diff --git a/.github/actions/restore-python/action.yml b/.github/actions/restore-python/action.yml
index 6d7d4f8c12..af54175c01 100644
--- a/.github/actions/restore-python/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/restore-python/action.yml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ runs:
         python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
     - name: Restore Python virtual environment
       id: cache-venv
-      uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+      uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
       with:
         path: venv
         # yamllint disable-line rule:line-length
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 0a03579abc..ead87ad087 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ env.DEFAULT_PYTHON }}
       - name: Restore Python virtual environment
         id: cache-venv
-        uses: actions/cache@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: venv
           # yamllint disable-line rule:line-length
@@ -154,12 +154,12 @@ jobs:
           . venv/bin/activate
           pytest -vv --cov-report=xml --tb=native -n auto tests --ignore=tests/integration/
       - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@671740ac38dd9b0130fbe1cec585b89eea48d3de # v5.5.2
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@1af58845a975a7985b0beb0cbe6fbbb71a41dbad # v5.5.3
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
       - name: Save Python virtual environment cache
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache/save@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/save@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: venv
           key: ${{ runner.os }}-${{ steps.restore-python.outputs.python-version }}-venv-${{ needs.common.outputs.cache-key }}
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ env.DEFAULT_PYTHON }}
           cache-key: ${{ needs.common.outputs.cache-key }}
       - name: Restore components graph cache
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: .temp/components_graph.json
           key: components-graph-${{ hashFiles('esphome/components/**/*.py') }}
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "benchmarks=$(echo "$output" | jq -r '.benchmarks')" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
       - name: Save components graph cache
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache/save@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/save@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: .temp/components_graph.json
           key: components-graph-${{ hashFiles('esphome/components/**/*.py') }}
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.13"
       - name: Restore Python virtual environment
         id: cache-venv
-        uses: actions/cache@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: venv
           key: ${{ runner.os }}-${{ steps.python.outputs.python-version }}-venv-${{ needs.common.outputs.cache-key }}
@@ -387,14 +387,14 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-${{ matrix.pio_cache_key }}-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref != 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-${{ matrix.pio_cache_key }}-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
@@ -466,14 +466,14 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-tidyesp32-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref != 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-tidyesp32-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
@@ -555,14 +555,14 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-tidyesp32-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: github.ref != 'refs/heads/dev'
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-tidyesp32-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Restore cached memory analysis
         id: cache-memory-analysis
         if: steps.check-script.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.check-tests.outputs.skip != 'true'
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: memory-analysis-target.json
           key: ${{ steps.cache-key.outputs.cache-key }}
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Cache platformio
         if: steps.check-script.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.check-tests.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.cache-memory-analysis.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-memory-${{ fromJSON(needs.determine-jobs.outputs.memory_impact).platform }}-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Save memory analysis to cache
         if: steps.check-script.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.check-tests.outputs.skip != 'true' && steps.cache-memory-analysis.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' && steps.build.outcome == 'success'
-        uses: actions/cache/save@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/save@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: memory-analysis-target.json
           key: ${{ steps.cache-key.outputs.cache-key }}
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ env.DEFAULT_PYTHON }}
           cache-key: ${{ needs.common.outputs.cache-key }}
       - name: Cache platformio
-        uses: actions/cache/restore@cdf6c1fa76f9f475f3d7449005a359c84ca0f306 # v5.0.3
+        uses: actions/cache/restore@668228422ae6a00e4ad889ee87cd7109ec5666a7 # v5.0.4
         with:
           path: ~/.platformio
           key: platformio-memory-${{ fromJSON(needs.determine-jobs.outputs.memory_impact).platform }}-${{ hashFiles('platformio.ini') }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-device-classes.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-device-classes.yml
index b0d966555b..a71e5ef4ca 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-device-classes.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-device-classes.yml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@a309ff8b426b58ec0e2a45f0f869d46889d02405 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          python-version: 3.13
+          python-version: "3.14"
 
       - name: Install Home Assistant
         run: |
diff --git a/esphome/components/apds9960/apds9960.cpp b/esphome/components/apds9960/apds9960.cpp
index 260de82d14..a07175f2c9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/apds9960/apds9960.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/apds9960/apds9960.cpp
@@ -251,11 +251,11 @@ void APDS9960::read_gesture_data_() {
 
   uint8_t buf[128];
   for (uint8_t pos = 0; pos < fifo_level * 4; pos += 32) {
-    // The ESP's i2c driver has a limited buffer size.
-    // This way of retrieving the data should be wrong according to the datasheet
-    // but it seems to work.
+    // Read in 32-byte chunks due to ESP8266 I2C buffer limit.
+    // Always read from 0xFC — the FIFO auto-increments through 0xFC-0xFF
+    // and advances its internal pointer after every 4th byte.
     uint8_t read = std::min(32, fifo_level * 4 - pos);
-    APDS9960_WARNING_CHECK(this->read_bytes(0xFC + pos, buf + pos, read), "Reading FIFO buffer failed.");
+    APDS9960_WARNING_CHECK(this->read_bytes(0xFC, buf + pos, read), "Reading FIFO buffer failed.");
   }
 
   if (millis() - this->gesture_start_ > 500) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32/core.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32/core.cpp
index cba25bca2b..83bd09b643 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32/core.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32/core.cpp
@@ -53,9 +53,6 @@ void arch_init() {
 }
 void HOT arch_feed_wdt() { esp_task_wdt_reset(); }
 
-uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) { return *addr; }
-const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) { return *addr; }
-uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_cycle_count() { return esp_cpu_get_cycle_count(); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_freq_hz() {
   uint32_t freq = 0;
diff --git a/esphome/components/host/core.cpp b/esphome/components/host/core.cpp
index d5c61ec986..a662e842ee 100644
--- a/esphome/components/host/core.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/host/core.cpp
@@ -58,9 +58,6 @@ void HOT arch_feed_wdt() {
   // pass
 }
 
-uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) { return *addr; }
-const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) { return *addr; }
-uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_cycle_count() {
   struct timespec spec;
   clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &spec);
diff --git a/esphome/components/libretiny/core.cpp b/esphome/components/libretiny/core.cpp
index 6bb2d9dcc1..1cfe68e924 100644
--- a/esphome/components/libretiny/core.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/libretiny/core.cpp
@@ -54,9 +54,6 @@ void arch_restart() {
 void HOT arch_feed_wdt() { lt_wdt_feed(); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_cycle_count() { return lt_cpu_get_cycle_count(); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_freq_hz() { return lt_cpu_get_freq(); }
-uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) { return *addr; }
-const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) { return *addr; }
-uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
 
 }  // namespace esphome
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/opentherm/__init__.py b/esphome/components/opentherm/__init__.py
index 36f85a9766..85632d0bf8 100644
--- a/esphome/components/opentherm/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/opentherm/__init__.py
@@ -81,10 +81,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
 
 async def to_code(config: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     if CORE.is_esp32:
-        # Re-enable ESP-IDF's legacy driver component (excluded by default to save compile time)
-        # Provides driver/timer.h header for hardware timer API
-        # TODO: Remove this once opentherm migrates to GPTimer API (driver/gptimer.h)
-        include_builtin_idf_component("driver")
+        include_builtin_idf_component("esp_driver_gptimer")
 
     var = cg.new_Pvariable(config[CONF_ID])
     await cg.register_component(var, config)
diff --git a/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.cpp b/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.cpp
index cdf89207bc..97cf83a5aa 100644
--- a/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.cpp
@@ -8,10 +8,7 @@
 #include "opentherm.h"
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include <cinttypes>
-// TODO: Migrate from legacy timer API (driver/timer.h) to GPTimer API (driver/gptimer.h)
-// The legacy timer API is deprecated in ESP-IDF 5.x. See opentherm.h for details.
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
-#include "driver/timer.h"
 #include "esp_err.h"
 #endif
 #ifdef ESP8266
@@ -33,10 +30,6 @@ OpenTherm *OpenTherm::instance = nullptr;
 OpenTherm::OpenTherm(InternalGPIOPin *in_pin, InternalGPIOPin *out_pin, int32_t device_timeout)
     : in_pin_(in_pin),
       out_pin_(out_pin),
-#ifdef USE_ESP32
-      timer_group_(TIMER_GROUP_0),
-      timer_idx_(TIMER_0),
-#endif
       mode_(OperationMode::IDLE),
       error_type_(ProtocolErrorType::NO_ERROR),
       capture_(0),
@@ -134,7 +127,12 @@ void IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::read_() {
                               // period in OpenTherm.
 }
 
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+bool IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::timer_isr(gptimer_handle_t timer, const gptimer_alarm_event_data_t *edata, void *user_ctx) {
+  auto *arg = static_cast<OpenTherm *>(user_ctx);
+#else
 bool IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::timer_isr(OpenTherm *arg) {
+#endif
   if (arg->mode_ == OperationMode::LISTEN) {
     if (arg->timeout_counter_ == 0) {
       arg->mode_ = OperationMode::ERROR_TIMEOUT;
@@ -243,67 +241,35 @@ void IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::write_bit_(uint8_t high, uint8_t clock) {
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
 
 bool OpenTherm::init_esp32_timer_() {
-  // Search for a free timer. Maybe unstable, we'll see.
-  int cur_timer = 0;
-  timer_group_t timer_group = TIMER_GROUP_0;
-  timer_idx_t timer_idx = TIMER_0;
-  bool timer_found = false;
-
-  for (; cur_timer < SOC_TIMER_GROUP_TOTAL_TIMERS; cur_timer++) {
-    timer_config_t temp_config;
-    timer_group = cur_timer < 2 ? TIMER_GROUP_0 : TIMER_GROUP_1;
-    timer_idx = cur_timer < 2 ? (timer_idx_t) cur_timer : (timer_idx_t) (cur_timer - 2);
-
-    auto err = timer_get_config(timer_group, timer_idx, &temp_config);
-    if (err == ESP_ERR_INVALID_ARG) {
-      // Error means timer was not initialized (or other things, but we are careful with our args)
-      timer_found = true;
-      break;
-    }
-
-    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Timer %d:%d seems to be occupied, will try another", timer_group, timer_idx);
-  }
-
-  if (!timer_found) {
-    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "No free timer was found! OpenTherm cannot function without a timer.");
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Found free timer %d:%d", timer_group, timer_idx);
-  this->timer_group_ = timer_group;
-  this->timer_idx_ = timer_idx;
-
-  timer_config_t const config = {
-      .alarm_en = TIMER_ALARM_EN,
-      .counter_en = TIMER_PAUSE,
-      .intr_type = TIMER_INTR_LEVEL,
-      .counter_dir = TIMER_COUNT_UP,
-      .auto_reload = TIMER_AUTORELOAD_EN,
-      .clk_src = TIMER_SRC_CLK_DEFAULT,
-      .divider = 80,
+  // 80MHz / 80 = 1MHz resolution (1µs per tick)
+  gptimer_config_t config = {
+      .clk_src = GPTIMER_CLK_SRC_DEFAULT,
+      .direction = GPTIMER_COUNT_UP,
+      .resolution_hz = 1000000,
   };
 
-  esp_err_t result;
-
-  result = timer_init(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_, &config);
+  esp_err_t result = gptimer_new_timer(&config, &this->timer_handle_);
   if (result != ESP_OK) {
-    const auto *error = esp_err_to_name(result);
-    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to init timer. Error: %s", error);
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to create timer: %s", esp_err_to_name(result));
     return false;
   }
 
-  result = timer_set_counter_value(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_, 0);
+  gptimer_event_callbacks_t cbs = {
+      .on_alarm = OpenTherm::timer_isr,
+  };
+  result = gptimer_register_event_callbacks(this->timer_handle_, &cbs, this);
   if (result != ESP_OK) {
-    const auto *error = esp_err_to_name(result);
-    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to set counter value. Error: %s", error);
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to register timer callback: %s", esp_err_to_name(result));
+    gptimer_del_timer(this->timer_handle_);
+    this->timer_handle_ = nullptr;
     return false;
   }
 
-  result = timer_isr_callback_add(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_, reinterpret_cast<bool (*)(void *)>(timer_isr),
-                                  this, 0);
+  result = gptimer_enable(this->timer_handle_);
   if (result != ESP_OK) {
-    const auto *error = esp_err_to_name(result);
-    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to register timer interrupt. Error: %s", error);
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to enable timer: %s", esp_err_to_name(result));
+    gptimer_del_timer(this->timer_handle_);
+    this->timer_handle_ = nullptr;
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -315,12 +281,13 @@ void IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::start_esp32_timer_(uint64_t alarm_value) {
   this->timer_error_ = ESP_OK;
   this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::NO_TIMER_ERROR;
 
-  this->timer_error_ = timer_set_alarm_value(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_, alarm_value);
+  this->alarm_config_.alarm_count = alarm_value;
+  this->timer_error_ = gptimer_set_alarm_action(this->timer_handle_, &this->alarm_config_);
   if (this->timer_error_ != ESP_OK) {
     this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::SET_ALARM_VALUE_ERROR;
     return;
   }
-  this->timer_error_ = timer_start(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_);
+  this->timer_error_ = gptimer_start(this->timer_handle_);
   if (this->timer_error_ != ESP_OK) {
     this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::TIMER_START_ERROR;
   }
@@ -356,12 +323,12 @@ void IRAM_ATTR OpenTherm::stop_timer_() {
   this->timer_error_ = ESP_OK;
   this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::NO_TIMER_ERROR;
 
-  this->timer_error_ = timer_pause(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_);
+  this->timer_error_ = gptimer_stop(this->timer_handle_);
   if (this->timer_error_ != ESP_OK) {
     this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::TIMER_PAUSE_ERROR;
     return;
   }
-  this->timer_error_ = timer_set_counter_value(this->timer_group_, this->timer_idx_, 0);
+  this->timer_error_ = gptimer_set_raw_count(this->timer_handle_, 0);
   if (this->timer_error_ != ESP_OK) {
     this->timer_error_type_ = TimerErrorType::SET_COUNTER_VALUE_ERROR;
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.h b/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.h
index a2c347d0d8..eb8c5b3ad6 100644
--- a/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.h
+++ b/esphome/components/opentherm/opentherm.h
@@ -12,12 +12,8 @@
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/log.h"
 
-// TODO: Migrate from legacy timer API (driver/timer.h) to GPTimer API (driver/gptimer.h)
-// The legacy timer API is deprecated in ESP-IDF 5.x. Migration would allow removing the
-// "driver" IDF component dependency. See:
-// https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/migration-guides/release-5.x/5.0/peripherals.html#id4
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
-#include "driver/timer.h"
+#include "driver/gptimer.h"
 #endif
 
 namespace esphome {
@@ -348,7 +344,11 @@ class OpenTherm {
   const char *operation_mode_to_str(OperationMode mode);
   const char *message_id_to_str(MessageId id);
 
+#ifdef USE_ESP32
+  static bool timer_isr(gptimer_handle_t timer, const gptimer_alarm_event_data_t *edata, void *user_ctx);
+#else
   static bool timer_isr(OpenTherm *arg);
+#endif
 
 #ifdef ESP8266
   static void esp8266_timer_isr();
@@ -361,8 +361,12 @@ class OpenTherm {
   ISRInternalGPIOPin isr_out_pin_;
 
 #ifdef USE_ESP32
-  timer_group_t timer_group_;
-  timer_idx_t timer_idx_;
+  gptimer_handle_t timer_handle_{nullptr};
+  gptimer_alarm_config_t alarm_config_{
+      .alarm_count = 0,
+      .reload_count = 0,
+      .flags = {.auto_reload_on_alarm = true},
+  };
 #endif
 
   OperationMode mode_;
diff --git a/esphome/components/rp2040/core.cpp b/esphome/components/rp2040/core.cpp
index 7079cbca15..b7a9000612 100644
--- a/esphome/components/rp2040/core.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/rp2040/core.cpp
@@ -37,13 +37,6 @@ void arch_init() {
 
 void HOT arch_feed_wdt() { watchdog_update(); }
 
-uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) {
-  return pgm_read_byte(addr);  // NOLINT
-}
-const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) {
-  return reinterpret_cast<const char *>(pgm_read_ptr(addr));  // NOLINT
-}
-uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
 uint32_t HOT arch_get_cpu_cycle_count() { return ulMainGetRunTimeCounterValue(); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_freq_hz() { return RP2040::f_cpu(); }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/tc74/tc74.cpp b/esphome/components/tc74/tc74.cpp
index 969ef3671e..cb58e583dc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/tc74/tc74.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/tc74/tc74.cpp
@@ -50,8 +50,9 @@ void TC74Component::read_temperature_() {
     }
   }
 
-  uint8_t temperature_reg;
-  if (this->read_register(TC74_REGISTER_TEMPERATURE, &temperature_reg, 1) != i2c::ERROR_OK) {
+  int8_t temperature_reg;
+  if (this->read_register(TC74_REGISTER_TEMPERATURE, reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&temperature_reg), 1) !=
+      i2c::ERROR_OK) {
     this->status_set_warning();
     return;
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/zephyr/core.cpp b/esphome/components/zephyr/core.cpp
index 1d105a1057..d7c77fdd2c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zephyr/core.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/zephyr/core.cpp
@@ -59,9 +59,6 @@ void arch_feed_wdt() {
 void arch_restart() { sys_reboot(SYS_REBOOT_COLD); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_cycle_count() { return k_cycle_get_32(); }
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_freq_hz() { return sys_clock_hw_cycles_per_sec(); }
-uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) { return *addr; }
-const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) { return *addr; }
-uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
 
 Mutex::Mutex() {
   auto *mutex = new k_mutex();
diff --git a/esphome/core/hal.h b/esphome/core/hal.h
index c2c9b1a325..03a30b7459 100644
--- a/esphome/core/hal.h
+++ b/esphome/core/hal.h
@@ -41,8 +41,17 @@ void arch_init();
 void arch_feed_wdt();
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_cycle_count();
 uint32_t arch_get_cpu_freq_hz();
+
+#ifdef USE_ESP8266
+// ESP8266: pgm_read_* does real flash reads on Harvard architecture
 uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr);
 const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr);
 uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr);
+#else
+// All other platforms: PROGMEM is a no-op, so these are direct dereferences
+inline uint8_t progmem_read_byte(const uint8_t *addr) { return *addr; }
+inline const char *progmem_read_ptr(const char *const *addr) { return *addr; }
+inline uint16_t progmem_read_uint16(const uint16_t *addr) { return *addr; }
+#endif
 
 }  // namespace esphome
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index da95dd5a13..f8f60f1932 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ platformio==6.1.19
 esptool==5.2.0
 click==8.3.1
 esphome-dashboard==20260210.0
-aioesphomeapi==44.5.2
+aioesphomeapi==44.6.0
 zeroconf==0.148.0
 puremagic==1.30
 ruamel.yaml==0.19.1 # dashboard_import