diff --git a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/api/session/Session.kt b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/api/session/Session.kt
index 54ae24c7..2dde175b 100644
--- a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/api/session/Session.kt
+++ b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/api/session/Session.kt
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ interface Session :
     /**
      * This method start the sync thread.
      */
-    fun startSync()
+    fun startSync(fromForeground : Boolean)
 
     /**
      * This method stop the sync thread.
diff --git a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/DefaultSession.kt b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/DefaultSession.kt
index a84e0193..09baebb2 100644
--- a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/DefaultSession.kt
+++ b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/DefaultSession.kt
@@ -105,8 +105,10 @@ internal class DefaultSession @Inject constructor(override val sessionParams: Se
         SyncWorker.stopAnyBackgroundSync(context)
     }
 
-    override fun startSync() {
+    override fun startSync(fromForeground : Boolean) {
+        Timber.i("Starting sync thread")
         assert(isOpen)
+        syncThread.setInitialForeground(fromForeground)
         if (!syncThread.isAlive) {
             syncThread.start()
         } else {
diff --git a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/sync/job/SyncThread.kt b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/sync/job/SyncThread.kt
index b6d236ed..65c79bd8 100644
--- a/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/sync/job/SyncThread.kt
+++ b/matrix-sdk-android/src/main/java/im/vector/matrix/android/internal/session/sync/job/SyncThread.kt
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@ internal class SyncThread @Inject constructor(private val syncTask: SyncTask,
         updateStateTo(SyncState.IDLE)
     }
 
+    fun setInitialForeground(initialForground : Boolean) {
+        updateStateTo(if (initialForground) SyncState.IDLE else SyncState.PAUSED)
+    }
+
     fun restart() = synchronized(lock) {
         if (state is SyncState.PAUSED) {
             Timber.v("Resume sync...")
@@ -84,7 +88,6 @@ internal class SyncThread @Inject constructor(private val syncTask: SyncTask,
         Timber.v("Start syncing...")
         networkConnectivityChecker.register(this)
         backgroundDetectionObserver.register(this)
-        updateStateTo(SyncState.RUNNING(catchingUp = true))
 
         while (state != SyncState.KILLING) {
             if (!networkConnectivityChecker.isConnected() || state == SyncState.PAUSED) {
@@ -93,7 +96,8 @@ internal class SyncThread @Inject constructor(private val syncTask: SyncTask,
                     lock.wait()
                 }
             } else {
-                Timber.v("Execute sync request with timeout $DEFAULT_LONG_POOL_TIMEOUT")
+                updateStateTo(SyncState.RUNNING(catchingUp = true))
+                Timber.v("[$this] Execute sync request with timeout $DEFAULT_LONG_POOL_TIMEOUT")
                 val latch = CountDownLatch(1)
                 val params = SyncTask.Params(DEFAULT_LONG_POOL_TIMEOUT)
                 cancelableTask = syncTask.configureWith(params)
@@ -148,6 +152,7 @@ internal class SyncThread @Inject constructor(private val syncTask: SyncTask,
     }
 
     private fun updateStateTo(newState: SyncState) {
+        Timber.v("Update state to $newState")
         state = newState
         liveState.postValue(newState)
     }
diff --git a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/riotx/core/extensions/Session.kt b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/riotx/core/extensions/Session.kt
index b03686d4..95e17a4b 100644
--- a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/riotx/core/extensions/Session.kt
+++ b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/riotx/core/extensions/Session.kt
@@ -16,14 +16,20 @@
 
 package im.vector.riotx.core.extensions
 
+import androidx.lifecycle.Lifecycle
+import androidx.lifecycle.ProcessLifecycleOwner
 import im.vector.matrix.android.api.session.Session
 import im.vector.matrix.android.api.session.sync.FilterService
 import im.vector.riotx.features.notifications.PushRuleTriggerListener
+import timber.log.Timber
 
 fun Session.configureAndStart(pushRuleTriggerListener: PushRuleTriggerListener) {
     open()
     setFilter(FilterService.FilterPreset.RiotFilter)
-    startSync()
+    Timber.i("Configure and start session for ${this.myUserId}")
+    val isAtLeastStarted = ProcessLifecycleOwner.get().lifecycle.currentState.isAtLeast(Lifecycle.State.STARTED)
+    Timber.v("--> is at least started? $isAtLeastStarted")
+    startSync(isAtLeastStarted)
     refreshPushers()
     pushRuleTriggerListener.startWithSession(this)
     fetchPushRules()