diff --git a/.changeset/fix-notification-defaults.md b/.changeset/fix-notification-defaults.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f5ffbb65b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/fix-notification-defaults.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+sable: patch
+---
+
+fix: default badge unread counts to off
+
+Change `showUnreadCounts` default from `true` to `false`. Unread badges now show a number only for direct mentions by default (Discord-style). Users can re-enable full unread counts in Notifications settings.
diff --git a/src/app/state/settings.ts b/src/app/state/settings.ts
index a9c1f2ece0..7174b98183 100644
--- a/src/app/state/settings.ts
+++ b/src/app/state/settings.ts
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ const defaultSettings: Settings = {
   rightSwipeAction: RightSwipeAction.Reply,
   hideMembershipInReadOnly: true,
   useRightBubbles: false,
-  showUnreadCounts: true,
+  showUnreadCounts: false,
   badgeCountDMsOnly: false,
   showPingCounts: true,
   hideReads: false,