diff --git a/Forji/Forji/Views/HomeView.swift b/Forji/Forji/Views/HomeView.swift
index c998460..8a321f5 100644
--- a/Forji/Forji/Views/HomeView.swift
+++ b/Forji/Forji/Views/HomeView.swift
@@ -99,11 +99,15 @@ struct HomeView: View {
         } else if let notificationService {
             do {
                 unreadCount = try await notificationService.fetchUnreadCount()
-                try? await UNUserNotificationCenter.current().setBadgeCount(unreadCount)
             } catch {
-                // Silently ignore — badge is non-critical
+                // Silently ignore — badge is non-critical, keep the prior count
+                return
             }
+        } else {
+            return
         }
+        // Mirror the in-app tab badge to the system app icon badge in both modes
+        try? await UNUserNotificationCenter.current().setBadgeCount(unreadCount)
     }
 }