diff --git a/src/backend/status.js b/src/backend/status.js
index 0a1cecb43..e6f34b630 100644
--- a/src/backend/status.js
+++ b/src/backend/status.js
@@ -5,12 +5,16 @@ const constants = require("./constants");
 class ServerStatus {
   constructor() {
     this.setState(constants.STARTING);
+    rnBridge.channel.on("request-status", () => {
+      log("status request");
+      rnBridge.channel.post("status", this.state);
+    });
   }
   startHeartbeat() {
     if (this.intervalId) return; // Don't have two heartbeats
     this.intervalId = setInterval(() => {
       rnBridge.channel.post("status", this.state);
-    }, 1000);
+    }, 4000);
   }
   pauseHeartbeat() {
     clearInterval(this.intervalId);
diff --git a/src/frontend/api.js b/src/frontend/api.js
index d4aadbe31..29d704973 100644
--- a/src/frontend/api.js
+++ b/src/frontend/api.js
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ export function Api({
     // Start server, returns a promise that resolves when the server is ready
     // or rejects if there is an error starting the server
     startServer: function startServer(): Promise<void> {
+      // The server might already be started - request current status
+      nodejs.channel.post("request-status");
       // The server requires read & write permissions for external storage
       const serverStartPromise = PermissionsAndroid.requestMultiple([
         PermissionsAndroid.PERMISSIONS.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,