diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
index 3ac9c655..1ea28575 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ on:
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       version_tag:
-        description: 'Version tag (e.g. 2.6.1)'
+        description: 'Version tag (e.g. 2.6.2)'
         required: true
-        default: '2.6.1'
+        default: '2.6.2'
 
 jobs:
   build-and-push:
diff --git a/web_server.py b/web_server.py
index fac6cd53..7458a46f 100644
--- a/web_server.py
+++ b/web_server.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ logger = setup_logging(_log_level, _log_path)
 
 # App version — single source of truth for backup metadata, system-info, update check, etc.
 # Semver: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. Bump at each dev→main release.
-_SOULSYNC_BASE_VERSION = "2.6.1"
+_SOULSYNC_BASE_VERSION = "2.6.2"
 
 def _build_version_string():
     """Append short commit hash to version when available (e.g. 2.35+abc1234)."""