diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/AdapterMessage.java b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/AdapterMessage.java
index 63251879a1..f0645663ab 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/AdapterMessage.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/AdapterMessage.java
@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ public class AdapterMessage extends PagedListAdapter<TupleMessageEx, AdapterMess
         this.contacts = (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(context, Manifest.permission.READ_CONTACTS)
                 == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED);
         this.avatars = (prefs.getBoolean("avatars", true) && this.contacts);
-        this.identicons = prefs.getBoolean("identicons", true);
+        this.identicons = prefs.getBoolean("identicons", false);
         this.compact = prefs.getBoolean("compact", false);
         this.debug = prefs.getBoolean("debug", false);
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentOptions.java b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentOptions.java
index 490df589a2..9e693fea79 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentOptions.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentOptions.java
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public class FragmentOptions extends FragmentEx {
             }
         });
 
-        swIdenticons.setChecked(prefs.getBoolean("identicons", true));
+        swIdenticons.setChecked(prefs.getBoolean("identicons", false));
         swIdenticons.setOnCheckedChangeListener(new CompoundButton.OnCheckedChangeListener() {
             @Override
             public void onCheckedChanged(CompoundButton compoundButton, boolean checked) {