diff --git a/docs/UPDATE.md b/docs/UPDATE.md
index 69e3e57..c111900 100644
--- a/docs/UPDATE.md
+++ b/docs/UPDATE.md
@@ -369,6 +369,8 @@ See the [full changelog](https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/
 
 ## Quick Update
 
+Vocalinux checks GitHub Releases in the background about every six hours (and shortly after startup). When a newer build is on your selected channel, the tray menu gains an **Update Available…** entry and Settings → About shows a green **New** badge; open that page for release notes and download links. Updates are not installed automatically — re-run the installer (or your package manager) as below.
+
 ### If You Installed via curl (Recommended)
 
 Simply re-run the installation command:
diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/config_manager.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/config_manager.py
index 020c579..b8c3179 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/config_manager.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/config_manager.py
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "updates": {
         # "stable" follows GitHub /releases/latest; "nightly" follows nightly-YYYY-MM-DD tags.
         "channel": "stable",
+        # Tag last announced via desktop notification (avoids re-notifying every 6h).
+        "last_notified_version": "",
     },
 }
 
diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
index bac1517..7a3903e 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/settings_dialog.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ from ..speech_recognition.silero_vad import is_silero_available  # noqa: E402
 from ..utils.paths import models_dir  # noqa: E402
 from ..utils.update_checker import (  # noqa: E402
     DEFAULT_UPDATE_CHANNEL,
+    ReleaseInfo,
     fetch_latest_release,
     format_release_notes,
     is_trusted_release_url,
@@ -413,6 +414,15 @@ SETTINGS_CSS = """
     background-color: alpha(@theme_selected_fg_color, 0.2);
 }
 
+.sidebar-update-badge {
+    font-size: 0.75em;
+    font-weight: 600;
+    color: #ffffff;
+    background-color: #26a269;
+    border-radius: 10px;
+    padding: 1px 7px;
+}
+
 .settings-search {
     margin: 8px 6px 14px 6px;
     border-radius: 8px;
@@ -984,6 +994,7 @@ class SettingsPage:
         self.extras = []
         self.sidebar_row = None
         self.match_count_label = None
+        self.update_badge_label = None
 
         self.box = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL, spacing=12)
         self.box.set_margin_top(16)
@@ -1155,6 +1166,8 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         speech_engine: "SpeechRecognitionManager",
         shortcut_update_callback: callable = None,
         initial_page: Optional[str] = None,
+        pending_update: Optional[ReleaseInfo] = None,
+        update_status_callback: callable = None,
     ):
         super().__init__(title="Vocalinux Settings", transient_for=parent, flags=0)
         # Force window decorations (title-bar close) on all WMs. An in-window
@@ -1166,6 +1179,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         self.config_manager = config_manager
         self.speech_engine = speech_engine
         self.shortcut_update_callback = shortcut_update_callback
+        self.update_status_callback = update_status_callback
         self._test_active = False
         self._test_result = ""
         self._initializing = True  # Flag to prevent auto-apply during initialization
@@ -1180,6 +1194,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         self._update_check_generation = 0
         self._update_auto_checked = False
         self._initial_page = initial_page
+        self._pending_update = pending_update
 
         # Setup CSS styling
         _setup_css()
@@ -1308,6 +1323,10 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         self.show_all()
         # Release notes stay hidden until a successful update check.
         self.release_notes_group.hide()
+        # Re-hide the About "New" badge if show_all revealed it without a pending update.
+        self._set_about_update_badge(self._pending_update is not None)
+        # Seed About from a tray background check (opens with notes already filled).
+        self._seed_pending_update_ui()
         if self._initial_page:
             self.navigate_to_page(self._initial_page)
         else:
@@ -1350,6 +1369,12 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         label = Gtk.Label(label=page.title, xalign=0)
         hbox.pack_start(label, True, True, 0)
 
+        update_badge = Gtk.Label(label="New")
+        update_badge.get_style_context().add_class("sidebar-update-badge")
+        update_badge.set_no_show_all(True)
+        update_badge.hide()
+        hbox.pack_end(update_badge, False, False, 0)
+
         match_label = Gtk.Label(label="")
         match_label.get_style_context().add_class("sidebar-match-count")
         match_label.set_no_show_all(True)
@@ -1358,6 +1383,9 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         row.add(hbox)
         page.sidebar_row = row
         page.match_count_label = match_label
+        page.update_badge_label = update_badge
+        if page.name == "about" and self._pending_update is not None:
+            update_badge.show()
         return row
 
     def _build_search_empty_page(self) -> Gtk.Widget:
@@ -1462,6 +1490,10 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
             page.sidebar_row.set_sensitive(True)
             page.sidebar_row.show()
 
+        # Badge visibility follows _pending_update (cleared on failed About checks
+        # so a stale New badge cannot reappear when search is cleared).
+        self._set_about_update_badge(self._pending_update is not None)
+
         # Engine-driven visibility is authoritative; re-apply it in case a
         # control changed while the filter was active.
         self._update_engine_specific_ui()
@@ -1514,12 +1546,16 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
                 extra.hide()
 
             if page_matches > 0:
+                if page.update_badge_label is not None:
+                    page.update_badge_label.hide()
                 page.match_count_label.set_text(str(page_matches))
                 page.match_count_label.show()
                 page.sidebar_row.set_sensitive(True)
                 if first_match_page is None:
                     first_match_page = page
             else:
+                if page.update_badge_label is not None:
+                    page.update_badge_label.hide()
                 page.match_count_label.hide()
                 page.sidebar_row.set_sensitive(False)
 
@@ -3202,6 +3238,30 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
         self.about_tab.pack_start(self.release_notes_group, False, False, 0)
         self.release_notes_group.hide()
 
+    def _set_about_update_badge(self, visible: bool) -> None:
+        """Show or hide the green New badge on the About sidebar row."""
+        about_page = next((page for page in self._pages if page.name == "about"), None)
+        if about_page is None or about_page.update_badge_label is None:
+            return
+        # Don't fight the search filter's match-count badges.
+        searching = bool(self.search_entry.get_text().strip())
+        if visible and not searching:
+            about_page.update_badge_label.show()
+        else:
+            about_page.update_badge_label.hide()
+
+    def _seed_pending_update_ui(self) -> None:
+        """Apply a tray-discovered update to the About page without another fetch."""
+        if self._pending_update is None:
+            return
+        # Avoid an immediate re-check flicker; user can still press Check.
+        self._update_auto_checked = True
+        self._apply_update_check_result(
+            self._pending_update,
+            channel=self._current_update_channel(),
+            generation=None,
+        )
+
     def _current_update_channel(self) -> str:
         """Return the selected update channel id."""
         channel_id = self.update_channel_combo.get_active_id()
@@ -3252,6 +3312,9 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
     def _dialog_is_alive(self) -> bool:
         """Return False when the settings dialog has been destroyed."""
         try:
+            # During __init__ (before map) widgets exist but are not realized yet.
+            if self._initializing:
+                return True
             return bool(self.get_realized())
         except Exception:
             return False
@@ -3293,6 +3356,12 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
             self.open_release_btn.set_tooltip_text("Open the Vocalinux project page")
             self.open_release_btn.get_style_context().remove_class("suggested-action")
             self.release_notes_group.hide()
+            # Clear dialog pending state so search restore cannot revive the New
+            # badge while About still shows the failed-lookup message. Do not
+            # call update_status_callback — tray state stays as-is (same as
+            # UpdateMonitor on a failed lookup).
+            self._pending_update = None
+            self._set_about_update_badge(False)
             return False
 
         self._about_release_url = (
@@ -3306,13 +3375,24 @@ class SettingsDialog(Gtk.Dialog):
             release_label = f"{release_label} (nightly)"
 
         if update_available:
+            self._pending_update = release
             self.update_status_row.set_subtitle(
                 f"Update available on {channel} (running {__version__})"
             )
             self.open_release_btn.get_style_context().add_class("suggested-action")
+            self._set_about_update_badge(True)
         else:
+            self._pending_update = None
             self.update_status_row.set_subtitle(f"Up to date on {channel}")
             self.open_release_btn.get_style_context().remove_class("suggested-action")
+            self._set_about_update_badge(False)
+
+        # Keep the tray menu in sync with an About-page check (no extra notification).
+        if self.update_status_callback is not None:
+            try:
+                self.update_status_callback(update_available, release if update_available else None)
+            except Exception:
+                logger.error("Update status callback failed", exc_info=True)
 
         self.latest_release_row.set_subtitle(release_label)
         self.open_release_btn.set_sensitive(True)
diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/tray_indicator.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/tray_indicator.py
index 1619180..16b3f8d 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/tray_indicator.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/tray_indicator.py
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ from ..common_types import RecognitionState, SpeechRecognitionManagerProtocol, T
 from ..model_keepalive import DEFAULT_IDLE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS, ModelKeepAlive
 from ..suspend_handler import SuspendHandler
 from ..utils.resource_manager import ResourceManager
+from ..utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+from ..utils.update_monitor import UpdateMonitor
 from .config_manager import ConfigManager
 from .keyboard_shortcuts import KeyboardShortcutManager
 from .settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
@@ -141,6 +143,10 @@ class TrayIndicator:
         self._init_icons()
         self._validate_resources()
 
+        # Must exist before _init_indicator: tests run idle_add synchronously.
+        self._pending_update: Optional[ReleaseInfo] = None
+        self._update_menu_item = None
+
         # Initialize the indicator (in the GTK main thread)
         GLib.idle_add(self._init_indicator)
 
@@ -166,6 +172,13 @@ class TrayIndicator:
         self._model_keepalive.start()
         self._model_keepalive.bump()
 
+        # Background GitHub update checks (tray menu + optional notification)
+        self._update_monitor = UpdateMonitor(
+            get_channel=self._get_update_channel,
+            on_result=self._on_update_check_result,
+        )
+        self._update_monitor.start()
+
         # Set up keyboard shortcuts with mode support
         self._setup_keyboard_shortcuts()
 
@@ -287,6 +300,12 @@ class TrayIndicator:
         self._add_menu_item("Settings", self._on_settings_clicked)
         self._add_menu_item("View Logs", self._on_logs_clicked)
         self._add_menu_separator()
+        # Hidden until a background check finds a newer release.
+        self._update_menu_item = self._add_menu_item(
+            "Update Available…", self._on_update_available_clicked
+        )
+        self._update_menu_item.set_no_show_all(True)
+        self._update_menu_item.hide()
         self._add_menu_item("About", self._on_about_clicked)
         self._add_menu_item("Quit", self._on_quit_clicked)
 
@@ -295,6 +314,11 @@ class TrayIndicator:
 
         # Show the menu
         self.menu.show_all()
+        # show_all() would re-show the update item; keep it hidden until needed.
+        if self._pending_update is None:
+            self._update_menu_item.hide()
+        else:
+            self._show_update_menu_item(self._pending_update)
 
         # Update the UI based on the initial state
         self._update_ui(RecognitionState.IDLE)
@@ -539,33 +563,98 @@ class TrayIndicator:
     def _on_settings_clicked(self, widget):
         """Handle click on the Settings menu item."""
         logger.debug("Settings clicked")
+        self._show_settings_page(None)
 
-        # Create the settings dialog
-        dialog = SettingsDialog(
-            parent=None,  # Or get the main window if available
-            config_manager=self.config_manager,
-            speech_engine=self.speech_engine,
-            shortcut_update_callback=self.update_shortcut,
-        )
-
-        # Connect to the response signal
-        dialog.connect("response", self._on_settings_dialog_response)
-
-        # Show the dialog (non-modal)
-        dialog.show()
-
-    def _show_settings_page(self, page_name: str):
-        """Open settings focused on a specific sidebar page."""
+    def _show_settings_page(self, page_name: Optional[str]):
+        """Open settings, optionally focused on a specific sidebar page."""
         dialog = SettingsDialog(
             parent=None,
             config_manager=self.config_manager,
             speech_engine=self.speech_engine,
             shortcut_update_callback=self.update_shortcut,
             initial_page=page_name,
+            pending_update=self._pending_update,
+            # About checks should refresh the tray item without re-notifying.
+            update_status_callback=lambda available, release: self._apply_update_status(
+                available, release, notify=False
+            ),
         )
         dialog.connect("response", self._on_settings_dialog_response)
         dialog.show()
 
+    def _get_update_channel(self) -> str:
+        """Return the configured release channel for background update checks."""
+        return self.config_manager.get_str("updates", "channel", "stable")
+
+    def _on_update_check_result(self, available: bool, release: Optional[ReleaseInfo]):
+        """Handle a background update-check result (already on the GLib main loop)."""
+        self._apply_update_status(available, release, notify=True)
+
+    def _apply_update_status(
+        self,
+        available: bool,
+        release: Optional[ReleaseInfo],
+        *,
+        notify: bool,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Update tray pending-update state and optional desktop notification."""
+        self._pending_update = release if available else None
+        if not hasattr(self, "menu"):
+            return
+        if available and release is not None:
+            self._show_update_menu_item(release)
+            if notify:
+                self._maybe_notify_update(release)
+        elif self._update_menu_item is not None:
+            self._update_menu_item.hide()
+
+    def _show_update_menu_item(self, release: ReleaseInfo) -> None:
+        """Reveal the tray menu entry that opens About / release notes."""
+        if self._update_menu_item is None:
+            return
+        label = f"Update Available ({release.tag_name})…"
+        self._update_menu_item.set_label(label)
+        self._update_menu_item.set_tooltip_text(
+            "Open Settings → About for release notes and download links"
+        )
+        self._update_menu_item.show()
+
+    def _maybe_notify_update(self, release: ReleaseInfo) -> None:
+        """Send one desktop notification per new version when notifications are on."""
+        if not self.config_manager.get_bool("ui", "show_notifications", True):
+            return
+        if self.config_manager.get_str("updates", "last_notified_version", "") == release.tag_name:
+            return
+        # Persist only after notify-send is successfully spawned so a missing
+        # binary does not permanently suppress the alert for this version.
+        try:
+            import subprocess
+
+            subprocess.Popen(
+                [
+                    "notify-send",
+                    "-i",
+                    "software-update-available",
+                    "-a",
+                    "Vocalinux",
+                    "Vocalinux update available",
+                    f"{release.tag_name} is ready. Open the tray menu or "
+                    "Settings → About for release notes.",
+                ],
+                stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+                stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            )
+        except (FileNotFoundError, OSError) as exc:
+            logger.debug("Could not show update notification: %s", exc)
+            return
+        self.config_manager.set("updates", "last_notified_version", release.tag_name)
+        self.config_manager.save_settings()
+
+    def _on_update_available_clicked(self, widget):
+        """Open Settings on About so the user can read notes and open the release."""
+        logger.debug("Update Available clicked")
+        self._show_settings_page("about")
+
     def _on_logs_clicked(self, widget):
         """Handle click on the View Logs menu item."""
         logger.debug("View Logs clicked")
@@ -802,6 +891,9 @@ class TrayIndicator:
         if getattr(self, "_model_keepalive", None) is not None:
             self._model_keepalive.shutdown()
 
+        if getattr(self, "_update_monitor", None) is not None:
+            self._update_monitor.shutdown()
+
         self._cleanup_input_monitor()
 
         # Stop the keyboard shortcut manager
diff --git a/src/vocalinux/utils/update_monitor.py b/src/vocalinux/utils/update_monitor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd40295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/vocalinux/utils/update_monitor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+"""Background GitHub release checks for Vocalinux.
+
+Schedules a delayed first check, then repeats on an interval. Networking runs on
+a worker thread; the result callback is delivered on the GLib main loop.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import threading
+from typing import Callable, Optional
+
+from ..version import __version__
+from .update_checker import (
+    DEFAULT_UPDATE_CHANNEL,
+    ReleaseInfo,
+    fetch_latest_release,
+    is_update_available,
+    normalize_channel,
+)
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# Check once shortly after launch, then every six hours while the app runs.
+DEFAULT_STARTUP_DELAY_SECONDS = 45
+DEFAULT_CHECK_INTERVAL_SECONDS = 6 * 60 * 60
+
+
+class UpdateMonitor:
+    """Periodic update check owned by the tray.
+
+    Args:
+        get_channel: Returns ``stable`` / ``nightly`` (re-read each check).
+        on_result: ``on_result(available, release)`` on the GLib main loop.
+            ``release`` is set only when ``available`` is True.
+        startup_delay_seconds: Delay before the first check.
+        check_interval_seconds: Delay between subsequent checks.
+        use_glib: Schedule via GLib (False = tests drive ``_run_check``).
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        get_channel: Callable[[], str],
+        on_result: Optional[Callable[[bool, Optional[ReleaseInfo]], None]] = None,
+        startup_delay_seconds: float = DEFAULT_STARTUP_DELAY_SECONDS,
+        check_interval_seconds: float = DEFAULT_CHECK_INTERVAL_SECONDS,
+        use_glib: bool = True,
+    ):
+        self._get_channel = get_channel
+        self._on_result = on_result
+        self._startup_delay = max(0.0, float(startup_delay_seconds))
+        self._check_interval = max(60.0, float(check_interval_seconds))
+        self._use_glib = use_glib
+        self._running = False
+        self._check_in_progress = False
+        self._timeout_id: Optional[int] = None
+        self._generation = 0
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        """Arm the first check after the startup delay."""
+        if self._running:
+            return
+        self._running = True
+        logger.info(
+            "Update monitor started (first check in %.0fs, then every %.0fs)",
+            self._startup_delay,
+            self._check_interval,
+        )
+        self._schedule(self._startup_delay)
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        """Cancel timers and ignore in-flight results."""
+        self._running = False
+        self._cancel_timeout()
+        self._generation += 1
+        logger.info("Update monitor stopped")
+
+    def shutdown(self) -> None:
+        """Alias for :meth:`stop` (matches other tray helpers)."""
+        self.stop()
+
+    def _schedule(self, delay_seconds: float) -> None:
+        self._cancel_timeout()
+        if not self._use_glib:
+            return
+        try:
+            from gi.repository import GLib
+        except Exception:
+            logger.debug("GLib unavailable; update monitor will not auto-schedule")
+            return
+        # ponytail: integer seconds only — startup/interval are never sub-second.
+        self._timeout_id = GLib.timeout_add_seconds(max(1, int(delay_seconds)), self._on_timer)
+
+    def _cancel_timeout(self) -> None:
+        if self._timeout_id is None:
+            return
+        if self._use_glib:
+            try:
+                from gi.repository import GLib
+
+                GLib.source_remove(self._timeout_id)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        self._timeout_id = None
+
+    def _on_timer(self):
+        self._timeout_id = None
+        if self._running:
+            self._run_check()
+        return False
+
+    def _run_check(self) -> None:
+        if self._check_in_progress:
+            return
+        self._check_in_progress = True
+        self._generation += 1
+        generation = self._generation
+        channel = self._current_channel()
+        threading.Thread(
+            target=self._worker,
+            args=(channel, __version__, generation),
+            daemon=True,
+            name="vocalinux-update-check",
+        ).start()
+
+    def _worker(self, channel: str, current: str, generation: int) -> None:
+        try:
+            release = fetch_latest_release(channel=channel)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning("Update check failed", exc_info=True)
+            release = None
+
+        if release is None:
+            # Network/API miss — keep any previously shown update affordance.
+            self._finish_check(generation, channel, callback=False)
+            return
+
+        available = is_update_available(current, release, channel)
+        self._finish_check(
+            generation,
+            channel,
+            callback=True,
+            available=available,
+            release=release if available else None,
+        )
+
+    def _current_channel(self) -> str:
+        """Read and normalize the live channel preference."""
+        try:
+            return normalize_channel(self._get_channel())
+        except Exception:
+            logger.error("Failed to read update channel", exc_info=True)
+            return DEFAULT_UPDATE_CHANNEL
+
+    def _finish_check(
+        self,
+        generation: int,
+        channel: str,
+        *,
+        callback: bool,
+        available: bool = False,
+        release: Optional[ReleaseInfo] = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        def _apply() -> bool:
+            self._check_in_progress = False
+            if not self._running or generation != self._generation:
+                return False
+            # Drop results from an earlier channel (About-page checks do the same).
+            if callback:
+                current_channel = self._current_channel()
+                if current_channel != channel:
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "Ignoring stale update result for channel %s (now %s)",
+                        channel,
+                        current_channel,
+                    )
+                    if self._running:
+                        self._run_check()
+                    return False
+            if callback and self._on_result is not None:
+                try:
+                    self._on_result(available, release)
+                except Exception:
+                    logger.error("Update monitor callback failed", exc_info=True)
+            if self._running:
+                self._schedule(self._check_interval)
+            return False
+
+        if self._use_glib:
+            try:
+                from gi.repository import GLib
+
+                GLib.idle_add(_apply)
+                return
+            except Exception:
+                logger.debug("GLib idle_add unavailable; applying update result inline")
+        _apply()
diff --git a/tests/test_settings_dialog.py b/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
index 426a066..73008bd 100644
--- a/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
+++ b/tests/test_settings_dialog.py
@@ -773,6 +773,19 @@ class TestSettingsSearch(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn("self.sidebar_listbox.select_row(page.sidebar_row)", source)
         self.assertIn("self.settings_stack.set_visible_child_name(page.name)", source)
 
+    def test_failed_update_check_clears_pending_before_hiding_badge(self):
+        """Failed About lookup must clear _pending_update so search cannot revive New."""
+        source = self._settings_source()
+        fail_block = source.split("if release is None:")[1].split("return False")[0]
+        self.assertIn("self._pending_update = None", fail_block)
+        self.assertIn("self._set_about_update_badge(False)", fail_block)
+        # Search restore must follow _pending_update via the badge helper.
+        restore_body = source.split("def _restore_search_baseline")[1].split("def ")[0]
+        self.assertIn(
+            "self._set_about_update_badge(self._pending_update is not None)",
+            restore_body,
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     def _settings_source():
         import os
diff --git a/tests/test_tray_indicator.py b/tests/test_tray_indicator.py
index 71fa64f..0d6ccc3 100644
--- a/tests/test_tray_indicator.py
+++ b/tests/test_tray_indicator.py
@@ -277,6 +277,156 @@ class TestTrayIndicator(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("initial_page"), "about")
             mock_dialog_instance.show.assert_called_once()
 
+    def test_update_available_shows_menu_and_opens_about(self):
+        """Background update check reveals tray item and opens About with release."""
+        from vocalinux.utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+
+        release = ReleaseInfo(
+            tag_name="v0.99.0",
+            version="0.99.0",
+            name="v0.99.0",
+            html_url="https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/v0.99.0",
+            body="Notes",
+            published_at="2026-08-06T00:00:00Z",
+            prerelease=False,
+            channel="stable",
+        )
+        menu_item = MagicMock()
+        self.tray_indicator._update_menu_item = menu_item
+        self.tray_indicator.menu = MagicMock()
+        # Pin the mock config used by the tray (avoids any patch indirection).
+        self.tray_indicator.config_manager = self.mock_config_manager
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.return_value = True
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.return_value = ""
+        recorded_sets = []
+
+        def _record_set(section, key, value):
+            recorded_sets.append((section, key, value))
+            return True
+
+        self.mock_config_manager.set.side_effect = _record_set
+
+        with patch("subprocess.Popen") as mock_popen:
+            self.tray_indicator._on_update_check_result(True, release)
+
+        menu_item.set_label.assert_called()
+        self.assertIn("v0.99.0", menu_item.set_label.call_args[0][0])
+        menu_item.show.assert_called_once()
+        mock_popen.assert_called_once()
+        self.assertEqual(self.tray_indicator._pending_update, release)
+        self.assertIn(("updates", "last_notified_version", "v0.99.0"), recorded_sets)
+        self.mock_config_manager.save_settings.assert_called()
+
+        with patch("vocalinux.ui.tray_indicator.SettingsDialog") as mock_dialog_class:
+            mock_dialog_instance = MagicMock()
+            mock_dialog_class.return_value = mock_dialog_instance
+            self.tray_indicator._on_update_available_clicked(None)
+            kwargs = mock_dialog_class.call_args.kwargs
+            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("initial_page"), "about")
+            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("pending_update"), release)
+            self.assertIn("update_status_callback", kwargs)
+
+    def test_update_notification_not_marked_when_notify_send_missing(self):
+        """Do not record last_notified_version if notify-send cannot be spawned."""
+        from vocalinux.utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+
+        release = ReleaseInfo(
+            tag_name="v0.99.0",
+            version="0.99.0",
+            name="v0.99.0",
+            html_url="https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/v0.99.0",
+            body="Notes",
+            published_at="2026-08-06T00:00:00Z",
+            prerelease=False,
+            channel="stable",
+        )
+        self.tray_indicator.config_manager = self.mock_config_manager
+        self.tray_indicator._update_menu_item = MagicMock()
+        self.tray_indicator.menu = MagicMock()
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.return_value = True
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.return_value = ""
+        recorded_sets = []
+        self.mock_config_manager.set.side_effect = (
+            lambda section, key, value: recorded_sets.append((section, key, value)) or True
+        )
+
+        with patch("subprocess.Popen", side_effect=FileNotFoundError("notify-send")):
+            self.tray_indicator._maybe_notify_update(release)
+
+        self.assertEqual(recorded_sets, [])
+
+    def test_update_notification_persists_after_successful_spawn(self):
+        """Record last_notified_version only after notify-send is spawned."""
+        from vocalinux.utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+
+        release = ReleaseInfo(
+            tag_name="v0.99.0",
+            version="0.99.0",
+            name="v0.99.0",
+            html_url="https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/v0.99.0",
+            body="Notes",
+            published_at="2026-08-06T00:00:00Z",
+            prerelease=False,
+            channel="stable",
+        )
+        self.tray_indicator.config_manager = self.mock_config_manager
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_bool.return_value = True
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.side_effect = None
+        self.mock_config_manager.get_str.return_value = ""
+        recorded_sets = []
+        self.mock_config_manager.set.side_effect = (
+            lambda section, key, value: recorded_sets.append((section, key, value)) or True
+        )
+
+        with patch("subprocess.Popen") as mock_popen:
+            self.tray_indicator._maybe_notify_update(release)
+
+        mock_popen.assert_called_once()
+        self.assertEqual(recorded_sets, [("updates", "last_notified_version", "v0.99.0")])
+        self.mock_config_manager.save_settings.assert_called()
+
+    def test_update_cleared_hides_menu_item(self):
+        """Clearing an update hides the tray menu entry."""
+        menu_item = MagicMock()
+        self.tray_indicator._update_menu_item = menu_item
+        self.tray_indicator.menu = MagicMock()
+        self.tray_indicator._pending_update = MagicMock()
+
+        self.tray_indicator._on_update_check_result(False, None)
+
+        self.assertIsNone(self.tray_indicator._pending_update)
+        menu_item.hide.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_about_callback_syncs_tray_without_notification(self):
+        """About-page checks update the tray item but do not re-notify."""
+        from vocalinux.utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+
+        release = ReleaseInfo(
+            tag_name="v0.99.0",
+            version="0.99.0",
+            name="v0.99.0",
+            html_url="https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/v0.99.0",
+            body="Notes",
+            published_at="2026-08-06T00:00:00Z",
+            prerelease=False,
+            channel="stable",
+        )
+        menu_item = MagicMock()
+        self.tray_indicator._update_menu_item = menu_item
+        self.tray_indicator.menu = MagicMock()
+
+        with patch.object(self.tray_indicator, "_maybe_notify_update") as mock_notify:
+            self.tray_indicator._apply_update_status(True, release, notify=False)
+
+        menu_item.show.assert_called_once()
+        mock_notify.assert_not_called()
+        self.assertEqual(self.tray_indicator._pending_update, release)
+
     def test_validate_resources_missing_resources_dir(self):
         """Test validation when resources directory doesn't exist."""
         from vocalinux.ui.tray_indicator import TrayIndicator, _resource_manager
diff --git a/tests/test_update_monitor.py b/tests/test_update_monitor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..445b853
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_update_monitor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""Tests for the background GitHub update monitor."""
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+from vocalinux.utils.update_checker import ReleaseInfo
+from vocalinux.utils.update_monitor import UpdateMonitor
+
+
+def _release(tag: str = "v0.99.0") -> ReleaseInfo:
+    return ReleaseInfo(
+        tag_name=tag,
+        version=tag.lstrip("v"),
+        name=tag,
+        html_url=f"https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases/tag/{tag}",
+        body="Notes",
+        published_at="2026-08-06T00:00:00Z",
+        prerelease=False,
+        channel="stable",
+    )
+
+
+class TestUpdateMonitor:
+    def test_start_is_idempotent(self):
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(
+            get_channel=lambda: "stable",
+            on_result=MagicMock(),
+            use_glib=False,
+        )
+        monitor.start()
+        monitor.start()
+        assert monitor._running
+        monitor.stop()
+        assert not monitor._running
+
+    def test_reports_available_update(self):
+        on_result = MagicMock()
+        release = _release("v0.99.0")
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(get_channel=lambda: "stable", on_result=on_result, use_glib=False)
+        monitor.start()
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+                return_value=release,
+            ),
+            patch("vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.__version__", "0.15.0"),
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", monitor._generation)
+
+        on_result.assert_called_once_with(True, release)
+        monitor.stop()
+
+    def test_reports_up_to_date(self):
+        on_result = MagicMock()
+        release = _release("v0.15.0")
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(get_channel=lambda: "stable", on_result=on_result, use_glib=False)
+        monitor.start()
+
+        with patch(
+            "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+            return_value=release,
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", monitor._generation)
+
+        on_result.assert_called_once_with(False, None)
+        monitor.stop()
+
+    def test_failed_fetch_keeps_prior_callback_state(self):
+        on_result = MagicMock()
+        release = _release("v0.99.0")
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(get_channel=lambda: "stable", on_result=on_result, use_glib=False)
+        monitor.start()
+
+        with patch(
+            "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+            return_value=release,
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", monitor._generation)
+        on_result.reset_mock()
+
+        with patch(
+            "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+            return_value=None,
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", monitor._generation)
+
+        on_result.assert_not_called()
+        monitor.stop()
+
+    def test_stale_generation_is_ignored(self):
+        on_result = MagicMock()
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(get_channel=lambda: "stable", on_result=on_result, use_glib=False)
+        monitor.start()
+        stale = monitor._generation
+        monitor._generation += 1
+
+        with patch(
+            "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+            return_value=_release(),
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", stale)
+
+        on_result.assert_not_called()
+        monitor.stop()
+
+    def test_stale_channel_result_is_ignored_and_rechecks(self):
+        """A result for an earlier channel must not update the tray."""
+        on_result = MagicMock()
+        channel = {"value": "stable"}
+        monitor = UpdateMonitor(
+            get_channel=lambda: channel["value"],
+            on_result=on_result,
+            use_glib=False,
+        )
+        monitor.start()
+        generation = monitor._generation
+
+        channel["value"] = "nightly"
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.utils.update_monitor.fetch_latest_release",
+                return_value=_release(),
+            ) as fetch_mock,
+            patch.object(monitor, "_run_check") as run_check,
+        ):
+            monitor._worker("stable", "0.15.0", generation)
+
+        on_result.assert_not_called()
+        run_check.assert_called_once_with()
+        # Worker itself should not have re-fetched for nightly — only the
+        # deferred _run_check path does that.
+        fetch_mock.assert_called_once_with(channel="stable")
+        monitor.stop()