diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml
index fcb9638b..5e87934d 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. 2.5.2)'
+        description: 'Version tag (e.g. 2.5.3)'
         required: true
-        default: '2.5.2'
+        default: '2.5.3'
 
 jobs:
   build-and-push:
diff --git a/web_server.py b/web_server.py
index fbb2c4e9..792a6eb7 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 = "2.5.2"
+_SOULSYNC_BASE_VERSION = "2.5.3"
 
 def _build_version_string():
     """Append short commit hash to version when available (e.g. 2.35+abc1234)."""
diff --git a/webui/static/helper.js b/webui/static/helper.js
index 19a3f3e6..e6785eab 100644
--- a/webui/static/helper.js
+++ b/webui/static/helper.js
@@ -4349,7 +4349,7 @@ function _getLatestWhatsNewVersion() {
     const versions = Object.keys(WHATS_NEW)
         .filter(v => _compareVersions(v, buildVer) <= 0)
         .sort((a, b) => _compareVersions(b, a));
-    return versions[0] || '2.5.2';
+    return versions[0] || '2.5.3';
 }
 
 function openWhatsNew() {