diff --git a/app/controllers/api/event_preferences_controller.rb b/app/controllers/api/event_preferences_controller.rb
index 93077bd5..8f19f9b8 100644
--- a/app/controllers/api/event_preferences_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/api/event_preferences_controller.rb
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ def batch_show
         return
       end
 
+      # Read the version before the preferences. A write between the two
+      # reads then gives an old version with new data, which the next version
+      # check corrects. The other order would label old data as current.
+      version       = PreferenceVersion.for(current_user)
       record_ids    = ids.index_with { |id| meeting_time_record_id(id) }
       meeting_times = Course::MeetingTime.includes(course: [ :faculties, :term ], rooms: :building)
                                          .where(id: record_ids.values.compact)
@@ -48,7 +52,7 @@ def batch_show
         end
       end
 
-      render json: { preferences: preferences, missing: missing }
+      render json: { preferences: preferences, missing: missing, version: version }
     end
 
     def update
diff --git a/app/controllers/api/preference_versions_controller.rb b/app/controllers/api/preference_versions_controller.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..321d3c4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/controllers/api/preference_versions_controller.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+module Api
+  class PreferenceVersionsController < ApiController
+    def show
+      response.set_header("Cache-Control", "private, no-store")
+      render json: { version: PreferenceVersion.for(current_user) }
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/services/preference_resolver.rb b/app/services/preference_resolver.rb
index 3178cf3f..2fd78053 100644
--- a/app/services/preference_resolver.rb
+++ b/app/services/preference_resolver.rb
@@ -46,6 +46,13 @@ class PreferenceResolver
     visibility: "default"
   }.freeze
 
+  # Every default constant that resolve_field can return. PreferenceVersion
+  # hashes these, so a deploy that changes one gives each user a new version.
+  # Add a new default constant here.
+  def self.defaults
+    [ SYSTEM_DEFAULTS, FINAL_EXAM_DEFAULTS, UNI_CAL_DEFAULTS, UNI_CAL_ALL_DAY_REMINDERS, UNI_CAL_TIMED_REMINDERS ]
+  end
+
   def initialize(user)
     @user = user
     @cache = {}
diff --git a/app/services/preference_version.rb b/app/services/preference_version.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..87b9a67e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/preference_version.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+require "digest"
+
+# Fingerprints preference inputs without resolving each meeting's templates.
+# Include record identities and values so deletions and bulk writes also change
+# the token; unrelated users and display-only settings cannot invalidate it.
+class PreferenceVersion
+  def self.for(user)
+    fields = PreferenceResolver::PREFERENCE_FIELDS
+    inputs = {
+      user: user.id,
+      events: user.event_preferences.order(:id).pluck(:id, :preferenceable_type, :preferenceable_id, *fields),
+      calendars: user.calendar_preferences.order(:id).pluck(:id, :scope, :event_type, *fields),
+      colors: UserExtensionConfig.where(user: user).pick(:default_color_lecture, :default_color_lab),
+      notifications_disabled: user.notifications_disabled?,
+      defaults: PreferenceResolver.defaults
+    }
+
+    Digest::SHA256.hexdigest(JSON.generate(inputs))
+  end
+end
diff --git a/config/routes.rb b/config/routes.rb
index 86341e5a..3ef3b299 100644
--- a/config/routes.rb
+++ b/config/routes.rb
@@ -153,6 +153,8 @@
       collection { post :preview }
     end
 
+    get "user/preferences/version", to: "preference_versions#show"
+
     # Per-event preferences (meeting time or calendar event)
     post "meeting_times/preferences", to: "event_preferences#batch_show"
     resources :meeting_times, only: [] do
diff --git a/spec/requests/api/event_preferences_batch_spec.rb b/spec/requests/api/event_preferences_batch_spec.rb
index 27d930ed..5b7a62ca 100644
--- a/spec/requests/api/event_preferences_batch_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/api/event_preferences_batch_spec.rb
@@ -86,6 +86,32 @@ def query_count
     expect(three_count).to eq(one_count)
   end
 
+  it "returns the preference version that the data was read under" do
+    meeting_time = enroll_in(%w[11111]).first
+    create(:calendar_preference, user: user, title_template: "Mine: {{title}}")
+
+    post "/api/meeting_times/preferences",
+         params: { meeting_time_ids: [ meeting_time.public_id ] }, headers: headers, as: :json
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    expect(json["version"]).to eq(PreferenceVersion.for(user))
+  end
+
+  it "reads the version before the preferences, so a write between them is not hidden" do
+    meeting_time = enroll_in(%w[11111]).first
+    preference = create(:calendar_preference, user: user, title_template: "Before: {{title}}")
+    old_version = PreferenceVersion.for(user)
+    allow(PreferenceVersion).to receive(:for).and_wrap_original do |original, *args|
+      original.call(*args).tap { preference.update_columns(title_template: "After: {{title}}") }
+    end
+
+    post "/api/meeting_times/preferences",
+         params: { meeting_time_ids: [ meeting_time.public_id ] }, headers: headers, as: :json
+
+    expect(json["version"]).to eq(old_version)
+    expect(json.dig("preferences", meeting_time.public_id, "preview", "title")).to eq("After: Data Structures")
+  end
+
   it "lists ids that match no meeting time instead of failing" do
     meeting_time = enroll_in(%w[11111]).first
 
diff --git a/spec/requests/api/preference_versions_spec.rb b/spec/requests/api/preference_versions_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2ebc2415
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/requests/api/preference_versions_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+require "rails_helper"
+
+RSpec.describe "GET /api/user/preferences/version", type: :request do
+  let(:user) { create(:user) }
+  let(:headers) { auth_headers_for(user) }
+
+  def json = JSON.parse(response.body)
+
+  it "returns only the signed-in user's opaque token and prohibits response caching" do
+    create(:event_preference, user: user, title_template: "Private title")
+    expected_version = PreferenceVersion.for(user)
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: headers
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    expect(response.media_type).to eq("application/json")
+    expect(json).to eq("version" => expected_version)
+    expect(json["version"]).to match(/\A[0-9a-f]{64}\z/)
+    expect(response.headers["Cache-Control"]).to eq("private, no-store")
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: headers
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    expect(json["version"]).to eq(expected_version)
+  end
+
+  it "reflects persisted preference changes on the next request" do
+    preference = create(:calendar_preference, user: user, title_template: "Original")
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: headers
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    version = json.fetch("version")
+
+    preference.update_columns(title_template: "Changed")
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: headers
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    expect(json.fetch("version")).not_to eq(version)
+  end
+
+  it "does not accept a different account through request parameters" do
+    other_user = create(:user)
+    create(:event_preference, user: other_user, title_template: "Other user's title")
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", params: { user_id: other_user.id }, headers: headers
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+    expect(json).to eq("version" => PreferenceVersion.for(user))
+    expect(json["version"]).not_to eq(PreferenceVersion.for(other_user))
+  end
+
+  it "requires authentication" do
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version"
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:unauthorized)
+    expect(json["code"]).to eq("AUTH_MISSING")
+    expect(json).not_to have_key("version")
+  end
+
+  it "rejects a revoked session" do
+    token = api_token_for(user)
+    UserSession.find_by!(jti: JsonWebTokenService.decode(token)[:jti]).revoke!
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: { "Authorization" => "Bearer #{token}" }
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:unauthorized)
+    expect(json["code"]).to eq("AUTH_REVOKED")
+    expect(json).not_to have_key("version")
+  end
+
+  it "does not resolve templates or enqueue calendar sync work" do
+    create(:event_preference, user: user, title_template: "Saved title")
+    request_headers = headers
+    expect(PreferenceResolver).not_to receive(:new)
+    expect(CalendarTemplateRenderer).not_to receive(:new)
+    expect(GoogleCalendarSyncJob).not_to receive(:perform_later)
+
+    get "/api/user/preferences/version", headers: request_headers
+
+    expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/services/preference_version_spec.rb b/spec/services/preference_version_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..26196dcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/services/preference_version_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+require "rails_helper"
+
+RSpec.describe PreferenceVersion do
+  include ActiveSupport::Testing::TimeHelpers
+
+  let(:user) { create(:user) }
+
+  before { allow(GoogleCalendarSyncJob).to receive(:perform_later) }
+
+  it "returns a stable opaque token for unchanged persisted inputs" do
+    create(:event_preference, user: user)
+    create(:calendar_preference, user: user)
+
+    version = described_class.for(user)
+
+    expect(version).to match(/\A[0-9a-f]{64}\z/)
+    expect(described_class.for(user.reload)).to eq(version)
+  end
+
+  {
+    title_template: "Saved title",
+    description_template: "Saved description",
+    location_template: "Saved location",
+    reminder_settings: [ { "time" => "45", "type" => "minutes", "method" => "popup" } ],
+    color_id: "#abcdef",
+    visibility: "private"
+  }.each do |field, value|
+    [ :event_preference, :calendar_preference ].each do |factory|
+      it "detects a bulk #{field} edit to a #{factory} without a timestamp change" do
+        preference = create(factory, user: user)
+        version = described_class.for(user)
+        timestamp = preference.updated_at
+
+        preference.class.where(id: preference.id).update_all(field => value)
+
+        expect(preference.reload.updated_at).to eq(timestamp)
+        expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  [ :event_preference, :calendar_preference ].each do |factory|
+    it "detects creation and deletion of a #{factory}" do
+      empty_version = described_class.for(user)
+      preference = create(factory, user: user)
+      populated_version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      expect(populated_version).not_to eq(empty_version)
+
+      preference.class.where(id: preference.id).delete_all
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(empty_version)
+    end
+
+    it "detects nested reminder changes in a #{factory}" do
+      preference = create(factory, user: user,
+                          reminder_settings: [ { "time" => "30", "type" => "minutes", "method" => "popup" } ])
+      version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      preference.update!(reminder_settings: [ { "time" => "30", "type" => "minutes", "method" => "email" } ])
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+    end
+
+    it "distinguishes inherited reminders from disabled reminders in a #{factory}" do
+      preference = create(factory, user: user, title_template: "Saved title", reminder_settings: nil)
+      version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      preference.update!(reminder_settings: [])
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+    end
+
+    it "ignores timestamp-only changes to a #{factory}" do
+      preference = create(factory, user: user)
+      version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      preference.update_columns(updated_at: preference.updated_at + 1.hour)
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(version)
+    end
+  end
+
+  [ :default_color_lecture, :default_color_lab ].each do |field|
+    it "detects a change to #{field}" do
+      version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      user.user_extension_config.update!(field => "#abcdef")
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+    end
+  end
+
+  it "ignores display-only settings" do
+    config = user.user_extension_config
+    version = described_class.for(user)
+
+    config.update!(military_time: !config.military_time,
+                   advanced_editing: !config.advanced_editing,
+                   show_historic_terms: !config.show_historic_terms)
+
+    expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(version)
+  end
+
+  it "detects notification suppression and its expiry without another write" do
+    travel_to(Time.zone.local(2026, 10, 7, 12, 0)) do
+      enabled_version = described_class.for(user)
+      user.update!(notifications_disabled_until: 5.minutes.from_now)
+      disabled_version = described_class.for(user)
+
+      expect(disabled_version).not_to eq(enabled_version)
+
+      travel 6.minutes
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(enabled_version)
+    end
+  end
+
+  it "detects notifications being enabled again" do
+    user.disable_notifications!
+    version = described_class.for(user)
+
+    user.enable_notifications!
+
+    expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+  end
+
+  it "isolates tokens from another user's preference, color, and notification changes" do
+    other_user = create(:user)
+    version = described_class.for(user)
+
+    expect(described_class.for(other_user)).not_to eq(version)
+
+    event_preference = create(:event_preference, user: other_user, title_template: "Other title")
+    calendar_preference = create(:calendar_preference, user: other_user, title_template: "Other title")
+    other_user.user_extension_config.update!(default_color_lecture: "#abcdef", default_color_lab: "#123456")
+    other_user.disable_notifications!
+
+    expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(version)
+
+    event_preference.update!(title_template: "Other edit")
+    calendar_preference.update!(reminder_settings: [])
+    event_preference.destroy!
+    calendar_preference.destroy!
+
+    expect(described_class.for(user)).to eq(version)
+  end
+
+  [ :SYSTEM_DEFAULTS, :FINAL_EXAM_DEFAULTS, :UNI_CAL_DEFAULTS, :UNI_CAL_ALL_DAY_REMINDERS, :UNI_CAL_TIMED_REMINDERS ].each do |constant|
+    it "detects a change to resolver #{constant}" do
+      version = described_class.for(user)
+      original = PreferenceResolver.const_get(constant)
+      replacement = [ { "time" => "45", "type" => "minutes", "method" => "popup" } ]
+      replacement = original.merge(title_template: "New default title") if original.is_a?(Hash)
+
+      stub_const("PreferenceResolver::#{constant}", replacement)
+
+      expect(described_class.for(user)).not_to eq(version)
+    end
+  end
+end