diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenter.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenter.kt
index 5f43372e55..aa1fe59c32 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenter.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenter.kt
@@ -85,11 +85,14 @@ class VerifySelfSessionPresenter @Inject constructor(
             StateMachineState.RequestingVerification,
             StateMachineState.StartingSasVerification,
             StateMachineState.SasVerificationStarted,
-            StateMachineState.VerificationRequestAccepted,
             StateMachineState.Canceling -> {
                 VerifySelfSessionState.VerificationStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse
             }
 
+            StateMachineState.VerificationRequestAccepted -> {
+                VerifySelfSessionState.VerificationStep.Ready
+            }
+
             StateMachineState.Canceled -> {
                 VerifySelfSessionState.VerificationStep.Canceled
             }
diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionState.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionState.kt
index 6f24e238cc..752cf942c1 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionState.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionState.kt
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ data class VerifySelfSessionState(
         object Initial : VerificationStep
         object Canceled : VerificationStep
         object AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse : VerificationStep
+        object Ready : VerificationStep
         data class Verifying(val emojiList: List<VerificationEmoji>, val state: Async<Unit>) : VerificationStep
         object Completed : VerificationStep
     }
diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateMachine.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateMachine.kt
index 466db2aa99..3c905334eb 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateMachine.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateMachine.kt
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ class VerifySelfSessionStateMachine(
         // Observe the verification service state, translate it to state machine input events
         sessionVerificationService.verificationFlowState.onEach { verificationAttemptState ->
             when (verificationAttemptState) {
+                VerificationFlowState.Initial -> stateMachine.restart()
                 VerificationFlowState.AcceptedVerificationRequest -> {
                     stateMachine.process(Event.DidAcceptVerificationRequest)
                 }
@@ -102,7 +103,6 @@ class VerifySelfSessionStateMachine(
                 VerificationFlowState.Failed -> {
                     stateMachine.process(Event.DidFail)
                 }
-                else -> Unit
             }
         }.launchIn(coroutineScope)
     }
diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateProvider.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateProvider.kt
index 01b0e6bea6..54a59dee01 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateProvider.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionStateProvider.kt
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ open class VerifySelfSessionStateProvider : PreviewParameterProvider<VerifySelfS
             aVerifySelfSessionState().copy(
                 verificationFlowStep = VerifySelfSessionState.VerificationStep.Canceled
             ),
+            aVerifySelfSessionState().copy(
+                verificationFlowStep = VerifySelfSessionState.VerificationStep.Ready
+            ),
             // Add other state here
         )
 }
diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionView.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionView.kt
index 1c838625da..31f6523919 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionView.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionView.kt
@@ -106,19 +106,19 @@ internal fun HeaderContent(verificationFlowStep: FlowStep, modifier: Modifier =
         FlowStep.Initial -> R.drawable.ic_verification_devices
         FlowStep.Canceled -> R.drawable.ic_verification_warning
         FlowStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse -> R.drawable.ic_verification_waiting
-        is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> R.drawable.ic_verification_emoji
+        FlowStep.Ready, is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> R.drawable.ic_verification_emoji
     }
     val titleTextId = when (verificationFlowStep) {
         FlowStep.Initial -> StringR.string.verification_title_initial
         FlowStep.Canceled -> StringR.string.verification_title_canceled
         FlowStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse -> StringR.string.verification_title_waiting
-        is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> StringR.string.verification_title_verifying
+        FlowStep.Ready, is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> StringR.string.verification_title_verifying
     }
     val subtitleTextId = when (verificationFlowStep) {
         FlowStep.Initial -> StringR.string.verification_subtitle_initial
         FlowStep.Canceled -> StringR.string.verification_subtitle_canceled
         FlowStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse -> StringR.string.verification_subtitle_waiting
-        is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> StringR.string.verification_subtitle_verifying
+        FlowStep.Ready, is FlowStep.Verifying, FlowStep.Completed -> StringR.string.verification_subtitle_verifying
     }
     Column(modifier) {
         Spacer(Modifier.height(68.dp))
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ internal fun Content(flowState: FlowStep, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
     Column(modifier) {
         Spacer(Modifier.height(56.dp))
         when (flowState) {
-            FlowStep.Initial, FlowStep.Canceled, FlowStep.Completed -> Unit
+            FlowStep.Initial, FlowStep.Ready, FlowStep.Canceled, FlowStep.Completed -> Unit
             FlowStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse -> ContentWaiting()
             is FlowStep.Verifying -> ContentVerifying(flowState)
         }
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ internal fun BottomMenu(screenState: VerifySelfSessionState, goBack: () -> Unit)
                 StringR.string.verification_positive_button_verifying_start
             }
         }
+        FlowStep.Ready -> StringR.string.verification_positive_button_ready
         else -> null
     }
     val negativeButtonTitle = when (verificationViewState) {
@@ -231,6 +232,7 @@ internal fun BottomMenu(screenState: VerifySelfSessionState, goBack: () -> Unit)
 
     val positiveButtonEvent = when (verificationViewState) {
         FlowStep.Initial -> VerifySelfSessionViewEvents.RequestVerification
+        FlowStep.Ready -> VerifySelfSessionViewEvents.StartSasVerification
         is FlowStep.Verifying -> if (!isVerifying) VerifySelfSessionViewEvents.ConfirmVerification else null
         FlowStep.Canceled -> VerifySelfSessionViewEvents.Restart
         else -> null
@@ -264,13 +266,15 @@ internal fun BottomMenu(screenState: VerifySelfSessionState, goBack: () -> Unit)
                 positiveButtonTitle?.let { Text(stringResource(it)) }
             }
         }
-        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(16.dp))
-        TextButton(
-            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
-            onClick = negativeButtonCallback,
-            enabled = negativeButtonEnabled,
-        ) {
-            negativeButtonTitle?.let { Text(stringResource(it)) }
+        if (negativeButtonTitle != null) {
+            Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(16.dp))
+            TextButton(
+                modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+                onClick = negativeButtonCallback,
+                enabled = negativeButtonEnabled,
+            ) {
+                Text(stringResource(negativeButtonTitle))
+            }
         }
         Spacer(Modifier.height(40.dp))
     }
diff --git a/features/verifysession/impl/src/test/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests.kt b/features/verifysession/impl/src/test/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests.kt
index 9a25a60323..6c79c1b762 100644
--- a/features/verifysession/impl/src/test/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests.kt
+++ b/features/verifysession/impl/src/test/kotlin/io/element/android/features/verifysession/impl/VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests.kt
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@ class VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests {
             eventSink(VerifySelfSessionViewEvents.RequestVerification)
             // Await for other device response:
             assertThat(awaitItem().verificationFlowStep).isEqualTo(VerificationStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse)
+            // Await for the state to be Ready
+            assertThat(awaitItem().verificationFlowStep).isEqualTo(VerificationStep.Ready)
+            // Await for other device response (again):
+            assertThat(awaitItem().verificationFlowStep).isEqualTo(VerificationStep.AwaitingOtherDeviceResponse)
             // Finally, ChallengeReceived:
             val verifyingState = awaitItem()
             assertThat(verifyingState.verificationFlowStep).isInstanceOf(VerificationStep.Verifying::class.java)
@@ -233,8 +237,8 @@ class VerifySelfSessionPresenterTests {
     }
 
     private suspend fun ReceiveTurbine<VerifySelfSessionState>.awaitChallengeReceivedState(): VerifySelfSessionState {
-        // Skip 'waiting for response' state
-        skipItems(1)
+        // Skip 'waiting for response', 'ready' and 'starting verification' state
+        skipItems(3)
         // Received challenge
         return awaitItem()
     }
diff --git a/libraries/matrix/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/libraries/matrix/impl/verification/RustSessionVerificationService.kt b/libraries/matrix/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/libraries/matrix/impl/verification/RustSessionVerificationService.kt
index 04834da309..50fbf6f232 100644
--- a/libraries/matrix/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/libraries/matrix/impl/verification/RustSessionVerificationService.kt
+++ b/libraries/matrix/impl/src/main/kotlin/io/element/android/libraries/matrix/impl/verification/RustSessionVerificationService.kt
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class RustSessionVerificationService @Inject constructor() : SessionVerification
             _isReady.value = value != null
             // If status was 'Unknown', move it to either 'Verified' or 'NotVerified'
             if (value != null) {
+                value.setDelegate(this)
                 updateVerificationStatus(value.isVerified())
             }
         }
@@ -52,7 +53,6 @@ class RustSessionVerificationService @Inject constructor() : SessionVerification
     override val sessionVerifiedStatus: StateFlow<SessionVerifiedStatus> = _sessionVerifiedStatus.asStateFlow()
 
     override fun requestVerification() = tryOrFail {
-        verificationController?.setDelegate(this)
         verificationController?.requestVerification()
     }
 
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ class RustSessionVerificationService @Inject constructor() : SessionVerification
     override fun declineVerification() = tryOrFail { verificationController?.declineVerification() }
 
     override fun startVerification() = tryOrFail {
-        verificationController?.setDelegate(this)
         verificationController?.startSasVerification()
     }
 
diff --git a/libraries/ui-strings/src/main/res/values/strings_eax.xml b/libraries/ui-strings/src/main/res/values/strings_eax.xml
index 40563c0a3b..f0f4bc1be7 100644
--- a/libraries/ui-strings/src/main/res/values/strings_eax.xml
+++ b/libraries/ui-strings/src/main/res/values/strings_eax.xml
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
 
     <string name="verification_positive_button_initial">I am ready</string>
     <string name="verification_positive_button_canceled">Retry verification</string>
+    <string name="verification_positive_button_ready">Start</string>
     <string name="verification_positive_button_verifying_start">They match</string>
     <string name="verification_positive_button_verifying_ongoing">Waiting to match</string>
 
diff --git a/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewDarkPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png b/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewDarkPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..23942ca47e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewDarkPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:594ebca0307e0488bb6d22df074069181091a6310bb7fdb29a9109a10997319e
+size 26874
diff --git a/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewLightPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png b/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewLightPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c9eb5f41d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/uitests/src/test/snapshots/images/io.element.android.tests.uitests_ScreenshotTest_preview_tests[io.element.android.features.verifysession.impl_null_DefaultGroup_VerifySelfSessionViewLightPreview_0_null_5,NEXUS_5,1.0,en].png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:25598da9a3d84cecb4204d140609f2de5b03facd547f7ef45c53ccead333ce05
+size 26343