diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api.proto b/esphome/components/api/api.proto
index 9d79b0ec23..a9d59f931a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api.proto
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api.proto
@@ -2886,7 +2886,14 @@ message SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest {
 
 // The USB identity of the device currently behind a port, read live from the cached
 // USB descriptors. Fields are zero/empty while no device is connected.
-message SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse {
+//
+// Sent in reply to SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest, and also unsolicited to every connected
+// client whenever a USB device is attached to or removed from a USB_SERIAL port. A client
+// therefore subscribes to this message before querying the current state, so the
+// connect-time query and later hotplug events are handled by one path. The port's
+// subscription is untouched by a hotplug: the session belongs to the client, which decides
+// whether to keep it.
+message SerialProxyUsbInfo {
   option (id) = 154;
   option (source) = SOURCE_SERVER;
   option (ifdef) = "USE_SERIAL_PROXY";
@@ -2897,10 +2904,11 @@ message SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse {
   uint32 vendor_id = 4;
   uint32 product_id = 5;
   uint32 bcd_device = 6;
-  uint32 interface_number = 7;    // Channel index on multi-port bridges
+  uint32 interface_number = 7;    // bInterfaceNumber a host driver binds to, as Linux reports it
   string manufacturer = 8;
   string product = 9;
   string serial_number = 10;
+  string interface_description = 11;  // iInterface string of that interface; empty when the device has none
 }
 
 // ==================== BLUETOOTH CONNECTION PARAMS ====================
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
index 6d08e0d98c..eb9f0d3578 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_connection.cpp
@@ -1647,14 +1647,14 @@ void APIConnection::on_serial_proxy_get_modem_pins_request(const SerialProxyGetM
 
 void APIConnection::on_serial_proxy_get_usb_info_request(const SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest &msg) {
   auto &proxies = App.get_serial_proxies();
-  SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse resp{};
+  SerialProxyUsbInfo resp{};
   resp.instance = msg.instance;
   if (msg.instance >= proxies.size()) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Serial proxy instance %" PRIu32 " out of range", msg.instance);
     resp.status = enums::SERIAL_PROXY_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT;
   } else {
 #ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
-    // The response's strings are views into this buffer, which outlives the send below
+    // The message's strings are views into this buffer, which outlives the send below
     usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo info;
     proxies[msg.instance]->get_usb_info(info, resp);
 #else
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
index 1a0aaefd6a..6e00cb4038 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.cpp
@@ -4276,7 +4276,7 @@ bool SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest::decode_varint(uint32_t field_id, proto_varint
   }
   return true;
 }
-uint8_t *SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
+uint8_t *SerialProxyUsbInfo::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const {
   uint8_t *__restrict__ pos = buffer.get_pos();
   ProtoEncode::encode_uint32(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 1, this->instance);
   ProtoEncode::encode_uint32(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 2, static_cast<uint32_t>(this->status));
@@ -4288,9 +4288,10 @@ uint8_t *SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_EN
   ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 8, this->manufacturer);
   ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 9, this->product);
   ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 10, this->serial_number);
+  ProtoEncode::encode_string(pos PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_ARG, 11, this->interface_description);
   return pos;
 }
-uint32_t SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::calculate_size() const {
+uint32_t SerialProxyUsbInfo::calculate_size() const {
   uint32_t size = 0;
   size += ProtoSize::calc_uint32(1, this->instance);
   size += this->status ? 2 : 0;
@@ -4302,6 +4303,7 @@ uint32_t SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::calculate_size() const {
   size += ProtoSize::calc_length(1, this->manufacturer.size());
   size += ProtoSize::calc_length(1, this->product.size());
   size += ProtoSize::calc_length(1, this->serial_number.size());
+  size += ProtoSize::calc_length(1, this->interface_description.size());
   return size;
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
index 7fa1560a02..7a1352d88b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2.h
@@ -3440,12 +3440,12 @@ class SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest final : public ProtoDecodableMessage {
  protected:
   bool decode_varint(uint32_t field_id, proto_varint_value_t value) override;
 };
-class SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
+class SerialProxyUsbInfo final : public ProtoMessage {
  public:
   static constexpr uint16_t MESSAGE_TYPE = 154;
-  static constexpr uint8_t ESTIMATED_SIZE = 51;
+  static constexpr uint8_t ESTIMATED_SIZE = 60;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
-  const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("serial_proxy_get_usb_info_response"); }
+  const LogString *message_name() const override { return LOG_STR("serial_proxy_usb_info"); }
 #endif
   uint32_t instance{0};
   enums::SerialProxyStatus status{};
@@ -3457,6 +3457,7 @@ class SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse final : public ProtoMessage {
   StringRef manufacturer{};
   StringRef product{};
   StringRef serial_number{};
+  StringRef interface_description{};
   uint8_t *encode(ProtoWriteBuffer &buffer PROTO_ENCODE_DEBUG_PARAM) const;
   uint32_t calculate_size() const;
 #ifdef HAS_PROTO_MESSAGE_DUMP
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
index b264c917ac..77dda90aea 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_pb2_dump.cpp
@@ -2830,8 +2830,8 @@ const char *SerialProxyGetUsbInfoRequest::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("instance"), this->instance);
   return out.c_str();
 }
-const char *SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
-  MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse"));
+const char *SerialProxyUsbInfo::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
+  MessageDumpHelper helper(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("SerialProxyUsbInfo"));
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("instance"), this->instance);
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("status"), static_cast<enums::SerialProxyStatus>(this->status));
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("connected"), this->connected);
@@ -2842,6 +2842,7 @@ const char *SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse::dump_to(DumpBuffer &out) const {
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("manufacturer"), this->manufacturer);
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("product"), this->product);
   dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("serial_number"), this->serial_number);
+  dump_field(out, ESPHOME_PSTR("interface_description"), this->interface_description);
   return out.c_str();
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
index 78ebe5c38e..3b606f13dd 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_server.cpp
@@ -404,6 +404,18 @@ void APIServer::on_zwave_proxy_request(const ZWaveProxyRequest &msg) {
 }
 #endif
 
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
+void APIServer::send_serial_proxy_usb_info(const SerialProxyUsbInfo &msg) {
+  // Unsolicited: a hotplug is rare and the message small, so every client hears of it
+  // rather than maintaining a subscription for the one client there normally is
+  for (auto &c : this->active_clients()) {
+    if (!c->send_message(msg)) {
+      API_LOG_MSG_DROPPED(TAG, "USB info notification");
+    }
+  }
+}
+#endif
+
 #if defined(USE_IR_RF) || defined(USE_RADIO_FREQUENCY)
 void APIServer::send_infrared_rf_receive_event([[maybe_unused]] uint32_t device_id, uint32_t key,
                                                const std::vector<int32_t> *timings) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/api/api_server.h b/esphome/components/api/api_server.h
index 618ea4eb11..0d1c9e4cc2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/api_server.h
+++ b/esphome/components/api/api_server.h
@@ -194,6 +194,10 @@ class APIServer final : public Component,
 #ifdef USE_ZWAVE_PROXY
   void on_zwave_proxy_request(const ZWaveProxyRequest &msg);
 #endif
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
+  /// Tell every client that the USB device behind a serial proxy port changed
+  void send_serial_proxy_usb_info(const SerialProxyUsbInfo &msg);
+#endif
 #if defined(USE_IR_RF) || defined(USE_RADIO_FREQUENCY)
   void send_infrared_rf_receive_event(uint32_t device_id, uint32_t key, const std::vector<int32_t> *timings);
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.cpp b/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.cpp
index 6a9208c01b..cd9e1ae4b9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.cpp
@@ -34,6 +34,13 @@ void SerialProxy::setup() {
   // instance_index_ is fixed at registration time; pre-set it so loop() only needs to update data
   this->outgoing_msg_.instance = this->instance_index_;
 #endif
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
+  // The define is global, so a hardware UART port in the same config also gets here
+  if (this->usb_channel_ != nullptr) {
+    this->usb_channel_->get_parent()->add_on_connection_callback(
+        [this](bool connected) { this->on_usb_connection_changed_(connected); });
+  }
+#endif
 #ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_TAP
   // A tap sets itself up before this runs (its setup priority is higher), so it may
   // already be waiting on the port -- a boot-time handshake with the device, say. Leaving
@@ -205,11 +212,6 @@ SerialProxyResult SerialProxy::configure(api::APIConnection *api_connection, uin
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Invalid parity: %u (must be 0-2)", parity);
     return SerialProxyResult::SERIAL_PROXY_RESULT_INVALID_ARGUMENT;
   }
-  if (flow_control) {
-    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Hardware flow control requested but is not yet supported");
-    return SerialProxyResult::SERIAL_PROXY_RESULT_NOT_SUPPORTED;
-  }
-
   // Skip a no-op reconfigure. Clients routinely re-send identical settings on every
   // port open, and on a USB UART each apply is a CDC SET_LINE_CODING control transfer.
   // Some bridges watch line-coding changes as a signalling channel (a magic baud
@@ -220,7 +222,8 @@ SerialProxyResult SerialProxy::configure(api::APIConnection *api_connection, uin
       uart::UART_CONFIG_PARITY_ODD,
   };
   if (uart_comp->get_baud_rate() == baudrate && uart_comp->get_stop_bits() == stop_bits &&
-      uart_comp->get_data_bits() == data_size && uart_comp->get_parity() == PARITY_MAP[parity]) {
+      uart_comp->get_data_bits() == data_size && uart_comp->get_parity() == PARITY_MAP[parity] &&
+      uart_comp->get_flow_control() == flow_control) {
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "Settings unchanged, skipping reconfigure [%" PRIu32 "]", this->instance_index_);
     return SerialProxyResult::SERIAL_PROXY_RESULT_OK;
   }
@@ -229,6 +232,7 @@ SerialProxyResult SerialProxy::configure(api::APIConnection *api_connection, uin
   uart_comp->set_baud_rate(baudrate);
   uart_comp->set_stop_bits(stop_bits);
   uart_comp->set_data_bits(data_size);
+  uart_comp->set_flow_control(flow_control);
 
   uart_comp->set_parity(PARITY_MAP[parity]);
 
@@ -338,26 +342,54 @@ SerialProxyResult SerialProxy::set_modem_pins(api::APIConnection *api_connection
   return SerialProxyResult::SERIAL_PROXY_RESULT_OK;
 }
 
-#if defined(USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO) && defined(USE_API)
-void SerialProxy::get_usb_info(usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo &info, api::SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse &resp) const {
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
+void SerialProxy::on_usb_connection_changed_(bool connected) {
+  ESP_LOGD(TAG, "USB device %s serial proxy [%" PRIu32 "]",
+           connected ? LOG_STR_LITERAL("attached to") : LOG_STR_LITERAL("removed from"), this->instance_index_);
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_TAP
+  // Before telling clients, so a tap never acknowledges a frame from the old device after
+  // a client has been told it is gone. The subscriber and the mode stay: both belong to
+  // the client's session, and only the client knows whether that session is over.
+  if (!connected && this->tap_ != nullptr) {
+    this->tap_->on_device_disconnected();
+  }
+#endif
+#ifdef USE_API
+  if (api::global_api_server == nullptr) {
+    return;
+  }
+  // The message's strings are views into this buffer, which outlives the send below
+  usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo info;
+  api::SerialProxyUsbInfo msg{};
+  msg.instance = this->instance_index_;
+  this->get_usb_info(info, msg);
+  api::global_api_server->send_serial_proxy_usb_info(msg);
+#endif
+}
+
+#ifdef USE_API
+void SerialProxy::get_usb_info(usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo &info, api::SerialProxyUsbInfo &msg) const {
   if (this->usb_channel_ == nullptr) {
-    resp.status = api::enums::SERIAL_PROXY_STATUS_NOT_SUPPORTED;
+    msg.status = api::enums::SERIAL_PROXY_STATUS_NOT_SUPPORTED;
     return;
   }
-  resp.interface_number = this->usb_channel_->get_index();
   if (!this->usb_channel_->get_parent()->get_device_info(info)) {
     // No device attached right now; not an error
     return;
   }
-  resp.connected = true;
-  resp.vendor_id = info.vendor_id;
-  resp.product_id = info.product_id;
-  resp.bcd_device = info.bcd_device;
-  resp.manufacturer = StringRef(info.manufacturer);
-  resp.product = StringRef(info.product);
-  resp.serial_number = StringRef(info.serial_number);
+  msg.connected = true;
+  msg.vendor_id = info.vendor_id;
+  msg.product_id = info.product_id;
+  msg.bcd_device = info.bcd_device;
+  msg.interface_number = this->usb_channel_->get_interface_number();
+  msg.manufacturer = StringRef(info.manufacturer);
+  msg.product = StringRef(info.product);
+  msg.serial_number = StringRef(info.serial_number);
+  // Lives in the channel for as long as the device is attached
+  msg.interface_description = StringRef(this->usb_channel_->get_interface_string());
 }
 #endif
+#endif
 
 uint32_t SerialProxy::get_modem_pins() const {
   return (this->rts_state_ ? static_cast<uint32_t>(SERIAL_PROXY_LINE_STATE_FLAG_RTS) : 0u) |
diff --git a/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.h b/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.h
index 07c7b643cb..75a5016150 100644
--- a/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.h
+++ b/esphome/components/serial_proxy/serial_proxy.h
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ class SerialProxyTap {
   /// else with the device -- reflash it, most likely -- so anything the tap believes about
   /// it should be treated as suspect.
   virtual void on_protocol_disabled() = 0;
+
+  /// The device behind the port went away -- unplugged, or its power was cut. Whatever
+  /// session the tap had observed ended with it; the device that appears next starts from
+  /// scratch and may not even be the same one. Only a USB UART can report this.
+  virtual void on_device_disconnected() = 0;
 };
 #endif
 
@@ -123,7 +128,7 @@ class SerialProxy final : public uart::UARTDevice, public Component {
   /// Configure UART parameters and apply them
   /// @param api_connection The API connection requesting the change
   /// @param baudrate Baud rate in bits per second
-  /// @param flow_control True to enable hardware flow control
+  /// @param flow_control True to request hardware flow control
   /// @param parity Parity setting (0=none, 1=even, 2=odd)
   /// @param stop_bits Number of stop bits (1 or 2)
   /// @param data_size Number of data bits (5-8)
@@ -169,9 +174,9 @@ class SerialProxy final : public uart::UARTDevice, public Component {
   void set_usb_channel(usb_uart::USBUartChannel *channel) { this->usb_channel_ = channel; }
 
 #ifdef USE_API
-  /// Fill a USB info response for this port. The response's strings are views into
-  /// info, so info must outlive the send.
-  void get_usb_info(usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo &info, api::SerialProxyGetUsbInfoResponse &resp) const;
+  /// Fill a USB info message for this port. The message's strings are views into info,
+  /// so info must outlive the send.
+  void get_usb_info(usb_host::UsbDeviceInfo &info, api::SerialProxyUsbInfo &msg) const;
 #endif
 #endif
 
@@ -238,6 +243,12 @@ class SerialProxy final : public uart::UARTDevice, public Component {
   bool tap_observing_() const;
 #endif
 
+#ifdef USE_SERIAL_PROXY_USB_INFO
+  /// The USB device behind this port was attached or removed. Reports the port's new USB
+  /// identity to every API client, and ends the tap's view of the old device.
+  void on_usb_connection_changed_(bool connected);
+#endif
+
   /// Instance index for identifying this proxy in API messages
   uint32_t instance_index_{0};
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/uart/uart_component.h b/esphome/components/uart/uart_component.h
index 3e52531791..01b17624b9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/uart/uart_component.h
+++ b/esphome/components/uart/uart_component.h
@@ -166,6 +166,14 @@ class UARTComponent {
   // @return Baud rate in bits per second.
   uint32_t get_baud_rate() const { return baud_rate_; }
 
+  // Requests hardware (RTS/CTS) flow control.
+  // @param flow_control True to request hardware flow control.
+  void set_flow_control(bool flow_control) { this->flow_control_ = flow_control; }
+
+  // Gets whether hardware flow control was requested.
+  // @return True when hardware flow control was requested.
+  bool get_flow_control() const { return this->flow_control_; }
+
 #if defined(USE_ESP8266) || defined(USE_ESP32)
   /**
    * Load the UART settings.
@@ -213,6 +221,7 @@ class UARTComponent {
   uint8_t stop_bits_{0};
   uint8_t data_bits_{0};
   UARTParityOptions parity_{UART_CONFIG_PARITY_NONE};
+  bool flow_control_{false};
 #ifdef USE_UART_DEBUGGER
   CallbackManager<void(UARTDirection, uint8_t)> debug_callback_{};
 #endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_host/__init__.py b/esphome/components/usb_host/__init__.py
index 5aa3763f03..213f16286d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_host/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_host/__init__.py
@@ -68,13 +68,11 @@ def validate_usb_clients(configs: list[ConfigType]) -> list[ConfigType]:
     for index, first in enumerate(configs):
         # Ensure matching logic does not overlap between entries
         for second in configs[index + 1 :]:
-            if (
-                not (first[CONF_VID] == 0 and first[CONF_PID] == 0)
-                and not (second[CONF_VID] == 0 and second[CONF_PID] == 0)
-                and (
-                    first[CONF_VID] != second[CONF_VID]
-                    or first[CONF_PID] != second[CONF_PID]
-                )
+            # A zero VID or PID is a wildcard for that field, so only a differing non-zero
+            # value separates two entries
+            if not all(
+                first[key] == 0 or second[key] == 0 or first[key] == second[key]
+                for key in (CONF_VID, CONF_PID)
             ):
                 continue
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host.h b/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host.h
index 088b222c0e..ec045bd70a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host.h
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
     defined(USE_ESP32_VARIANT_ESP32S31) || defined(USE_ESP32_VARIANT_ESP32H4)
 #include "esphome/core/defines.h"
 #include "esphome/core/component.h"
+#include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include <vector>
 #include "usb/usb_host.h"
 #include <freertos/FreeRTOS.h>
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "esphome/core/lock_free_queue.h"
 #include "esphome/core/event_pool.h"
 #include <atomic>
+#include <span>
 
 namespace esphome::usb_host {
 
@@ -131,6 +133,10 @@ struct UsbDeviceInfo {
   char serial_number[DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE];
 };
 
+/// Copy a USB string descriptor into a NUL-terminated buffer, dropping characters outside
+/// Latin-1. A missing descriptor copies as an empty string.
+void copy_descriptor_string(const usb_str_desc_t *desc, std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE> buffer);
+
 enum ClientState {
   USB_CLIENT_INIT = 0,
   USB_CLIENT_OPEN,
@@ -162,11 +168,28 @@ class USBClient : public Component {
   /// Returns false when no device is connected.
   bool get_device_info(UsbDeviceInfo &info) const;
 
+  /// Read a string descriptor the host stack does not cache, an interface string say, into
+  /// buffer. Uses a transfer of its own: the pooled ones hold one packet, and a string
+  /// descriptor can be four times that. The callback runs on the USB task once buffer holds
+  /// the string (empty on failure). Returns false when nothing was started. One read at a
+  /// time; main loop only.
+  bool read_string_descriptor(uint8_t index, std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE> buffer,
+                              const transfer_cb_t &callback);
+
   /// Narrow which device this client claims, beyond the VID/PID it was constructed
   /// with, by requiring a descriptor string to match exactly.
   void set_manufacturer_filter(const char *manufacturer) { this->manufacturer_filter_ = manufacturer; }
   void set_product_filter(const char *product) { this->product_filter_ = product; }
 
+  /// Register a callback for the device this client claims being connected (true) or
+  /// removed (false). Fires only for a device that passed every filter and was fully
+  /// opened, so a device another client claims is never reported. Called from the main
+  /// loop: connected once the device is ready to use (a subclass may hold this back until
+  /// its own setup of the device has finished), removed after on_disconnected() has run.
+  template<typename F> void add_on_connection_callback(F &&callback) {
+    this->connection_callback_.add(std::forward<F>(callback));
+  }
+
   // Lock-free event queue and pool for USB task to main loop communication
   // Must be public for access from static callbacks
   LockFreeQueue<UsbEvent, USB_EVENT_QUEUE_SIZE> event_queue;
@@ -187,11 +210,20 @@ class USBClient : public Component {
 
   /// Whether the device's descriptor strings satisfy every filter that is set.
   bool descriptor_strings_match_(const usb_device_info_t &dev_info) const;
+
+  /// Whether the subclass reports the device as connected itself, once its own setup of
+  /// the device has finished, rather than as soon as the device has been opened
+  virtual bool reports_connection_itself() const { return false; }
+  /// Report the claimed device to the connection callbacks. Idempotent; a subclass that
+  /// reports itself calls this once the device is ready to use.
+  void report_connected_();
   virtual void on_disconnected() {
     // Reset all requests to available (all bits to 0)
     this->trq_in_use_.store(0);
   }
 
+  static void string_descriptor_callback(usb_transfer_t *xfer);
+
   // USB task management
   static void usb_task_fn(void *arg);
   [[noreturn]] void usb_task_loop_() const;
@@ -199,6 +231,11 @@ class USBClient : public Component {
   // Members ordered to minimize struct padding on 32-bit platforms
   TransferRequest requests_[MAX_REQUESTS]{};
   TaskHandle_t usb_task_handle_{nullptr};
+  // Dedicated transfer for read_string_descriptor(), allocated on first use and kept
+  usb_transfer_t *string_transfer_{nullptr};
+  transfer_cb_t string_callback_;
+  char *string_buffer_{nullptr};
+  std::atomic<bool> string_read_busy_{false};
   usb_host_client_handle_t handle_{};
   usb_device_handle_t device_handle_{};
   int device_addr_{-1};
@@ -207,11 +244,15 @@ class USBClient : public Component {
   // Bit i = 1: requests_[i] is in use, Bit i = 0: requests_[i] is available
   // Supports multiple concurrent consumers and producers (both threads can allocate/deallocate)
   std::atomic<trq_bitmask_t> trq_in_use_;
+  LazyCallbackManager<void(bool)> connection_callback_;
   // Descriptor strings a device must report to be claimed; nullptr means no constraint
   const char *manufacturer_filter_{nullptr};
   const char *product_filter_{nullptr};
   uint16_t vid_{};
   uint16_t pid_{};
+  // Whether the connection callbacks were told about the current device, so a removal is
+  // only ever reported for a device that was reported connected
+  bool connection_reported_{false};
 };
 class USBHost final : public Component {
  public:
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host_client.cpp b/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host_client.cpp
index 76daf68b02..4e27c34621 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host_client.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_host/usb_host_client.cpp
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ static const char *get_descriptor_string(const usb_str_desc_t *desc, std::span<c
 
 // A missing descriptor copies as an empty string, unlike the "(unspecified)"
 // placeholder the logging helper above uses
-static void copy_descriptor_string(const usb_str_desc_t *desc, std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE> buffer) {
+void copy_descriptor_string(const usb_str_desc_t *desc, std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE> buffer) {
   buffer[0] = '\0';
   if (desc == nullptr || desc->bLength < 2)
     return;
@@ -215,6 +215,72 @@ bool USBClient::get_device_info(UsbDeviceInfo &info) const {
   return true;
 }
 
+static constexpr size_t MAX_STRING_DESC_SIZE = 255;  // bLength is one byte
+static constexpr uint16_t LANGID_EN_US = 0x0409;
+
+// CALLBACK CONTEXT: USB task
+void USBClient::string_descriptor_callback(usb_transfer_t *xfer) {
+  auto *client = static_cast<USBClient *>(xfer->context);
+  TransferStatus status{};
+  status.error_code = xfer->status;
+  status.success = xfer->status == USB_TRANSFER_STATUS_COMPLETED;
+  status.endpoint = xfer->bEndpointAddress;
+  // The buffer starts with the setup packet; the descriptor follows it
+  status.data = xfer->data_buffer + SETUP_PACKET_SIZE;
+  status.data_len =
+      xfer->actual_num_bytes > static_cast<int>(SETUP_PACKET_SIZE) ? xfer->actual_num_bytes - SETUP_PACKET_SIZE : 0;
+  const auto *desc = reinterpret_cast<const usb_str_desc_t *>(status.data);
+  // A short read leaves bLength claiming bytes that never arrived; treat it as missing
+  const bool complete = status.success && status.data_len >= 2 && desc->bLength <= status.data_len;
+  copy_descriptor_string(complete ? desc : nullptr,
+                         std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE>(client->string_buffer_, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE));
+  client->string_read_busy_.store(false);
+  if (client->string_callback_ != nullptr) {
+    client->string_callback_(status);
+  }
+}
+
+bool USBClient::read_string_descriptor(uint8_t index, std::span<char, DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE> buffer,
+                                       const transfer_cb_t &callback) {
+  buffer[0] = '\0';
+  if (this->state_ != USB_CLIENT_CONNECTED || index == 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (this->string_transfer_ == nullptr) {
+    if (usb_host_transfer_alloc(SETUP_PACKET_SIZE + MAX_STRING_DESC_SIZE, 0, &this->string_transfer_) != ESP_OK) {
+      ESP_LOGE(TAG, "String descriptor transfer alloc failed");
+      return false;
+    }
+    this->string_transfer_->context = this;
+    this->string_transfer_->callback = string_descriptor_callback;
+  }
+  bool idle = false;
+  if (!this->string_read_busy_.compare_exchange_strong(idle, true)) {
+    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "String descriptor read already in progress");
+    return false;
+  }
+  auto *setup = reinterpret_cast<usb_setup_packet_t *>(this->string_transfer_->data_buffer);
+  setup->bmRequestType = USB_DIR_IN | USB_TYPE_STANDARD | USB_RECIP_DEVICE;
+  setup->bRequest = USB_B_REQUEST_GET_DESCRIPTOR;
+  setup->wValue = (USB_B_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_STRING << 8) | index;
+  // The host stack read the device strings in US English; Linux asks for it first as well,
+  // so all three report the same text
+  setup->wIndex = LANGID_EN_US;
+  setup->wLength = MAX_STRING_DESC_SIZE;
+  this->string_transfer_->num_bytes = SETUP_PACKET_SIZE + MAX_STRING_DESC_SIZE;
+  this->string_transfer_->bEndpointAddress = USB_DIR_IN;
+  this->string_transfer_->device_handle = this->device_handle_;
+  this->string_buffer_ = buffer.data();
+  this->string_callback_ = callback;
+  auto err = usb_host_transfer_submit_control(this->handle_, this->string_transfer_);
+  if (err != ESP_OK) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Failed to submit string descriptor read, err=%s", esp_err_to_name(err));
+    this->string_read_busy_.store(false);
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
 // CALLBACK CONTEXT: USB task (called from usb_host_client_handle_events in USB task)
 static void client_event_cb(const usb_host_client_event_msg_t *event_msg, void *ptr) {
   auto *client = static_cast<USBClient *>(ptr);
@@ -355,12 +421,10 @@ void USBClient::handle_open_state_() {
     return;
   }
   ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Device descriptor: vid %X pid %X", desc->idVendor, desc->idProduct);
-  if (desc->idVendor != this->vid_ || desc->idProduct != this->pid_) {
-    if (this->vid_ != 0 || this->pid_ != 0) {
-      ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Not our device, closing");
-      this->disconnect();
-      return;
-    }
+  if ((this->vid_ != 0 && desc->idVendor != this->vid_) || (this->pid_ != 0 && desc->idProduct != this->pid_)) {
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Not our device, closing");
+    this->disconnect();
+    return;
   }
   usb_device_info_t dev_info;
   err = usb_host_device_info(this->device_handle_, &dev_info);
@@ -399,6 +463,18 @@ void USBClient::handle_open_state_() {
     usb_client_print_config_descriptor(config_desc, nullptr);
 #endif
   this->on_connected();
+  // on_connected() may have rejected the device (no usable interface, say) and closed it
+  if (this->state_ == USB_CLIENT_CONNECTED && !this->reports_connection_itself()) {
+    this->report_connected_();
+  }
+}
+
+void USBClient::report_connected_() {
+  if (this->state_ != USB_CLIENT_CONNECTED || this->connection_reported_) {
+    return;
+  }
+  this->connection_reported_ = true;
+  this->connection_callback_.call(true);
 }
 
 void USBClient::on_opened(uint8_t addr) {
@@ -469,6 +545,10 @@ TransferRequest *USBClient::get_trq_() {
 }
 
 void USBClient::disconnect() {
+  // Also reached for a device this client opened and then declined, or lost before it was
+  // ready; neither was reported as connected, so neither is reported as removed
+  const bool was_reported = this->connection_reported_;
+  this->connection_reported_ = false;
   this->on_disconnected();
   auto err = usb_host_device_close(this->handle_, this->device_handle_);
   if (err != ESP_OK) {
@@ -477,6 +557,9 @@ void USBClient::disconnect() {
   this->state_ = USB_CLIENT_INIT;
   this->device_handle_ = nullptr;
   this->device_addr_ = -1;
+  if (was_reported) {
+    this->connection_callback_.call(false);
+  }
 }
 
 // THREAD CONTEXT: Called from main loop thread only
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_uart/cp210x.cpp b/esphome/components/usb_uart/cp210x.cpp
index 5551abe1a1..c8f0967bd0 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_uart/cp210x.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_uart/cp210x.cpp
@@ -88,10 +88,11 @@ std::vector<CdcEps> USBUartTypeCP210X::parse_descriptors(usb_device_handle_t dev
       ESP_LOGE(TAG, "in_ep: usb_parse_endpoint_descriptor_by_index failed");
       continue;
     }
+    // No communication interface: the data interface is the one a host binds to
     if (in_ep->bEndpointAddress & usb_host::USB_DIR_IN) {
-      cdc_devs.push_back({CdcEps{nullptr, in_ep, out_ep, data_desc->bInterfaceNumber}});
+      cdc_devs.push_back({CdcEps{nullptr, in_ep, out_ep, data_desc->bInterfaceNumber, 0xFF, 0, data_desc->iInterface}});
     } else {
-      cdc_devs.push_back({CdcEps{nullptr, out_ep, in_ep, data_desc->bInterfaceNumber}});
+      cdc_devs.push_back({CdcEps{nullptr, out_ep, in_ep, data_desc->bInterfaceNumber, 0xFF, 0, data_desc->iInterface}});
     }
   }
   return cdc_devs;
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_uart/ft23xx.cpp b/esphome/components/usb_uart/ft23xx.cpp
index fcebf0fbd9..e4fc4950a1 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_uart/ft23xx.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_uart/ft23xx.cpp
@@ -217,6 +217,9 @@ static optional<CdcEps> get_uart(const usb_config_desc_t *config_desc, uint8_t i
   }
 
   eps.bulk_interface_number = intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber;
+  eps.bulk_interface_string_index = intf_desc->iInterface;
+  // No communication interface: the data interface is the one a host binds to
+  eps.interrupt_interface_number = 0xFF;
   return eps;
 }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_uart/pl2303.cpp b/esphome/components/usb_uart/pl2303.cpp
index db177fd308..598fcf6578 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_uart/pl2303.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_uart/pl2303.cpp
@@ -189,7 +189,8 @@ std::vector<CdcEps> USBUartTypePL2303::parse_descriptors(usb_device_handle_t dev
     }
 
     if (in_ep && out_ep) {
-      cdc_devs.push_back(CdcEps{notify_ep, in_ep, out_ep, intf->bInterfaceNumber, intf->bInterfaceNumber});
+      cdc_devs.push_back(CdcEps{notify_ep, in_ep, out_ep, intf->bInterfaceNumber, intf->bInterfaceNumber,
+                                intf->iInterface, intf->iInterface});
       break;  // PL2303 is single-port
     }
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.cpp b/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.cpp
index 818b74a714..0350c4b170 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.cpp
@@ -43,14 +43,17 @@ static optional<CdcEps> get_cdc(const usb_config_desc_t *config_desc, uint8_t in
       if (ep->bmAttributes == USB_BM_ATTRIBUTES_XFER_INT) {
         eps.notify_ep = ep;
         eps.interrupt_interface_number = intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber;
+        eps.interrupt_interface_string_index = intf_desc->iInterface;
       } else if (ep->bmAttributes == USB_BM_ATTRIBUTES_XFER_BULK && ep->bEndpointAddress & usb_host::USB_DIR_IN &&
                  (eps.bulk_interface_number == 0xFF || eps.bulk_interface_number == intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber)) {
         eps.in_ep = ep;
         eps.bulk_interface_number = intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber;
+        eps.bulk_interface_string_index = intf_desc->iInterface;
       } else if (ep->bmAttributes == USB_BM_ATTRIBUTES_XFER_BULK && !(ep->bEndpointAddress & usb_host::USB_DIR_IN) &&
                  (eps.bulk_interface_number == 0xFF || eps.bulk_interface_number == intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber)) {
         eps.out_ep = ep;
         eps.bulk_interface_number = intf_desc->bInterfaceNumber;
+        eps.bulk_interface_string_index = intf_desc->iInterface;
       } else {
         ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Unexpected endpoint attributes: %02X", ep->bmAttributes);
         continue;
@@ -481,6 +484,7 @@ void USBUartTypeCdcAcm::on_disconnected() {
     channel->input_started_.store(true);
     channel->output_started_.store(true);
     channel->input_buffer_.clear();
+    channel->interface_string_[0] = '\0';
     // Drain any pending output chunks and return them to the pool
     {
       UsbOutputChunk *chunk;
@@ -559,11 +563,38 @@ void USBUartComponent::start_config_(bool reload) {
   this->cfg_step_ = 0;
   this->cfg_ok_ = true;
   this->cfg_in_flight_ = false;
+  this->cfg_string_done_ = false;
+  this->cfg_string_in_flight_ = false;
   this->cfg_done_.store(false);
   this->cfg_active_ = true;
   this->enable_loop();
 }
 
+bool USBUartComponent::fetch_interface_string_(USBUartChannelBase *channel) {
+  const CdcEps &eps = channel->cdc_dev_;
+  const uint8_t index =
+      eps.interrupt_interface_number != 0xFF ? eps.interrupt_interface_string_index : eps.bulk_interface_string_index;
+  channel->interface_string_[0] = '\0';
+  if (index == 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  this->cfg_done_.store(false);
+  const bool submitted =
+      this->read_string_descriptor(index, channel->interface_string_, [this](const usb_host::TransferStatus &status) {
+        if (!status.success) {
+          ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Interface string read failed: %s", esp_err_to_name(status.error_code));
+        }
+        // Release: publishes the string before the loop observes cfg_done_.
+        this->cfg_done_.store(true, std::memory_order_release);
+        this->enable_loop_soon_any_context();
+        App.wake_loop_threadsafe();
+      });
+  if (!submitted) {
+    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Interface string read submit failed");
+  }
+  return submitted;
+}
+
 void USBUartComponent::config_transfer_(uint8_t type, uint8_t request, uint16_t value, uint16_t index,
                                         const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
   this->cfg_done_.store(false);
@@ -597,6 +628,14 @@ bool USBUartComponent::run_config_machine_() {
   if (!this->cfg_active_)
     return false;
 
+  if (this->cfg_string_in_flight_) {
+    // Acquire: pairs with the release in fetch_interface_string_'s callback.
+    if (!this->cfg_done_.load(std::memory_order_acquire))
+      return false;
+    this->cfg_string_in_flight_ = false;
+    this->cfg_done_.store(false);
+  }
+
   if (this->cfg_in_flight_) {
     // Acquire: pairs with the release in config_transfer_'s callback.
     if (!this->cfg_done_.load(std::memory_order_acquire))
@@ -627,6 +666,16 @@ bool USBUartComponent::run_config_machine_() {
           ? this->cfg_single_
           : (this->cfg_channel_idx_ < this->channels_.size() ? this->channels_[this->cfg_channel_idx_] : nullptr);
 
+  // Once per channel on init, before its settings: the interface string is part of the
+  // identity reported to clients, and the connected report waits for this machine.
+  if (channel != nullptr && !this->cfg_reload_ && !this->cfg_string_done_) {
+    this->cfg_string_done_ = true;
+    if (this->fetch_interface_string_(channel)) {
+      this->cfg_string_in_flight_ = true;
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
   if (channel != nullptr && channel->initialised_.load()) {
     if (!this->cfg_ok_) {
       // A previous step in this channel's sequence failed. Abort the rest. On a full init,
@@ -650,11 +699,14 @@ bool USBUartComponent::run_config_machine_() {
   // Advance to the next channel (or finish).
   this->cfg_step_ = 0;
   this->cfg_ok_ = true;
+  this->cfg_string_done_ = false;
   if (this->cfg_single_ != nullptr) {
     this->cfg_active_ = false;
     this->cfg_single_ = nullptr;
   } else if (++this->cfg_channel_idx_ >= this->channels_.size()) {
     this->cfg_active_ = false;
+    // Init is done and the line settings are on the wire: now the device is ready to use
+    this->report_connected_();
   }
 
   // If the machine just went idle and a reload was requested while it was busy, start it now.
diff --git a/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.h b/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.h
index 1c11dd8016..06d2b05c8e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.h
+++ b/esphome/components/usb_uart/usb_uart.h
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ struct CdcEps {
   // Also the wIndex target for CDC class requests (SET_LINE_CODING etc.), so it
   // must remain valid even when the interface itself is not claimed.
   uint8_t interrupt_interface_number;
+  // iInterface of each interface; 0 when the device provides no string for it
+  uint8_t interrupt_interface_string_index;
+  uint8_t bulk_interface_string_index;
   bool interrupt_interface_claimed{false};
 };
 
@@ -167,14 +170,26 @@ class USBUartChannelBase : public uart::UARTComponent, public Parented<USBUartCo
   /// they arrive, eliminating one full main-loop-wakeup cycle of latency.
   void set_rx_callback(std::function<void()> cb) { this->rx_callback_ = std::move(cb); }
 
-  /// Channel index on the bridge (interface number on multi-port bridges)
+  /// Channel index on the bridge
   uint8_t get_index() const { return this->index_; }
 
+  /// USB interface number a host driver binds to for this channel: the communication
+  /// interface of a CDC ACM function, otherwise the data interface.
+  uint8_t get_interface_number() const {
+    return this->cdc_dev_.interrupt_interface_number != 0xFF ? this->cdc_dev_.interrupt_interface_number
+                                                             : this->cdc_dev_.bulk_interface_number;
+  }
+
+  /// iInterface string of that interface; empty when the device has none, or until it has
+  /// been read after the device connected
+  const char *get_interface_string() const { return this->interface_string_; }
+
  protected:
   // Not directly instantiable; construct a concrete channel type instead.
   USBUartChannelBase(uint8_t index, uint16_t buffer_size) : input_buffer_(RingBuffer(buffer_size)), index_(index) {}
   void check_logger_conflict() override {}
   // Larger structures first (8+ bytes)
+  char interface_string_[usb_host::DESC_STRING_BUF_SIZE]{};
   RingBuffer input_buffer_;
   LockFreeQueue<UsbOutputChunk, USB_OUTPUT_CHUNK_COUNT> output_queue_;
   // Pool sized to queue capacity (SIZE-1) because LockFreeQueue<T,N> is a ring
@@ -244,6 +259,9 @@ class USBUartComponent : public usb_host::USBClient {
   void start_config_(bool reload);
   // Advance the config state machine; called from loop(). Returns true if it did work.
   bool run_config_machine_();
+  // Ask the device for the channel's interface string. Returns true when a transfer was
+  // submitted; its completion is signalled through cfg_done_ like a config step's.
+  bool fetch_interface_string_(USBUartChannelBase *channel);
 
   // Per-subclass per-channel settings sequence. For the given zero-based step, issue the
   // next control transfer via config_transfer_() and return true, or return false when the
@@ -255,6 +273,10 @@ class USBUartComponent : public usb_host::USBClient {
   // (e.g. CH34x chip detection). Same contract as config_step_(). Default: no steps.
   virtual bool config_device_step(uint8_t step, bool ok, const uint8_t *response) { return false; }
 
+  // The device is only usable once the config machine has applied every channel's line
+  // settings, so the connected report waits for run_config_machine_() to finish the init
+  bool reports_connection_itself() const override { return true; }
+
   std::vector<USBUartChannelBase *> channels_{};
 
   // Config state machine
@@ -269,6 +291,8 @@ class USBUartComponent : public usb_host::USBClient {
   bool cfg_device_phase_{false};
   bool cfg_in_flight_{false};
   bool cfg_ok_{true};
+  bool cfg_string_done_{false};
+  bool cfg_string_in_flight_{false};
 };
 
 class USBUartTypeCdcAcm : public USBUartComponent {
diff --git a/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.cpp b/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.cpp
index ae82410e62..8edff1bfc2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,16 @@ void ZigbeeProxyTap::on_protocol_disabled() {
   this->detector_.reset();
 }
 
+void ZigbeeProxyTap::on_device_disconnected() {
+  // The ASH session died with the NCP's power. Staying armed would acknowledge frames from
+  // whatever boots next, before its own RSTACK has proven it speaks ASH at all.
+  if (this->was_armed_) {
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Device removed, no longer acknowledging frames");
+    this->was_armed_ = false;
+  }
+  this->detector_.reset();
+}
+
 }  // namespace esphome::zigbee_proxy_tap
 
 #endif  // USE_ZIGBEE_PROXY_TAP
diff --git a/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.h b/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.h
index 702ae12eb7..1cae8cd1df 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.h
+++ b/esphome/components/zigbee_proxy_tap/zigbee_proxy_tap.h
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class ZigbeeProxyTap : public serial_proxy::SerialProxyTap, public Component {
   // there is nothing to do and the port need not be read.
   bool tap_needs_port() const override { return false; }
   void on_protocol_disabled() override;
+  void on_device_disconnected() override;
 
  protected:
   // The port this component observes. Owns the UART and the bytes; every write we make
diff --git a/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.cpp b/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.cpp
index d4b35c3d24..29797e44fc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.cpp
@@ -57,6 +57,16 @@ void ZWaveProxyTap::on_protocol_disabled() {
   this->detector_.reset();
 }
 
+void ZWaveProxyTap::on_device_disconnected() {
+  // The controller lost power, so the exchange we saw belongs to a session that no longer
+  // exists. Whatever appears next has to prove itself again.
+  if (this->was_armed_) {
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Device removed, no longer acknowledging frames");
+    this->was_armed_ = false;
+  }
+  this->detector_.reset();
+}
+
 }  // namespace esphome::zwave_proxy_tap
 
 #endif  // USE_ZWAVE_PROXY_TAP
diff --git a/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.h b/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.h
index 16066b30a1..ff95b411db 100644
--- a/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.h
+++ b/esphome/components/zwave_proxy_tap/zwave_proxy_tap.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class ZWaveProxyTap : public serial_proxy::SerialProxyTap, public Component {
   // there is nothing to do and the port need not be read.
   bool tap_needs_port() const override { return false; }
   void on_protocol_disabled() override;
+  void on_device_disconnected() override;
 
  protected:
   // The port this component observes. Owns the UART and the bytes; every write we make
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/components/test_usb_host.py b/tests/unit_tests/components/test_usb_host.py
index 3d6b8dc1c0..39deec1f51 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/components/test_usb_host.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/components/test_usb_host.py
@@ -70,6 +70,36 @@ from esphome.types import ConfigType
             },
             id="different_manufacturer",
         ),
+        pytest.param(
+            {
+                "id": "a",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0,
+                "manufacturer": "Nabu Casa",
+                "product": "ZBT-2",
+            },
+            {
+                "id": "b",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0x4001,
+                "manufacturer": "Nabu Casa",
+                "product": "ZWA-2",
+            },
+            id="wildcard_pid_separated_by_product",
+        ),
+        pytest.param(
+            {
+                "id": "a",
+                "vid": 0,
+                "pid": 0x4001,
+            },
+            {
+                "id": "b",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0x4002,
+            },
+            id="wildcard_vid_different_pid",
+        ),
     ],
 )
 def test_disjoint_clients_are_accepted(first: ConfigType, second: ConfigType) -> None:
@@ -140,6 +170,34 @@ def test_disjoint_clients_are_accepted(first: ConfigType, second: ConfigType) ->
             },
             id="zero_ids_match_every_device",
         ),
+        pytest.param(
+            {
+                "id": "a",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0,
+            },
+            {
+                "id": "b",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0x4001,
+                "manufacturer": "Nabu Casa",
+                "product": "ZBT-2",
+            },
+            id="wildcard_pid_shadows_filtered",
+        ),
+        pytest.param(
+            {
+                "id": "a",
+                "vid": 0,
+                "pid": 0x4001,
+            },
+            {
+                "id": "b",
+                "vid": 0x303A,
+                "pid": 0,
+            },
+            id="wildcards_on_different_fields",
+        ),
     ],
 )
 def test_overlapping_clients_are_rejected(