diff --git a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.cpp b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.cpp
index 2886a54a59..43ded93e36 100644
--- a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.cpp
+++ b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 #include "adios2/helper/adiosFunctions.h" // MPI BroadcastVector
 #include "adios2/toolkit/profiling/taustubs/tautimer.hpp"
 
+#include <limits>
+
 namespace adios2
 {
 namespace core
@@ -24,9 +26,10 @@ namespace engine
 BP4Reader::BP4Reader(IO &io, const std::string &name, const Mode mode,
                      MPI_Comm mpiComm)
 : Engine("BP4Reader", io, name, mode, mpiComm),
-  m_BP4Deserializer(mpiComm, m_DebugMode), m_FileManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode),
-  m_SubFileManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode),
-  m_FileMetadataIndexManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode)
+  m_BP4Deserializer(mpiComm, m_DebugMode),
+  m_MDFileManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode),
+  m_DataFileManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode),
+  m_MDIndexFileManager(mpiComm, m_DebugMode)
 {
     TAU_SCOPED_TIMER("BP4Reader::Open");
     Init();
@@ -65,41 +68,23 @@ StepStatus BP4Reader::BeginStep(StepMode mode, const float timeoutSeconds)
 
     // used to inquire for variables in streaming mode
     m_IO.m_ReadStreaming = true;
-    m_IO.m_EngineStep = m_CurrentStep;
+    StepStatus status = StepStatus::OK;
 
     if (m_CurrentStep >= m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataSet.StepsCount)
     {
-        m_IO.m_ReadStreaming = false;
-        return StepStatus::EndOfStream;
+        status = CheckForNewSteps(timeoutSeconds);
     }
 
-    /*
-    const auto &variablesData = m_IO.GetVariablesDataMap();
+    // This should be after getting new steps
+    m_IO.m_EngineStep = m_CurrentStep;
 
-    for (const auto &variableData : variablesData)
+    if (status == StepStatus::OK)
     {
-        const std::string name = variableData.first;
-        const std::string type = m_IO.InquireVariableType(name);
-
-        if (type == "compound")
-        {
-        }
-#define declare_type(T)                                                        \
-    else if (type == helper::GetType<T>())                                     \
-    {                                                                          \
-        Variable<T> *variable = m_IO.InquireVariable<T>(name);                 \
-        if (mode == StepMode::NextAvailable)                                   \
-        {                                                                      \
-            variable->SetStepSelection({m_CurrentStep, 1});                    \
-        }                                                                      \
-    }
-        ADIOS2_FOREACH_STDTYPE_1ARG(declare_type)
-#undef declare_type
+        m_IO.ResetVariablesStepSelection(false,
+                                         "in call to BP4 Reader BeginStep");
     }
-    */
-    m_IO.ResetVariablesStepSelection(false, "in call to BP4 Reader BeginStep");
 
-    return StepStatus::OK;
+    return status;
 }
 
 size_t BP4Reader::CurrentStep() const { return m_CurrentStep; }
@@ -151,9 +136,9 @@ void BP4Reader::Init()
     {
         if (m_OpenMode != Mode::Read)
         {
-            throw std::invalid_argument(
-                "ERROR: BPFileReader only supports OpenMode::Read from" +
-                m_Name + " " + m_EndMessage);
+            throw std::invalid_argument("ERROR: BPFileReader only "
+                                        "supports OpenMode::Read from" +
+                                        m_Name + " " + m_EndMessage);
         }
     }
 
@@ -177,15 +162,14 @@ void BP4Reader::InitTransports()
             m_BP4Deserializer.GetBPMetadataFileName(m_Name));
 
         const bool profile = m_BP4Deserializer.m_Profiler.IsActive;
-        m_FileManager.OpenFiles({metadataFile}, adios2::Mode::Read,
-                                m_IO.m_TransportsParameters, profile);
+        m_MDFileManager.OpenFiles({metadataFile}, adios2::Mode::Read,
+                                  m_IO.m_TransportsParameters, profile);
 
         /* Open file to save the metadata index table */
         const std::string metadataIndexFile(
             m_BP4Deserializer.GetBPMetadataIndexFileName(m_Name));
-        m_FileMetadataIndexManager.OpenFiles(
-            {metadataIndexFile}, adios2::Mode::Read,
-            m_IO.m_TransportsParameters, profile);
+        m_MDIndexFileManager.OpenFiles({metadataIndexFile}, adios2::Mode::Read,
+                                       m_IO.m_TransportsParameters, profile);
     }
 }
 
@@ -194,21 +178,27 @@ void BP4Reader::InitBuffer()
     // Put all metadata in buffer
     if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_RankMPI == 0)
     {
-        const size_t fileSize = m_FileManager.GetFileSize(0);
-        m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.Resize(
-            fileSize, "allocating metadata buffer, in call to BP4Reader Open");
-
-        m_FileManager.ReadFile(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer.data(),
-                               fileSize);
-
+        /* Read metadata index table into memory */
         const size_t metadataIndexFileSize =
-            m_FileMetadataIndexManager.GetFileSize(0);
+            m_MDIndexFileManager.GetFileSize(0);
         m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.Resize(
-            metadataIndexFileSize,
-            "allocating metadata index buffer, in call to BPFileReader Open");
-        m_FileMetadataIndexManager.ReadFile(
+            metadataIndexFileSize, "allocating metadata index buffer, "
+                                   "in call to BPFileReader Open");
+        m_MDIndexFileManager.ReadFile(
             m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.m_Buffer.data(),
             metadataIndexFileSize);
+
+        m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize = metadataIndexFileSize;
+
+        /* Read metadata file into memory */
+        const size_t fileSize = m_MDFileManager.GetFileSize(0);
+        m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.Resize(
+            fileSize, "allocating metadata buffer, in call to BP4Reader Open");
+
+        m_MDFileManager.ReadFile(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer.data(),
+                                 fileSize);
+
+        m_MDFileProcessedSize = fileSize;
     }
     // broadcast buffer to all ranks from zero
     helper::BroadcastVector(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer, m_MPIComm);
@@ -224,6 +214,187 @@ void BP4Reader::InitBuffer()
     m_BP4Deserializer.ParseMetadata(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata, *this);
 }
 
+std::pair<size_t, size_t> BP4Reader::UpdateBuffer()
+{
+    std::vector<size_t> sizes(3, 0);
+    if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_RankMPI == 0)
+    {
+        const size_t idxFileSize = m_MDIndexFileManager.GetFileSize(0);
+        if (idxFileSize > m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize)
+        {
+            const size_t newIdxSize = idxFileSize - m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize;
+            if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.m_Buffer.size() < newIdxSize)
+            {
+                m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.Resize(
+                    newIdxSize, "re-allocating metadata index buffer, in "
+                                "call to BP4Reader::BeginStep/UpdateBuffer");
+            }
+            m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.m_Position = 0;
+            m_MDIndexFileManager.ReadFile(
+                m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.m_Buffer.data(), newIdxSize,
+                m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize);
+
+            sizes[0] = newIdxSize;
+
+            /* Read corresponding new metadata (throwing away the old)
+             */
+            const size_t fileSize = m_MDFileManager.GetFileSize(0);
+            const size_t newMDSize = fileSize - m_MDFileProcessedSize;
+            if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer.size() < newMDSize)
+            {
+                m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.Resize(
+                    newMDSize, "allocating metadata buffer, in call to "
+                               "BP4Reader Open");
+            }
+            m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Position = 0;
+            m_MDFileManager.ReadFile(
+                m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer.data(), newMDSize,
+                m_MDFileProcessedSize);
+
+            sizes[1] = newMDSize;
+            sizes[2] = m_MDFileProcessedSize;
+        }
+    }
+
+    helper::BroadcastVector(sizes, m_MPIComm, 0);
+    size_t newIdxSize = sizes[0];
+    size_t newMDSize = sizes[1];
+
+    if (newIdxSize > 0)
+    {
+        // broadcast buffer to all ranks from zero
+        helper::BroadcastVector(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata.m_Buffer,
+                                m_MPIComm);
+
+        // broadcast metadata index buffer to all ranks from zero
+        helper::BroadcastVector(m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex.m_Buffer,
+                                m_MPIComm);
+
+        if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_RankMPI != 0)
+        {
+            m_MDFileProcessedSize = sizes[2];
+            // we need this pointer in Metadata buffer on all processes
+            // for parsing it correctly in ProcessMetadataForNewSteps()
+        }
+    }
+    return std::make_pair(newIdxSize, newMDSize);
+}
+void BP4Reader::ProcessMetadataForNewSteps(const size_t newIdxSize,
+                                           const size_t newMDSize)
+{
+    /* Remove all existing variables from previous steps
+       It seems easier than trying to update them */
+    m_IO.RemoveAllVariables();
+
+    /* Parse metadata index table (without header) */
+    /* We need to skew the index table pointers with the
+       size of the already-processed metadata because the memory buffer of
+       new metadata starts from 0 */
+    m_BP4Deserializer.ParseMetadataIndex(m_BP4Deserializer.m_MetadataIndex,
+                                         m_MDFileProcessedSize);
+
+    // fills IO with Variables and Attributes (not first step)
+    m_BP4Deserializer.ParseMetadata(m_BP4Deserializer.m_Metadata, *this, false);
+
+    // remember current end position in metadata and index table for next round
+    if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_RankMPI == 0)
+    {
+        m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize += newIdxSize;
+        m_MDFileProcessedSize += newMDSize;
+    }
+}
+
+bool BP4Reader::CheckWriterActive()
+{
+    size_t flag = 0;
+    if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_RankMPI == 0)
+    {
+        std::vector<char> header(64, '\0');
+        m_MDIndexFileManager.ReadFile(header.data(), 64, 0, 0);
+        bool active = m_BP4Deserializer.ReadActiveFlag(header);
+        flag = (active ? 1 : 0);
+    }
+    flag = helper::BroadcastValue(flag, m_BP4Deserializer.m_MPIComm, 0);
+    m_BP4Deserializer.m_WriterIsActive = (flag > 0);
+    return m_BP4Deserializer.m_WriterIsActive;
+}
+
+StepStatus BP4Reader::CheckForNewSteps(float timeoutSeconds)
+{
+    /* Do a collective wait for a step within timeout.
+       Make sure every writer comes to the same conclusion */
+    StepStatus retval = StepStatus::OK;
+    bool haveNewStep = false;
+    float TO = timeoutSeconds;
+    if (TO < 0.0)
+    {
+        TO = std::numeric_limits<float>::max() / 10000;
+    }
+    uint64_t milliTO = static_cast<uint64_t>(TO * 1000.0);
+    if (milliTO < 1)
+    {
+        milliTO = 1; // avoid 0
+    }
+    uint64_t pollTime = milliTO / 100; // TO/100 seconds polling time
+    if (pollTime < 1000)
+    {
+        pollTime = 1000; // min 1 second polling time
+    }
+    if (pollTime > 10000)
+    {
+        pollTime = 10000; // max 10 seconds polling time
+    }
+
+    /* Poll */
+    double waited = 0.0;
+    double startTime, endTime;
+
+    // Hack: processing metadata for multiple new steps only works
+    // when pretending not to be in streaming mode
+    const bool saveReadStreaming = m_IO.m_ReadStreaming;
+
+    m_IO.m_ReadStreaming = false;
+    while (waited < TO && m_BP4Deserializer.m_WriterIsActive)
+    {
+        startTime = MPI_Wtime();
+        std::pair<size_t, size_t> sizes = UpdateBuffer();
+        if (sizes.first > 0)
+        {
+            haveNewStep = true;
+            /* we have new metadata in memory. Need to parse it now */
+            ProcessMetadataForNewSteps(sizes.first, sizes.second);
+            break;
+        }
+        if (!CheckWriterActive())
+        {
+            break;
+        }
+        std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(pollTime));
+        endTime = MPI_Wtime();
+        waited += endTime - startTime;
+    }
+
+    if (!haveNewStep)
+    {
+        m_IO.m_ReadStreaming = false;
+        if (m_BP4Deserializer.m_WriterIsActive)
+        {
+            retval = StepStatus::NotReady;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            retval = StepStatus::EndOfStream;
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        retval = StepStatus::OK;
+    }
+    m_IO.m_ReadStreaming = saveReadStreaming;
+
+    return retval;
+}
+
 #define declare_type(T)                                                        \
     void BP4Reader::DoGetSync(Variable<T> &variable, T *data)                  \
     {                                                                          \
@@ -242,8 +413,8 @@ void BP4Reader::DoClose(const int transportIndex)
 {
     TAU_SCOPED_TIMER("BP4Reader::Close");
     PerformGets();
-    m_SubFileManager.CloseFiles();
-    m_FileManager.CloseFiles();
+    m_DataFileManager.CloseFiles();
+    m_MDFileManager.CloseFiles();
 }
 
 #define declare_type(T)                                                        \
diff --git a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.h b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.h
index 7eb64cdfc8..c01ec0f213 100644
--- a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.h
+++ b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.h
@@ -50,10 +50,16 @@ class BP4Reader : public Engine
 
 private:
     format::BP4Deserializer m_BP4Deserializer;
-    transportman::TransportMan m_FileManager;
-    transportman::TransportMan m_SubFileManager;
+    /* transport manager for metadata file */
+    transportman::TransportMan m_MDFileManager;
+    size_t m_MDFileProcessedSize = 0;
+
+    /* transport manager for managing data file(s) */
+    transportman::TransportMan m_DataFileManager;
+
     /* transport manager for managing the metadata index file */
-    transportman::TransportMan m_FileMetadataIndexManager;
+    transportman::TransportMan m_MDIndexFileManager;
+    size_t m_MDIndexFileProcessedSize = 0;
 
     /** used for per-step reads, TODO: to be moved to BP4Deserializer */
     size_t m_CurrentStep = 0;
@@ -63,6 +69,34 @@ class BP4Reader : public Engine
     void InitTransports();
     void InitBuffer();
 
+    /** Read in more metadata if exist (throwing away old).
+     *  For streaming only.
+     *  @return pair of sizes if new metadata was read in
+     *  sizes.first = size of new content from Index Table
+     *  sizes.second = size of new content from Metadata File
+     */
+    std::pair<size_t, size_t> UpdateBuffer();
+
+    /** Process the new metadata coming in (in UpdateBuffer)
+     *  @param newIdxSize: the size of the new content from Index Table
+     *  @param neMDSize: the size of new content from Metadata File
+     */
+    void ProcessMetadataForNewSteps(const size_t newIdxSize,
+                                    const size_t newMDSize);
+
+    /** Check the active status flag in index file.
+     *  @return true if writer is still active
+     *  it sets BP4Deserialized.m_WriterIsActive
+     */
+    bool CheckWriterActive();
+
+    /** Check for new steps withing timeout and only if writer is active.
+     *  @return the status flag
+     *  Used by BeginStep() to get new steps from file when it reaches the
+     *  end of steps in memory.
+     */
+    StepStatus CheckForNewSteps(float timeoutSeconds);
+
 #define declare_type(T)                                                        \
     void DoGetSync(Variable<T> &, T *) final;                                  \
     void DoGetDeferred(Variable<T> &, T *) final;
diff --git a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.tcc b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.tcc
index be26819ba7..a0f1159483 100644
--- a/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.tcc
+++ b/source/adios2/engine/bp4/BP4Reader.tcc
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ void BP4Reader::ReadVariableBlocks(Variable<T> &variable)
                 }
 
                 // check if subfile is already opened
-                if (m_SubFileManager.m_Transports.count(
+                if (m_DataFileManager.m_Transports.count(
                         subStreamBoxInfo.SubStreamID) == 0)
                 {
                     const std::string subFileName =
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ void BP4Reader::ReadVariableBlocks(Variable<T> &variable)
                             m_Name, subStreamBoxInfo.SubStreamID,
                             m_BP4Deserializer.m_Minifooter.HasSubFiles);
 
-                    m_SubFileManager.OpenFileID(
+                    m_DataFileManager.OpenFileID(
                         subFileName, subStreamBoxInfo.SubStreamID, Mode::Read,
                         {{"transport", "File"}}, profile);
                 }
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ void BP4Reader::ReadVariableBlocks(Variable<T> &variable)
                                               subStreamBoxInfo, buffer,
                                               payloadSize, payloadStart, 0);
 
-                m_SubFileManager.ReadFile(buffer, payloadSize, payloadStart,
-                                          subStreamBoxInfo.SubStreamID);
+                m_DataFileManager.ReadFile(buffer, payloadSize, payloadStart,
+                                           subStreamBoxInfo.SubStreamID);
 
                 m_BP4Deserializer.PostDataRead(
                     variable, blockInfo, subStreamBoxInfo,
diff --git a/source/adios2/helper/adiosMPIFunctions.tcc b/source/adios2/helper/adiosMPIFunctions.tcc
index d8f3b770da..df8236fcb3 100644
--- a/source/adios2/helper/adiosMPIFunctions.tcc
+++ b/source/adios2/helper/adiosMPIFunctions.tcc
@@ -141,6 +141,42 @@ void BroadcastVector(std::vector<char> &vector, MPI_Comm mpiComm,
     }
 }
 
+// BroadcastVector specializations
+template <>
+void BroadcastVector(std::vector<size_t> &vector, MPI_Comm mpiComm,
+                     const int rankSource)
+{
+    int size;
+    SMPI_Comm_size(mpiComm, &size);
+
+    if (size == 1)
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // First Broadcast the size, then the contents
+    size_t inputSize = BroadcastValue(vector.size(), mpiComm, rankSource);
+    int rank;
+    SMPI_Comm_rank(mpiComm, &rank);
+
+    if (rank != rankSource)
+    {
+        vector.resize(inputSize);
+    }
+
+    const int MAXBCASTSIZE = 1073741824 / sizeof(size_t);
+    size_t blockSize = (inputSize > MAXBCASTSIZE ? MAXBCASTSIZE : inputSize);
+    size_t *buffer = vector.data();
+    while (inputSize > 0)
+    {
+        SMPI_Bcast(buffer, static_cast<int>(blockSize), ADIOS2_MPI_SIZE_T,
+                   rankSource, mpiComm);
+        buffer += blockSize;
+        inputSize -= blockSize;
+        blockSize = (inputSize > MAXBCASTSIZE ? MAXBCASTSIZE : inputSize);
+    }
+}
+
 // GatherArrays specializations
 template <>
 void GatherArrays(const char *source, const size_t sourceCount,
diff --git a/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.cpp b/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.cpp
index 983d1bc210..313db4c48a 100644
--- a/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.cpp
+++ b/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.cpp
@@ -36,19 +36,15 @@ BP4Deserializer::BP4Deserializer(MPI_Comm mpiComm, const bool debugMode)
 }
 
 void BP4Deserializer::ParseMetadata(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL,
-                                    core::Engine &engine)
+                                    core::Engine &engine, const bool firstStep)
 {
-    // ParseMinifooter(bufferSTL);
-    // ParsePGIndex(bufferSTL, io);
-    // ParseVariablesIndex(bufferSTL, io);
-    // ParseAttributesIndex(bufferSTL, io);
-    size_t steps;
-    steps = m_MetadataIndexTable[0].size();
-    m_MetadataSet.StepsCount = steps;
-    m_MetadataSet.CurrentStep = steps - 1;
+    const size_t oldSteps = (firstStep ? 0 : m_MetadataSet.StepsCount);
+    size_t allSteps = m_MetadataIndexTable[0].size();
+    m_MetadataSet.StepsCount = allSteps;
+    m_MetadataSet.CurrentStep = allSteps - 1;
     /* parse the metadata step by step using the pointers saved in the metadata
     index table */
-    for (int i = 0; i < steps; i++)
+    for (size_t i = oldSteps; i < allSteps; i++)
     {
         ParsePGIndexPerStep(bufferSTL, engine.m_IO.m_HostLanguage, 0, i + 1);
         ParseVariablesIndexPerStep(bufferSTL, engine, 0, i + 1);
@@ -56,56 +52,63 @@ void BP4Deserializer::ParseMetadata(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL,
     }
 }
 
-void BP4Deserializer::ParseMetadataIndex(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL)
+void BP4Deserializer::ParseMetadataIndex(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL,
+                                         const size_t absoluteStartPos)
 {
     const auto &buffer = bufferSTL.m_Buffer;
     const size_t bufferSize = buffer.size();
+    size_t position = 0;
 
-    // Read header (64 bytes)
+    if (absoluteStartPos == 0)
+    {
+        // Read header (64 bytes)
+        // long version string
+        position = m_VersionTagPosition;
+        m_Minifooter.VersionTag.assign(&buffer[position], m_VersionTagLength);
+
+        position = m_EndianFlagPosition;
+        const uint8_t endianness = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(buffer, position);
+        m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian = (endianness == 0) ? true : false;
+#ifndef ADIOS2_HAVE_ENDIAN_REVERSE
+        if (m_DebugMode)
+        {
+            if (helper::IsLittleEndian() != m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian)
+            {
+                throw std::runtime_error(
+                    "ERROR: reader found BigEndian bp file, "
+                    "this version of ADIOS2 wasn't compiled "
+                    "with the cmake flag -DADIOS2_USE_Endian_Reverse=ON "
+                    "explicitly, in call to Open\n");
+            }
+        }
+#endif
 
-    // long version string
-    size_t position = m_VersionTagPosition;
-    m_Minifooter.VersionTag.assign(&buffer[position], m_VersionTagLength);
+        // This has no flag in BP4 header. Always true
+        m_Minifooter.HasSubFiles = true;
 
-    position = m_EndianFlagPosition;
-    const uint8_t endianness = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(buffer, position);
-    m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian = (endianness == 0) ? true : false;
-#ifndef ADIOS2_HAVE_ENDIAN_REVERSE
-    if (m_DebugMode)
-    {
-        if (helper::IsLittleEndian() != m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian)
+        // BP version
+        position = m_BPVersionPosition;
+        m_Minifooter.Version = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(
+            buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
+        if (m_Minifooter.Version != 4)
         {
             throw std::runtime_error(
-                "ERROR: reader found BigEndian bp file, "
-                "this version of ADIOS2 wasn't compiled "
-                "with the cmake flag -DADIOS2_USE_Endian_Reverse=ON "
-                "explicitly, in call to Open\n");
+                "ERROR: ADIOS2 BP4 Engine only supports bp format "
+                "version 4, found " +
+                std::to_string(m_Minifooter.Version) + " version \n");
         }
-    }
-#endif
 
-    // This has no flag in BP4 header. Always true
-    m_Minifooter.HasSubFiles = true;
+        // Writer active flag
+        position = m_ActiveFlagPosition;
+        const char activeChar = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(
+            buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
+        m_WriterIsActive = (activeChar == '\1' ? true : false);
 
-    // BP version
-    position = m_BPVersionPosition;
-    m_Minifooter.Version = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(
-        buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-    if (m_Minifooter.Version != 4)
-    {
-        throw std::runtime_error(
-            "ERROR: ADIOS2 BP4 Engine only supports bp format "
-            "version 4, found " +
-            std::to_string(m_Minifooter.Version) + " version \n");
+        // move position to first row
+        position = 64;
     }
 
-    // active flag, not used yet in the reader
-    position = m_ActiveFlagPosition;
-    const uint8_t activeFlag = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(
-        buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-
     // Read each record now
-    position = 64;
     while (position < bufferSize)
     {
         std::vector<uint64_t> ptrs;
@@ -115,16 +118,16 @@ void BP4Deserializer::ParseMetadataIndex(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL)
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
         const uint64_t pgIndexStart = helper::ReadValue<uint64_t>(
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-        ptrs.push_back(pgIndexStart);
+        ptrs.push_back(pgIndexStart - absoluteStartPos);
         const uint64_t variablesIndexStart = helper::ReadValue<uint64_t>(
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-        ptrs.push_back(variablesIndexStart);
+        ptrs.push_back(variablesIndexStart - absoluteStartPos);
         const uint64_t attributesIndexStart = helper::ReadValue<uint64_t>(
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-        ptrs.push_back(attributesIndexStart);
+        ptrs.push_back(attributesIndexStart - absoluteStartPos);
         const uint64_t currentStepEndPos = helper::ReadValue<uint64_t>(
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
-        ptrs.push_back(currentStepEndPos);
+        ptrs.push_back(currentStepEndPos - absoluteStartPos);
         const uint64_t currentTimeStamp = helper::ReadValue<uint64_t>(
             buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
         ptrs.push_back(currentTimeStamp);
@@ -621,6 +624,21 @@ void BP4Deserializer::ClipMemory(const std::string &variableName, core::IO &io,
 #undef declare_type
 }
 
+bool BP4Deserializer::ReadActiveFlag(std::vector<char> &buffer)
+{
+    if (buffer.size() < m_ActiveFlagPosition)
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error("BP4Deserializer::CheckActiveFlag() is called "
+                                 "with a buffer smaller than required");
+    }
+    // Writer active flag
+    size_t position = m_ActiveFlagPosition;
+    const char activeChar = helper::ReadValue<uint8_t>(
+        buffer, position, m_Minifooter.IsLittleEndian);
+    m_WriterIsActive = (activeChar == '\1' ? true : false);
+    return m_WriterIsActive;
+}
+
 #define declare_template_instantiation(T)                                      \
     template void BP4Deserializer::GetSyncVariableDataFromStream(              \
         core::Variable<T> &, BufferSTL &) const;                               \
diff --git a/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.h b/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.h
index 046911c4a8..f67248e28a 100644
--- a/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.h
+++ b/source/adios2/toolkit/format/bp4/BP4Deserializer.h
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ class BP4Deserializer : public BP4Base
 
     // BufferSTL m_MetadataIndex;
 
+    bool m_WriterIsActive = false;
+
     /**
      * Unique constructor
      * @param mpiComm
@@ -49,9 +51,11 @@ class BP4Deserializer : public BP4Base
 
     ~BP4Deserializer() = default;
 
-    void ParseMetadataIndex(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL);
+    void ParseMetadataIndex(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL,
+                            const size_t absoluteStartPos = 0);
 
-    void ParseMetadata(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL, core::Engine &engine);
+    void ParseMetadata(const BufferSTL &bufferSTL, core::Engine &engine,
+                       const bool firstStep = true);
 
     /**
      * Used to get the variable payload data for the current selection (dims and
@@ -148,6 +152,12 @@ class BP4Deserializer : public BP4Base
     std::vector<typename core::Variable<T>::Info>
     BlocksInfo(const core::Variable<T> &variable, const size_t step) const;
 
+    /** Parse active flag in index table header (64 bytes).
+     *  Header must be read by caller into a vector of 64 characters.
+     *  It sets m_WriterIsActive and returns the same value
+     */
+    bool ReadActiveFlag(std::vector<char> &buffer);
+
     // TODO : Will deprecate all function below
     std::map<std::string, helper::SubFileInfoMap>
     PerformGetsVariablesSubFileInfo(core::IO &io);
diff --git a/source/utils/CMakeLists.txt b/source/utils/CMakeLists.txt
index a14dfefda1..396ead7091 100644
--- a/source/utils/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/utils/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -42,3 +42,5 @@ endif()
 install(PROGRAMS bp4dbg/bp4dbg.py bp4dbg/bp4dbg_data.py bp4dbg/bp4dbg_utils.py 
         bp4dbg/bp4dbg_metadata.py bp4dbg/bp4dbg_idxtable.py
         DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR}/bp4dbg)
+
+install(PROGRAMS adios_deactivate_bp.sh DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR})
diff --git a/source/utils/adios_deactivate_bp.sh b/source/utils/adios_deactivate_bp.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..99c04ad604
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/utils/adios_deactivate_bp.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+FNAME=$1
+if [ "x$FNAME" == "x" ]; then
+    echo "Missing BP data set name"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d $FNAME ]; then
+    echo "Not a valid BP4 output: $FNAME"
+    echo "BP4 data set should be a directory"
+    exit 2
+fi
+
+if [ ! -f $FNAME/md.idx ]; then
+    echo "Not a valid BP4 output: $FNAME"
+    echo "Missing $FNAME/md.idx file"
+    exit 3
+fi
+
+printf '\x00' | dd of=$FNAME/md.idx bs=1 seek=38 conv=notrunc
+
diff --git a/source/utils/adios_iotest/iotest-config/manyvars.txt b/source/utils/adios_iotest/iotest-config/manyvars.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a807ddd566
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/utils/adios_iotest/iotest-config/manyvars.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,528 @@
+# Config file for Task 1 in a pipeline
+#   - Produce variables  a  b  c 
+#   - Write variables    a  b  c     to    stream_T1.bp
+
+# Config file for Task 2 in a pipeline
+#   - Read in variables  a  b  from Task 1 (ignore c) from stream_T1.bp
+#     using a different decomposition
+
+
+group  io_T1
+  # item  type    varname     N   [dim1 dim2 ... dimN  decomp1 decomp2 ... decompN]
+array double a001 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a002 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a003 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a004 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a005 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a006 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a007 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a008 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a009 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a010 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a011 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a012 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a013 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a014 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a015 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a016 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a017 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a018 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a019 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a020 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a021 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a022 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a023 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a024 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a025 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a026 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a027 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a028 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a029 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a030 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a031 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a032 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a033 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a034 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a035 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a036 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a037 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a038 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a039 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a040 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a041 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a042 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a043 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a044 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a045 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a046 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a047 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a048 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a049 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a050 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a051 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a052 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a053 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a054 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a055 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a056 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a057 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a058 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a059 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a060 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a061 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a062 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a063 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a064 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a065 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a066 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a067 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a068 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a069 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a070 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a071 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a072 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a073 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a074 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a075 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a076 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a077 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a078 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a079 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a080 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a081 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a082 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a083 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a084 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a085 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a086 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a087 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a088 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a089 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a090 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a091 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a092 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a093 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a094 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a095 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a096 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a097 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a098 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a099 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a100 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a101 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a102 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a103 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a104 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a105 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a106 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a107 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a108 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a109 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a110 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a111 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a112 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a113 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a114 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a115 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a116 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a117 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a118 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a119 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a120 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a121 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a122 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a123 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a124 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a125 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a126 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a127 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a128 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a129 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a130 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a131 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a132 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a133 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a134 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a135 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a136 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a137 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a138 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a139 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a140 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a141 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a142 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a143 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a144 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a145 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a146 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a147 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a148 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a149 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a150 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a151 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a152 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a153 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a154 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a155 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a156 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a157 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a158 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a159 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a160 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a161 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a162 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a163 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a164 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a165 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a166 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a167 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a168 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a169 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a170 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a171 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a172 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a173 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a174 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a175 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a176 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a177 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a178 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a179 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a180 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a181 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a182 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a183 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a184 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a185 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a186 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a187 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a188 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a189 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a190 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a191 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a192 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a193 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a194 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a195 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a196 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a197 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a198 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a199 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a200 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a201 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a202 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a203 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a204 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a205 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a206 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a207 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a208 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a209 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a210 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a211 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a212 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a213 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a214 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a215 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a216 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a217 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a218 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a219 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a220 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a221 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a222 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a223 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a224 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a225 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a226 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a227 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a228 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a229 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a230 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a231 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a232 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a233 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a234 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a235 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a236 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a237 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a238 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a239 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a240 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a241 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a242 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a243 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a244 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a245 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a246 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a247 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a248 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a249 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a250 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a251 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a252 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a253 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a254 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a255 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a256 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a257 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a258 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a259 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a260 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a261 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a262 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a263 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a264 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a265 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a266 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a267 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a268 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a269 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a270 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a271 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a272 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a273 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a274 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a275 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a276 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a277 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a278 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a279 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a280 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a281 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a282 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a283 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a284 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a285 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a286 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a287 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a288 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a289 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a290 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a291 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a292 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a293 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a294 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a295 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a296 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a297 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a298 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a299 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a300 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a301 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a302 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a303 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a304 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a305 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a306 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a307 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a308 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a309 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a310 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a311 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a312 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a313 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a314 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a315 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a316 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a317 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a318 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a319 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a320 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a321 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a322 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a323 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a324 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a325 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a326 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a327 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a328 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a329 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a330 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a331 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a332 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a333 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a334 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a335 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a336 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a337 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a338 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a339 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a340 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a341 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a342 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a343 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a344 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a345 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a346 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a347 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a348 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a349 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a350 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a351 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a352 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a353 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a354 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a355 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a356 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a357 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a358 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a359 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a360 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a361 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a362 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a363 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a364 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a365 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a366 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a367 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a368 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a369 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a370 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a371 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a372 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a373 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a374 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a375 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a376 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a377 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a378 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a379 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a380 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a381 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a382 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a383 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a384 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a385 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a386 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a387 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a388 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a389 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a390 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a391 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a392 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a393 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a394 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a395 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a396 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a397 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a398 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a399 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a400 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a401 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a402 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a403 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a404 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a405 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a406 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a407 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a408 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a409 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a410 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a411 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a412 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a413 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a414 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a415 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a416 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a417 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a418 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a419 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a420 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a421 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a422 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a423 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a424 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a425 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a426 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a427 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a428 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a429 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a430 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a431 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a432 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a433 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a434 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a435 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a436 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a437 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a438 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a439 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a440 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a441 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a442 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a443 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a444 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a445 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a446 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a447 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a448 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a449 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a450 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a451 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a452 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a453 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a454 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a455 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a456 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a457 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a458 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a459 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a460 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a461 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a462 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a463 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a464 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a465 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a466 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a467 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a468 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a469 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a470 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a471 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a472 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a473 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a474 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a475 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a476 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a477 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a478 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a479 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a480 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a481 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a482 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a483 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a484 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a485 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a486 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a487 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a488 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a489 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a490 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a491 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a492 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a493 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a494 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a495 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a496 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a497 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a498 2 100 200  X Y
+array double a499 2 100 200  X Y
+
+# Task 1 actions
+app 1
+  steps   3
+  sleep   5.0      
+    # write all of io_T1 into stream_T1.bp
+  write   manyvars.bp    io_T1
+
+# Task 2 actions
+app 2
+  steps  over manyvars.bp 
+  # read a & b from stream_T1.bp using io_T2_in definition with blocking wait
+  read  next  manyvars.bp    io_T1  -1 
+  sleep   2.0      
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/source/utils/adios_reorganize/Reorganize.cpp b/source/utils/adios_reorganize/Reorganize.cpp
index be1f897b75..1e00dbb8e7 100644
--- a/source/utils/adios_reorganize/Reorganize.cpp
+++ b/source/utils/adios_reorganize/Reorganize.cpp
@@ -140,8 +140,17 @@ void Reorganize::Run()
     int curr_step = -1;
     while (true)
     {
-        adios2::StepStatus status = rStream.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read);
-        if (status != adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+        adios2::StepStatus status =
+            rStream.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 10.0);
+        if (status == adios2::StepStatus::NotReady)
+        {
+            if (!rank)
+            {
+                std::cout << " No new steps arrived in a while " << std::endl;
+            }
+            continue;
+        }
+        else if (status != adios2::StepStatus::OK)
         {
             break;
         }
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteFlushRead.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteFlushRead.cpp
index 8bf791acdc..864e4ab7f1 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteFlushRead.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteFlushRead.cpp
@@ -276,7 +276,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2D)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));
@@ -438,7 +439,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2D)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));
@@ -743,7 +745,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2Dstdio)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));
@@ -906,7 +909,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2Dstdio)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));
@@ -1211,7 +1215,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2Dfstream)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));
@@ -1374,7 +1379,8 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteFlushRead, ADIOS2BPWrite1D2Dfstream)
 
             unsigned int t = 0;
 
-            while (bpReader.BeginStep() == adios2::StepStatus::OK)
+            while (bpReader.BeginStep(adios2::StepMode::Read, 0.0) ==
+                   adios2::StepStatus::OK)
             {
                 const size_t currentStep = bpReader.CurrentStep();
                 EXPECT_EQ(currentStep, static_cast<size_t>(t));