diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32/preference_backend.h b/esphome/components/esp32/preference_backend.h
index 893bc35f0c..b0771b3128 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32/preference_backend.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32/preference_backend.h
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@ class ESP32PreferenceBackend final {
   bool save(const uint8_t *data, size_t len);
   bool load(uint8_t *data, size_t len);
 
-  uint32_t key;
-  uint32_t nvs_handle;
+  uint32_t key{0};
+  uint32_t nvs_handle{0};   // NVS (flash) path
+  uint16_t rtc_offset{0};   // RTC path: word offset into the RTC storage region
+  uint8_t length_words{0};  // RTC path: data length in 32-bit words
+  bool in_flash{true};      // true: store in NVS (flash); false: store in RTC memory
 };
 
 class ESP32Preferences;
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.cpp
index 09835385ac..dc2b40455c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 #include "preferences.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/preferences_rtc.h"
+#include <esp_attr.h>
 #include <nvs_flash.h>
+#include <soc/soc_caps.h>
 #include <cstring>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -18,6 +21,48 @@ struct NVSData {
 
 static std::vector<NVSData> s_pending_save;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
 
+// RTC memory backend for preferences requested with in_flash=false. Survives deep sleep and
+// software/CPU resets, but not power loss; integrity is guarded by a per-record checksum so
+// power-on garbage is detected on load. Keep this small: RTC memory is scarce and shared.
+//
+// Only compiled in when USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE is set (see preferences.h): the storage
+// buffer reserves RTC memory, so it exists only when some config option actually selected RTC
+// storage AND the variant has RTC memory (the ESP32-C2 and -C61 have none, so RTC_NOINIT_ATTR would
+// have no section to land in and fail to link). Otherwise in_flash=false transparently falls back
+// to NVS (see make_preference below).
+//
+// On variants with only RTC fast memory (C3/C6/H2/P4/C5/...) RTC_NOINIT_ATTR lands in RTC fast memory.
+// This is still safe: the linker reserves .rtc_noinit ahead of any RTC-fast-as-heap pool
+// (CONFIG_ESP_SYSTEM_ALLOW_RTC_FAST_MEM_AS_HEAP), and IDF keeps the RTC fast power domain on in deep
+// sleep (forced on whether or not it is used as heap), so the data is retained across both resets and
+// deep sleep -- only power loss clears it.
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+static constexpr size_t RTC_PREF_SIZE_WORDS = 64;  // 256 bytes
+static constexpr size_t RTC_PREF_MAX_WORDS = 255;  // length_words field is a uint8_t
+
+// NOLINTNEXTLINE(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
+static RTC_NOINIT_ATTR uint32_t s_rtc_storage[RTC_PREF_SIZE_WORDS];
+
+static bool save_to_rtc(uint16_t offset, uint32_t key, uint8_t length_words, const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+  if (rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(len) != length_words)
+    return false;
+  const size_t buffer_size = static_cast<size_t>(length_words) + 1;
+  if (static_cast<size_t>(offset) + buffer_size > RTC_PREF_SIZE_WORDS)
+    return false;
+  rtc_pref_encode(&s_rtc_storage[offset], key, length_words, data, len);
+  return true;
+}
+
+static bool load_from_rtc(uint16_t offset, uint32_t key, uint8_t length_words, uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+  if (rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(len) != length_words)
+    return false;
+  const size_t buffer_size = static_cast<size_t>(length_words) + 1;
+  if (static_cast<size_t>(offset) + buffer_size > RTC_PREF_SIZE_WORDS)
+    return false;
+  return rtc_pref_decode(&s_rtc_storage[offset], key, length_words, data, len);
+}
+#endif  // USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+
 // open() runs from app_main() before the logger is initialized, so any failure
 // must be deferred until after global_logger is set. This is emitted from the
 // first make_preference() call, which runs from the generated setup() after
@@ -25,6 +70,10 @@ static std::vector<NVSData> s_pending_save;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-n
 static esp_err_t s_open_err = ESP_OK;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
 
 bool ESP32PreferenceBackend::save(const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+  if (!this->in_flash)
+    return save_to_rtc(this->rtc_offset, this->key, this->length_words, data, len);
+#endif
   // try find in pending saves and update that
   for (auto &obj : s_pending_save) {
     if (obj.key == this->key) {
@@ -41,6 +90,10 @@ bool ESP32PreferenceBackend::save(const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
 }
 
 bool ESP32PreferenceBackend::load(uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+  if (!this->in_flash)
+    return load_from_rtc(this->rtc_offset, this->key, this->length_words, data, len);
+#endif
   // try find in pending saves and load from that
   for (auto &obj : s_pending_save) {
     if (obj.key == this->key) {
@@ -94,6 +147,26 @@ void ESP32Preferences::open() {
   }
 }
 
+ESPPreferenceObject ESP32Preferences::make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type, bool in_flash) {
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+  if (!in_flash)
+    return this->make_rtc_preference_(length, type);
+#else
+  if (!in_flash) {
+    // RTC storage is not compiled in (no config option selected it), so this request
+    // falls back to NVS -- the historic ESP32 behavior. Warn once so callers explicitly
+    // asking for RTC storage can discover the fallback.
+    static bool warned = false;
+    if (!warned) {
+      ESP_LOGW(TAG, "RTC preference storage not compiled in; using NVS (enable with 'preferences: rtc_storage: true')");
+      warned = true;
+    }
+  }
+#endif
+  // in_flash, or RTC storage not compiled in: fall back to NVS.
+  return this->make_preference(length, type);
+}
+
 ESPPreferenceObject ESP32Preferences::make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type) {
   if (s_open_err != ESP_OK) {
     if (this->nvs_handle == 0) {
@@ -106,10 +179,34 @@ ESPPreferenceObject ESP32Preferences::make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t ty
   auto *pref = new ESP32PreferenceBackend();  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-owning-memory)
   pref->nvs_handle = this->nvs_handle;
   pref->key = type;
+  pref->in_flash = true;
 
   return ESPPreferenceObject(pref);
 }
 
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+ESPPreferenceObject ESP32Preferences::make_rtc_preference_(size_t length, uint32_t type) {
+  const uint32_t length_words = rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(length);
+  if (length_words > RTC_PREF_MAX_WORDS) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "RTC preference too large: %" PRIu32 " words", length_words);
+    return {};
+  }
+  const uint32_t total_words = length_words + 1;  // +1 for checksum
+  if (static_cast<size_t>(this->current_rtc_offset_) + total_words > RTC_PREF_SIZE_WORDS) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "RTC preference storage full, cannot allocate %" PRIu32 " words", total_words);
+    return {};
+  }
+  auto *pref = new ESP32PreferenceBackend();  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-owning-memory)
+  pref->key = type;
+  pref->in_flash = false;
+  pref->rtc_offset = this->current_rtc_offset_;
+  pref->length_words = static_cast<uint8_t>(length_words);
+  this->current_rtc_offset_ += static_cast<uint16_t>(total_words);
+
+  return ESPPreferenceObject(pref);
+}
+#endif  // USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+
 bool ESP32Preferences::sync() {
   if (s_pending_save.empty())
     return true;
@@ -186,6 +283,12 @@ bool ESP32Preferences::is_changed_(uint32_t nvs_handle, const NVSData &to_save,
 bool ESP32Preferences::reset() {
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Erasing storage");
   s_pending_save.clear();
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+  // Invalidate RTC-backed preferences too (checksum will no longer match). current_rtc_offset_ is
+  // deliberately left alone: existing backends keep pointing at their allocated slots, and reset()
+  // is always followed by a restart (same reason nvs_handle is zeroed below).
+  memset(s_rtc_storage, 0, sizeof(s_rtc_storage));
+#endif
 
   nvs_flash_deinit();
   nvs_flash_erase();
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.h b/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.h
index 0e187d87a9..864d22312b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32/preferences.h
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
 
 #include "esphome/core/preference_backend.h"
+#include <soc/soc_caps.h>
+
+// RTC-backed preference storage is compiled in only when a config option actually selects it
+// (USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES, emitted during code generation) and the variant has RTC memory
+// (SOC_RTC_MEM_SUPPORTED; the ESP32-C2 and -C61 have none). Otherwise in_flash=false falls
+// back to NVS and no RTC memory is reserved.
+#if defined(USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES) && SOC_RTC_MEM_SUPPORTED
+#define USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+#endif
 
 namespace esphome::esp32 {
 
@@ -11,9 +20,8 @@ class ESP32Preferences final : public PreferencesMixin<ESP32Preferences> {
  public:
   using PreferencesMixin<ESP32Preferences>::make_preference;
   void open();
-  ESPPreferenceObject make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type, bool in_flash) {
-    return this->make_preference(length, type);
-  }
+  ESPPreferenceObject make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type, bool in_flash);
+  // Two-argument form defaults to NVS (flash) storage, preserving historic ESP32 behavior.
   ESPPreferenceObject make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type);
   bool sync();
   bool reset();
@@ -22,6 +30,13 @@ class ESP32Preferences final : public PreferencesMixin<ESP32Preferences> {
 
  protected:
   bool is_changed_(uint32_t nvs_handle, const NVSData &to_save, const char *key_str);
+
+#ifdef USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES_STORAGE
+  // RTC-backed storage (in_flash=false).
+  ESPPreferenceObject make_rtc_preference_(size_t length, uint32_t type);
+  // Next free word offset in the RTC storage region (bump allocated in make_preference order).
+  uint16_t current_rtc_offset_{0};
+#endif
 };
 
 void setup_preferences();
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp8266/preferences.cpp b/esphome/components/esp8266/preferences.cpp
index 696f83bce1..d954ae4a0f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp8266/preferences.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp8266/preferences.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #include "preferences.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
+#include "esphome/core/preferences_rtc.h"
 
 #include <cstring>
 
@@ -80,16 +81,6 @@ static uint32_t get_esp8266_flash_sector() {
 }
 static uint32_t get_esp8266_flash_address() { return get_esp8266_flash_sector() * SPI_FLASH_SEC_SIZE; }
 
-static inline size_t bytes_to_words(size_t bytes) { return (bytes + 3) / 4; }
-
-template<class It> uint32_t calculate_crc(It first, It last, uint32_t type) {
-  uint32_t crc = type;
-  while (first != last) {
-    crc ^= (*first++ * 2654435769UL) >> 1;
-  }
-  return crc;
-}
-
 static bool save_to_flash(size_t offset, const uint32_t *data, size_t len) {
   for (uint32_t i = 0; i < len; i++) {
     uint32_t j = offset + i;
@@ -137,21 +128,19 @@ static constexpr size_t PREF_MAX_BUFFER_WORDS =
     ESP8266_FLASH_STORAGE_SIZE > RTC_NORMAL_REGION_WORDS ? ESP8266_FLASH_STORAGE_SIZE : RTC_NORMAL_REGION_WORDS;
 
 bool ESP8266PreferenceBackend::save(const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
-  if (bytes_to_words(len) != this->length_words)
+  if (rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(len) != this->length_words)
     return false;
   const size_t buffer_size = static_cast<size_t>(this->length_words) + 1;
   if (buffer_size > PREF_MAX_BUFFER_WORDS)
     return false;
   uint32_t buffer[PREF_MAX_BUFFER_WORDS];
-  memset(buffer, 0, buffer_size * sizeof(uint32_t));
-  memcpy(buffer, data, len);
-  buffer[this->length_words] = calculate_crc(buffer, buffer + this->length_words, this->type);
+  rtc_pref_encode(buffer, this->type, this->length_words, data, len);
   return this->in_flash ? save_to_flash(this->offset, buffer, buffer_size)
                         : save_to_rtc(this->offset, buffer, buffer_size);
 }
 
 bool ESP8266PreferenceBackend::load(uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
-  if (bytes_to_words(len) != this->length_words)
+  if (rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(len) != this->length_words)
     return false;
   const size_t buffer_size = static_cast<size_t>(this->length_words) + 1;
   if (buffer_size > PREF_MAX_BUFFER_WORDS)
@@ -161,10 +150,7 @@ bool ESP8266PreferenceBackend::load(uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
                             : load_from_rtc(this->offset, buffer, buffer_size);
   if (!ret)
     return false;
-  if (buffer[this->length_words] != calculate_crc(buffer, buffer + this->length_words, this->type))
-    return false;
-  memcpy(data, buffer, len);
-  return true;
+  return rtc_pref_decode(buffer, this->type, this->length_words, data, len);
 }
 
 void ESP8266Preferences::setup() {
@@ -177,13 +163,13 @@ void ESP8266Preferences::setup() {
 }
 
 ESPPreferenceObject ESP8266Preferences::make_preference(size_t length, uint32_t type, bool in_flash) {
-  const uint32_t length_words = bytes_to_words(length);
+  const uint32_t length_words = rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(length);
   if (length_words > MAX_PREFERENCE_WORDS) {
     ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Preference too large: %u words", static_cast<unsigned int>(length_words));
     return {};
   }
 
-  const uint32_t total_words = length_words + 1;  // +1 for CRC
+  const uint32_t total_words = length_words + 1;  // +1 for checksum
   uint16_t offset;
 
   if (in_flash) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/preferences/__init__.py b/esphome/components/preferences/__init__.py
index c426872728..f3f2f632c9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/preferences/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/preferences/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from esphome import preferences
 import esphome.codegen as cg
 import esphome.config_validation as cv
 from esphome.const import CONF_ID
@@ -10,10 +11,17 @@ preferences_ns = cg.esphome_ns.namespace("preferences")
 IntervalSyncer = preferences_ns.class_("IntervalSyncer", cg.Component)
 
 CONF_FLASH_WRITE_INTERVAL = "flash_write_interval"
+CONF_RTC_STORAGE = "rtc_storage"
 CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_id(IntervalSyncer),
         cv.Optional(CONF_FLASH_WRITE_INTERVAL, default="60s"): cv.update_interval,
+        # Compile the RTC-backed storage into the ESP32 preferences backend even
+        # when no other option selects it, so components (including external
+        # ones) requesting in_flash=false are honoured instead of falling back
+        # to NVS. No default: absence means "no request" (see
+        # preferences.validate_rtc_storage for the per-platform rules).
+        cv.Optional(CONF_RTC_STORAGE): preferences.validate_rtc_storage,
     }
 ).extend(cv.COMPONENT_SCHEMA)
 
@@ -26,4 +34,6 @@ async def to_code(config):
         cg.add_define("USE_PREFERENCES_SYNC_EVERY_LOOP")
     else:
         cg.add(var.set_write_interval(write_interval))
+    if config.get(CONF_RTC_STORAGE):
+        preferences.request_rtc_storage()
     await cg.register_component(var, config)
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py b/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
index 578376258a..c11447e604 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from esphome import automation
+from esphome import automation, preferences
 import esphome.codegen as cg
 import esphome.config_validation as cv
 from esphome.const import (
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from esphome.const import (
     CONF_NUM_ATTEMPTS,
     CONF_REBOOT_TIMEOUT,
     CONF_SAFE_MODE,
+    CONF_STORAGE,
     KEY_PAST_SAFE_MODE,
 )
 from esphome.core import CORE, CoroPriority, coroutine_with_priority
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
                 CONF_REBOOT_TIMEOUT, default="5min"
             ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
             cv.Optional(CONF_ON_SAFE_MODE): automation.validate_automation({}),
+            **preferences.storage_schema(),
         }
     ).extend(cv.COMPONENT_SCHEMA),
     _remove_id_if_disabled,
@@ -87,6 +89,7 @@ async def to_code(config):
             config[CONF_NUM_ATTEMPTS],
             config[CONF_REBOOT_TIMEOUT],
             config[CONF_BOOT_IS_GOOD_AFTER],
+            preferences.is_in_flash(config[CONF_STORAGE]),
         )
         cg.add(RawExpression(f"if ({condition}) return"))
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
index 5c0047dca0..2eb1085ee5 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
@@ -162,13 +162,13 @@ bool SafeModeComponent::get_safe_mode_pending() {
   return this->read_rtc_() == SafeModeComponent::ENTER_SAFE_MODE_MAGIC;
 }
 
-bool SafeModeComponent::should_enter_safe_mode(uint8_t num_attempts, uint32_t enable_time,
-                                               uint32_t boot_is_good_after) {
+bool SafeModeComponent::should_enter_safe_mode(uint8_t num_attempts, uint32_t enable_time, uint32_t boot_is_good_after,
+                                               bool in_flash) {
   this->safe_mode_start_time_ = millis();
   this->safe_mode_enable_time_ = enable_time;
   this->safe_mode_boot_is_good_after_ = boot_is_good_after;
   this->safe_mode_num_attempts_ = num_attempts;
-  this->rtc_ = global_preferences->make_preference<uint32_t>(RTC_KEY, false);
+  this->rtc_ = global_preferences->make_preference<uint32_t>(RTC_KEY, in_flash);
 
 #if defined(USE_ESP32) && defined(USE_OTA_ROLLBACK)
   // Check partition state to detect if bootloader supports rollback
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
index 94db4357eb..d81b8a42d1 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ constexpr uint32_t RTC_KEY = 233825507UL;
 /// SafeModeComponent provides a safe way to recover from repeated boot failures
 class SafeModeComponent final : public Component {
  public:
-  bool should_enter_safe_mode(uint8_t num_attempts, uint32_t enable_time, uint32_t boot_is_good_after);
+  bool should_enter_safe_mode(uint8_t num_attempts, uint32_t enable_time, uint32_t boot_is_good_after, bool in_flash);
 
   /// Set to true if the next startup will enter safe mode
   void set_safe_mode_pending(const bool &pending);
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
index 512fd63e12..111f4cfc84 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/__init__.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import logging
 import math
 
-from esphome import automation
+from esphome import automation, preferences
 from esphome.automation import Condition
 import esphome.codegen as cg
-from esphome.components.const import CONF_USE_PSRAM
+from esphome.components.const import CONF_ENABLED, CONF_USE_PSRAM
 from esphome.components.esp32 import (
     add_idf_sdkconfig_option,
     const,
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ from esphome.const import (
     CONF_REBOOT_TIMEOUT,
     CONF_SSID,
     CONF_STATIC_IP,
+    CONF_STORAGE,
     CONF_SUBNET,
     CONF_TIMEOUT,
     CONF_TTLS_PHASE_2,
@@ -434,6 +435,22 @@ def _validate(config):
 
 
 CONF_PASSIVE_SCAN = "passive_scan"
+
+FAST_CONNECT_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
+    {
+        cv.Optional(CONF_ENABLED, default=True): cv.boolean,
+        **preferences.storage_schema(),
+    }
+)
+
+
+def _fast_connect_schema(value):
+    """Accept the historic plain boolean or a dict with enabled/storage keys."""
+    if isinstance(value, bool):
+        value = {CONF_ENABLED: value}
+    return FAST_CONNECT_SCHEMA(value)
+
+
 CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
     cv.Schema(
         {
@@ -459,7 +476,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
                 rtl87xx="none",
                 ln882x="light",
             ): cv.enum(WIFI_POWER_SAVE_MODES, upper=True),
-            cv.Optional(CONF_FAST_CONNECT, default=False): cv.boolean,
+            cv.Optional(CONF_FAST_CONNECT, default=False): _fast_connect_schema,
             cv.Optional(CONF_USE_ADDRESS): cv.string_strict,
             cv.Optional(CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE): cv.All(
                 VALIDATE_WIFI_MIN_AUTH_MODE,
@@ -619,8 +636,14 @@ async def to_code(config):
     cg.add(var.set_power_save_mode(config[CONF_POWER_SAVE_MODE]))
     if CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE in config:
         cg.add(var.set_min_auth_mode(config[CONF_MIN_AUTH_MODE]))
-    if config[CONF_FAST_CONNECT]:
+    fast_connect = config[CONF_FAST_CONNECT]
+    if fast_connect[CONF_ENABLED]:
         cg.add_define("USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT")
+        # The storage default preserves this preference's historic location:
+        # ESP8266 has always used RTC memory; every other platform effectively
+        # used flash (the in_flash flag was previously ignored outside ESP8266).
+        if preferences.is_in_flash(fast_connect[CONF_STORAGE]):
+            cg.add_define("USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT_IN_FLASH")
     # passive_scan defaults to false in C++ - only set if true
     if config[CONF_PASSIVE_SCAN]:
         cg.add(var.set_passive_scan(True))
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index ffc6ea8e14..2f6bec6bb2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -649,7 +649,13 @@ void WiFiComponent::start() {
 
   this->pref_ = global_preferences->make_preference<wifi::SavedWifiSettings>(hash, true);
 #ifdef USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT
-  this->fast_connect_pref_ = global_preferences->make_preference<wifi::SavedWifiFastConnectSettings>(hash + 1, false);
+#ifdef USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT_IN_FLASH
+  const bool fast_connect_in_flash = true;
+#else
+  const bool fast_connect_in_flash = false;
+#endif
+  this->fast_connect_pref_ =
+      global_preferences->make_preference<wifi::SavedWifiFastConnectSettings>(hash + 1, fast_connect_in_flash);
 #endif
 
   SavedWifiSettings save{};
diff --git a/esphome/const.py b/esphome/const.py
index 331eb5011d..24bb4ea31f 100644
--- a/esphome/const.py
+++ b/esphome/const.py
@@ -976,6 +976,7 @@ CONF_STEP_PIN = "step_pin"
 CONF_STILL_THRESHOLD = "still_threshold"
 CONF_STOP = "stop"
 CONF_STOP_ACTION = "stop_action"
+CONF_STORAGE = "storage"
 CONF_STORE_BASELINE = "store_baseline"
 CONF_SUBNET = "subnet"
 CONF_SUBSCRIBE_QOS = "subscribe_qos"
diff --git a/esphome/core/defines.h b/esphome/core/defines.h
index ff4bccc693..987e2d7a2a 100644
--- a/esphome/core/defines.h
+++ b/esphome/core/defines.h
@@ -240,6 +240,7 @@
 #define USE_OTA_ROLLBACK
 #define USE_OTA_SIGNED_VERIFICATION
 #define USE_ESP32_MIN_CHIP_REVISION_SET
+#define USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES
 #define USE_ESP32_SRAM1_AS_IRAM
 
 #define USE_BLUETOOTH_PROXY
@@ -300,6 +301,7 @@
 #define USE_CAPTIVE_PORTAL_GZIP
 #define USE_WIFI_11KV_SUPPORT
 #define USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT
+#define USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT_IN_FLASH
 #define USE_WIFI_PHY_MODE
 #define USE_WIFI_IP_STATE_LISTENERS
 #define USE_WIFI_SCAN_RESULTS_LISTENERS
diff --git a/esphome/core/preferences_rtc.h b/esphome/core/preferences_rtc.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..30b004f994
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/core/preferences_rtc.h
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <cstddef>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <cstring>
+
+namespace esphome {
+
+// Shared storage format for word-addressable preference backends.
+//
+// Several platforms persist preferences as a buffer of 32-bit words followed by a
+// single checksum word, seeded with the preference's `type` (its hashed key). This
+// format is used for RTC user memory (ESP8266, ESP32) and for the ESP8266
+// flash-emulation buffer. The helpers here are platform independent; each backend
+// supplies its own word read/write primitives and offset allocation.
+
+/// Round a byte count up to whole 32-bit words.
+inline size_t rtc_pref_bytes_to_words(size_t bytes) { return (bytes + 3) / 4; }
+
+/// Compute the integrity checksum over [first, last), seeded with `type`.
+/// Iterates over 32-bit words; the result is stored as the trailing word of a record.
+/// (Not a true CRC -- it XORs each word after a Fibonacci-hash multiply -- but the
+/// algorithm is kept as-is for compatibility with records written by old firmware.)
+template<class It> uint32_t rtc_pref_calculate_checksum(It first, It last, uint32_t type) {
+  uint32_t checksum = type;
+  while (first != last) {
+    // UINT32_C keeps the multiply wrapping at 32 bits regardless of the width of
+    // unsigned long, so 64-bit host builds compute the same value as the devices.
+    checksum ^= (*first++ * UINT32_C(2654435769)) >> 1;
+  }
+  return checksum;
+}
+
+/// Encode `len` data bytes into `buffer` (length_words data words + 1 trailing checksum word).
+/// `buffer` must have capacity for at least `length_words + 1` words. Trailing padding in
+/// the final data word is zeroed so the checksum is deterministic.
+inline void rtc_pref_encode(uint32_t *buffer, uint32_t type, uint8_t length_words, const uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+  memset(buffer, 0, (static_cast<size_t>(length_words) + 1) * sizeof(uint32_t));
+  memcpy(buffer, data, len);
+  buffer[length_words] = rtc_pref_calculate_checksum(buffer, buffer + length_words, type);
+}
+
+/// Verify the checksum of a record held in `buffer` (length_words data words + 1 checksum
+/// word) and, on success, copy `len` bytes out to `data`. Returns false on checksum mismatch
+/// (e.g. the record was never written or RTC memory holds power-on garbage).
+inline bool rtc_pref_decode(const uint32_t *buffer, uint32_t type, uint8_t length_words, uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
+  if (buffer[length_words] != rtc_pref_calculate_checksum(buffer, buffer + length_words, type)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  memcpy(data, buffer, len);
+  return true;
+}
+
+}  // namespace esphome
diff --git a/esphome/preferences.py b/esphome/preferences.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fce8519130
--- /dev/null
+++ b/esphome/preferences.py
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+"""Helpers for letting a component choose where a preference is persisted.
+
+Preferences can be stored either in flash (durable across power loss) or in RTC
+memory (fast, survives deep sleep and soft resets but not power loss). The
+flash-vs-RTC choice is only meaningful on platforms whose preferences backend
+honors the ``in_flash`` flag — currently ESP32 and ESP8266. On other platforms
+the value is accepted only as ``flash`` (the sole supported backend).
+
+Components include :func:`storage_schema` in their config and convert the chosen
+value with :func:`is_in_flash` when calling ``make_preference``.
+"""
+
+import esphome.codegen as cg
+import esphome.config_validation as cv
+from esphome.const import CONF_STORAGE
+from esphome.core import CORE
+
+STORAGE_FLASH = "flash"
+STORAGE_RTC = "rtc"
+
+
+def _rtc_supported() -> bool:
+    """Whether the active platform has an RTC-backed preferences backend.
+
+    Mirrors the C++ ``SOC_RTC_MEM_SUPPORTED`` guard in the ESP32 backend: the ESP32-C2
+    and -C61 have no RTC memory at all, so RTC storage is unavailable there.
+    """
+    if CORE.is_esp8266:
+        return True
+    if CORE.is_esp32:
+        from esphome.components.esp32 import get_esp32_variant
+        from esphome.components.esp32.const import VARIANT_ESP32C2, VARIANT_ESP32C61
+
+        return get_esp32_variant() not in (VARIANT_ESP32C2, VARIANT_ESP32C61)
+    return False
+
+
+def _default_storage() -> str:
+    """Default that preserves each platform's historic behavior.
+
+    ESP8266 has always stored these preferences in RTC memory; every other
+    platform effectively used flash. Evaluated at validation time.
+    """
+    return STORAGE_RTC if CORE.is_esp8266 else STORAGE_FLASH
+
+
+def _validate_storage(value):
+    value = cv.one_of(STORAGE_FLASH, STORAGE_RTC, lower=True)(value)
+    if value == STORAGE_RTC and not _rtc_supported():
+        raise cv.Invalid(
+            f"'{STORAGE_RTC}' storage is not supported on this platform; only "
+            f"'{STORAGE_FLASH}' is available"
+        )
+    return value
+
+
+def storage_schema():
+    """Return an Optional(CONF_STORAGE) entry for merging into a component schema."""
+    return {cv.Optional(CONF_STORAGE, default=_default_storage): _validate_storage}
+
+
+def request_rtc_storage() -> None:
+    """Compile the RTC-backed storage into the ESP32 preferences backend.
+
+    The RTC storage region is left out of ESP32 builds unless something asks for
+    it, so unused builds don't reserve RTC memory. Call this from ``to_code``
+    when a config option selects RTC storage. No-op on other platforms (ESP8266
+    always has its RTC backend).
+    """
+    if CORE.is_esp32:
+        cg.add_define("USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES")
+
+
+def validate_rtc_storage(value):
+    """Validate a boolean option that requests RTC-backed preference storage.
+
+    ``false`` means "no request", not "disable": it never turns RTC storage off
+    (another option selecting ``storage: rtc`` still compiles it in). On ESP8266
+    the backend is integral and always enabled, so ``false`` is rejected rather
+    than silently ignored; ``true`` is a tolerated no-op there so shared config
+    packages work across mixed fleets.
+    """
+    value = cv.boolean(value)
+    if not value:
+        if CORE.is_esp8266:
+            raise cv.Invalid(
+                "RTC preference storage is always enabled on ESP8266 and cannot "
+                "be disabled"
+            )
+        return value
+    if not _rtc_supported():
+        raise cv.Invalid("RTC preference storage is not supported on this platform")
+    return value
+
+
+def is_in_flash(value: str) -> bool:
+    """Map a CONF_STORAGE value to the ``in_flash`` argument of make_preference.
+
+    Call this from ``to_code``: when RTC storage is selected on ESP32 it also emits
+    the define that compiles the RTC storage buffer into the ESP32 backend (see
+    :func:`request_rtc_storage`).
+    """
+    in_flash = value == STORAGE_FLASH
+    if not in_flash:
+        request_rtc_storage()
+    return in_flash
diff --git a/script/ci-custom.py b/script/ci-custom.py
index 4568732b88..75f4d71ba4 100755
--- a/script/ci-custom.py
+++ b/script/ci-custom.py
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ def lint_constants_usage():
 # Maximum allowed CONF_ constants in esphome/const.py.
 # This file is frozen — new constants go in esphome/components/const/__init__.py.
 # Decrease this number when constants are moved out of const.py.
-CONST_PY_MAX_CONF = 1014
+CONST_PY_MAX_CONF = 1015
 
 
 @lint_content_check(include=["esphome/const.py"])
diff --git a/tests/components/preferences/validate-rtc-storage.esp32-idf.yaml b/tests/components/preferences/validate-rtc-storage.esp32-idf.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1808e09f5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/preferences/validate-rtc-storage.esp32-idf.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Exercises the opt-in that compiles the RTC-backed preference storage into
+# the ESP32 backend without any other option selecting it.
+preferences:
+  rtc_storage: true
diff --git a/tests/components/safe_mode/test-rtc.esp32-idf.yaml b/tests/components/safe_mode/test-rtc.esp32-idf.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..113a2b6ab5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/safe_mode/test-rtc.esp32-idf.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Exercises the ESP32 RTC-backed preferences path (storage: rtc) for safe_mode.
+safe_mode:
+  num_attempts: 3
+  storage: rtc
diff --git a/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp32-idf.yaml b/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp32-idf.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..93d223b908
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp32-idf.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# Exercises the dict form of fast_connect with RTC-backed preference storage.
+wifi:
+  ssid: MySSID
+  password: password1
+  fast_connect:
+    enabled: true
+    storage: rtc
diff --git a/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp8266-ard.yaml b/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp8266-ard.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..070e22fd5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/wifi/validate-fast-connect-storage.esp8266-ard.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# Exercises the dict form of fast_connect overriding the ESP8266 default (rtc)
+# back to flash storage.
+wifi:
+  ssid: MySSID
+  password: password1
+  fast_connect:
+    storage: flash
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_preferences.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_preferences.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..677eeee7f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_preferences.py
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+"""Tests for esphome.preferences storage backend selection."""
+
+import pytest
+
+from esphome import preferences
+from esphome.components.esp32 import KEY_ESP32
+from esphome.components.esp32.const import (
+    VARIANT_ESP32,
+    VARIANT_ESP32C2,
+    VARIANT_ESP32C3,
+    VARIANT_ESP32C61,
+)
+import esphome.config_validation as cv
+from esphome.const import (
+    CONF_STORAGE,
+    KEY_CORE,
+    KEY_TARGET_PLATFORM,
+    KEY_VARIANT,
+    PLATFORM_ESP32,
+    PLATFORM_ESP8266,
+    PLATFORM_RP2040,
+)
+from esphome.core import CORE
+
+
+def _set_platform(platform: str) -> None:
+    CORE.data[KEY_CORE] = {KEY_TARGET_PLATFORM: platform}
+
+
+def _set_esp32(variant: str) -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_ESP32)
+    CORE.data[KEY_ESP32] = {KEY_VARIANT: variant}
+
+
+def _validate(value: dict):
+    return cv.Schema(preferences.storage_schema())(value)
+
+
+def _define_names() -> set[str]:
+    return {define.name for define in CORE.defines}
+
+
+def test_is_in_flash() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_ESP8266)
+    assert preferences.is_in_flash(preferences.STORAGE_FLASH) is True
+    assert preferences.is_in_flash(preferences.STORAGE_RTC) is False
+    # The RTC storage define is ESP32-specific.
+    assert "USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES" not in _define_names()
+
+
+def test_is_in_flash_esp32_rtc_emits_define() -> None:
+    _set_esp32(VARIANT_ESP32)
+    assert preferences.is_in_flash(preferences.STORAGE_FLASH) is True
+    assert "USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES" not in _define_names()
+    assert preferences.is_in_flash(preferences.STORAGE_RTC) is False
+    assert "USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES" in _define_names()
+
+
+def test_request_rtc_storage_esp32_only() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_ESP8266)
+    preferences.request_rtc_storage()
+    # ESP8266 always has its RTC backend; no define is needed or emitted.
+    assert "USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES" not in _define_names()
+
+
+def test_request_rtc_storage_esp32_emits_define() -> None:
+    _set_esp32(VARIANT_ESP32)
+    preferences.request_rtc_storage()
+    assert "USE_ESP32_RTC_PREFERENCES" in _define_names()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("variant", [VARIANT_ESP32, VARIANT_ESP32C3])
+def test_validate_rtc_storage_accepted(variant: str) -> None:
+    _set_esp32(variant)
+    assert preferences.validate_rtc_storage(True) is True
+    assert preferences.validate_rtc_storage(False) is False
+
+
+def test_validate_rtc_storage_esp8266() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_ESP8266)
+    # Tolerated no-op: the ESP8266 backend always has RTC storage.
+    assert preferences.validate_rtc_storage(True) is True
+    # But it cannot be disabled, so an explicit false is an error.
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="always enabled on ESP8266"):
+        preferences.validate_rtc_storage(False)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("variant", [VARIANT_ESP32C2, VARIANT_ESP32C61])
+def test_validate_rtc_storage_rejected_without_rtc_memory(variant: str) -> None:
+    _set_esp32(variant)
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="not supported on this platform"):
+        preferences.validate_rtc_storage(True)
+    # Disabling it is always fine.
+    assert preferences.validate_rtc_storage(False) is False
+
+
+def test_validate_rtc_storage_rejected_on_unsupported_platform() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_RP2040)
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="not supported on this platform"):
+        preferences.validate_rtc_storage(True)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("platform", "expected"),
+    [
+        # Defaults preserve each platform's historic behavior.
+        (PLATFORM_ESP8266, preferences.STORAGE_RTC),
+        (PLATFORM_RP2040, preferences.STORAGE_FLASH),
+    ],
+)
+def test_default_storage_per_platform(platform: str, expected: str) -> None:
+    _set_platform(platform)
+    assert _validate({})[CONF_STORAGE] == expected
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("variant", [VARIANT_ESP32, VARIANT_ESP32C2])
+def test_default_storage_esp32_is_flash(variant: str) -> None:
+    # ESP32 defaults to flash on every variant, including those without RTC memory.
+    _set_esp32(variant)
+    assert _validate({})[CONF_STORAGE] == preferences.STORAGE_FLASH
+
+
+def test_rtc_allowed_on_esp8266() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_ESP8266)
+    assert _validate({CONF_STORAGE: "rtc"})[CONF_STORAGE] == preferences.STORAGE_RTC
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("variant", [VARIANT_ESP32, VARIANT_ESP32C3])
+def test_rtc_allowed_on_esp32_with_rtc_memory(variant: str) -> None:
+    _set_esp32(variant)
+    assert _validate({CONF_STORAGE: "rtc"})[CONF_STORAGE] == preferences.STORAGE_RTC
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("variant", [VARIANT_ESP32C2, VARIANT_ESP32C61])
+def test_rtc_rejected_on_esp32_without_rtc_memory(variant: str) -> None:
+    _set_esp32(variant)
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="not supported on this platform"):
+        _validate({CONF_STORAGE: "rtc"})
+
+
+def test_rtc_rejected_on_unsupported_platform() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_RP2040)
+    with pytest.raises(cv.Invalid, match="not supported on this platform"):
+        _validate({CONF_STORAGE: "rtc"})
+
+
+def test_flash_allowed_on_unsupported_platform() -> None:
+    _set_platform(PLATFORM_RP2040)
+    assert _validate({CONF_STORAGE: "flash"})[CONF_STORAGE] == preferences.STORAGE_FLASH