diff --git a/.idea/deploymentTargetSelector.xml b/.idea/deploymentTargetSelector.xml
index 5992046..4136990 100644
--- a/.idea/deploymentTargetSelector.xml
+++ b/.idea/deploymentTargetSelector.xml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     <selectionStates>
       <SelectionState runConfigName="app">
         <option name="selectionMode" value="DROPDOWN" />
-        <DropdownSelection timestamp="2026-06-23T12:53:26.691218732Z">
+        <DropdownSelection timestamp="2026-06-24T07:49:03.527980803Z">
           <Target type="DEFAULT_BOOT">
             <handle>
               <DeviceId pluginId="PhysicalDevice" identifier="serial=RFCY20YA30P" />
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/MusicRepository.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/MusicRepository.kt
index 41d56bf..498ba4b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/MusicRepository.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/MusicRepository.kt
@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ class MusicRepository(context: Context) {
 
     /** Toggle favorite state for a recording. */
     suspend fun setFavorite(id: String, favorite: Boolean) = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
-        dao.setFavorite(id, favorite)
+        // Record WHEN it was favorited so the favorites group can be ordered in
+        // insertion order. 0 when unfavorited.
+        val timestamp = if (favorite) System.currentTimeMillis() else 0L
+        dao.setFavorite(id, favorite, timestamp)
     }
 
     /** Clear the "new" badge for a recording (called when play is first pressed). */
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/SyncManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/SyncManager.kt
index d31e854..c523f21 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/SyncManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/SyncManager.kt
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ class SyncManager(private val context: Context) {
                     cachedAudioPath = if (keepPaths) existingEntity?.cachedAudioPath else null,
                     cachedMidiPath = if (keepPaths) existingEntity?.cachedMidiPath else null,
                     isFavorite = existingEntity?.isFavorite ?: false,
-                    isNew = existingEntity?.isNew ?: false
+                    isNew = existingEntity?.isNew ?: false,
+                    favoritedAt = existingEntity?.favoritedAt ?: 0L
                 )
             }
             dao.upsert(entitiesToUpsert)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/AppDatabase.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/AppDatabase.kt
index 8cc0575..e59b22f 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/AppDatabase.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/AppDatabase.kt
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import androidx.room.Database
 import androidx.room.Room
 import androidx.room.RoomDatabase
 
-@Database(entities = [RecordingEntity::class], version = 2, exportSchema = false)
+@Database(entities = [RecordingEntity::class], version = 3, exportSchema = false)
 abstract class AppDatabase : RoomDatabase() {
 
     abstract fun recordingDao(): RecordingDao
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/EntityMappers.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/EntityMappers.kt
index 5faf4a5..f89f1f0 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/EntityMappers.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/EntityMappers.kt
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ fun RecordingEntity.toDomainOrNull(): Recording? {
         soundStartSeconds = soundStartSeconds,
         fileSize = fileSize,
         isFavorite = isFavorite,
-        isNew = isNew
+        isNew = isNew,
+        favoritedAt = favoritedAt
     )
 }
 
@@ -39,7 +40,8 @@ fun Recording.toEntity(
     cachedAudioPath: String? = null,
     cachedMidiPath: String? = null,
     isFavorite: Boolean = false,
-    isNew: Boolean = false
+    isNew: Boolean = false,
+    favoritedAt: Long = 0L
 ): RecordingEntity = RecordingEntity(
     id = id,
     date = date.format(DATE_FORMAT),
@@ -56,5 +58,6 @@ fun Recording.toEntity(
     cachedAudioPath = cachedAudioPath,
     cachedMidiPath = cachedMidiPath,
     isFavorite = isFavorite,
-    isNew = isNew
+    isNew = isNew,
+    favoritedAt = favoritedAt
 )
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingDao.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingDao.kt
index 766eca4..7b34d78 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingDao.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingDao.kt
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ interface RecordingDao {
 
     // -- favorite / new state --
 
-    @Query("UPDATE recordings SET isFavorite = :favorite WHERE id = :id")
-    suspend fun setFavorite(id: String, favorite: Boolean)
+    @Query("UPDATE recordings SET isFavorite = :favorite, favoritedAt = :favoritedAt WHERE id = :id")
+    suspend fun setFavorite(id: String, favorite: Boolean, favoritedAt: Long)
 
     @Query("UPDATE recordings SET isNew = :isNew WHERE id = :id")
     suspend fun setNew(id: String, isNew: Boolean)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingEntity.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingEntity.kt
index a2ab0e2..6c56658 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingEntity.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/data/local/RecordingEntity.kt
@@ -21,5 +21,8 @@ data class RecordingEntity(
     val cachedMidiPath: String? = null,
     // -- local-only state (never sent by server) --
     val isFavorite: Boolean = false,
-    val isNew: Boolean = false
+    val isNew: Boolean = false,
+    // Epoch millis when this was favorited; 0 when not favorited.
+    // Used to order the favorites group in insertion order (oldest first).
+    val favoritedAt: Long = 0L
 )
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/domain/Recording.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/domain/Recording.kt
index b23d6d1..2020ada 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/domain/Recording.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/domain/Recording.kt
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ data class Recording(
     val soundStartSeconds: Double,
     val fileSize: Long,
     val isFavorite: Boolean = false,
-    val isNew: Boolean = false
+    val isNew: Boolean = false,
+    val favoritedAt: Long = 0L
 ) {
     val hasMidi: Boolean get() = midiFileName != null
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/MiniPlayer.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/MiniPlayer.kt
index 679121e..0401d44 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/MiniPlayer.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/MiniPlayer.kt
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ fun MiniPlayer(
     Surface(
         modifier = modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
         color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.surfaceVariant,
+        shape = RoundedCornerShape(topStart = 16.dp, topEnd = 16.dp),
         tonalElevation = 3.dp,
         shadowElevation = 8.dp
     ) {
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ fun MiniPlayer(
     }
 }
 
-/** Milliseconds → "m:ss". Negative/unknown durations render as 0:00. */
+/** Milliseconds to "m:ss". Negative/unknown durations render as 0:00. */
 private fun formatTime(ms: Long): String {
     val totalSeconds = (ms.coerceAtLeast(0L) / 1000L).toInt()
     val minutes = totalSeconds / 60
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingItem.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingItem.kt
index b2b000f..ec2cb04 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingItem.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingItem.kt
@@ -3,21 +3,23 @@ package com.keylightpiano.pianotimeline.ui
 import androidx.compose.animation.core.Animatable
 import androidx.compose.animation.core.Spring
 import androidx.compose.animation.core.spring
-import androidx.compose.foundation.BorderStroke
 import androidx.compose.foundation.ExperimentalFoundationApi
+import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.basicMarquee
 import androidx.compose.foundation.combinedClickable
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.PaddingValues
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Row
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Spacer
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxWidth
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
+import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Block
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.MusicNote
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Star
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.outlined.StarBorder
 import androidx.compose.material3.Card
@@ -25,10 +27,11 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.CardDefaults
 import androidx.compose.material3.DropdownMenu
 import androidx.compose.material3.DropdownMenuItem
 import androidx.compose.material3.FilledTonalIconButton
+import androidx.compose.material3.HorizontalDivider
 import androidx.compose.material3.Icon
 import androidx.compose.material3.IconButton
+import androidx.compose.material3.IconButtonDefaults
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
-import androidx.compose.material3.OutlinedButton
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
@@ -38,6 +41,7 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.rememberCoroutineScope
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.graphicsLayer
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
@@ -60,13 +64,14 @@ fun RecordingItem(
     isPlaying: Boolean,
     onPlayClick: () -> Unit,
     onFavoriteClick: () -> Unit,
-    onNotesClick: (() -> Unit)?,
+    onNotesClick: (() -> Unit)?,           // null = no MIDI -> Notes button disabled
     onShareAudio: () -> Unit,
     onShareVisualization: (() -> Unit)?,   // null when no MIDI
     onCopyLink: () -> Unit,
     modifier: Modifier = Modifier
 ) {
     var menuExpanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    val hasMidi = onNotesClick != null
 
     Box(modifier = modifier.fillMaxWidth()) {
         Card(
@@ -81,142 +86,174 @@ fun RecordingItem(
             ),
             elevation = CardDefaults.cardElevation(defaultElevation = 1.dp)
         ) {
-            Row(
+            Column(
                 modifier = Modifier
                     .fillMaxWidth()
-                    .padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 10.dp),
-                verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically
+                    .padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 10.dp)
             ) {
-                FilledTonalIconButton(
-                    onClick = onPlayClick,
-                    modifier = Modifier.size(44.dp)
+                // Date row (own line at the very top) — favorite star on the right
+                Row(
+                    verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+                    modifier = Modifier
+                        .fillMaxWidth()
+                        .padding(bottom = 6.dp)
                 ) {
-                    Icon(
-                        painter = painterResource(
-                            if (isPlaying) android.R.drawable.ic_media_pause
-                            else android.R.drawable.ic_media_play
-                        ),
-                        contentDescription = stringResource(if (isPlaying) R.string.cd_pause else R.string.cd_play),
-                        modifier = Modifier.size(22.dp)
-                    )
-                }
-
-                Spacer(Modifier.width(12.dp))
-
-                Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
                     Text(
-                        text = recording.artist,
-                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelMedium,
-                        color = Color(0xFFE6A900),
-                        maxLines = 1,
-                        overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis
+                        text = recording.formattedDate,
+                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                        color = Color(0xFFA3D1FF)
                     )
-                    Text(
-                        text = recording.title,
-                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyLarge,
-                        fontWeight = FontWeight.Medium,
-                        color = if (isPlaying) PlayingRed
-                                else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface,
-                        maxLines = 1,
-                        modifier = Modifier.basicMarquee(
-                            iterations = Int.MAX_VALUE,
-                            repeatDelayMillis = 2000,
-                            initialDelayMillis = 3000,
-                            velocity = 30.dp
-                        )
-                    )
-                    Row(
-                        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
-                        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically
-                    ) {
-                        Text(
-                            text = recording.formattedDate,
-                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                            color = Color(0xFFA3D1FF)
-                        )
-                        Text("\u00B7", style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                            color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant)
-                        Text(
-                            text = recording.formattedDuration,
-                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                            color = Color(0xFFA3FFBC)
-                        )
-                        Text("\u00B7", style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                            color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant)
-                        Text(
-                            text = recording.performanceLabel,
-                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
-                            color = Color(0xFF999999)
-                        )
-                    }
-                }
 
-                // Favorite star with a spring "pop" on each tap.
-                val starScale = remember { Animatable(1f) }
-                val starScope = rememberCoroutineScope()
-                IconButton(
-                    onClick = {
-                        onFavoriteClick()
-                        starScope.launch {
-                            // Pop up then settle back with a springy overshoot.
-                            starScale.snapTo(0.6f)
-                            starScale.animateTo(
-                                targetValue = 1f,
-                                animationSpec = spring(
-                                    dampingRatio = Spring.DampingRatioMediumBouncy,
-                                    stiffness = Spring.StiffnessMedium
-                                )
+                    // "NEW" badge — shown until the recording is first played.
+                    if (recording.isNew) {
+                        Spacer(Modifier.width(8.dp))
+                        Box(
+                            modifier = Modifier
+                                .clip(RoundedCornerShape(4.dp))
+                                .background(NewBadgeRed)
+                                .padding(horizontal = 6.dp, vertical = 1.dp)
+                        ) {
+                            Text(
+                                text = stringResource(R.string.badge_new),
+                                style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelSmall,
+                                fontWeight = FontWeight.Bold,
+                                color = Color.White
                             )
                         }
-                    },
-                    modifier = Modifier.size(36.dp)
-                ) {
-                    Icon(
-                        imageVector = if (recording.isFavorite) Icons.Filled.Star
-                                      else Icons.Outlined.StarBorder,
-                        contentDescription = stringResource(if (recording.isFavorite) R.string.cd_unfavorite else R.string.cd_favorite),
-                        tint = if (recording.isFavorite) Color(0xFFFFC107)
-                               else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                        modifier = Modifier
-                            .size(20.dp)
-                            .graphicsLayer {
-                                scaleX = starScale.value
-                                scaleY = starScale.value
+                    }
+
+                    Spacer(Modifier.weight(1f))
+
+                    // Favorite star with a spring "pop" on each tap.
+                    val starScale = remember { Animatable(1f) }
+                    val starScope = rememberCoroutineScope()
+                    IconButton(
+                        onClick = {
+                            onFavoriteClick()
+                            starScope.launch {
+                                starScale.snapTo(0.6f)
+                                starScale.animateTo(
+                                    targetValue = 1f,
+                                    animationSpec = spring(
+                                        dampingRatio = Spring.DampingRatioMediumBouncy,
+                                        stiffness = Spring.StiffnessMedium
+                                    )
+                                )
                             }
-                    )
+                        },
+                        modifier = Modifier.size(28.dp)
+                    ) {
+                        Icon(
+                            imageVector = if (recording.isFavorite) Icons.Filled.Star
+                                          else Icons.Outlined.StarBorder,
+                            contentDescription = stringResource(if (recording.isFavorite) R.string.cd_unfavorite else R.string.cd_favorite),
+                            tint = if (recording.isFavorite) Color(0xFFFFC107)
+                                   else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                            modifier = Modifier
+                                .size(20.dp)
+                                .graphicsLayer {
+                                    scaleX = starScale.value
+                                    scaleY = starScale.value
+                                }
+                        )
+                    }
                 }
 
-                if (onNotesClick != null) {
-                    Spacer(Modifier.width(4.dp))
-                    OutlinedButton(
-                        onClick = onNotesClick,
-                        modifier = Modifier.size(width = 60.dp, height = 32.dp),
-                        contentPadding = PaddingValues(0.dp),
-                        border = BorderStroke(1.5.dp, NotesGreen)
+                // Main row: play - artist/title - star - notes
+                Row(
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                    verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically
+                ) {
+                    FilledTonalIconButton(
+                        onClick = onPlayClick,
+                        modifier = Modifier.size(44.dp)
                     ) {
+                        Icon(
+                            painter = painterResource(
+                                if (isPlaying) android.R.drawable.ic_media_pause
+                                else android.R.drawable.ic_media_play
+                            ),
+                            contentDescription = stringResource(if (isPlaying) R.string.cd_pause else R.string.cd_play),
+                            modifier = Modifier.size(22.dp)
+                        )
+                    }
+
+                    Spacer(Modifier.width(12.dp))
+
+                    Column(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f)) {
                         Text(
-                            stringResource(R.string.notes),
-                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelSmall,
-                            color = NotesGreen
+                            text = recording.artist,
+                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelMedium,
+                            color = Color(0xFFE6A900),
+                            maxLines = 1,
+                            overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis
+                        )
+                        Text(
+                            text = recording.title,
+                            style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyLarge,
+                            fontWeight = FontWeight.Medium,
+                            color = if (isPlaying) PlayingRed
+                                    else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface,
+                            maxLines = 1,
+                            modifier = Modifier.basicMarquee(
+                                iterations = Int.MAX_VALUE,
+                                repeatDelayMillis = 2000,
+                                initialDelayMillis = 3000,
+                                velocity = 30.dp
+                            )
+                        )
+                        Row(
+                            horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
+                            verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically
+                        ) {
+                            Text(
+                                text = recording.formattedDuration,
+                                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                                color = Color(0xFFA3FFBC)
+                            )
+                            Text("\u00B7", style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                                color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant)
+                            Text(
+                                text = recording.performanceLabel,
+                                style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                                color = Color(0xFF999999)
+                            )
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    Spacer(Modifier.width(4.dp))
+
+                    // Notes button - round, always present. Enabled only when a MIDI
+                    // file exists; disabled with a "blocked" icon otherwise.
+                    FilledTonalIconButton(
+                        onClick = { onNotesClick?.invoke() },
+                        enabled = hasMidi,
+                        modifier = Modifier.size(44.dp),
+                        colors = IconButtonDefaults.filledTonalIconButtonColors(
+                            containerColor = if (hasMidi) NotesGreen.copy(alpha = 0.18f)
+                                             else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.surfaceVariant
+                        )
+                    ) {
+                        Icon(
+                            imageVector = if (hasMidi) Icons.Filled.MusicNote else Icons.Filled.Block,
+                            contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.notes),
+                            tint = if (hasMidi) NotesGreen
+                                   else MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant.copy(alpha = 0.5f),
+                            modifier = Modifier.size(22.dp)
                         )
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
 
-        // "New" badge: a small red dot in the top-right corner
-        if (recording.isNew) {
-            androidx.compose.foundation.Canvas(
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .align(Alignment.TopEnd)
-                    .padding(6.dp)
-                    .size(10.dp)
-            ) {
-                drawCircle(color = NewBadgeRed)
-            }
-        }
+        // Bottom divider between cards
+        HorizontalDivider(
+            modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.BottomCenter),
+            thickness = 1.dp,
+            color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface.copy(alpha = 0.08f)
+        )
 
-        // Long-press context menu (extensible — more actions can be added later)
+        // Long-press context menu (extensible - more actions can be added later)
         DropdownMenu(
             expanded = menuExpanded,
             onDismissRequest = { menuExpanded = false }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListScreen.kt
index da885ba..ca653b5 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListScreen.kt
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
-import androidx.compose.runtime.rememberCoroutineScope
 import androidx.compose.runtime.saveable.rememberSaveable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
@@ -62,7 +61,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.lifecycle.compose.collectAsStateWithLifecycle
 import androidx.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.viewModel
 import com.keylightpiano.pianotimeline.R
-import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
 import com.keylightpiano.pianotimeline.domain.Recording
 
 @OptIn(ExperimentalMaterial3Api::class, ExperimentalLayoutApi::class)
@@ -110,15 +108,45 @@ fun RecordingListScreen(
         wasRefreshing = isRefreshing
     }
 
-    // Favoriting reorders the list (favorites float to the top). We let the
-    // LazyColumn's animateItem() handle the visual feedback — the toggled card
-    // visibly slides to its new position rather than vanishing under the finger.
-    // We intentionally do NOT force-restore scroll here; the viewport stays put
-    // while items animate to their new spots.
+    // Favoriting/unfavoriting reorders the list. animateItem() animates the
+    // toggled card to its new spot, but we also want the VIEWPORT to stay put so
+    // the list doesn't jump to follow an item that moved far away (e.g.
+    // unfavoriting something near the top sends it way down).
+    //
+    // Strategy: just before toggling, remember the id + pixel offset of the item
+    // currently at the top of the viewport. After the list reorders, scroll back
+    // to that same item. Because the anchor is a STABLE item (not the one that
+    // moved), the restore lands cleanly and the animation still plays.
+    var pendingAnchor by remember { mutableStateOf<Pair<String, Int>?>(null) }
+
     val onFavoriteToggle: (Recording) -> Unit = { recording ->
+        // Anchor to the first visible item that ISN'T the one being toggled —
+        // anchoring to the toggled item would make the viewport chase it as it
+        // moves. Fall back to no anchor if the toggled item is the only visible one.
+        val firstVisibleIndex = listState.firstVisibleItemIndex
+        val anchorId = (firstVisibleIndex until recordings.size)
+            .asSequence()
+            .map { recordings[it].id }
+            .firstOrNull { it != recording.id }
+        if (anchorId != null) {
+            val offset = if (recordings.getOrNull(firstVisibleIndex)?.id == anchorId)
+                listState.firstVisibleItemScrollOffset else 0
+            pendingAnchor = anchorId to offset
+        }
         vm.toggleFavorite(recording)
     }
 
+    // Restore the viewport to the anchored item once the reordered list arrives.
+    LaunchedEffect(recordings) {
+        val anchor = pendingAnchor ?: return@LaunchedEffect
+        val (anchorId, offset) = anchor
+        val newIndex = recordings.indexOfFirst { it.id == anchorId }
+        if (newIndex >= 0) {
+            listState.scrollToItem(newIndex, offset)
+        }
+        pendingAnchor = null
+    }
+
     // Deep link: when the VM requests scrolling to a specific entry, find its
     // index in the current visible list and scroll there.
     val scrollToId by vm.scrollToId.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListViewModel.kt
index 25f9c81..3c0dcab 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/keylightpiano/pianotimeline/ui/RecordingListViewModel.kt
@@ -148,13 +148,16 @@ class RecordingListViewModel(app: Application) : AndroidViewModel(app) {
         _hiddenArtists,
         _hiddenYears
     ) { all, query, sort, hidden, hiddenYears ->
-        all.filterByArtist(hidden)
+        val filteredSorted = all.filterByArtist(hidden)
             .filterByYear(hiddenYears)
             .filterBySearch(query)
             .sortedWith(sort.comparator())
-            // Favorites float to the top, preserving the sort order within each group.
-            // sortedBy is a STABLE sort, so this keeps the existing relative order.
-            .sortedByDescending { it.isFavorite }
+        // Split into favorites and the rest. Favorites sit at the top, ordered by
+        // WHEN they were favorited (oldest first → newest favorite at the bottom
+        // of the group), which reads as insertion order. Non-favorites keep the
+        // user's chosen sort.
+        val (favorites, others) = filteredSorted.partition { it.isFavorite }
+        favorites.sortedBy { it.favoritedAt } + others
     }.stateIn(viewModelScope, SharingStarted.WhileSubscribed(5000), emptyList())
 
     // ── Init: run sync on creation ─────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-es/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-es/strings.xml
index 7dab319..46072de 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values-es/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-es/strings.xml
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
     <string name="cd_favorite">A\u00F1adir a favoritos</string>
     <string name="cd_unfavorite">Quitar de favoritos</string>
     <string name="notes">Notas</string>
+    <string name="badge_new">NUEVO</string>
 
     <!-- Long-press menu -->
     <string name="menu_share_audio">Compartir audio</string>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-it/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-it/strings.xml
index 979006a..10b7406 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values-it/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-it/strings.xml
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
     <string name="cd_favorite">Aggiungi ai preferiti</string>
     <string name="cd_unfavorite">Rimuovi dai preferiti</string>
     <string name="notes">Note</string>
+    <string name="badge_new">NUOVO</string>
 
     <!-- Long-press menu -->
     <string name="menu_share_audio">Condividi audio</string>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index a6196ed..99cb22e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
     <string name="cd_favorite">Favorite</string>
     <string name="cd_unfavorite">Unfavorite</string>
     <string name="notes">Notes</string>
+    <string name="badge_new">NEW</string>
 
     <!-- Long-press menu -->
     <string name="menu_share_audio">Share audio</string>