diff --git a/lib/widgets/matrix.dart b/lib/widgets/matrix.dart
index 026ce4d6..ec529db1 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/matrix.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/matrix.dart
@@ -420,7 +420,6 @@ class MatrixState extends State<Matrix> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     final foreground = state != AppLifecycleState.detached &&
         state != AppLifecycleState.paused;
     client.backgroundSync = foreground;
-    client.syncPresence = foreground ? null : PresenceType.unavailable;
     client.requestHistoryOnLimitedTimeline = !foreground;
   }