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Unread Badges

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Unread badges are small, red colored counters on space, app, and group icons. They appear when there is something new to see, such as a new email, chat message, or task reminder. A number will also appear to let you know how many items need attention. Badges are a brilliant way to stay up-to-date without needing to constantly open every app.

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What is the white badge for? This is the tab count badge. To enable/disable it, go to: Settings > General > Groups & Apps > Show Group and App tab counts > Toggle ON/OFF.

Read this article to learn more about Notifications

General Overview

  • Wavebox displays an unread badge on group/app icons whenever possible.
  • By default, badges are red and positioned in the top-right corner of the group or app icon.
  • Wavebox will display an unread number/count on the badge.
  • If a count isn't available, a dot will be displayed instead.

Count or Dot? This depends on the app. For example, Slack shows a count for direct messages but a dot for activity updates, such as a new reply.

Enable & Disable Dock/Taskbar Icon Badge

  • Open Settings: Click the cog icon in the bottom-left corner.
  • Go to General > Desktop integration
  • Toggle Dock icon 'Show Unread Badge'
  • Visit each App Settings to include it in the app-wide (dock/taskbar) count.

Group Badge Settings

A group badge shows the total unread count for all apps in the group. You can control unread badges for each app or group:

  • Right-click the group icon: Select Group Settings.
  • Find 'Appearance'
    • Toggle ON/OFF to show/hide the badge.
    • Click the palette icon to change the color.

App Badge Settings

You can control unread badges for each app or group:

  • Right-click the app icon: Select App Settings.
  • Under 'Appearance' click the palette icon to change the color.
  • Under 'Badges & Notifications'
    • Show unread count:
      • On the app icon - click to enable/disable
      • Include in (global) dock/taskbar icon - click to enable/disable
    • Show unread activity:
      • On the app icon - click to enable/disable
      • Show in (global) dock/taskbar icon - click to enable/disable

Custom App Badge Settings

For custom/anyURL apps created from the store or by boosting a tab, you can customize how the unread count and activity are generated:

  1. Customize unread count
  • Toggle ON/OFF - Detect unread count from the page title.
    • Radio Button - Use built-in rules to detect the count from the title "(1) Your site".
    • Radio Button - Use a custom regular expression to detect the count. Enter in the text field.
    • Checkbox - Title blinks when unread count is available.
  • Toggle ON/OFF - Extract unread count from the page (creates a small javascript snippet that runs in the page to grab the count).
    • Text field - Enter website URL
    • Text field - Enter javascript
  1. Customize unread activity
  • Toggle ON/OFF - Generate unread activity from popup notifications.
  • Toggle ON/OFF - Detect unread activity from page title.
    • Text field - Enter expression
  • Toggle ON/OFF - Enter unread activity from page (creates a small javascript snippet that runs in the page to grab the count).
    • Text field - Enter website URL
    • Text field - Enter javascript

Updating the Badge

  • Integrated apps are updated even when they are sleeping.
  • All other badges are only updated when an app is awake.
  • You can activate 'Auto-wake' on sleeping apps to intermittently check for new items and update the badge.
    • Right-click on the App Icon > Settings > Auto-Wake.

Adjust Inbox Type

Gmail

  • Inbox Type: Match Wavebox’s inbox type with your actual Gmail inbox type (Default, Unread First, etc.). To do this:
    • Right-click app icon: Go to App Settings > Unread & Sync.
    • Set Inbox Type: In the dropdown, choose the same setting as your Gmail.

Outlook

  • Focused vs. Other Inbox: Decide if you want to count just Focused or all unread items.
    • Right-click app icon: Go to App Settings > Unread & Sync.
    • Set Inbox Type: In the dropdown, choose Unread or Focused inbox.

Using Focus Mode to Mute, Hide, Disable, and Turn Off Badges

You can use Focus Mode to hide badges for a set period of time. Focus Mode is accessed via the bell icon at the bottom of the webdock. Read the article on Focus Mode to see how it works.

Fixing and Troubleshooting Unread Badges

  • Mismatch in Counts? Refresh the app or recheck the inbox type, as suggested in the 'Adjust Inbox Type' section above.
  • Gmail Badge (Google Workspace) not working or incorrect? Refresh the app or recheck the inbox type, as suggested in the 'Adjust Inbox Type' section above. Read Get Real-Time Unread Badges for Every Gmail Account.
  • Microsoft (Outlook, Office365) Badge not working or incorrect? Refresh the app or recheck the inbox type, as suggested in the 'Adjust Inbox Type' section above.
  • Badges Not Updating? Ensure the app isn’t sleeping or enable Auto-Wake (Settings > Auto-Wake app in background).
  • Badge Not Appearing? Confirm the global toggle is on and that you’re signed in. Check for Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode.
  • Stuck Badge? Reload the app or restart Wavebox.
Get Real-Time Unread Badges for Every Gmail Account. 📬⚡
How to check your inbox type to effortlessly stay updated with correct unread badges for Gmail.
Wavebox Blog & GuidesSusan Davies