Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for providing more accurate counts relating to unread messages in a communications system. Conventionally, the unread count for an app may be inaccurate, because the local application does not synchronize its understanding of the unread messages with the server. In the described embodiments, both the server and the application inform each other of what they understand the unread count to be. The client also informs the server of when the local application is backgrounded and foregrounded. With this information, the server is able to update its badge count more accurately, and the local client is able to estimate how far off the server's count is. Using the techniques described herein, the server may inform the client of its badge-count understanding in a way that does not cause the application to wake up on the local device, thereby resulting in less battery consumption.