diff --git a/whatsapp-gateway/server.js b/whatsapp-gateway/server.js
index 9384a07..b287557 100644
--- a/whatsapp-gateway/server.js
+++ b/whatsapp-gateway/server.js
@@ -199,12 +199,16 @@ const handleSendMessage = async (req, res) => {
         const response = await client.sendMessage(targetJid, message);
         
         // Mark the chat as unread so it shows up as a notification/badge on the user's phone
-        try {
-            const chat = await client.getChatById(targetJid);
-            await chat.markUnread();
-        } catch (err) {
-            console.error('[WhatsApp Bot] Failed to mark chat as unread:', err);
-        }
+        // We add a 3-second delay because if we do it immediately, the phone might override it!
+        setTimeout(async () => {
+            try {
+                const chat = await client.getChatById(targetJid);
+                await chat.markUnread();
+                console.log(`[WhatsApp Bot] Marked chat ${targetJid} as unread after delay.`);
+            } catch (err) {
+                console.error('[WhatsApp Bot] Failed to mark chat as unread:', err);
+            }
+        }, 3000);
 
         res.json({ success: true, messageId: response.id._serialized, recipient: targetJid });