diff --git a/backend/app/api/notifications.py b/backend/app/api/notifications.py
index 8c026c1..c53beea 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/notifications.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/notifications.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ async def test_ntfy(
         return NotificationTestResult(status="error", detail="Topic URL is required")
 
     headers: dict[str, str] = {
-        "Title": "PocketVeto — Test Notification",
+        "Title": "PocketVeto: Test Notification",
         "Priority": "default",
         "Tags": "white_check_mark",
     }
diff --git a/frontend/app/notifications/page.tsx b/frontend/app/notifications/page.tsx
index 95c6671..2c783b6 100644
--- a/frontend/app/notifications/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/notifications/page.tsx
@@ -89,8 +89,11 @@ export default function NotificationsPage() {
         ntfy_password: authMethod === "basic" ? password : "",
       });
       setNtfyTestResult(result);
-    } catch {
-      setNtfyTestResult({ status: "error", detail: "Request failed — check your topic URL" });
+    } catch (e: unknown) {
+      const detail =
+        (e as { response?: { data?: { detail?: string } } })?.response?.data?.detail
+        ?? (e instanceof Error ? e.message : "Request failed");
+      setNtfyTestResult({ status: "error", detail });
     } finally {
       setNtfyTesting(false);
     }
@@ -102,8 +105,11 @@ export default function NotificationsPage() {
     try {
       const result = await notificationsAPI.testRss();
       setRssTestResult(result);
-    } catch {
-      setRssTestResult({ status: "error", detail: "Feed check failed" });
+    } catch (e: unknown) {
+      const detail =
+        (e as { response?: { data?: { detail?: string } } })?.response?.data?.detail
+        ?? (e instanceof Error ? e.message : "Feed check failed");
+      setRssTestResult({ status: "error", detail });
     } finally {
       setRssTesting(false);
     }