diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 02271ee991..77a1318516 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [1.142.12] - 2024-09-02
+
+### Fixes
+
+- Display Config::MdnsEnabled as true by default ([#5948](https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/pull/5948)).
+
 ## [1.142.11] - 2024-08-30
 
 ### Fixes
@@ -4799,3 +4805,4 @@ https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aclosed
 [1.142.9]: https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/compare/v1.142.8...v1.142.9
 [1.142.10]: https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/compare/v1.142.9..v1.142.10
 [1.142.11]: https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/compare/v1.142.10..v1.142.11
+[1.142.12]: https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust/compare/v1.142.11..v1.142.12
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index e3cff9b401..b072f346b7 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1240,7 +1240,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "deltachat"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-broadcast",
@@ -1334,7 +1334,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "deltachat-jsonrpc"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-channel 2.3.1",
@@ -1359,7 +1359,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "deltachat-repl"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "deltachat",
@@ -1374,7 +1374,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "deltachat-rpc-server"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "deltachat",
@@ -1403,7 +1403,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "deltachat_ffi"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "deltachat",
@@ -3066,7 +3066,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "iroh-quinn-proto",
  "iroh-quinn-udp",
  "pin-project-lite",
- "rustc-hash",
+ "rustc-hash 1.1.0",
  "rustls 0.21.11",
  "thiserror",
  "tokio",
@@ -3082,7 +3082,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "bytes",
  "rand 0.8.5",
  "ring",
- "rustc-hash",
+ "rustc-hash 1.1.0",
  "rustls 0.21.11",
  "rustls-native-certs",
  "slab",
@@ -4452,7 +4452,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "pin-project-lite",
  "quinn-proto",
  "quinn-udp",
- "rustc-hash",
+ "rustc-hash 1.1.0",
  "rustls 0.23.10",
  "thiserror",
  "tokio",
@@ -4461,14 +4461,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "quinn-proto"
-version = "0.11.3"
+version = "0.11.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ddf517c03a109db8100448a4be38d498df8a210a99fe0e1b9eaf39e78c640efe"
+checksum = "fadfaed2cd7f389d0161bb73eeb07b7b78f8691047a6f3e73caaeae55310a4a6"
 dependencies = [
  "bytes",
  "rand 0.8.5",
  "ring",
- "rustc-hash",
+ "rustc-hash 2.0.0",
  "rustls 0.23.10",
  "slab",
  "thiserror",
@@ -4891,6 +4891,12 @@ version = "1.1.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "08d43f7aa6b08d49f382cde6a7982047c3426db949b1424bc4b7ec9ae12c6ce2"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "rustc-hash"
+version = "2.0.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "583034fd73374156e66797ed8e5b0d5690409c9226b22d87cb7f19821c05d152"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rustc_version"
 version = "0.4.0"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 42a13cc455..4e8e337b60 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deltachat"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 edition = "2021"
 license = "MPL-2.0"
 rust-version = "1.77"
diff --git a/deltachat-ffi/Cargo.toml b/deltachat-ffi/Cargo.toml
index 3da1362239..3747b80b4c 100644
--- a/deltachat-ffi/Cargo.toml
+++ b/deltachat-ffi/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deltachat_ffi"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 description = "Deltachat FFI"
 edition = "2018"
 readme = "README.md"
diff --git a/deltachat-jsonrpc/Cargo.toml b/deltachat-jsonrpc/Cargo.toml
index fb29e265e8..c248c28f9e 100644
--- a/deltachat-jsonrpc/Cargo.toml
+++ b/deltachat-jsonrpc/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deltachat-jsonrpc"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 description = "DeltaChat JSON-RPC API"
 edition = "2021"
 default-run = "deltachat-jsonrpc-server"
diff --git a/deltachat-jsonrpc/typescript/package.json b/deltachat-jsonrpc/typescript/package.json
index 546aaea19f..eb074b91f5 100644
--- a/deltachat-jsonrpc/typescript/package.json
+++ b/deltachat-jsonrpc/typescript/package.json
@@ -58,5 +58,5 @@
   },
   "type": "module",
   "types": "dist/deltachat.d.ts",
-  "version": "1.142.11"
+  "version": "1.142.12"
 }
diff --git a/deltachat-repl/Cargo.toml b/deltachat-repl/Cargo.toml
index 8fdfcde6c9..2e6f3dc85b 100644
--- a/deltachat-repl/Cargo.toml
+++ b/deltachat-repl/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deltachat-repl"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 license = "MPL-2.0"
 edition = "2021"
 repository = "https://github.com/deltachat/deltachat-core-rust"
diff --git a/deltachat-rpc-client/pyproject.toml b/deltachat-rpc-client/pyproject.toml
index 87698ae183..7c389e086c 100644
--- a/deltachat-rpc-client/pyproject.toml
+++ b/deltachat-rpc-client/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "deltachat-rpc-client"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 description = "Python client for Delta Chat core JSON-RPC interface"
 classifiers = [
     "Development Status :: 5 - Production/Stable",
diff --git a/deltachat-rpc-client/tests/test_securejoin.py b/deltachat-rpc-client/tests/test_securejoin.py
index 8969de01dc..7a0fdbaae3 100644
--- a/deltachat-rpc-client/tests/test_securejoin.py
+++ b/deltachat-rpc-client/tests/test_securejoin.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_qr_setup_contact_svg(acfactory) -> None:
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("protect", [True, False])
 def test_qr_securejoin(acfactory, protect, tmp_path):
-    alice, bob = acfactory.get_online_accounts(2)
+    alice, bob, fiona = acfactory.get_online_accounts(3)
 
     # Setup second device for Alice
     # to test observing securejoin protocol.
@@ -112,6 +112,13 @@ def test_qr_securejoin(acfactory, protect, tmp_path):
     alice2_contact_bob_snapshot = alice2_contact_bob.get_snapshot()
     assert alice2_contact_bob_snapshot.is_verified
 
+    # The QR code token is synced, so alice2 must be able to handle join requests.
+    logging.info("Fiona joins verified group via alice2")
+    alice.stop_io()
+    fiona.secure_join(qr_code)
+    alice2.wait_for_securejoin_inviter_success()
+    fiona.wait_for_securejoin_joiner_success()
+
 
 def test_qr_securejoin_contact_request(acfactory) -> None:
     """Alice invites Bob to a group when Bob's chat with Alice is in a contact request mode."""
diff --git a/deltachat-rpc-server/Cargo.toml b/deltachat-rpc-server/Cargo.toml
index 81a51ab75f..ef9de17dff 100644
--- a/deltachat-rpc-server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/deltachat-rpc-server/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "deltachat-rpc-server"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 description = "DeltaChat JSON-RPC server"
 edition = "2021"
 readme = "README.md"
diff --git a/deltachat-rpc-server/npm-package/package.json b/deltachat-rpc-server/npm-package/package.json
index a528d574df..efceac421e 100644
--- a/deltachat-rpc-server/npm-package/package.json
+++ b/deltachat-rpc-server/npm-package/package.json
@@ -15,5 +15,5 @@
   },
   "type": "module",
   "types": "index.d.ts",
-  "version": "1.142.11"
+  "version": "1.142.12"
 }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 749d62c5e3..d21e48f03b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -55,5 +55,5 @@
     "test:mocha": "mocha node/test/test.mjs --growl --reporter=spec --bail --exit"
   },
   "types": "node/dist/index.d.ts",
-  "version": "1.142.11"
+  "version": "1.142.12"
 }
diff --git a/python/pyproject.toml b/python/pyproject.toml
index 9e1bdede8b..66eb4510d2 100644
--- a/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "deltachat"
-version = "1.142.11"
+version = "1.142.12"
 description = "Python bindings for the Delta Chat Core library using CFFI against the Rust-implemented libdeltachat"
 readme = "README.rst"
 requires-python = ">=3.7"
diff --git a/release-date.in b/release-date.in
index d77b3a25b5..825b2baeae 100644
--- a/release-date.in
+++ b/release-date.in
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2024-08-30
\ No newline at end of file
+2024-09-02
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/chat.rs b/src/chat.rs
index 09b25bc36e..5dd2bdc6e9 100644
--- a/src/chat.rs
+++ b/src/chat.rs
@@ -279,9 +279,10 @@ impl ChatId {
     ) -> Result<Self> {
         let chat_id = match ChatIdBlocked::lookup_by_contact(context, contact_id).await? {
             Some(chat) => {
-                if create_blocked == Blocked::Not && chat.blocked != Blocked::Not {
-                    chat.id.set_blocked(context, Blocked::Not).await?;
+                if create_blocked != Blocked::Not || chat.blocked == Blocked::Not {
+                    return Ok(chat.id);
                 }
+                chat.id.set_blocked(context, Blocked::Not).await?;
                 chat.id
             }
             None => {
@@ -1954,8 +1955,8 @@ impl Chat {
             msg.param.set_int(Param::AttachGroupImage, 1);
             self.param.remove(Param::Unpromoted);
             self.update_param(context).await?;
-            // send_sync_msg() is called (usually) a moment later at send_msg_to_smtp()
-            // when the group creation message is actually sent through SMTP --
+            // send_sync_msg() is called a moment later at `smtp::send_smtp_messages()`
+            // when the group creation message is already in the `smtp` table --
             // this makes sure, the other devices are aware of grpid that is used in the sync-message.
             context
                 .sync_qr_code_tokens(Some(self.id))
@@ -3753,17 +3754,13 @@ pub(crate) async fn add_contact_to_chat_ex(
         bail!("can not add contact because the account is not part of the group/broadcast");
     }
 
+    let sync_qr_code_tokens;
     if from_handshake && chat.param.get_int(Param::Unpromoted).unwrap_or_default() == 1 {
         chat.param.remove(Param::Unpromoted);
         chat.update_param(context).await?;
-        if context
-            .sync_qr_code_tokens(Some(chat_id))
-            .await
-            .log_err(context)
-            .is_ok()
-        {
-            context.scheduler.interrupt_smtp().await;
-        }
+        sync_qr_code_tokens = true;
+    } else {
+        sync_qr_code_tokens = false;
     }
 
     if context.is_self_addr(contact.get_addr()).await? {
@@ -3807,6 +3804,15 @@ pub(crate) async fn add_contact_to_chat_ex(
             return Err(e);
         }
         sync = Nosync;
+        if sync_qr_code_tokens
+            && context
+                .sync_qr_code_tokens(Some(chat_id))
+                .await
+                .log_err(context)
+                .is_ok()
+        {
+            context.scheduler.interrupt_smtp().await;
+        }
     }
     context.emit_event(EventType::ChatModified(chat_id));
     if sync.into() {
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 6c8ff10c3a..4bd53a711c 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ pub enum Config {
 
     /// True if Message Delivery Notifications (read receipts) should
     /// be sent and requested.
+    #[strum(props(default = "1"))]
     MdnsEnabled,
 
     /// True if "Sent" folder should be watched for changes.
@@ -543,18 +544,15 @@ impl Context {
 
     /// Returns whether MDNs should be requested.
     pub(crate) async fn should_request_mdns(&self) -> Result<bool> {
-        match self.get_config_bool_opt(Config::MdnsEnabled).await? {
-            Some(val) => Ok(val),
-            None => Ok(!self.get_config_bool(Config::Bot).await?),
+        match self.config_exists(Config::MdnsEnabled).await? {
+            true => self.get_config_bool(Config::MdnsEnabled).await,
+            false => Ok(!self.get_config_bool(Config::Bot).await?),
         }
     }
 
     /// Returns whether MDNs should be sent.
     pub(crate) async fn should_send_mdns(&self) -> Result<bool> {
-        Ok(self
-            .get_config_bool_opt(Config::MdnsEnabled)
-            .await?
-            .unwrap_or(true))
+        self.get_config_bool(Config::MdnsEnabled).await
     }
 
     /// Gets configured "delete_server_after" value.
@@ -1011,9 +1009,13 @@ mod tests {
         let t = &TestContext::new_alice().await;
         assert!(t.should_request_mdns().await?);
         assert!(t.should_send_mdns().await?);
+        // The setting should be displayed correctly.
+        assert!(t.get_config_bool(Config::MdnsEnabled).await?);
+
         t.set_config_bool(Config::Bot, true).await?;
         assert!(!t.should_request_mdns().await?);
         assert!(t.should_send_mdns().await?);
+        assert!(t.get_config_bool(Config::MdnsEnabled).await?);
         Ok(())
     }
 
diff --git a/src/sync.rs b/src/sync.rs
index 29ad69c148..a60ec40a0c 100644
--- a/src/sync.rs
+++ b/src/sync.rs
@@ -328,8 +328,10 @@ mod tests {
     use anyhow::bail;
 
     use super::*;
+    use crate::chat::ProtectionStatus;
     use crate::chatlist::Chatlist;
     use crate::contact::{Contact, Origin};
+    use crate::securejoin::get_securejoin_qr;
     use crate::test_utils::{TestContext, TestContextManager};
     use crate::tools::SystemTime;
 
@@ -630,4 +632,37 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(msg.text, "hi");
         Ok(())
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
+    async fn test_unpromoted_group_no_qr_sync() -> Result<()> {
+        let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
+        let alice = &tcm.alice().await;
+        alice.set_config_bool(Config::SyncMsgs, true).await?;
+        let alice_chatid =
+            chat::create_group_chat(alice, ProtectionStatus::Protected, "the chat").await?;
+        let qr = get_securejoin_qr(alice, Some(alice_chatid)).await?;
+        let msg_id = alice.send_sync_msg().await?;
+        assert!(msg_id.is_none());
+
+        let bob = &tcm.bob().await;
+        tcm.exec_securejoin_qr(bob, alice, &qr).await;
+        let msg_id = alice.send_sync_msg().await?;
+        // The group becomes promoted when Bob joins, so the QR code token is synced.
+        assert!(msg_id.is_some());
+        let sent = alice.pop_sent_msg().await;
+        let msg = alice.parse_msg(&sent).await;
+        let mut sync_items = msg.sync_items.unwrap().items;
+        assert_eq!(sync_items.len(), 1);
+        let data = sync_items.pop().unwrap().data;
+        let SyncDataOrUnknown::SyncData(AddQrToken(_)) = data else {
+            unreachable!();
+        };
+
+        let fiona = &tcm.fiona().await;
+        tcm.exec_securejoin_qr(fiona, alice, &qr).await;
+        let msg_id = alice.send_sync_msg().await?;
+        // The QR code token was already synced before.
+        assert!(msg_id.is_none());
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }