diff --git a/devices/ble_hci/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c b/devices/ble_hci/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
index f142239ded22..a33b8ff47847 100644
--- a/devices/ble_hci/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
+++ b/devices/ble_hci/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
@@ -50,6 +50,17 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self,
     }
 }
 
+bool common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    return self->handle == BLE_GATT_HANDLE_INVALID;
+}
+
+void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    if (common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(self)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    self->handle = BLE_GATT_HANDLE_INVALID;
+}
+
 mp_obj_tuple_t *common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
     return mp_obj_new_tuple(self->descriptor_list->len, self->descriptor_list->items);
 }
diff --git a/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c b/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
index 342c729baf4f..5de3680c6748 100644
--- a/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
+++ b/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include "shared-bindings/_bleio/PacketBuffer.h"
 #include "shared-bindings/_bleio/Service.h"
 #include "shared-bindings/time/__init__.h"
+#include "supervisor/shared/safe_mode.h"
 
 #include "common-hal/_bleio/Adapter.h"
 #include "common-hal/_bleio/Service.h"
@@ -100,27 +101,20 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self,
         self->flags |= BLE_GATT_CHR_F_WRITE_AUTHEN;
     }
 
-    if (initial_value_bufinfo != NULL) {
-        // Copy the initial value if it's on the heap. Otherwise it's internal and we may not be able
-        // to allocate.
-        self->current_value_len = initial_value_bufinfo->len;
-        if (gc_alloc_possible()) {
-            self->current_value = m_malloc(max_length);
-            self->current_value_alloc = max_length;
-            if (gc_nbytes(initial_value_bufinfo->buf) > 0) {
-                memcpy(self->current_value, initial_value_bufinfo->buf, self->current_value_len);
-            }
-        } else {
-            self->current_value = initial_value_bufinfo->buf;
-            assert(self->current_value_len == max_length);
-        }
+    if (gc_alloc_possible()) {
+        self->current_value = m_malloc(max_length);
     } else {
         self->current_value = port_malloc(max_length, false);
-        if (self->current_value != NULL) {
-            self->current_value_alloc = max_length;
-            self->current_value_len = 0;
+        if (self->current_value == NULL) {
+            reset_into_safe_mode(SAFE_MODE_NO_HEAP);
         }
     }
+    self->current_value_alloc = max_length;
+    self->current_value_len = 0;
+
+    if (initial_value_bufinfo != NULL) {
+        common_hal_bleio_characteristic_set_value(self, initial_value_bufinfo);
+    }
 
     if (gc_alloc_possible()) {
         self->descriptor_list = mp_obj_new_list(0, NULL);
@@ -140,6 +134,26 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self,
     }
 }
 
+bool common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    return self->current_value == NULL;
+}
+
+void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    if (common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(self)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if (self->current_value == NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (gc_nbytes(self->current_value) > 0) {
+        m_free(self->current_value);
+    } else {
+        port_free(self->current_value);
+    }
+    self->current_value = NULL;
+}
+
 mp_obj_tuple_t *common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
     if (self->descriptor_list == NULL) {
         return mp_const_empty_tuple;
@@ -245,21 +259,7 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_set_value(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self,
         }
 
         self->current_value_len = bufinfo->len;
-        // If we've already allocated an internal buffer or the provided buffer
-        // is on the heap, then copy into the internal buffer.
-        if (self->current_value_alloc > 0 || gc_nbytes(bufinfo->buf) > 0) {
-            if (self->current_value_alloc < bufinfo->len) {
-                self->current_value = m_realloc(self->current_value, bufinfo->len);
-                // Get the number of bytes from the heap because it may be more
-                // than the len due to gc block size.
-                self->current_value_alloc = gc_nbytes(self->current_value);
-            }
-            memcpy(self->current_value, bufinfo->buf, bufinfo->len);
-        } else {
-            // Otherwise, use the provided buffer to delay any heap allocation.
-            self->current_value = bufinfo->buf;
-            self->current_value_alloc = 0;
-        }
+        memcpy(self->current_value, bufinfo->buf, self->current_value_len);
 
         ble_gatts_chr_updated(self->handle);
     }
diff --git a/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/PacketBuffer.c b/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/PacketBuffer.c
index cf362d89e92c..a6cbdc530699 100644
--- a/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/PacketBuffer.c
+++ b/ports/espressif/common-hal/_bleio/PacketBuffer.c
@@ -436,6 +436,7 @@ void common_hal_bleio_packet_buffer_deinit(bleio_packet_buffer_obj_t *self) {
         return;
     }
     bleio_characteristic_clear_observer(self->characteristic);
+    self->characteristic = NULL;
     ble_event_remove_handler(packet_buffer_on_ble_client_evt, self);
     ringbuf_deinit(&self->ringbuf);
 }
diff --git a/ports/nordic/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c b/ports/nordic/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
index f3238f2fd501..33a373f76c47 100644
--- a/ports/nordic/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
+++ b/ports/nordic/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
@@ -109,6 +109,19 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self,
     }
 }
 
+bool common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    return self->handle == BLE_GATT_HANDLE_INVALID;
+}
+
+void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    if (common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(self)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    self->handle = BLE_GATT_HANDLE_INVALID;
+    // TODO: Can we remove this from the soft device? Right now we assume the
+    // reset clears things.
+}
+
 mp_obj_tuple_t *common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
     if (self->descriptor_list == NULL) {
         return mp_const_empty_tuple;
diff --git a/ports/silabs/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c b/ports/silabs/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
index f065a939a601..f2c137c1a0de 100644
--- a/ports/silabs/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
+++ b/ports/silabs/common-hal/_bleio/Characteristic.c
@@ -155,6 +155,13 @@ void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(
     }
 }
 
+bool common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    return false;
+}
+
+void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+}
+
 // A tuple of Descriptor that describe this characteristic
 mp_obj_tuple_t *common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
diff --git a/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.c b/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.c
index 6b32e39ff434..f321b3cfd7ef 100644
--- a/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.c
+++ b/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.c
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 #include "shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.h"
 #include "shared-bindings/_bleio/Service.h"
 #include "shared-bindings/_bleio/UUID.h"
+#include "shared-bindings/util.h"
+
 
 //| class Characteristic:
 //|     """Stores information about a BLE service characteristic and allows reading
@@ -137,7 +139,21 @@ static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_add_to_service(size_t n_args, const mp_obj_
 static MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_KW(bleio_characteristic_add_to_service_fun_obj, 1, bleio_characteristic_add_to_service);
 static MP_DEFINE_CONST_CLASSMETHOD_OBJ(bleio_characteristic_add_to_service_obj, MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_add_to_service_fun_obj));
 
+//|     def deinit(self) -> None:
+//|         """Deinitialises the Characteristic and releases any hardware resources for reuse."""
+//|         ...
+static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_deinit(mp_obj_t self_in) {
+    bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(self);
+    return mp_const_none;
+}
+static MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_1(bleio_characteristic_deinit_obj, bleio_characteristic_deinit);
 
+static void check_for_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self) {
+    if (common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(self)) {
+        raise_deinited_error();
+    }
+}
 
 //|     properties: int
 //|     """An int bitmask representing which properties are set, specified as bitwise or'ing of
@@ -145,6 +161,7 @@ static MP_DEFINE_CONST_CLASSMETHOD_OBJ(bleio_characteristic_add_to_service_obj,
 //|     `BROADCAST`, `INDICATE`, `NOTIFY`, `READ`, `WRITE`, `WRITE_NO_RESPONSE`."""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_properties(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     return MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_properties(self));
 }
@@ -159,6 +176,7 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETTER(bleio_characteristic_properties_obj,
 //|     Will be ``None`` if the 128-bit UUID for this characteristic is not known."""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_uuid(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     bleio_uuid_obj_t *uuid = common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_uuid(self);
     return uuid ? MP_OBJ_FROM_PTR(uuid) : mp_const_none;
@@ -172,6 +190,7 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETTER(bleio_characteristic_uuid_obj,
 //|     """The value of this characteristic."""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_value(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     uint8_t temp[512];
     size_t actual_len = common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_value(self, temp, sizeof(temp));
@@ -181,6 +200,7 @@ static MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_1(bleio_characteristic_get_value_obj, bleio_chara
 
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_set_value(mp_obj_t self_in, mp_obj_t value_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     mp_buffer_info_t bufinfo;
     mp_get_buffer_raise(value_in, &bufinfo, MP_BUFFER_READ);
@@ -199,6 +219,7 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETSET(bleio_characteristic_value_obj,
 //|     """The max length of this characteristic."""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_max_length(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     return MP_OBJ_NEW_SMALL_INT(common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_max_length(self));
 }
@@ -211,6 +232,8 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETTER(bleio_characteristic_max_length_obj,
 //|     """A tuple of :py:class:`Descriptor` objects related to this characteristic. (read-only)"""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
+
     // Return list as a tuple so user won't be able to change it.
     return MP_OBJ_FROM_PTR(common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_descriptors(self));
 }
@@ -224,6 +247,7 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETTER(bleio_characteristic_descriptors_obj,
 //|     """The Service this Characteristic is a part of."""
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_get_service(mp_obj_t self_in) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(self_in);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     return common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_service(self);
 }
@@ -241,6 +265,7 @@ MP_PROPERTY_GETTER(bleio_characteristic_service_obj,
 //|         ...
 static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_set_cccd(mp_uint_t n_args, const mp_obj_t *pos_args, mp_map_t *kw_args) {
     bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self = MP_OBJ_TO_PTR(pos_args[0]);
+    check_for_deinit(self);
 
     enum { ARG_notify, ARG_indicate };
     static const mp_arg_t allowed_args[] = {
@@ -258,6 +283,9 @@ static mp_obj_t bleio_characteristic_set_cccd(mp_uint_t n_args, const mp_obj_t *
 static MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_KW(bleio_characteristic_set_cccd_obj, 1, bleio_characteristic_set_cccd);
 
 static const mp_rom_map_elem_t bleio_characteristic_locals_dict_table[] = {
+    { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_deinit), MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_deinit_obj) },
+    { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR___del__), MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_deinit_obj) },
+
     { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_add_to_service), MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_add_to_service_obj) },
     { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_descriptors),    MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_descriptors_obj) },
     { MP_ROM_QSTR(MP_QSTR_properties),     MP_ROM_PTR(&bleio_characteristic_properties_obj) },
diff --git a/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.h b/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.h
index 2d343b8b07f9..67b1062691da 100644
--- a/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.h
+++ b/shared-bindings/_bleio/Characteristic.h
@@ -24,5 +24,7 @@ extern size_t common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_max_length(bleio_characteristi
 extern size_t common_hal_bleio_characteristic_get_value(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self, uint8_t *buf, size_t len);
 extern void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_add_descriptor(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self, bleio_descriptor_obj_t *descriptor);
 extern void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_construct(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self, bleio_service_obj_t *service, uint16_t handle, bleio_uuid_obj_t *uuid, bleio_characteristic_properties_t props, bleio_attribute_security_mode_t read_perm, bleio_attribute_security_mode_t write_perm, mp_int_t max_length, bool fixed_length, mp_buffer_info_t *initial_value_bufinfo, const char *user_description);
+extern bool common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinited(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self);
+extern void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self);
 extern void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_set_cccd(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self, bool notify, bool indicate);
 extern void common_hal_bleio_characteristic_set_value(bleio_characteristic_obj_t *self, mp_buffer_info_t *bufinfo);
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/bluetooth.c b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/bluetooth.c
index 68b43871ce16..2fe97f9f0b01 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/bluetooth.c
+++ b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/bluetooth.c
@@ -339,6 +339,10 @@ void supervisor_stop_bluetooth(void) {
 
     ble_started = false;
 
+    #if CIRCUITPY_BLE_FILE_SERVICE
+    supervisor_stop_bluetooth_file_transfer();
+    #endif
+
     #if CIRCUITPY_SERIAL_BLE
     supervisor_stop_bluetooth_serial();
     #endif
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.c b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.c
index aa49c0a899a8..66eccf8cbf2c 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.c
+++ b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.c
@@ -101,6 +101,13 @@ void supervisor_start_bluetooth_file_transfer(void) {
         &static_handler_entry);
 }
 
+void supervisor_stop_bluetooth_file_transfer(void) {
+    common_hal_bleio_packet_buffer_deinit(&_transfer_packet_buffer);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(&supervisor_ble_transfer_characteristic);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(&supervisor_ble_version_characteristic);
+    common_hal_bleio_service_deinit(&supervisor_ble_service);
+}
+
 #define COMMAND_SIZE 1024
 
 #define ANY_COMMAND 0x00
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.h b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.h
index 12c75e1f548c..8d4fc9c66848 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.h
+++ b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/file_transfer.h
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
 
-void supervisor_bluetooth_file_transfer_background(void);
 void supervisor_start_bluetooth_file_transfer(void);
+void supervisor_stop_bluetooth_file_transfer(void);
+
+void supervisor_bluetooth_file_transfer_background(void);
 void supervisor_bluetooth_file_transfer_disconnected(void);
diff --git a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/serial.c b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/serial.c
index 3c8ae71eb482..42c9b4bb3877 100644
--- a/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/serial.c
+++ b/supervisor/shared/bluetooth/serial.c
@@ -148,6 +148,11 @@ void supervisor_stop_bluetooth_serial(void) {
         return;
     }
     common_hal_bleio_packet_buffer_flush(&_tx_packet_buffer);
+    common_hal_bleio_packet_buffer_deinit(&_tx_packet_buffer);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(&supervisor_ble_circuitpython_rx_characteristic);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(&supervisor_ble_circuitpython_tx_characteristic);
+    common_hal_bleio_characteristic_deinit(&supervisor_ble_circuitpython_version_characteristic);
+    common_hal_bleio_service_deinit(&supervisor_ble_circuitpython_service);
 }
 
 bool ble_serial_connected(void) {