diff --git a/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js b/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
index 0f16ea580..3d95c3a25 100644
--- a/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
+++ b/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
@@ -23,57 +23,71 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
   }
 
   function _handleCapabilities(){
-    if(!$scope.scannerIsAvailable){
-      $scope.currentState = scannerStates.unavailable;
-    } else if($scope.scannerIsDenied){
-      $scope.currentState = scannerStates.denied;
-    } else if($scope.scannerIsRestricted){
-      $scope.currentState = scannerStates.denied;
-    } else if(!$scope.scannerHasPermission){
-      $scope.currentState = scannerStates.unauthorized;
-    } else if($scope.scannerHasPermission){
+    // always update the view
+    $timeout(function(){
+      if(!scannerService.isInitialized()){
+        $scope.currentState = scannerStates.loading;
+      } else if(!$scope.scannerIsAvailable){
+        $scope.currentState = scannerStates.unavailable;
+      } else if($scope.scannerIsDenied){
+        $scope.currentState = scannerStates.denied;
+      } else if($scope.scannerIsRestricted){
+        $scope.currentState = scannerStates.denied;
+      } else if(!$scope.scannerHasPermission){
+        $scope.currentState = scannerStates.unauthorized;
+      }
+      $log.debug('Scan view state set to: ' + $scope.currentState);
+    });
+  }
+
+  function _refreshScanView(){
+    _updateCapabilities();
+    _handleCapabilities();
+    if($scope.scannerHasPermission){
       activate();
     }
   }
 
-  function _initScanView(){
-    _updateCapabilities();
-    _handleCapabilities();
-  }
-
-  $scope.$on("$ionicView.beforeEnter", function() {
-    $scope.currentState = scannerStates.loading;
-  });
-
   // This could be much cleaner with a Promise API
   // (needs a polyfill for some platforms)
   $rootScope.$on('scannerServiceInitialized', function(){
     $log.debug('Scanner initialization finished, reinitializing scan view...');
-    _initScanView();
+    _refreshScanView();
   });
 
   $scope.$on("$ionicView.afterEnter", function() {
-    if(scannerService.isInitialized()){
-      _initScanView();
-    }
+    // try initializing and refreshing status any time the view is entered
+    scannerService.gentleInitialize();
   });
 
   function activate(){
     scannerService.activate(function(){
+      _updateCapabilities();
+      _handleCapabilities();
       $log.debug('Scanner activated, setting to visible...');
       $scope.currentState = scannerStates.visible;
-      scannerService.scan(function(err, contents){
-        if(err){
-          $log.debug('Scan canceled.');
-        } else if ($state.params.passthroughMode) {
-          $rootScope.scanResult = contents;
-          goBack();
-        } else {
-          handleSuccessfulScan(contents);
-        }
-      });
+        // pause to update the view
+        $timeout(function(){
+          scannerService.scan(function(err, contents){
+          if(err){
+            $log.debug('Scan canceled.');
+          } else if ($state.params.passthroughMode) {
+            $rootScope.scanResult = contents;
+            goBack();
+          } else {
+            handleSuccessfulScan(contents);
+          }
+          });
+        });
     });
   }
+  $scope.activate = activate;
+
+  $scope.authorize = function(){
+    scannerService.initialize(function(){
+      _refreshScanView();
+    });
+  };
 
   $scope.$on("$ionicView.afterLeave", function() {
     scannerService.deactivate();
@@ -84,6 +98,14 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
     incomingData.redir(contents);
   }
 
+  $scope.openSettings = function(){
+    scannerService.openSettings();
+  };
+
+  $scope.attemptToReactivate = function(){
+    scannerService.reinitialize();
+  };
+
   $scope.toggleLight = function(){
     scannerService.toggleLight(function(lightEnabled){
       $scope.lightActive = lightEnabled;
@@ -98,7 +120,7 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
       $timeout(function(){
         $scope.cameraToggleActive = false;
         $log.debug('Camera toggle control deactivated.');
-      }, 600);
+      }, 200);
     });
   };
 
@@ -106,6 +128,9 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
     return $state.params.passthroughMode;
   }
   function goBack(){
+    $ionicHistory.nextViewOptions({
+      disableAnimate: true
+    });
     $ionicHistory.backView().go();
   }
   $scope.goBack = goBack;
diff --git a/src/js/directives/qrScanner.js b/src/js/directives/qrScanner.js
index 0a23819a5..131e48fde 100644
--- a/src/js/directives/qrScanner.js
+++ b/src/js/directives/qrScanner.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 angular.module('copayApp.directives')
-  .directive('qrScanner', function($state, $rootScope, $log) {
+  .directive('qrScanner', function($state, $rootScope, $log, $ionicHistory) {
 
     return {
       restrict: 'E',
@@ -9,11 +9,14 @@ angular.module('copayApp.directives')
         onScan: "&"
       },
       replace: true,
-      template: '<a on-tap="openScanner()"><i class="icon ion-qr-scanner"></i></a>',
+      template: '<a on-tap="openScanner()" nav-transition="none"><i class="icon ion-qr-scanner"></i></a>',
       link: function(scope, el, attrs) {
 
         scope.openScanner = function() {
           $log.debug('Opening scanner by directive...');
+          $ionicHistory.nextViewOptions({
+            disableAnimate: true
+          });
           $state.go('scanner', { passthroughMode: 1 });
         };
 
diff --git a/src/js/services/scannerService.js b/src/js/services/scannerService.js
index 09df4dfee..3baff576a 100644
--- a/src/js/services/scannerService.js
+++ b/src/js/services/scannerService.js
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
   var backCamera = true; // the plugin defaults to the back camera
 
   // Initalize known capabilities
-  var isAvailable = false;
-  var hasPermission = isDesktop? true: false;
-  var isAuthorized = false;
+  var isAvailable = isDesktop? false: true; // assume camera exists on mobile
+  var hasPermission = isDesktop? true: false; // assume desktop has permission
   var isDenied = false;
   var isRestricted = false;
   var canEnableLight = false;
@@ -59,6 +58,7 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
     }
   }
 
+  var initializeStarted = false;
   /**
    * If camera access has been granted, pre-initialize the QRScanner. This method
    * can be safely called before the scanner is visible to improve perceived
@@ -67,27 +67,32 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
    * The `status` of QRScanner is returned to the callback.
    */
   this.gentleInitialize = function(callback) {
+    if(initializeStarted){
+      QRScanner.getStatus(function(status){
+        _completeInitialization(status, callback);
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+    initializeStarted = true;
     $log.debug('Trying to pre-initialize QRScanner.');
     if(!isDesktop){
       QRScanner.getStatus(function(status){
         _checkCapabilities(status);
         if(status.authorized){
           $log.debug('Camera permission already granted.');
-          _initalize(callback);
+          initialize(callback);
         } else {
           $log.debug('QRScanner not authorized, waiting to initalize.');
-          if(typeof callback === "function"){
-            callback && callback(status);
-          }
+          _completeInitialization(status, callback);
         }
       });
     } else {
       $log.debug('Camera permission assumed on desktop.');
-      _initalize(callback);
+      initialize(callback);
     }
   };
 
-  function _initalize(callback){
+  function initialize(callback){
     $log.debug('Initializing scanner...');
     QRScanner.prepare(function(err, status){
       if(err){
@@ -103,19 +108,25 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
       }
     });
   }
+  this.initialize = initialize;
 
   // This could be much cleaner with a Promise API
   // (needs a polyfill for some platforms)
   var initializeCompleted = false;
   function _completeInitialization(status, callback){
     _checkCapabilities(status);
-    $rootScope.$emit('scannerServiceInitialized');
     initializeCompleted = true;
-    callback && callback(status);
+    $rootScope.$emit('scannerServiceInitialized');
+    if(typeof callback === "function"){
+      callback(status);
+    }
   }
   this.isInitialized = function(){
     return initializeCompleted;
   }
+  this.initializeStarted = function(){
+    return initializeStarted;
+  }
 
   var nextHide = null;
   var nextDestroy = null;
@@ -132,7 +143,9 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
     $log.debug('Activating scanner...');
       QRScanner.show(function(status){
         _checkCapabilities(status);
-        callback(status);
+        if(typeof callback === "function"){
+          callback(status);
+        }
       });
       if(nextHide !== null){
         $timeout.cancel(nextHide);
@@ -183,6 +196,12 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
     QRScanner.destroy();
   }
 
+  this.reinitialize = function(callback){
+    initializeCompleted = false;
+    QRScanner.destroy();
+    initialize(callback);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Toggle the device light (if available).
    *
@@ -228,4 +247,9 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
       callback(status);
     });
   };
+
+  this.openSettings = function() {
+    $log.debug('Attempting to open device settings...');
+    QRScanner.openSettings();
+  };
 });
diff --git a/src/sass/views/tab-scan.scss b/src/sass/views/tab-scan.scss
index ad6898c02..9fe049233 100644
--- a/src/sass/views/tab-scan.scss
+++ b/src/sass/views/tab-scan.scss
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ $scannerBackgroundColor: #060d2d;
   color: #fff;
   text-align: center;
   background: transparent none;
+  .bar-header {
+    opacity: .9;
+  }
   &-has-problems,
   &-loading-camera {
     background-color: $scannerBackgroundColor;
@@ -50,7 +53,8 @@ $scannerBackgroundColor: #060d2d;
     }
   }
   &-loading-camera {
-
+    height: 100%;
+    width: 100%
   }
   &-camera-ready {
     // view background is transparent to show video preview
diff --git a/www/views/tab-scan.html b/www/views/tab-scan.html
index 288e15915..d75188b4d 100644
--- a/www/views/tab-scan.html
+++ b/www/views/tab-scan.html
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
   <ion-content scroll="false">
     <div class="ng-hide" id="tab-scan-has-problems" ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unauthorized || currentState === scannerStates.denied || currentState === scannerStates.unavailable">
       <i class="icon zero-state-icon">
-        <img src="img/tab-icons/ico-receive.svg" />
+        <img src="img/tab-icons/ico-receive.svg"/>
       </i>
       <div class="zero-state-heading" translate>Scan QR Codes</div>
       <div class="zero-state-description" translate>You can scan bitcoin addresses, payment requests, paper wallets, and more.</div>
@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@
         <div class="ng-hide zero-state-tldr" ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unauthorized" translate>Enable the camera to get started.</div>
         <div class="ng-hide zero-state-tldr" ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.denied" translate>Enable camera access in your device settings to get started.</div>
         <div class="ng-hide zero-state-tldr" ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unavailable" translate>Please connect a camera to get started.</div>
-        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unauthorized" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary" ng-click="attemptActivate">Allow Camera Access</button>
-        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.denied && canOpenSettings" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary" ng-click="openSettings">Open Settings</button>
-        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unavailable" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary">Retry Camera</button>
+        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unauthorized" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary" ng-click="authorize()">Allow Camera Access</button>
+        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.denied && canOpenSettings" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary" ng-click="openSettings()">Open Settings</button>
+        <button ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.unavailable" class="ng-hide button button-standard button-primary" ng-click="attemptToReactivate()">Retry Camera</button>
       </div>
     </div>
     <div class="ng-show" id="tab-scan-loading-camera" ng-show="currentState === scannerStates.loading"></div>