diff --git a/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js b/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
index f04bad7cf..88542c2dc 100644
--- a/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
+++ b/src/js/controllers/tab-scan.js
@@ -57,8 +57,10 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
 
   $scope.$on("$ionicView.afterEnter", function() {
     // try initializing and refreshing status any time the view is entered
-    scannerService.gentleInitialize();
-    scannerService.resumePreview();
+    if(!scannerService.isInitialized()){
+      scannerService.gentleInitialize();
+    }
+    activate();
   });
 
   function activate(){
@@ -79,6 +81,8 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
             handleSuccessfulScan(contents);
           }
           });
+          // resume preview if paused
+          scannerService.resumePreview();
         });
     });
   }
@@ -101,7 +105,6 @@ angular.module('copayApp.controllers').controller('tabScanController', function(
   }
 
   $rootScope.$on('incomingDataMenu.menuHidden', function() {
-    scannerService.resumePreview();
     activate();
   });
 
diff --git a/src/js/services/scannerService.js b/src/js/services/scannerService.js
index 12f05867e..0c3f28916 100644
--- a/src/js/services/scannerService.js
+++ b/src/js/services/scannerService.js
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
   var backCamera = true; // the plugin defaults to the back camera
 
   // Initalize known capabilities
-  var isAvailable = isDesktop? false: true; // assume camera exists on mobile
-  var hasPermission = isDesktop? true: false; // assume desktop has permission
+  // Assume camera is available. If init fails, we'll set this to false.
+  var isAvailable = true;
+  var hasPermission = false;
   var isDenied = false;
   var isRestricted = false;
   var canEnableLight = false;
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
    * The `status` of QRScanner is returned to the callback.
    */
   this.gentleInitialize = function(callback) {
-    if(initializeStarted){
+    if(initializeStarted && !isDesktop){
       QRScanner.getStatus(function(status){
         _completeInitialization(status, callback);
       });
@@ -87,8 +88,7 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
         }
       });
     } else {
-      $log.debug('Camera permission assumed on desktop.');
-      initialize(callback);
+      $log.debug('To avoid flashing the privacy light, we do not pre-initialize the camera on desktop.');
     }
   };
 
@@ -96,14 +96,13 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
     $log.debug('Initializing scanner...');
     QRScanner.prepare(function(err, status){
       if(err){
+        isAvailable = false;
         $log.error(err);
         // does not return `status` if there is an error
         QRScanner.getStatus(function(status){
           _completeInitialization(status, callback);
-
         });
       } else {
-        isAvailable = true;
         _completeInitialization(status, callback);
       }
     });
@@ -130,8 +129,8 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
 
   var nextHide = null;
   var nextDestroy = null;
-  var hideAfterSeconds = 10;
-  var destroyAfterSeconds = 5 * 60;
+  var hideAfterSeconds = 5;
+  var destroyAfterSeconds = 60;
 
   /**
    * (Re)activate the QRScanner, and cancel the timeouts if present.
@@ -142,6 +141,7 @@ angular.module('copayApp.services').service('scannerService', function($log, $ti
   this.activate = function(callback) {
     $log.debug('Activating scanner...');
       QRScanner.show(function(status){
+        initializeCompleted = true;
         _checkCapabilities(status);
         if(typeof callback === "function"){
           callback(status);