diff --git a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/index.ts b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/index.ts
index d476514f8d..f3d5ebd0fc 100644
--- a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/index.ts
+++ b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/index.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import type { ScenarioGroup } from '@apps/tests/shared/helpers';
 import TestTabsSimpleNav from './test-tabs-simple-nav';
 import TestTabsPreventNativeSelection from './test-tabs-prevent-native-selection';
 import TestTabsStaleStateUpdateRejection from './test-tabs-stale-update-rejection';
-import TabBarAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab from './test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab';
+import TestTabsAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab from './test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab';
 import TestTabsTabBarColorScheme from './test-tabs-tab-bar-color-scheme';
 import TestTabsOverrideScrollViewContentInset from './test-tabs-override-scroll-view-content-inset-ios';
 import TestTabsTabBarHidden from './test-tabs-tab-bar-hidden';
@@ -26,11 +26,13 @@ import TestTabsBottomAccessory from './test-tabs-bottom-accessory-layout-ios';
 import TestTabsScreenOrientation from './test-tabs-screen-orientation';
 import TestTabsTabBarExperimentalUserInterfaceStyle from './test-tabs-tab-bar-experimental-user-interface-style-ios';
 
+export { TestTabsAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab } from './test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab';
+
 const scenarios = {
   TestTabsSimpleNav,
   TestTabsPreventNativeSelection,
   TestTabsStaleStateUpdateRejection,
-  TabBarAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab,
+  TestTabsAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab,
   TestTabsTabBarColorScheme,
   TestTabsOverrideScrollViewContentInset,
   TestTabsTabBarHidden,
diff --git a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/index.tsx b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/index.tsx
index 8086af8077..292a67013f 100644
--- a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/index.tsx
@@ -31,13 +31,8 @@ const DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_ANDROID: TabsScreenAppearanceAndroid = {
   },
   tabBarItemActiveIndicatorEnabled: true,
   tabBarItemActiveIndicatorColor: Colors.GreenLight40,
-  tabBarItemTitleSmallLabelFontSize: 10,
-  tabBarItemTitleLargeLabelFontSize: 16,
-  tabBarItemTitleFontFamily: 'monospace',
-  tabBarItemTitleFontStyle: 'italic',
-  tabBarItemTitleFontWeight: 700,
-  tabBarItemBadgeTextColor: Colors.RedDark120,
-  tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.RedDark40,
+  tabBarItemBadgeTextColor: Colors.White,
+  tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.GreenDark100,
 };
 
 const DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS: TabsScreenAppearanceIOS = {
@@ -47,24 +42,49 @@ const DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS: TabsScreenAppearanceIOS = {
     normal: {
       tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.BlueLight100,
       tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.BlueLight40,
-      tabBarItemTitleFontSize: 12,
-      tabBarItemTitleFontFamily: 'Courier',
-      tabBarItemTitleFontStyle: 'italic',
-      tabBarItemTitleFontWeight: '700',
-      tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.RedDark40,
+      tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.GreenDark100,
     },
     selected: {
       tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.GreenLight100,
       tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.GreenLight40,
     },
-    focused: {
+  },
+};
+
+const TAB2_APPEARANCE_IOS: TabsScreenAppearanceIOS = {
+  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
+  tabBarBackgroundColor: Colors.PurpleDark100,
+  stacked: {
+    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
+    normal: {
+      ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
       tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.YellowDark100,
       tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.YellowDark40,
     },
+    selected: {
+      ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.selected,
+      tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedDark100,
+      tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedDark80,
+      tabBarItemTitleFontStyle: 'italic',
+      tabBarItemTitleFontSize: 16,
+      tabBarItemTitleFontFamily: 'Courier',
+      tabBarItemTitleFontWeight: '700',
+    },
   },
 };
 
-export function TabScreen() {
+const TAB3_APPEARANCE_IOS: TabsScreenAppearanceIOS = {
+  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
+  stacked: {
+    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
+    normal: {
+      ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
+      tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.RedDark100,
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+function TabScreen() {
   const navigation = useTabsNavigationContext();
   return (
     <CenteredLayoutView>
@@ -85,7 +105,7 @@ export function TabScreen() {
   );
 }
 
-export function TabsRouteInformation() {
+function TabsRouteInformation() {
   const navigation = useTabsNavigationContext();
 
   return (
@@ -95,7 +115,7 @@ export function TabsRouteInformation() {
   );
 }
 
-export function App() {
+export function TestTabsAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab() {
   return (
     <TabsContainer
       routeConfigs={[
@@ -139,50 +159,8 @@ export function App() {
                 type: 'templateSource',
                 templateSource: require('@assets/variableIcons/icon.png'),
               },
-              standardAppearance: {
-                ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
-                tabBarBackgroundColor: Colors.PurpleDark100,
-                stacked: {
-                  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
-                  normal: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.YellowDark100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.YellowDark40,
-                  },
-                  selected: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.selected,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedDark100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedDark40,
-                  },
-                  focused: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.focused,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedLight100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedLight40,
-                  },
-                },
-              },
-              scrollEdgeAppearance: {
-                ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
-                tabBarBackgroundColor: Colors.PurpleDark100,
-                stacked: {
-                  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
-                  normal: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.YellowDark100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.YellowDark40,
-                  },
-                  selected: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.selected,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedDark100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedDark40,
-                  },
-                  focused: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.focused,
-                    tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedLight100,
-                    tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedLight40,
-                  },
-                },
-              },
+              standardAppearance: TAB2_APPEARANCE_IOS,
+              scrollEdgeAppearance: TAB2_APPEARANCE_IOS,
             },
             android: {
               icon: {
@@ -191,6 +169,11 @@ export function App() {
               },
               standardAppearance: {
                 ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_ANDROID,
+                tabBarItemTitleSmallLabelFontSize: 10,
+                tabBarItemTitleLargeLabelFontSize: 16,
+                tabBarItemTitleFontFamily: 'monospace',
+                tabBarItemTitleFontStyle: 'italic',
+                tabBarItemTitleFontWeight: 700,
                 tabBarBackgroundColor: Colors.PurpleDark100,
                 tabBarItemRippleColor: Colors.PurpleDark40,
                 normal: {
@@ -199,11 +182,11 @@ export function App() {
                 },
                 selected: {
                   tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedDark100,
-                  tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedDark40,
+                  tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedDark60,
                 },
                 focused: {
                   tabBarItemIconColor: Colors.RedLight100,
-                  tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedLight40,
+                  tabBarItemTitleFontColor: Colors.RedLight60,
                 },
                 tabBarItemActiveIndicatorColor: Colors.PurpleDark120,
               },
@@ -215,31 +198,14 @@ export function App() {
           Component: TabScreen,
           options: {
             title: 'Tab3',
+            badgeValue: '123',
             ios: {
               icon: {
                 type: 'templateSource',
                 templateSource: require('@assets/variableIcons/icon_fill.png'),
               },
-              standardAppearance: {
-                ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
-                stacked: {
-                  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
-                  normal: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
-                    tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.GreenDark40,
-                  },
-                },
-              },
-              scrollEdgeAppearance: {
-                ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS,
-                stacked: {
-                  ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked,
-                  normal: {
-                    ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_IOS.stacked?.normal,
-                    tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.GreenDark40,
-                  },
-                },
-              },
+              standardAppearance: TAB3_APPEARANCE_IOS,
+              scrollEdgeAppearance: TAB3_APPEARANCE_IOS,
             },
             android: {
               icon: {
@@ -248,8 +214,8 @@ export function App() {
               },
               standardAppearance: {
                 ...DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_ANDROID,
-                tabBarItemBadgeTextColor: Colors.GreenDark120,
-                tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.GreenDark40,
+                tabBarItemBadgeTextColor: Colors.GreenDark100,
+                tabBarItemBadgeBackgroundColor: Colors.RedDark100,
               },
             },
           },
@@ -259,4 +225,4 @@ export function App() {
   );
 }
 
-export default createScenario(App, scenarioDescription);
+export default createScenario(TestTabsAppearanceDefinedBySelectedTab, scenarioDescription);
diff --git a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario-description.ts b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario-description.ts
index c680102d8e..1611522a23 100644
--- a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario-description.ts
+++ b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario-description.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import type { ScenarioDescription } from '@apps/tests/shared/helpers';
 
 export const scenarioDescription: ScenarioDescription = {
-  name: 'Tab Bar Appearance',
+  name: 'Tab-Specific Appearance',
   key: 'test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab',
+  details:
+    'Verifies that the tab bar dynamically updates to reflect the styling of the selected tab.',
   platforms: ['ios', 'android'],
-  e2eCoverage: 'tbd',
+  e2eCoverage: 'incomplete',
   smokeTest: true,
 };
diff --git a/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario.md b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..00915f0afd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/src/tests/single-feature-tests/tabs/test-tabs-appearance-defined-by-selected-tab/scenario.md
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+# Test Scenario: Tab-Specific Appearance
+
+## Details
+
+**Description:** Verifies that each tab can independently define its own
+tab bar visual appearance via per-tab options,
+and that the tab bar updates to reflect the currently selected tab's
+configured appearance whenever the active tab changes.
+
+Three tabs are configured with distinct appearances. Tab switching is possible
+both via the native tab bar items and via
+the in-screen "Select tab N" buttons (which call `navigation.selectTab`).
+
+**OS test creation version:** iOS 18.6, iOS 26.5, Android API Level 36.
+
+## E2E test
+
+Incomplete: Not automated. All observable outcomes are purely visual -
+native tab bar background color, item icon and title colors, active
+indicator color, badge color, and blur effect. Detox does not expose
+color or typography attributes of native tab bar views on either
+platform, making automated assertion infeasible.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- iOS simulator or device (iOS 18 and/or iOS 26).
+- The iPhone in portrait orientation is the primary verification surface (stacked layout).
+- Android emulator or physical device.
+
+## Note
+
+- "Select tab N" buttons use `navigation.selectTab(routeKey)` and
+  must produce the same visual result as tapping the native tab
+  bar item directly.
+- On **iOS 26** (Liquid Glass), `tabBarBackgroundColor` and
+  `tabBarBlurEffect` are inert. The purple / navy background color
+  difference between Tab1 and Tab2 is therefore **not** observable on
+  iOS 26. All other appearance props (icon color, title color) remain
+  relevant.
+- On **iOS 26**, the `normal` (unselected) state appearance is not
+  applied to unselected tabs by UIKit; only the selected state colors are observable.
+- The `tabBarItemRippleColor` (Android) is a **transient** touch
+  animation color visible only while pressing a tab item; it is
+  distinct from the persistent `tabBarItemActiveIndicatorColor` pill.
+- Whenever the test steps mention a single color for an unselected or selected state,
+the icon consistently uses a darker shade than the title. For instance,
+"blue" maps to BlueLight100 for the icon and BlueLight40 for the title,
+a pattern that applies across all green, blue, yellow, and red tab elements.
+
+## Steps - iOS
+
+### Baseline
+
+1. Launch the app and navigate to the
+   **Tab-Specific Appearance** screen.
+
+- [ ] **Tab1** is selected; the screen shows the label "Tab1" and
+  three "Select tab N" buttons.
+- [ ] Three tabs are visible in the tab bar: Tab1, Tab2, Tab3.
+- [ ] The selected Tab1 icon and title are rendered in green.
+- [ ] All tab titles follow system default styling.
+- [ ] The Tab3 badge has value "123" and green background.
+- [ ] **iOS 18:** The tab bar background is dark navy.
+  Unselected tab icons and titles are blue.
+- [ ] **iOS 26:** The tab bar uses Liquid Glass; background color
+  differences are not observable.
+
+---
+
+### Tab2 appearance
+
+2. Tap **Tab2** in the native tab bar.
+
+- [ ] The screen label changes to "Tab2".
+- [ ] The selected Tab2 icon and title change to red.
+- [ ] The selected tab title is rendered in 16pt Courier bold italic.
+Unselected titles rendered in the default system style.
+- [ ] The Tab3 badge still has value "123" and green background.
+- [ ] **iOS 18:** The tab bar background changes to purple. Unselected tab icons
+and titles are yellow.
+
+3. Tap the **"Select tab 1"** button on the Tab2 screen.
+
+- [ ] Tab1 becomes selected (label changes to "Tab1").
+- [ ] The selected Tab1 icon and title colors revert to green selected.
+- [ ] The Tab3 badge still has value "123" and green background.
+- [ ] **iOS 18:** The tab bar background reverts to dark navy. Unselected tab
+icons and titles are blue.
+- [ ] The result is identical to tapping Tab1 in the native tab bar.
+
+---
+
+### Tab3 appearance
+
+4. Tap **Tab3** in the native tab bar.
+
+- [ ] The screen label changes to "Tab3".
+- [ ] The tab badge background changes to red, value remains "123".
+- [ ] The selected Tab3 icon and title are rendered in green.
+- [ ] **iOS 18:** The tab bar background returns to dark navy
+  (same as Tab1). Unselected tab icons and titles are blue.
+
+---
+
+### Stability — rapid tab switchingcd
+
+5. Rapidly tap through Tab1 → Tab2 → Tab3 → Tab1 several times,
+   alternating between native tab bar taps and the in-screen
+   "Select tab N" buttons.
+
+- [ ] The tab bar appearance updates immediately with each tab
+  change — no delayed or stale appearance from a previous tab.
+- [ ] No crash, visual freeze, or incorrect appearance is observed.
+- [ ] The route-key label in the screen center always matches the
+  currently selected tab.
+
+## Steps - Android
+
+### Baseline
+
+1. Launch the app and navigate to the
+   **Tab-Specific Appearance** screen.
+
+- [ ] **Tab1** is selected; the screen shows the label "Tab1" and
+  three "Select tab N" buttons.
+- [ ] Three tabs are visible in the tab bar: Tab1, Tab2, Tab3.
+- [ ] The tab bar background is dark navy.
+- [ ] The selected Tab1 icon and title are green.
+- [ ] Unselected tab icons and titles are blue.
+- [ ] A persistent green pill-shaped active indicator is visible
+  behind the Tab1 icon.
+- [ ] The Tab3 badge displays the value "123" in white text on a green background.
+
+2. Move the focus to Tab3 using the `Tab` key.
+
+- [ ] Tab3 title and icon turn yellow when focused.
+
+---
+
+### Tab2 appearance
+
+3. Tap **Tab2** in the native tab bar.
+
+- [ ] The screen label changes to "Tab2".
+- [ ] The tab bar background changes to purple.
+- [ ] The selected Tab2 icon and title change to red.
+- [ ] Unselected tab icons and titles are yellow.
+- [ ] The active indicator pill changes to purple.
+- [ ] Tab bar labels use the monospace italic font at the configured
+  small (10pt) and large (16pt) label sizes.
+- [ ] The Tab3 badge still has value "123" in white text and green background.
+
+4. Press and hold a non-selected tab item in the tab bar to
+   observe the ripple color while Tab2 is active.
+
+- [ ] A transient purple ripple is visible during the press; it
+  fades on release.
+- [ ] (Compare to Tab1's white translucent ripple when selected.)
+
+5. Tap the **"Select tab 1"** button on the Tab2 screen.
+
+- [ ] Tab1 becomes selected (label changes to "Tab1").
+- [ ] The tab bar background reverts to dark navy, item colors
+  revert to the Tab1 configuration, and the active indicator
+  reverts to green.
+- [ ] The result is identical to tapping Tab1 in the native tab bar.
+
+---
+
+### Tab3 appearance
+
+6. Tap **Tab3** in the native tab bar.
+
+- [ ] The screen label changes to "Tab3".
+- [ ] The tab bar background is dark navy (same as Tab1).
+- [ ] The active indicator pill is green.
+- [ ] Icon and title colors for normal, selected, and focused states
+  match Tab1's configuration (blue normal, green selected,
+  yellow focused).
+- [ ] The tab badge background changes to red, value remains "123" and text
+  is green.
+
+---
+
+### Stability — rapid tab switching
+
+7. Rapidly tap through Tab1 → Tab2 → Tab3 → Tab1 several times,
+   alternating between native tab bar taps and the in-screen
+   "Select tab N" buttons.
+
+- [ ] The tab bar appearance (background color, item colors,
+  active indicator color) updates immediately with each tab
+  change — no stale appearance from a previous tab.
+- [ ] No crash, visual freeze, or incorrect appearance is observed.
+- [ ] The route-key label always matches the currently selected tab.