diff --git a/synodic_client/application/screen/schema.py b/synodic_client/application/screen/schema.py
index 283dc49..0de9e19 100644
--- a/synodic_client/application/screen/schema.py
+++ b/synodic_client/application/screen/schema.py
@@ -351,11 +351,25 @@ class UpdateView(Protocol):
     status stays in sync.
     """
 
-    def show_downloading(self, version: str) -> None: ...
-    def show_downloading_progress(self, percentage: int) -> None: ...
-    def show_ready(self, version: str) -> None: ...
-    def show_error(self, message: str) -> None: ...
-    def hide_banner(self) -> None: ...
+    def show_downloading(self, version: str) -> None:
+        """Indicate that *version* is being downloaded."""
+        ...
+
+    def show_downloading_progress(self, percentage: int) -> None:
+        """Update the download progress indicator."""
+        ...
+
+    def show_ready(self, version: str) -> None:
+        """Indicate that *version* is downloaded and ready to install."""
+        ...
+
+    def show_error(self, message: str) -> None:
+        """Display an error *message* in the update area."""
+        ...
+
+    def hide_banner(self) -> None:
+        """Hide the update banner."""
+        ...
 
 
 class UpdateBannerState(Enum):
diff --git a/synodic_client/application/screen/settings.py b/synodic_client/application/screen/settings.py
index 3e7f8ae..40bd4c0 100644
--- a/synodic_client/application/screen/settings.py
+++ b/synodic_client/application/screen/settings.py
@@ -31,8 +31,7 @@
 from synodic_client.application.icon import app_icon
 from synodic_client.application.screen import _format_relative_time
 from synodic_client.application.screen.card import CardFrame
-from synodic_client.application.screen.update_banner import UpdateBanner
-from synodic_client.application.theme import SETTINGS_WINDOW_MIN_SIZE
+from synodic_client.application.theme import SETTINGS_WINDOW_MIN_SIZE, UPDATE_STATUS_CHECKING_STYLE
 from synodic_client.logging import log_path, set_debug_level
 from synodic_client.resolution import ResolvedConfig, update_user_config
 from synodic_client.schema import GITHUB_REPO_URL
@@ -55,6 +54,9 @@ class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
     check_updates_requested = Signal()
     """Emitted when the user clicks the *Check for Updates* button."""
 
+    restart_requested = Signal()
+    """Emitted when the user clicks the *Restart & Update* button."""
+
     def showEvent(self, event: QShowEvent) -> None:  # noqa: N802
         """[DIAG] Log every show event with a stack trace."""
         geo = self.geometry()
@@ -197,13 +199,18 @@ def _add_update_controls(self, content: QVBoxLayout) -> None:
         self._check_updates_btn = QPushButton('Check for Updates\u2026')
         self._check_updates_btn.clicked.connect(self._on_check_updates_clicked)
         row.addWidget(self._check_updates_btn)
+        self._update_status_label = QLabel('')
+        self._update_status_label.setTextInteractionFlags(Qt.TextInteractionFlag.TextSelectableByMouse)
+        row.addWidget(self._update_status_label)
+
+        self._restart_btn = QPushButton('Restart \u0026 Update')
+        self._restart_btn.clicked.connect(self.restart_requested.emit)
+        self._restart_btn.hide()
+        row.addWidget(self._restart_btn)
+
         row.addStretch()
         content.addLayout(row)
 
-        # Embedded update banner (same widget used in the main window)
-        self._update_banner = UpdateBanner()
-        content.addWidget(self._update_banner)
-
         # Last client update timestamp
         self._last_client_update_label = QLabel('')
         self._last_client_update_label.setStyleSheet('color: #808080; font-size: 11px;')
@@ -273,25 +280,37 @@ def sync_from_config(self) -> None:
             else:
                 self._last_client_update_label.setText('')
 
-    @property
-    def update_banner(self) -> UpdateBanner:
-        """The embedded :class:`UpdateBanner` for this window."""
-        return self._update_banner
+    def set_update_status(self, text: str, style: str = '') -> None:
+        """Set the inline status text next to the *Check for Updates* button.
 
-    def set_last_updated(self, timestamp: str) -> None:
-        """Refresh the *Last updated* label from a raw ISO timestamp."""
-        relative = _format_relative_time(timestamp)
-        self._last_client_update_label.setText(f'Last updated: {relative}')
-        self._last_client_update_label.setToolTip(f'Last updated: {timestamp}')
+        Args:
+            text: The status message.
+            style: Optional stylesheet for the label (e.g. color).
+        """
+        self._update_status_label.setText(text)
+        self._update_status_label.setStyleSheet(style)
 
     def set_checking(self) -> None:
-        """Enter the *checking* state — disable button."""
+        """Enter the *checking* state — disable button and show status."""
         self._check_updates_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self._restart_btn.hide()
+        self._update_status_label.setText('Checking\u2026')
+        self._update_status_label.setStyleSheet(UPDATE_STATUS_CHECKING_STYLE)
 
     def reset_check_updates_button(self) -> None:
         """Re-enable the *Check for Updates* button after a check completes."""
         self._check_updates_btn.setEnabled(True)
 
+    def set_last_checked(self, timestamp: str) -> None:
+        """Update the *last updated* label from an ISO 8601 timestamp."""
+        relative = _format_relative_time(timestamp)
+        self._last_client_update_label.setText(f'Last updated: {relative}')
+        self._last_client_update_label.setToolTip(f'Last updated: {timestamp}')
+
+    def show_restart_button(self) -> None:
+        """Show the *Restart & Update* button."""
+        self._restart_btn.show()
+
     def show(self) -> None:
         """Sync controls from config, then show the window."""
         self.sync_from_config()
@@ -337,6 +356,7 @@ def _block_signals(self) -> Iterator[None]:
     def _on_check_updates_clicked(self) -> None:
         """Handle the *Check for Updates* button click."""
         self._check_updates_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self._update_status_label.setText('Checking\u2026')
         self.check_updates_requested.emit()
 
     def _on_channel_changed(self, index: int) -> None:
diff --git a/synodic_client/application/screen/tray.py b/synodic_client/application/screen/tray.py
index cccfb53..22b1986 100644
--- a/synodic_client/application/screen/tray.py
+++ b/synodic_client/application/screen/tray.py
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@ def __init__(
         window.settings_requested.connect(self._show_settings)
 
         # Update controller - owns the self-update lifecycle & timer
+        self._banner = window.update_banner
         self._update_controller = UpdateController(
             app,
             client,
-            [window.update_banner, self._settings_window.update_banner],
+            [self._banner],
             settings_window=self._settings_window,
             config=config,
         )
diff --git a/synodic_client/application/update_controller.py b/synodic_client/application/update_controller.py
index 27e887f..d01a3bc 100644
--- a/synodic_client/application/update_controller.py
+++ b/synodic_client/application/update_controller.py
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@
 
 from synodic_client.application.screen.schema import UpdateView
 from synodic_client.application.screen.update_banner import UpdateBanner
+from synodic_client.application.theme import (
+    UPDATE_STATUS_AVAILABLE_STYLE,
+    UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE,
+    UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE,
+)
 from synodic_client.application.workers import check_for_update, download_update
 from synodic_client.resolution import (
     ResolvedConfig,
@@ -94,8 +99,9 @@ def __init__(
                 view.restart_requested.connect(self._apply_update)
                 view.retry_requested.connect(lambda: self.check_now(silent=True))
 
-        # Wire settings check-updates button
+        # Wire settings check-updates and restart buttons
         self._settings_window.check_updates_requested.connect(self._on_manual_check)
+        self._settings_window.restart_requested.connect(self._apply_update)
 
     def set_user_active_predicate(self, predicate: Callable[[], bool]) -> None:
         """Set the predicate used to defer auto-apply when the user is active.
@@ -123,6 +129,25 @@ def _can_auto_apply(self) -> bool:
         """
         return self._auto_apply and not self._is_user_active()
 
+    def _persist_check_timestamp(self) -> None:
+        """Persist the current time as *last_client_update* and refresh the label."""
+        ts = datetime.now(UTC).isoformat()
+        update_user_config(last_client_update=ts)
+        self._settings_window.set_last_checked(ts)
+
+    def _report_error(self, message: str, *, silent: bool) -> None:
+        """Show an error to the user or log it, depending on *silent*.
+
+        Always updates the settings status line.  When not *silent*,
+        also broadcasts the error to all update-banner views.
+        """
+        self._settings_window.set_update_status('Check failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
+        if silent:
+            logger.warning('%s', message)
+        else:
+            for view in self._views:
+                view.show_error(message)
+
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Timer management
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -233,22 +258,18 @@ def _on_check_finished(self, result: UpdateInfo | None, *, silent: bool = False)
         self._settings_window.reset_check_updates_button()
 
         if result is None:
-            if not silent:
-                for view in self._views:
-                    view.show_error('Failed to check for updates.')
-            else:
-                logger.warning('Automatic update check failed (no result)')
+            self._report_error('Failed to check for updates.', silent=silent)
             return
 
         if result.error:
-            if not silent:
-                for view in self._views:
-                    view.show_error(result.error)
-            else:
-                logger.warning('Automatic update check failed: %s', result.error)
+            self._report_error(result.error, silent=silent)
             return
 
+        # Successful check — refresh the "last updated" timestamp
+        self._persist_check_timestamp()
+
         if not result.available:
+            self._settings_window.set_update_status('Up to date', UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE)
             if not silent:
                 logger.info('No updates available (current: %s)', result.current_version)
             else:
@@ -263,6 +284,7 @@ def _on_check_finished(self, result: UpdateInfo | None, *, silent: bool = False)
             return
 
         # New update available — download it
+        self._settings_window.set_update_status(f'v{version} available', UPDATE_STATUS_AVAILABLE_STYLE)
         for view in self._views:
             view.show_downloading(version)
         self._start_download(version)
@@ -270,12 +292,7 @@ def _on_check_finished(self, result: UpdateInfo | None, *, silent: bool = False)
     def _on_check_error(self, error: str, *, silent: bool = False) -> None:
         """Handle unexpected exception during update check."""
         self._settings_window.reset_check_updates_button()
-
-        if not silent:
-            for view in self._views:
-                view.show_error(f'Update check error: {error}')
-        else:
-            logger.warning('Automatic update check error: %s', error)
+        self._report_error(f'Update check error: {error}', silent=silent)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Download flow
@@ -305,14 +322,14 @@ def _on_download_progress(self, percentage: int) -> None:
     def _on_download_finished(self, success: bool, version: str) -> None:
         """Handle download completion."""
         if not success:
+            self._settings_window.set_update_status('Download failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
             for view in self._views:
                 view.show_error('Download failed. Please try again later.')
             return
 
-        # Persist and display the client update timestamp
+        # Persist the client-update timestamp (actual update downloaded)
         ts = datetime.now(UTC).isoformat()
         update_user_config(last_client_update=ts)
-        self._settings_window.set_last_updated(ts)
 
         self._pending_version = version
 
@@ -326,6 +343,8 @@ def _on_download_finished(self, success: bool, version: str) -> None:
 
     def _show_ready(self, version: str) -> None:
         """Present the *ready to restart* state across all views."""
+        self._settings_window.set_update_status(f'v{version} ready', UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE)
+        self._settings_window.show_restart_button()
         for view in self._views:
             view.show_ready(version)
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/qt/test_settings.py b/tests/unit/qt/test_settings.py
index dc25c05..33d3b08 100644
--- a/tests/unit/qt/test_settings.py
+++ b/tests/unit/qt/test_settings.py
@@ -334,18 +334,16 @@ def test_sync_no_signal() -> None:
 
 
 class TestCheckForUpdatesButton:
-    """Verify the Check for Updates button and embedded update banner."""
+    """Verify the Check for Updates button and inline status label."""
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_button_and_banner_exist() -> None:
-        """Window has the check-updates button and an embedded UpdateBanner."""
+    def test_button_and_label_exist() -> None:
+        """Window has the check-updates button and status label."""
         window = _make_window()
         assert hasattr(window, '_check_updates_btn')
+        assert hasattr(window, '_update_status_label')
         assert window._check_updates_btn.text() == 'Check for Updates\u2026'
-        assert hasattr(window, '_update_banner')
-        from synodic_client.application.screen.update_banner import UpdateBanner
-
-        assert isinstance(window.update_banner, UpdateBanner)
+        assert not window._update_status_label.text()
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_click_emits_signal_and_disables() -> None:
@@ -358,6 +356,15 @@ def test_click_emits_signal_and_disables() -> None:
 
         signal_spy.assert_called_once()
         assert window._check_updates_btn.isEnabled() is False
+        assert window._update_status_label.text() == 'Checking\u2026'
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_set_update_status() -> None:
+        """set_update_status sets the label text and style."""
+        window = _make_window()
+        window.set_update_status('Up to date', 'color: green;')
+        assert window._update_status_label.text() == 'Up to date'
+        assert 'green' in window._update_status_label.styleSheet()
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_reset_check_updates_button() -> None:
@@ -371,7 +378,8 @@ def test_reset_check_updates_button() -> None:
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_set_checking() -> None:
-        """set_checking disables the button."""
+        """set_checking disables the button and shows 'Checking\u2026' status."""
         window = _make_window()
         window.set_checking()
         assert window._check_updates_btn.isEnabled() is False
+        assert window._update_status_label.text() == 'Checking\u2026'
diff --git a/tests/unit/qt/test_update_controller.py b/tests/unit/qt/test_update_controller.py
index 94f44d1..2a195a6 100644
--- a/tests/unit/qt/test_update_controller.py
+++ b/tests/unit/qt/test_update_controller.py
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@
 from packaging.version import Version
 
 from synodic_client.application.screen.update_banner import UpdateBanner
+from synodic_client.application.theme import (
+    UPDATE_STATUS_AVAILABLE_STYLE,
+    UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE,
+    UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE,
+)
 from synodic_client.application.update_controller import UpdateController
 from synodic_client.resolution import ResolvedConfig
 from synodic_client.schema import (
@@ -46,10 +51,10 @@ def _make_controller(
     auto_apply: bool = True,
     auto_update_interval_minutes: int = 0,
     is_user_active: bool = False,
-) -> tuple[UpdateController, MagicMock, MagicMock, UpdateBanner, UpdateBanner, MagicMock]:
+) -> tuple[UpdateController, MagicMock, MagicMock, UpdateBanner, MagicMock]:
     """Build an ``UpdateController`` with mocked collaborators.
 
-    Returns (controller, app_mock, client_mock, banner1, banner2, settings_mock).
+    Returns (controller, app_mock, client_mock, banner, settings_mock).
     """
     config = _make_config(
         auto_apply=auto_apply,
@@ -59,11 +64,8 @@ def _make_controller(
     app = MagicMock()
     client = MagicMock()
     client.updater = MagicMock()
-    banner1 = UpdateBanner()
-    banner2 = UpdateBanner()
+    banner = UpdateBanner()
     settings = MagicMock()
-    # settings mock only needs: check_updates_requested, set_checking,
-    # reset_check_updates_button, set_last_updated
 
     with patch('synodic_client.application.update_controller.resolve_update_config') as mock_ucfg:
         mock_ucfg.return_value = MagicMock(
@@ -72,13 +74,13 @@ def _make_controller(
         controller = UpdateController(
             app,
             client,
-            [banner1, banner2],
+            [banner],
             settings_window=settings,
             config=config,
         )
         controller.set_user_active_predicate(lambda: is_user_active)
 
-    return controller, app, client, banner1, banner2, settings
+    return controller, app, client, banner, settings
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -90,55 +92,61 @@ class TestCheckFinished:
     """Verify _on_check_finished routes results correctly."""
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_none_result_shows_error_banner_when_not_silent() -> None:
-        """A None result with silent=False should show error on all banners."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+    def test_none_result_sets_error_status() -> None:
+        """A None result should set 'Check failed' in red."""
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         ctrl._on_check_finished(None, silent=False)
 
         settings.reset_check_updates_button.assert_called_once()
-        assert b1.state.name == 'ERROR'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'ERROR'
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_once_with('Check failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_none_result_shows_banner_when_not_silent() -> None:
+        """A None result with silent=False should show the error banner."""
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl._on_check_finished(None, silent=False)
+
+        assert banner.state.name == 'ERROR'
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_none_result_no_banner_when_silent() -> None:
         """A None result with silent=True should NOT show the error banner."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         ctrl._on_check_finished(None, silent=True)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
+        assert banner.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_error_result_shows_error_banner() -> None:
-        """An error result should show error on all banners."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+    def test_error_result_sets_error_status() -> None:
+        """An error result should set 'Check failed' status."""
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         result = UpdateInfo(available=False, current_version=Version('1.0.0'), error='No releases found')
         ctrl._on_check_finished(result, silent=False)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'ERROR'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'ERROR'
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_once_with('Check failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_no_update_available_banners_remain_hidden() -> None:
-        """No update available should leave banners hidden."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+    def test_no_update_sets_up_to_date() -> None:
+        """No update available should set 'Up to date' in green."""
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         result = UpdateInfo(available=False, current_version=Version('1.0.0'))
         ctrl._on_check_finished(result, silent=False)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_once_with('Up to date', UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_update_available_shows_downloading_and_starts_download() -> None:
-        """Available update should show downloading on all banners and start download."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+    def test_update_available_sets_status_and_starts_download() -> None:
+        """Available update should set orange status and start download."""
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         result = UpdateInfo(available=True, current_version=Version('1.0.0'), latest_version=Version('2.0.0'))
 
         with patch.object(ctrl, '_start_download') as mock_dl:
             ctrl._on_check_finished(result, silent=False)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'DOWNLOADING'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'DOWNLOADING'
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_once_with(
+            'v2.0.0 available',
+            UPDATE_STATUS_AVAILABLE_STYLE,
+        )
         mock_dl.assert_called_once_with('2.0.0')
 
 
@@ -153,7 +161,7 @@ class TestDownloadFinished:
     @staticmethod
     def test_auto_apply_calls_apply_update() -> None:
         """When auto_apply=True, a successful download should call _apply_update(silent=True)."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
 
         with patch.object(ctrl, '_apply_update') as mock_apply:
             ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
@@ -163,120 +171,62 @@ def test_auto_apply_calls_apply_update() -> None:
     @staticmethod
     def test_auto_apply_does_not_show_ready_banner() -> None:
         """When auto_apply=True, the ready banner should NOT be shown."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
 
         with patch.object(ctrl, '_apply_update'):
             ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
-        assert b1.state.name != 'READY'
-        assert b2.state.name != 'READY'
+        # Banner should not be in READY state
+        assert banner.state.name != 'READY'
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_no_auto_apply_shows_ready_banners() -> None:
-        """When auto_apply=False, a successful download should show ready on all banners."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
+    def test_no_auto_apply_shows_ready_banner() -> None:
+        """When auto_apply=False, a successful download should show the ready banner."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
         ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'READY'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'READY'
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def test_user_active_shows_ready_banners() -> None:
-        """When user is active, the ready banners should be shown."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(
-            auto_apply=True,
-            is_user_active=True,
-        )
-
-        with patch.object(ctrl, '_apply_update'):
-            ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
-
-        assert b1.state.name == 'READY'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'READY'
+        assert banner.state.name == 'READY'
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_download_failure_shows_error() -> None:
-        """A failed download should show an error on all banners."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
-        ctrl._on_download_finished(False, '2.0.0')
-
-        assert b1.state.name == 'ERROR'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'ERROR'
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def test_download_sets_pending_version() -> None:
-        """A successful download should set _pending_version."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
+    def test_no_auto_apply_sets_ready_status() -> None:
+        """When auto_apply=False, status should show 'v2.0.0 ready' in green."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
         ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
-        assert ctrl._pending_version == '2.0.0'
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Pending version — skip redundant downloads
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-class TestPendingVersion:
-    """Verify behaviour when an update is already downloaded and pending."""
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def test_check_skips_download_when_version_already_pending() -> None:
-        """Re-checking the same version should restore ready state, not re-download."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
-        ctrl._pending_version = '2.0.0'
-
-        result = UpdateInfo(available=True, current_version=Version('1.0.0'), latest_version=Version('2.0.0'))
-
-        with patch.object(ctrl, '_start_download') as mock_dl:
-            ctrl._on_check_finished(result, silent=True)
-
-        mock_dl.assert_not_called()
-        assert b1.state.name == 'READY'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'READY'
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def test_check_downloads_when_newer_version() -> None:
-        """A different version should trigger a fresh download."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
-        ctrl._pending_version = '1.5.0'
-
-        result = UpdateInfo(available=True, current_version=Version('1.0.0'), latest_version=Version('2.0.0'))
-
-        with patch.object(ctrl, '_start_download') as mock_dl:
-            ctrl._on_check_finished(result, silent=True)
-
-        mock_dl.assert_called_once_with('2.0.0')
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_with(
+            'v2.0.0 ready',
+            UPDATE_STATUS_UP_TO_DATE_STYLE,
+        )
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_do_check_preserves_banner_when_pending() -> None:
-        """set_checking should NOT be called when an update is already pending."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
-        ctrl._pending_version = '2.0.0'
-
-        with patch('asyncio.create_task'):
-            ctrl._do_check(silent=True)
+    def test_no_auto_apply_shows_restart_button() -> None:
+        """When auto_apply=False, the restart button should be shown in settings."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=False)
+        ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
-        settings.set_checking.assert_not_called()
+        settings.show_restart_button.assert_called_once()
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_do_check_shows_checking_when_no_pending() -> None:
-        """set_checking should be called when there is no pending update."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+    def test_user_active_shows_restart_button() -> None:
+        """When user is active, the restart button should be shown in settings."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(
+            auto_apply=True,
+            is_user_active=True,
+        )
 
-        with patch('asyncio.create_task'):
-            ctrl._do_check(silent=True)
+        with patch.object(ctrl, '_apply_update'):
+            ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
-        settings.set_checking.assert_called_once()
+        settings.show_restart_button.assert_called_once()
 
     @staticmethod
-    def test_apply_clears_pending_version() -> None:
-        """_apply_update should clear _pending_version."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
-        ctrl._pending_version = '2.0.0'
-        ctrl._apply_update()
+    def test_download_failure_shows_error() -> None:
+        """A failed download should show an error banner."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl._on_download_finished(False, '2.0.0')
 
-        assert ctrl._pending_version is None
+        assert banner.state.name == 'ERROR'
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_with('Download failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -294,7 +244,7 @@ class TestUserActiveGating:
     @staticmethod
     def test_auto_check_always_runs() -> None:
         """_on_auto_check should call _do_check even when user is active."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(is_user_active=True)
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller(is_user_active=True)
 
         with patch.object(ctrl, '_do_check') as mock_check:
             ctrl._on_auto_check()
@@ -304,7 +254,7 @@ def test_auto_check_always_runs() -> None:
     @staticmethod
     def test_manual_check_unaffected_by_active_user() -> None:
         """_on_manual_check should always call _do_check regardless of user activity."""
-        ctrl, _app, _client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(is_user_active=True)
+        ctrl, _app, _client, banner, settings = _make_controller(is_user_active=True)
 
         with patch.object(ctrl, '_do_check') as mock_check:
             ctrl._on_manual_check()
@@ -313,8 +263,8 @@ def test_manual_check_unaffected_by_active_user() -> None:
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_auto_apply_deferred_when_user_active() -> None:
-        """When auto_apply=True but user is active, show READY banners instead of applying."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(
+        """When auto_apply=True but user is active, show READY banner instead of applying."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(
             auto_apply=True,
             is_user_active=True,
         )
@@ -323,13 +273,12 @@ def test_auto_apply_deferred_when_user_active() -> None:
             ctrl._on_download_finished(True, '2.0.0')
 
         mock_apply.assert_not_called()
-        assert b1.state.name == 'READY'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'READY'
+        assert banner.state.name == 'READY'
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_auto_apply_proceeds_when_user_inactive() -> None:
         """When auto_apply=True and user is inactive, _apply_update is called."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(
             auto_apply=True,
             is_user_active=False,
         )
@@ -369,7 +318,7 @@ class TestApplyUpdate:
     @staticmethod
     def test_apply_update_calls_client_and_quits() -> None:
         """_apply_update should call client.apply_update_on_exit and app.quit."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         ctrl._apply_update()
 
         client.apply_update_on_exit.assert_called_once_with(restart=True, silent=False)
@@ -378,13 +327,21 @@ def test_apply_update_calls_client_and_quits() -> None:
     @staticmethod
     def test_apply_update_noop_without_updater() -> None:
         """_apply_update should be a no-op when client.updater is None."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         client.updater = None
         ctrl._apply_update()
 
         client.apply_update_on_exit.assert_not_called()
         app.quit.assert_not_called()
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_restart_requested_signal_triggers_apply() -> None:
+        """The settings restart_requested signal should be connected to _apply_update."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
+
+        # Verify the signal was connected
+        settings.restart_requested.connect.assert_called_once_with(ctrl._apply_update)
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Settings changed → immediate check
@@ -397,7 +354,7 @@ class TestSettingsChanged:
     @staticmethod
     def test_settings_changed_triggers_reinit_and_check() -> None:
         """Changing settings should reinitialise the updater and check."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
 
         new_config = _make_config(update_channel='dev')
 
@@ -413,7 +370,7 @@ def test_settings_changed_triggers_reinit_and_check() -> None:
     @staticmethod
     def test_settings_changed_updates_auto_apply() -> None:
         """Changing settings should update the auto_apply flag."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller(auto_apply=True)
 
         new_config = _make_config(auto_apply=False)
 
@@ -434,20 +391,26 @@ def test_settings_changed_updates_auto_apply() -> None:
 class TestCheckError:
     """Verify _on_check_error routes errors correctly."""
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def test_check_error_sets_failed_status() -> None:
+        """An exception during check should set 'Check failed' status."""
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl._on_check_error('connection refused', silent=False)
+
+        settings.set_update_status.assert_called_with('Check failed', UPDATE_STATUS_ERROR_STYLE)
+
     @staticmethod
     def test_check_error_shows_banner_when_not_silent() -> None:
         """An exception during check should show banner when not silent."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         ctrl._on_check_error('timeout', silent=False)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'ERROR'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'ERROR'
+        assert banner.state.name == 'ERROR'
 
     @staticmethod
     def test_check_error_no_banner_when_silent() -> None:
         """An exception during check should NOT show banner when silent."""
-        ctrl, app, client, b1, b2, settings = _make_controller()
+        ctrl, app, client, banner, settings = _make_controller()
         ctrl._on_check_error('timeout', silent=True)
 
-        assert b1.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
-        assert b2.state.name == 'HIDDEN'
+        assert banner.state.name == 'HIDDEN'