
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   bool supports_stop{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ class FanStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   bool oscillating{false};
   enums::FanDirection direction{};
   int32_t speed_level{0};
-  StringRef preset_mode{};
+  StringRef preset_mode{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -963,7 +963,7 @@ class LightStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   float color_temperature{0.0f};
   float cold_white{0.0f};
   float warm_white{0.0f};
-  StringRef effect{};
+  StringRef effect{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1025,10 +1025,10 @@ class ListEntitiesSensorResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_sensor_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef unit_of_measurement{};
+  StringRef unit_of_measurement{nullptr, 0};
   int32_t accuracy_decimals{0};
   bool force_update{false};
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   enums::SensorStateClass state_class{};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1073,7 +1073,7 @@ class ListEntitiesSwitchResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_switch_response"); }
 #endif
   bool assumed_state{false};
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1130,7 +1130,7 @@ class ListEntitiesTextSensorResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_text_sensor_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1150,7 +1150,7 @@ class TextSensorStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("text_sensor_state_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef state{};
+  StringRef state{nullptr, 0};
   bool missing_state{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1248,8 +1248,8 @@ class NoiseEncryptionSetKeyResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_SERVICES
 class HomeassistantServiceMap final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef key{};
-  StringRef value{};
+  StringRef key{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef value{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ class HomeassistantActionRequest final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("homeassistant_action_request"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef service{};
+  StringRef service{nullptr, 0};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data{};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> data_template{};
   FixedVector<HomeassistantServiceMap> variables{};
@@ -1281,7 +1281,7 @@ class HomeassistantActionRequest final : public ProtoMessage {
   bool wants_response{false};
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_ACTION_RESPONSES_JSON
-  StringRef response_template{};
+  StringRef response_template{nullptr, 0};
 #endif
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1327,8 +1327,8 @@ class SubscribeHomeAssistantStateResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("subscribe_home_assistant_state_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef entity_id{};
-  StringRef attribute{};
+  StringRef entity_id{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef attribute{nullptr, 0};
   bool once{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1421,13 +1421,13 @@ class GetTimeResponse final : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTIONS
 class ListEntitiesServicesArgument final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef name{};
+  StringRef name{nullptr, 0};
   enums::ServiceArgType type{};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef description{};
+  StringRef description{nullptr, 0};
 #endif
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef example{};
+  StringRef example{nullptr, 0};
 #endif
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1448,12 +1448,12 @@ class ListEntitiesServicesResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_services_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef name{};
+  StringRef name{nullptr, 0};
   uint32_t key{0};
   FixedVector<ListEntitiesServicesArgument> args{};
   enums::SupportsResponseType supports_response{};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_METADATA
-  StringRef description{};
+  StringRef description{nullptr, 0};
 #endif
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1520,7 +1520,7 @@ class ExecuteServiceResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
 #endif
   uint32_t call_id{0};
   bool success{false};
-  StringRef error_message{};
+  StringRef error_message{nullptr, 0};
 #ifdef USE_API_USER_DEFINED_ACTION_RESPONSES_JSON
   const uint8_t *response_data{nullptr};
   uint16_t response_data_len{0};
@@ -1655,9 +1655,9 @@ class ClimateStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   enums::ClimateAction action{};
   enums::ClimateFanMode fan_mode{};
   enums::ClimateSwingMode swing_mode{};
-  StringRef custom_fan_mode{};
+  StringRef custom_fan_mode{nullptr, 0};
   enums::ClimatePreset preset{};
-  StringRef custom_preset{};
+  StringRef custom_preset{nullptr, 0};
   float current_humidity{0.0f};
   float target_humidity{0.0f};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
@@ -1790,9 +1790,9 @@ class ListEntitiesNumberResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   float min_value{0.0f};
   float max_value{0.0f};
   float step{0.0f};
-  StringRef unit_of_measurement{};
+  StringRef unit_of_measurement{nullptr, 0};
   enums::NumberMode mode{};
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -1870,7 +1870,7 @@ class SelectStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("select_state_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef state{};
+  StringRef state{nullptr, 0};
   bool missing_state{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -1977,7 +1977,7 @@ class ListEntitiesLockResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_open{false};
   bool requires_code{false};
-  StringRef code_format{};
+  StringRef code_format{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -2036,7 +2036,7 @@ class ListEntitiesButtonResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_button_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -2067,7 +2067,7 @@ class ButtonCommandRequest final : public CommandProtoMessage {
 #ifdef USE_MEDIA_PLAYER
 class MediaPlayerSupportedFormat final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef format{};
+  StringRef format{nullptr, 0};
   uint32_t sample_rate{0};
   uint32_t num_channels{0};
   enums::MediaPlayerFormatPurpose purpose{};
@@ -2727,10 +2727,10 @@ class VoiceAssistantRequest final : public ProtoMessage {
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("voice_assistant_request"); }
 #endif
   bool start{false};
-  StringRef conversation_id{};
+  StringRef conversation_id{nullptr, 0};
   uint32_t flags{0};
   VoiceAssistantAudioSettings audio_settings{};
-  StringRef wake_word_phrase{};
+  StringRef wake_word_phrase{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -2871,8 +2871,8 @@ class VoiceAssistantAnnounceFinished final : public ProtoMessage {
 };
 class VoiceAssistantWakeWord final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
-  StringRef id{};
-  StringRef wake_word{};
+  StringRef id{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef wake_word{nullptr, 0};
   std::vector<std::string> trained_languages{};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -3025,7 +3025,7 @@ class ListEntitiesTextResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #endif
   uint32_t min_length{0};
   uint32_t max_length{0};
-  StringRef pattern{};
+  StringRef pattern{nullptr, 0};
   enums::TextMode mode{};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -3046,7 +3046,7 @@ class TextStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("text_state_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef state{};
+  StringRef state{nullptr, 0};
   bool missing_state{false};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -3206,7 +3206,7 @@ class ListEntitiesEventResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_event_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   const FixedVector<const char *> *event_types{};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
@@ -3227,7 +3227,7 @@ class EventResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("event_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef event_type{};
+  StringRef event_type{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -3249,7 +3249,7 @@ class ListEntitiesValveResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_valve_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   bool assumed_state{false};
   bool supports_position{false};
   bool supports_stop{false};
@@ -3369,7 +3369,7 @@ class ListEntitiesUpdateResponse final : public InfoResponseProtoMessage {
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
   const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("list_entities_update_response"); }
 #endif
-  StringRef device_class{};
+  StringRef device_class{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -3393,11 +3393,11 @@ class UpdateStateResponse final : public StateResponseProtoMessage {
   bool in_progress{false};
   bool has_progress{false};
   float progress{0.0f};
-  StringRef current_version{};
-  StringRef latest_version{};
-  StringRef title{};
-  StringRef release_summary{};
-  StringRef release_url{};
+  StringRef current_version{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef latest_version{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef title{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef release_summary{nullptr, 0};
+  StringRef release_url{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
@@ -3735,7 +3735,7 @@ class SerialProxyRequestResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
   uint32_t instance{0};
   enums::SerialProxyRequestType type{};
   enums::SerialProxyStatus status{};
-  StringRef error_message{};
+  StringRef error_message{nullptr, 0};
   static uint8_t *encode_msg(const void *self, ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM);
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
     return encode_msg(this, buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG);
diff --git a/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py b/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
index e63e28096e1..70942d97f85 100755
--- a/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
+++ b/script/api_protobuf/api_protobuf.py
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ def create_field_type_info(
 
     # Special handling for string fields - use StringRef for zero-copy
     if field.type == 9:
-        return PointerToStringBufferType(field, None)
+        return PointerToStringBufferType(field, needs_decode)
 
     validate_field_type(field.type, field.name)
     if field.type == 11:
@@ -1215,12 +1215,22 @@ class PointerToStringBufferType(PointerToBufferTypeBase):
     reference_type = "StringRef &"
     const_reference_type = "const StringRef &"
 
+    def __init__(
+        self, field: descriptor.FieldDescriptorProto, needs_decode: bool
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(field, None)
+        self._needs_decode = needs_decode
+
     @classmethod
     def can_use_dump_field(cls) -> bool:
         return True
 
     @property
     def public_content(self) -> list[str]:
+        # A field that is only ever encoded and skipped when empty never has its pointer read, so a
+        # null default lets the whole message construct as one zero fill
+        if not self._needs_decode and not self.force:
+            return [f"StringRef {self.field_name}{{nullptr, 0}};"]
         return [f"StringRef {self.field_name}{{}};"]
 
     @property