Messages showing phantom unread message count on Macbook (Messages in iCloud enabled) with no actual unread messages

Worked Flawlessly !!

Why it can appear again? The method works. But after some time this 2 unread messages appeared again.

Same, it goes away with the steps but pops right back up upon a next text message.

Thank you for your reply.

What the folder should I add? If we talk about problem with iMessage?

By the way, it again with two unread messages after I repaired it yesterday again((

You mean you do not have an admin password?

I have my password. But the system doesn’t allow me to add my Profile to Sharing and Permissions. That’s needed to add iMassege to Spotlight

Thank you!! Only thing that worked.

Worked like a dream. Thanks for sharing.

If it doesn't work to updating your Setting Preferences, which is did not for me - even after quitting messages and reopening and turning back on notifications; you can highlight all you messages in your inbox right-click and mark as "unread" and then right-click again and mark them as "read." I did this twice and it worked for me clearing all my phantom notifications.

I am grateful for the answer that uses Terminal. That led me to a simpler solution:

(1) Quit Messages.

(2) Right-click the Messages icon in the Dock and choose Remove from Dock.

(3) Locate Messages in the Applications folder or in the Launchpad and restart Messages.

(4) If you wish, right-click the Messages icon in the Dock and choose Keep in Dock.

Nailed it with the recommendation!

I removed messages from the dock and re-added it without using the terminal command and it worked.