diff --git a/Yattee/Services/Player/PlayerService.swift b/Yattee/Services/Player/PlayerService.swift
index a685f4f1..e95645f0 100644
--- a/Yattee/Services/Player/PlayerService.swift
+++ b/Yattee/Services/Player/PlayerService.swift
@@ -2563,8 +2563,10 @@ final class PlayerService {
         let completedDuration = video.duration > 0 ? video.duration : state.duration
         guard completedDuration > 0 else { return }
 
-        // Save the full duration as watched time when video completes
-        dataManager.updateWatchProgressLocal(for: video, seconds: completedDuration, duration: completedDuration)
+        // Save the full duration as watched time and queue for iCloud sync.
+        // This is the only save for a naturally finished video — play() skips
+        // saveProgressAndSync() when videoEndedNaturally is set.
+        dataManager.updateWatchProgress(for: video, seconds: completedDuration, duration: completedDuration)
 
         // Update Handoff activity with completed time
         handoffManager?.updatePlaybackTime(completedDuration)
@@ -2584,6 +2586,12 @@ final class PlayerService {
         NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .watchHistoryDidChange, object: nil)
     }
 
+    /// Saves current progress and queues it for iCloud sync without ending playback.
+    /// Called when the app enters background so the position reaches other devices.
+    func syncWatchProgress() {
+        saveProgressAndSync()
+    }
+
     private func checkSponsorBlockSegments(at time: Double) {
         // Read settings - use defaults if settings manager not available
         let enabled = settingsManager?.sponsorBlockEnabled ?? true
diff --git a/Yattee/YatteeApp.swift b/Yattee/YatteeApp.swift
index 9dd6dfd1..8e58a26e 100644
--- a/Yattee/YatteeApp.swift
+++ b/Yattee/YatteeApp.swift
@@ -282,6 +282,8 @@ struct YatteeApp: App {
             // Flush pending CloudKit changes when entering background
             if newPhase == .background {
                 appEnvironment.cloudKitSync.stopForegroundPolling()
+                // Queue current watch progress so the position reaches other devices
+                appEnvironment.playerService.syncWatchProgress()
                 Task {
                     await appEnvironment.cloudKitSync.flushPendingChanges()
                 }
@@ -330,6 +332,8 @@ struct YatteeApp: App {
             // Flush pending CloudKit changes when entering background
             if newPhase == .background {
                 appEnvironment.cloudKitSync.stopForegroundPolling()
+                // Queue current watch progress so the position reaches other devices
+                appEnvironment.playerService.syncWatchProgress()
 
                 #if os(iOS)
                 // Persist pending SwiftData changes and run the CloudKit flush