diff --git a/.github/workflows/backport.yml b/.github/workflows/backport.yml
index dd793898ec..01dfbe4e6d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backport.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backport.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ on:
 jobs:
     backport:
         name: Backport
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         # Only react to merged PRs for security reasons.
         # See https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/events-that-trigger-workflows#pull_request_target.
         if: >
diff --git a/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests-netlify.yaml b/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests-netlify.yaml
index a488cbbfb0..7c38da205e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests-netlify.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests-netlify.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
     report:
         if: github.event.workflow_run.conclusion != 'cancelled'
         name: Report results
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         environment: Netlify
         permissions:
             statuses: write
diff --git a/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests.yaml
index 97d9692a38..cbd99bc4da 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/end-to-end-tests.yaml
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
     build:
         name: "Build Element-Web"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         if: inputs.skip != true
         steps:
             - name: Checkout code
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ jobs:
         name: "Run Tests ${{ matrix.runner }}/${{ strategy.job-total }}"
         needs: build
         if: inputs.skip != true
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         permissions:
             actions: read
             issues: read
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ jobs:
         name: end-to-end-tests
         needs: playwright
         if: always()
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
               if: inputs.skip != true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/netlify.yaml b/.github/workflows/netlify.yaml
index 911bfccbf4..0a7c50b28c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/netlify.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/netlify.yaml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ on:
 jobs:
     deploy:
         if: github.event.workflow_run.conclusion != 'cancelled' && github.event.workflow_run.event == 'pull_request'
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         environment: Netlify
         steps:
             - name: 📝 Create Deployment
diff --git a/.github/workflows/notify-element-web.yml b/.github/workflows/notify-element-web.yml
index 442a2f1082..32cd1a1810 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/notify-element-web.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/notify-element-web.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ on:
 jobs:
     notify-element-web:
         name: "Notify Element Web"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         # Only respect triggers from our develop branch, ignore that of forks
         if: github.repository == 'element-hq/matrix-react-sdk'
         steps:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/playwright-image-updates.yaml b/.github/workflows/playwright-image-updates.yaml
index 4d4c08f566..26a86f4526 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/playwright-image-updates.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/playwright-image-updates.yaml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ on:
         - cron: "0 6 * * *" # Every day at 6am UTC
 jobs:
     update:
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pull_request_base_branch.yaml b/.github/workflows/pull_request_base_branch.yaml
index 49d7bcef7c..6097a27291 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pull_request_base_branch.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pull_request_base_branch.yaml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ on:
 jobs:
     check_base_branch:
         name: Check PR base branch
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/github-script@v7
               with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/static_analysis.yaml b/.github/workflows/static_analysis.yaml
index 204d3c46f4..75c0ea6e62 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/static_analysis.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/static_analysis.yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
     ts_lint:
         name: "Typescript Syntax Check"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ jobs:
 
     rethemendex_lint:
         name: "Rethemendex Check"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ jobs:
 
     js_lint:
         name: "ESLint"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ jobs:
 
     style_lint:
         name: "Style Lint"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ jobs:
 
     workflow_lint:
         name: "Workflow Lint"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ jobs:
 
     analyse_dead_code:
         name: "Analyse Dead Code"
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 3bf5700f03..6c96b6cdeb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
     jest:
         name: Jest
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         strategy:
             fail-fast: false
             matrix:
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ jobs:
         name: jest-tests
         needs: jest
         if: always()
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - if: needs.jest.result != 'skipped' && needs.jest.result != 'success'
               run: exit 1
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ jobs:
 
     app-tests:
         name: Element Web Integration Tests
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
         steps:
             - uses: actions/checkout@v4
               with:
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 49d0f1ffb3..ea3ab91b79 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
     "dependencies": {
         "@babel/runtime": "^7.12.5",
         "@matrix-org/analytics-events": "^0.26.0",
-        "@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings": "^1.1.2",
+        "@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings": "^1.3.3",
         "@vector-im/matrix-wysiwyg": "2.37.13",
         "@matrix-org/react-sdk-module-api": "^2.4.0",
         "@matrix-org/spec": "^1.7.0",
diff --git a/playwright/e2e/crypto/crypto.spec.ts b/playwright/e2e/crypto/crypto.spec.ts
index f3a4820ebe..e520d971ea 100644
--- a/playwright/e2e/crypto/crypto.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/e2e/crypto/crypto.spec.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ const testMessages = async (page: Page, bob: Bot, bobRoomId: string) => {
 };
 
 const bobJoin = async (page: Page, bob: Bot) => {
+    // Wait for Bob to get the invite
     await bob.evaluate(async (cli) => {
         const bobRooms = cli.getRooms();
         if (!bobRooms.length) {
@@ -55,9 +56,13 @@ const bobJoin = async (page: Page, bob: Bot) => {
             });
         }
     });
-    const roomId = await bob.joinRoomByName("Alice");
 
+    const roomId = await bob.joinRoomByName("Alice");
     await expect(page.getByText("Bob joined the room")).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Even though Alice has seen Bob's join event, Bob may not have done so yet. Wait for the sync to arrive.
+    await bob.awaitRoomMembership(roomId);
+
     return roomId;
 };
 
diff --git a/playwright/e2e/crypto/event-shields.spec.ts b/playwright/e2e/crypto/event-shields.spec.ts
index fa9d1959da..0544a7c904 100644
--- a/playwright/e2e/crypto/event-shields.spec.ts
+++ b/playwright/e2e/crypto/event-shields.spec.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ test.describe("Cryptography", function () {
             await app.client.bootstrapCrossSigning(aliceCredentials);
             await autoJoin(bob);
 
-            // create an encrypted room
+            // create an encrypted room, and wait for Bob to join it.
             testRoomId = await createSharedRoomWithUser(app, bob.credentials.userId, {
                 name: "TestRoom",
                 initial_state: [
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ test.describe("Cryptography", function () {
                     },
                 ],
             });
+
+            // Even though Alice has seen Bob's join event, Bob may not have done so yet. Wait for the sync to arrive.
+            await bob.awaitRoomMembership(testRoomId);
         });
 
         test("should show the correct shield on e2e events", async ({
@@ -287,9 +290,9 @@ test.describe("Cryptography", function () {
             // Let our app start syncing again
             await app.client.network.goOnline();
 
-            // Wait for the messages to arrive
+            // Wait for the messages to arrive. It can take quite a while for the sync to wake up.
             const last = page.locator(".mx_EventTile_last");
-            await expect(last).toContainText("test encrypted from unverified");
+            await expect(last).toContainText("test encrypted from unverified", { timeout: 20000 });
             const lastE2eIcon = last.locator(".mx_EventTile_e2eIcon");
             await expect(lastE2eIcon).toHaveClass(/mx_EventTile_e2eIcon_warning/);
             await lastE2eIcon.focus();
diff --git a/playwright/e2e/utils.ts b/playwright/e2e/utils.ts
index b357b5ca99..a2bcc0f29a 100644
--- a/playwright/e2e/utils.ts
+++ b/playwright/e2e/utils.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,14 @@ import { Client } from "../pages/client";
  * @param client Client instance that can be user or bot
  * @param roomId room id to find room and check
  * @param predicate defines condition that is used to check the room state
+ *
+ * FIXME this does not do what it is supposed to do, and I think it is unfixable.
+ *   `page.exposeFunction` adds a function which returns a Promise. `window[predicateId](room)` therefore
+ *   always returns a truthy value (a Promise).  But even if you fix that: as far as I can tell, the Room is
+ *   just passed to the callback function as a JSON blob: you cannot actually call any methods on it, so the
+ *   callback is useless.
+ *
+ * @deprecated This function is broken.
  */
 export async function waitForRoom(
     page: Page,
diff --git a/playwright/pages/client.ts b/playwright/pages/client.ts
index 06e05fdcfa..7d62f42ae0 100644
--- a/playwright/pages/client.ts
+++ b/playwright/pages/client.ts
@@ -289,6 +289,54 @@ export class Client {
         await client.evaluate((client, { roomId, userId }) => client.unban(roomId, userId), { roomId, userId });
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Wait for the client to have specific membership of a given room
+     *
+     * This is often useful after joining a room, when we need to wait for the sync loop to catch up.
+     *
+     * Times out with an error after 1 second.
+     *
+     * @param roomId - ID of the room to check
+     * @param membership - required membership.
+     */
+    public async awaitRoomMembership(roomId: string, membership: string = "join") {
+        await this.evaluate(
+            (cli: MatrixClient, { roomId, membership }) => {
+                const isReady = () => {
+                    // Fetch the room on each check, because we get a different instance before and after the join arrives.
+                    const room = cli.getRoom(roomId);
+                    const myMembership = room?.getMyMembership();
+                    // @ts-ignore access to private field "logger"
+                    cli.logger.info(`waiting for room ${roomId}: membership now ${myMembership}`);
+                    return myMembership === membership;
+                };
+                if (isReady()) return;
+
+                const timeoutPromise = new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 1000)).then(() => {
+                    const room = cli.getRoom(roomId);
+                    const myMembership = room?.getMyMembership();
+                    throw new Error(
+                        `Timeout waiting for room ${roomId} membership (now '${myMembership}', wanted '${membership}')`,
+                    );
+                });
+
+                const readyPromise = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+                    async function onEvent() {
+                        if (isReady()) {
+                            cli.removeListener(window.matrixcs.ClientEvent.Event, onEvent);
+                            resolve();
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    cli.on(window.matrixcs.ClientEvent.Event, onEvent);
+                });
+
+                return Promise.race([timeoutPromise, readyPromise]);
+            },
+            { roomId, membership },
+        );
+    }
+
     /**
      * @param {MatrixEvent} event
      * @param {ReceiptType} receiptType
diff --git a/res/css/structures/auth/_MobileRegistration.pcss b/res/css/structures/auth/_MobileRegistration.pcss
index d50ff8dc1f..e2ba1cba28 100644
--- a/res/css/structures/auth/_MobileRegistration.pcss
+++ b/res/css/structures/auth/_MobileRegistration.pcss
@@ -7,4 +7,7 @@ Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
 
 .mx_MobileRegister_body {
     padding: 32px;
+    height: 100vh;
+    overflow-y: auto;
+    box-sizing: border-box;
 }
diff --git a/src/MatrixClientPeg.ts b/src/MatrixClientPeg.ts
index e5ca4464ba..0ba2ec65d7 100644
--- a/src/MatrixClientPeg.ts
+++ b/src/MatrixClientPeg.ts
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ import { formatList } from "./utils/FormattingUtils";
 import SdkConfig from "./SdkConfig";
 import { Features } from "./settings/Settings";
 import { setDeviceIsolationMode } from "./settings/controllers/DeviceIsolationModeController.ts";
-import { ReadyWatchingStore } from "./stores/ReadyWatchingStore.ts";
 
 export interface IMatrixClientCreds {
     homeserverUrl: string;
@@ -310,7 +309,6 @@ class MatrixClientPegClass implements IMatrixClientPeg {
         MatrixActionCreators.start(this.matrixClient);
         MatrixClientBackedSettingsHandler.matrixClient = this.matrixClient;
         MatrixClientBackedController.matrixClient = this.matrixClient;
-        ReadyWatchingStore.matrixClient = this.matrixClient;
 
         return opts;
     }
diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer.tsx b/src/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer.tsx
index 012e99669a..0add0c1027 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer.tsx
@@ -201,9 +201,9 @@ export default class BasicMessageEditor extends React.Component<IProps, IState>
         // so xd will not match if the string was "mixd 123456"
         // and we are lookinh at xd 123456 part of the string
         if (emoticonMatch && (n >= 0 || emoticonMatch.index !== 0)) {
-            const query = emoticonMatch[1].replace("-", "");
-            // try both exact match and lower-case, this means that xd won't match xD but :P will match :p
-            const data = EMOTICON_TO_EMOJI.get(query) || EMOTICON_TO_EMOJI.get(query.toLowerCase());
+            const query = emoticonMatch[1];
+            // variations of plaintext emoitcons(E.g. :P vs :p vs :-P) are handled upstream by the emojibase-bindings library
+            const data = EMOTICON_TO_EMOJI.get(query);
 
             if (data) {
                 const { partCreator } = model;
diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/EventTile.tsx b/src/components/views/rooms/EventTile.tsx
index 81791bdcce..0089773dc8 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/EventTile.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/EventTile.tsx
@@ -1519,7 +1519,7 @@ class E2ePadlock extends React.Component<IE2ePadlockProps> {
         // https://github.com/element-hq/compound/issues/294
         return (
             <Tooltip label={this.props.title} isTriggerInteractive={true}>
-                <div className={classes} tabIndex={0} />
+                <div className={classes} tabIndex={0} aria-label={_t("timeline|e2e_state")} />
             </Tooltip>
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/hooks/useSuggestion.ts b/src/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/hooks/useSuggestion.ts
index 7fdd630f10..5b4957a9c5 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/hooks/useSuggestion.ts
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/hooks/useSuggestion.ts
@@ -388,7 +388,9 @@ function shouldIncrementEndIndex(text: string, index: number): boolean {
  */
 export function getMappedSuggestion(text: string, isAutoReplaceEmojiEnabled?: boolean): MappedSuggestion | null {
     if (isAutoReplaceEmojiEnabled) {
-        const emoji = EMOTICON_TO_EMOJI.get(text.toLocaleLowerCase());
+        // variations of plaintext emoitcons(E.g. :P vs :p vs :-P) are handled upstream by the emojibase-bindings/emojibase libraries.
+        // See rules for variations here https://github.com/milesj/emojibase/blob/master/packages/core/src/generateEmoticonPermutations.ts#L3-L32
+        const emoji = EMOTICON_TO_EMOJI.get(text);
         if (emoji?.unicode) {
             return { keyChar: "", text: emoji.unicode, type: "custom" };
         }
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
index 8b43b71ac1..74265c1939 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
@@ -3272,6 +3272,7 @@
         "download_action_downloading": "Downloading",
         "download_failed": "Download failed",
         "download_failed_description": "An error occurred while downloading this file",
+        "e2e_state": "State of the end-to-end encryption",
         "edits": {
             "tooltip_label": "Edited at %(date)s. Click to view edits.",
             "tooltip_sub": "Click to view edits",
diff --git a/src/stores/AsyncStoreWithClient.ts b/src/stores/AsyncStoreWithClient.ts
index d9facfc51a..7567eac9ac 100644
--- a/src/stores/AsyncStoreWithClient.ts
+++ b/src/stores/AsyncStoreWithClient.ts
@@ -36,13 +36,8 @@ export abstract class AsyncStoreWithClient<T extends Object> extends AsyncStore<
         })(dispatcher);
     }
 
-    protected async start(matrixClient: MatrixClient | null): Promise<void> {
-        await this.readyStore.start(matrixClient);
-    }
-
-    // XXX: This method is intended only for use in tests.
-    public async useUnitTestClient(cli: MatrixClient): Promise<void> {
-        await this.readyStore.useUnitTestClient(cli);
+    public async start(): Promise<void> {
+        await this.readyStore.start();
     }
 
     public get matrixClient(): MatrixClient | null {
diff --git a/src/stores/AutoRageshakeStore.ts b/src/stores/AutoRageshakeStore.ts
index e83baf5a9c..284c3e24a4 100644
--- a/src/stores/AutoRageshakeStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/AutoRageshakeStore.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ interface IState {
  */
 export default class AutoRageshakeStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
-        return new AutoRageshakeStore();
+        const instance = new AutoRageshakeStore();
+        instance.start();
+        return instance;
     })();
 
     private constructor() {
diff --git a/src/stores/BreadcrumbsStore.ts b/src/stores/BreadcrumbsStore.ts
index 546f1e63ae..9859f24015 100644
--- a/src/stores/BreadcrumbsStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/BreadcrumbsStore.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ interface IState {
 
 export class BreadcrumbsStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
-        return new BreadcrumbsStore();
+        const instance = new BreadcrumbsStore();
+        instance.start();
+        return instance;
     })();
 
     private waitingRooms: { roomId: string; addedTs: number }[] = [];
diff --git a/src/stores/CallStore.ts b/src/stores/CallStore.ts
index f0120ee6a6..115a56aced 100644
--- a/src/stores/CallStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/CallStore.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ export class CallStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<{}> {
     public static get instance(): CallStore {
         if (!this._instance) {
             this._instance = new CallStore();
+            this._instance.start();
         }
         return this._instance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/ModalWidgetStore.ts b/src/stores/ModalWidgetStore.ts
index aa4d5d1466..59437db403 100644
--- a/src/stores/ModalWidgetStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/ModalWidgetStore.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ interface IState {
 export class ModalWidgetStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new ModalWidgetStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
     private modalInstance: IHandle<typeof ModalWidgetDialog> | null = null;
diff --git a/src/stores/OwnBeaconStore.ts b/src/stores/OwnBeaconStore.ts
index 4240d7b7df..f60dae07fe 100644
--- a/src/stores/OwnBeaconStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/OwnBeaconStore.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ const getLocallyCreatedBeaconEventIds = (): string[] => {
 export class OwnBeaconStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<OwnBeaconStoreState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new OwnBeaconStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
     // users beacons, keyed by event type
diff --git a/src/stores/OwnProfileStore.ts b/src/stores/OwnProfileStore.ts
index f0b94df553..be8c72aa23 100644
--- a/src/stores/OwnProfileStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/OwnProfileStore.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ const KEY_AVATAR_URL = "mx_profile_avatar_url";
 export class OwnProfileStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new OwnProfileStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
 
diff --git a/src/stores/ReadyWatchingStore.ts b/src/stores/ReadyWatchingStore.ts
index 393b6fea11..a46a09899a 100644
--- a/src/stores/ReadyWatchingStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/ReadyWatchingStore.ts
@@ -9,40 +9,27 @@
 import { MatrixClient, SyncState } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
 import { EventEmitter } from "events";
 
+import { MatrixClientPeg } from "../MatrixClientPeg";
 import { ActionPayload } from "../dispatcher/payloads";
 import { IDestroyable } from "../utils/IDestroyable";
 import { Action } from "../dispatcher/actions";
 import { MatrixDispatcher } from "../dispatcher/dispatcher";
 
 export abstract class ReadyWatchingStore extends EventEmitter implements IDestroyable {
-    private static instances: ReadyWatchingStore[] = [];
-    protected _matrixClient: MatrixClient | null = null;
+    protected matrixClient: MatrixClient | null = null;
     private dispatcherRef: string | null = null;
 
-    public static set matrixClient(client: MatrixClient) {
-        for (const instance of ReadyWatchingStore.instances) {
-            instance.start(client);
-        }
-    }
-
     public constructor(protected readonly dispatcher: MatrixDispatcher) {
         super();
-
-        this.dispatcherRef = this.dispatcher.register(this.onAction);
     }
 
-    public get matrixClient(): MatrixClient | null {
-        return this._matrixClient;
-    }
-
-    public async start(matrixClient: MatrixClient | null): Promise<void> {
-        const oldClient = this._matrixClient;
-        this._matrixClient = matrixClient;
+    public async start(): Promise<void> {
+        this.dispatcherRef = this.dispatcher.register(this.onAction);
 
-        if (oldClient !== matrixClient) {
-            await this.onNotReady();
-        }
+        // MatrixClientPeg can be undefined in tests because of circular dependencies with other stores
+        const matrixClient = MatrixClientPeg?.get();
         if (matrixClient) {
+            this.matrixClient = matrixClient;
             await this.onReady();
         }
     }
@@ -51,10 +38,8 @@ export abstract class ReadyWatchingStore extends EventEmitter implements IDestro
         return this.matrixClient; // for external readonly access
     }
 
-    // XXX: This method is intended only for use in tests.
-    public async useUnitTestClient(cli: MatrixClient): Promise<void> {
-        this._matrixClient = cli;
-        await this.onReady();
+    public useUnitTestClient(cli: MatrixClient): void {
+        this.matrixClient = cli;
     }
 
     public destroy(): void {
@@ -89,13 +74,13 @@ export abstract class ReadyWatchingStore extends EventEmitter implements IDestro
                 if (this.matrixClient) {
                     await this.onNotReady();
                 }
-                this._matrixClient = payload.matrixClient;
+                this.matrixClient = payload.matrixClient;
                 await this.onReady();
             }
         } else if (payload.action === "on_client_not_viable" || payload.action === Action.OnLoggedOut) {
             if (this.matrixClient) {
                 await this.onNotReady();
-                this._matrixClient = null;
+                this.matrixClient = null;
             }
         }
     };
diff --git a/src/stores/VoiceRecordingStore.ts b/src/stores/VoiceRecordingStore.ts
index 7a9e3601cf..7cbb8ac120 100644
--- a/src/stores/VoiceRecordingStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/VoiceRecordingStore.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export class VoiceRecordingStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     public static get instance(): VoiceRecordingStore {
         if (!this.internalInstance) {
             this.internalInstance = new VoiceRecordingStore();
+            this.internalInstance.start();
         }
         return this.internalInstance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/WidgetStore.ts b/src/stores/WidgetStore.ts
index 071cf8bde9..cfb92360a0 100644
--- a/src/stores/WidgetStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/WidgetStore.ts
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ interface IRoomWidgets {
 export default class WidgetStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new WidgetStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
 
diff --git a/src/stores/local-echo/EchoStore.ts b/src/stores/local-echo/EchoStore.ts
index 41c92941ea..956eacb929 100644
--- a/src/stores/local-echo/EchoStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/local-echo/EchoStore.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ export class EchoStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     public static get instance(): EchoStore {
         if (!this._instance) {
             this._instance = new EchoStore();
+            this._instance.start();
         }
         return this._instance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/notifications/RoomNotificationStateStore.ts b/src/stores/notifications/RoomNotificationStateStore.ts
index ebe9129989..87fb276c10 100644
--- a/src/stores/notifications/RoomNotificationStateStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/notifications/RoomNotificationStateStore.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ export const UPDATE_STATUS_INDICATOR = Symbol("update-status-indicator");
 export class RoomNotificationStateStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new RoomNotificationStateStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
     private roomMap = new Map<Room, RoomNotificationState>();
diff --git a/src/stores/right-panel/RightPanelStore.ts b/src/stores/right-panel/RightPanelStore.ts
index 4415852758..43a36e91b8 100644
--- a/src/stores/right-panel/RightPanelStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/right-panel/RightPanelStore.ts
@@ -403,6 +403,7 @@ export default class RightPanelStore extends ReadyWatchingStore {
     public static get instance(): RightPanelStore {
         if (!this.internalInstance) {
             this.internalInstance = new RightPanelStore();
+            this.internalInstance.start();
         }
         return this.internalInstance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore.ts b/src/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore.ts
index 1462826fe4..e0e06ec980 100644
--- a/src/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore.ts
@@ -124,7 +124,11 @@ const mkMessagePreview = (text: string, event: MatrixEvent): MessagePreview => {
 };
 
 export class MessagePreviewStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
-    private static readonly internalInstance = (() => new MessagePreviewStore())();
+    private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
+        const instance = new MessagePreviewStore();
+        instance.start();
+        return instance;
+    })();
 
     /**
      * @internal Public for test only
diff --git a/src/stores/room-list/RoomListLayoutStore.ts b/src/stores/room-list/RoomListLayoutStore.ts
index d305bacffb..ea85860554 100644
--- a/src/stores/room-list/RoomListLayoutStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/room-list/RoomListLayoutStore.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export default class RoomListLayoutStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
     public static get instance(): RoomListLayoutStore {
         if (!this.internalInstance) {
             this.internalInstance = new RoomListLayoutStore();
+            this.internalInstance.start();
         }
         return RoomListLayoutStore.internalInstance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/room-list/RoomListStore.ts b/src/stores/room-list/RoomListStore.ts
index bb7cf15e8e..53377e0a01 100644
--- a/src/stores/room-list/RoomListStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/room-list/RoomListStore.ts
@@ -643,9 +643,11 @@ export default class RoomListStore {
             if (SettingsStore.getValue("feature_sliding_sync")) {
                 logger.info("using SlidingRoomListStoreClass");
                 const instance = new SlidingRoomListStoreClass(defaultDispatcher, SdkContextClass.instance);
+                instance.start();
                 RoomListStore.internalInstance = instance;
             } else {
                 const instance = new RoomListStoreClass(defaultDispatcher);
+                instance.start();
                 RoomListStore.internalInstance = instance;
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore.ts b/src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore.ts
index 1c3afeaf85..90358f3310 100644
--- a/src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import {
     MatrixEvent,
     ClientEvent,
     ISendEventResponse,
-    MatrixClient,
 } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
 import { KnownMembership } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/types";
 import { logger } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/logger";
@@ -1398,6 +1397,7 @@ export class SpaceStoreClass extends AsyncStoreWithClient<IState> {
 export default class SpaceStore {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new SpaceStoreClass();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
 
@@ -1408,9 +1408,9 @@ export default class SpaceStore {
     /**
      * @internal for test only
      */
-    public static testInstance(client: MatrixClient): SpaceStoreClass {
+    public static testInstance(): SpaceStoreClass {
         const store = new SpaceStoreClass();
-        store.useUnitTestClient(client);
+        store.start();
         return store;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/stores/widgets/WidgetLayoutStore.ts b/src/stores/widgets/WidgetLayoutStore.ts
index 00b27a1aa1..cefbee0f6b 100644
--- a/src/stores/widgets/WidgetLayoutStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/widgets/WidgetLayoutStore.ts
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ export class WidgetLayoutStore extends ReadyWatchingStore {
     public static get instance(): WidgetLayoutStore {
         if (!this.internalInstance) {
             this.internalInstance = new WidgetLayoutStore();
+            this.internalInstance.start();
         }
         return this.internalInstance;
     }
diff --git a/src/stores/widgets/WidgetMessagingStore.ts b/src/stores/widgets/WidgetMessagingStore.ts
index 404049ab36..0388aeacb4 100644
--- a/src/stores/widgets/WidgetMessagingStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/widgets/WidgetMessagingStore.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ export enum WidgetMessagingStoreEvent {
 export class WidgetMessagingStore extends AsyncStoreWithClient<{}> {
     private static readonly internalInstance = (() => {
         const instance = new WidgetMessagingStore();
+        instance.start();
         return instance;
     })();
 
diff --git a/src/utils/SessionLock.ts b/src/utils/SessionLock.ts
index 6a1c65584d..e3d9d5ecc8 100644
--- a/src/utils/SessionLock.ts
+++ b/src/utils/SessionLock.ts
@@ -66,15 +66,29 @@ export const SESSION_LOCK_CONSTANTS = {
  * @returns true if any instance is currently active
  */
 export function checkSessionLockFree(): boolean {
+    const prefixedLogger = logger.getChild(`checkSessionLockFree`);
+
     const lastPingTime = window.localStorage.getItem(SESSION_LOCK_CONSTANTS.STORAGE_ITEM_PING);
     if (lastPingTime === null) {
         // no other holder
+        prefixedLogger.info("No other session has the lock");
         return true;
     }
 
+    const lockHolder = window.localStorage.getItem(SESSION_LOCK_CONSTANTS.STORAGE_ITEM_OWNER);
+
     // see if it has expired
     const timeAgo = Date.now() - parseInt(lastPingTime);
-    return timeAgo > SESSION_LOCK_CONSTANTS.LOCK_EXPIRY_TIME_MS;
+
+    const remaining = SESSION_LOCK_CONSTANTS.LOCK_EXPIRY_TIME_MS - timeAgo;
+    if (remaining <= 0) {
+        // another session claimed the lock, but it is stale.
+        prefixedLogger.info(`Last ping (from ${lockHolder}) was ${timeAgo}ms ago: lock is free`);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    prefixedLogger.info(`Last ping (from ${lockHolder}) was ${timeAgo}ms ago: lock is taken`);
+    return false;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -95,7 +109,7 @@ export async function getSessionLock(onNewInstance: () => Promise<void>): Promis
     /** unique ID for this session */
     const sessionIdentifier = uuidv4();
 
-    const prefixedLogger = logger.withPrefix(`getSessionLock[${sessionIdentifier}]`);
+    const prefixedLogger = logger.getChild(`getSessionLock[${sessionIdentifier}]`);
 
     /** The ID of our regular task to service the lock.
      *
@@ -133,7 +147,7 @@ export async function getSessionLock(onNewInstance: () => Promise<void>): Promis
             return 0;
         }
 
-        prefixedLogger.info(`Last ping (from ${lockHolder}) was ${timeAgo}ms ago, waiting`);
+        prefixedLogger.info(`Last ping (from ${lockHolder}) was ${timeAgo}ms ago, waiting ${remaining}ms`);
         return remaining;
     }
 
diff --git a/test/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer-test.tsx b/test/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer-test.tsx
index f498479a68..a46dba0f1e 100644
--- a/test/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer-test.tsx
+++ b/test/components/views/rooms/BasicMessageComposer-test.tsx
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ describe("BasicMessageComposer", () => {
             { before: ":-D", after: "😄" },
             { before: ":D", after: "😄" },
             { before: ":3", after: "😽" },
+            { before: "=-]", after: "🙂" },
         ];
         const input = screen.getByRole("textbox");
 
diff --git a/test/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/components/WysiwygComposer-test.tsx b/test/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/components/WysiwygComposer-test.tsx
index e58b21db6e..f32a4e7a4e 100644
--- a/test/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/components/WysiwygComposer-test.tsx
+++ b/test/components/views/rooms/wysiwyg_composer/components/WysiwygComposer-test.tsx
@@ -435,6 +435,18 @@ describe("WysiwygComposer", () => {
                 inputType: "insertText",
             });
 
+            await waitFor(() => expect(onChange).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(3, expect.stringContaining("😛")));
+        });
+        it("typing a space to trigger an emoji varitation replacement", async () => {
+            fireEvent.input(screen.getByRole("textbox"), {
+                data: ":-P",
+                inputType: "insertText",
+            });
+            fireEvent.input(screen.getByRole("textbox"), {
+                data: " ",
+                inputType: "insertText",
+            });
+
             await waitFor(() => expect(onChange).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(3, expect.stringContaining("😛")));
         });
     });
diff --git a/test/stores/AutoRageshakeStore-test.ts b/test/stores/AutoRageshakeStore-test.ts
index 7ed317fc81..f321e909a4 100644
--- a/test/stores/AutoRageshakeStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/AutoRageshakeStore-test.ts
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe("AutoRageshakeStore", () => {
 
         // @ts-ignore bypass private ctor for tests
         autoRageshakeStore = new AutoRageshakeStore();
-        autoRageshakeStore.useUnitTestClient(client);
+        autoRageshakeStore.start();
 
         utdEvent = mkEvent({
             event: true,
diff --git a/test/stores/OwnProfileStore-test.ts b/test/stores/OwnProfileStore-test.ts
index 628706372d..0f4f2d325a 100644
--- a/test/stores/OwnProfileStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/OwnProfileStore-test.ts
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe("OwnProfileStore", () => {
             displayname: "Display Name",
             avatar_url: "mxc://example.com/abc123",
         });
-        await ownProfileStore.useUnitTestClient(client);
+        await ownProfileStore.start();
 
         expect(onUpdate).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(ownProfileStore.displayName).toBe("Display Name");
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ describe("OwnProfileStore", () => {
                 errcode: "M_NOT_FOUND",
             }),
         );
-        await ownProfileStore.useUnitTestClient(client);
+        await ownProfileStore.start();
 
         expect(onUpdate).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(ownProfileStore.displayName).toBe(client.getSafeUserId());
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ describe("OwnProfileStore", () => {
             }),
         );
         try {
-            await ownProfileStore.useUnitTestClient(client);
+            await ownProfileStore.start();
         } catch (ignore) {}
 
         expect(onUpdate).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
diff --git a/test/stores/SpaceStore-test.ts b/test/stores/SpaceStore-test.ts
index 53172f946a..35ec275c49 100644
--- a/test/stores/SpaceStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/SpaceStore-test.ts
@@ -1428,7 +1428,7 @@ describe("SpaceStore", () => {
 
         it("passes that value in calls to getVisibleRooms during getSpaceFilteredRoomIds", () => {
             // Given a store
-            const store = SpaceStore.testInstance(client);
+            const store = SpaceStore.testInstance();
 
             // When we ask for filtered room ids
             store.getSpaceFilteredRoomIds(MetaSpace.Home);
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ describe("SpaceStore", () => {
 
         it("passes that value in calls to getVisibleRooms during getSpaceFilteredRoomIds", () => {
             // Given a store
-            const store = SpaceStore.testInstance(client);
+            const store = SpaceStore.testInstance();
             // When we ask for filtered room ids
             store.getSpaceFilteredRoomIds(MetaSpace.Home);
 
diff --git a/test/stores/VoiceRecordingStore-test.ts b/test/stores/VoiceRecordingStore-test.ts
index 9af96914e8..6974e6063e 100644
--- a/test/stores/VoiceRecordingStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/VoiceRecordingStore-test.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe("VoiceRecordingStore", () => {
 
     const mkStore = (): VoiceRecordingStore => {
         const store = new VoiceRecordingStore();
-        store.useUnitTestClient(stubClient);
+        store.start();
         return store;
     };
 
diff --git a/test/stores/WidgetLayoutStore-test.ts b/test/stores/WidgetLayoutStore-test.ts
index 4ac397a121..72418dda5f 100644
--- a/test/stores/WidgetLayoutStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/WidgetLayoutStore-test.ts
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ describe("WidgetLayoutStore", () => {
 
     it("should recalculate all rooms when the client is ready", async () => {
         mocked(client.getVisibleRooms).mockReturnValue([mockRoom]);
-        await store.start(client);
+        await store.start();
 
         expect(roomUpdateListener).toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(store.getContainerWidgets(mockRoom, Container.Top)).toEqual([]);
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ describe("WidgetLayoutStore", () => {
     });
 
     it("should copy the layout to the room", async () => {
-        await store.start(client);
+        await store.start();
         store.recalculateRoom(mockRoom);
         store.moveToContainer(mockRoom, mockApps[0], Container.Top);
         store.copyLayoutToRoom(mockRoom);
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ describe("WidgetLayoutStore", () => {
             mocked(client.getVisibleRooms).mockReturnValue([]);
             // @ts-ignore bypass private ctor for tests
             const store = new WidgetLayoutStore();
-            await store.start(client);
+            await store.start();
             expect(client.getVisibleRooms).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false);
         });
     });
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ describe("WidgetLayoutStore", () => {
             mocked(client.getVisibleRooms).mockReturnValue([]);
             // @ts-ignore bypass private ctor for tests
             const store = new WidgetLayoutStore();
-            await store.start(client);
+            await store.start();
             expect(client.getVisibleRooms).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true);
         });
     });
diff --git a/test/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore-test.ts b/test/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore-test.ts
index 603f4713e9..976c822253 100644
--- a/test/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/room-list/MessagePreviewStore-test.ts
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ describe("MessagePreviewStore", () => {
         mocked(client.getRoom).mockReturnValue(room);
 
         store = MessagePreviewStore.testInstance();
-        await store.useUnitTestClient(client);
+        await store.start();
         await setupAsyncStoreWithClient(store, client);
     });
 
diff --git a/test/stores/room-list/RoomListStore-test.ts b/test/stores/room-list/RoomListStore-test.ts
index 4fe59a6222..fd5562753e 100644
--- a/test/stores/room-list/RoomListStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/room-list/RoomListStore-test.ts
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@ import DMRoomMap from "../../../src/utils/DMRoomMap";
 import { flushPromises, stubClient, upsertRoomStateEvents, mkRoom } from "../../test-utils";
 import { DEFAULT_PUSH_RULES, makePushRule } from "../../test-utils/pushRules";
 
-// Mock out the SpaceWatcher as it messes with the prefilterConditions
-jest.mock("../../../src/stores/room-list/SpaceWatcher.ts");
-
 describe("RoomListStore", () => {
     const client = stubClient();
     const newRoomId = "!roomid:example.com";
@@ -94,10 +91,6 @@ describe("RoomListStore", () => {
         await (RoomListStore.instance as RoomListStoreClass).makeReady(client);
     });
 
-    beforeEach(() => {
-        DMRoomMap.makeShared(client);
-    });
-
     it.each(OrderedDefaultTagIDs)("defaults to importance ordering for %s=", (tagId) => {
         expect(RoomListStore.instance.getTagSorting(tagId)).toBe(SortAlgorithm.Recent);
     });
@@ -109,11 +102,11 @@ describe("RoomListStore", () => {
     function createStore(): { store: RoomListStoreClass; handleRoomUpdate: jest.Mock<any, any> } {
         const fakeDispatcher = { register: jest.fn() } as unknown as MatrixDispatcher;
         const store = new RoomListStoreClass(fakeDispatcher);
+        // @ts-ignore accessing private member to set client
+        store.readyStore.matrixClient = client;
         const handleRoomUpdate = jest.fn();
         // @ts-ignore accessing private member to mock it
         store.algorithm.handleRoomUpdate = handleRoomUpdate;
-        // @ts-ignore accessing private member to set client
-        store.readyStore.useUnitTestClient(client);
 
         return { store, handleRoomUpdate };
     }
@@ -164,6 +157,7 @@ describe("RoomListStore", () => {
         room1.updateMyMembership(KnownMembership.Join);
         room2.updateMyMembership(KnownMembership.Join);
         room3.updateMyMembership(KnownMembership.Join);
+        DMRoomMap.makeShared(client);
         const { store } = createStore();
         client.getVisibleRooms = jest.fn().mockReturnValue([room1, room2, room3]);
 
@@ -275,6 +269,7 @@ describe("RoomListStore", () => {
 
         it("Passes the feature flag on to the client when asking for visible rooms", () => {
             // Given a store that we can ask for a room list
+            DMRoomMap.makeShared(client);
             const { store } = createStore();
             client.getVisibleRooms = jest.fn().mockReturnValue([]);
 
@@ -290,7 +285,7 @@ describe("RoomListStore", () => {
     describe("room updates", () => {
         const makeStore = async () => {
             const store = new RoomListStoreClass(defaultDispatcher);
-            await store.useUnitTestClient(client);
+            await store.start();
             return store;
         };
 
diff --git a/test/stores/room-list/SlidingRoomListStore-test.ts b/test/stores/room-list/SlidingRoomListStore-test.ts
index 926d1fd2f3..f667ef7dca 100644
--- a/test/stores/room-list/SlidingRoomListStore-test.ts
+++ b/test/stores/room-list/SlidingRoomListStore-test.ts
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
 
     describe("spaces", () => {
         it("alters 'filters.spaces' on the DefaultTagID.Untagged list when the selected space changes", async () => {
-            await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!); // call onReady
+            await store.start(); // call onReady
             const spaceRoomId = "!foo:bar";
 
             const p = untilEmission(store, LISTS_LOADING_EVENT, (listName, isLoading) => {
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
                 },
             );
             activeSpace = MetaSpace.Home;
-            await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!); // call onReady
+            await store.start(); // call onReady
 
             expect(context._SlidingSyncManager!.ensureListRegistered).toHaveBeenCalledWith(DefaultTagID.Untagged, {
                 filters: expect.objectContaining({
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
             const p = untilEmission(store, LISTS_LOADING_EVENT, (listName, isLoading) => {
                 return listName === DefaultTagID.Untagged && !isLoading;
             });
-            await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!); // call onReady
+            await store.start(); // call onReady
             await p;
             expect(context._SlidingSyncManager!.ensureListRegistered).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
                 DefaultTagID.Untagged,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
         });
 
         it("includes subspaces in 'filters.spaces' when the selected space has subspaces", async () => {
-            await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!); // call onReady
+            await store.start(); // call onReady
             const spaceRoomId = "!foo:bar";
             const subSpace1 = "!ss1:bar";
             const subSpace2 = "!ss2:bar";
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
     });
 
     it("getTagsForRoom gets the tags for the room", async () => {
-        await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!);
+        await store.start();
         const roomA = "!a:localhost";
         const roomB = "!b:localhost";
         const keyToListData: Record<string, { joinedCount: number; roomIndexToRoomId: Record<number, string> }> = {
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
     });
 
     it("emits LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT when slidingSync lists update", async () => {
-        await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!);
+        await store.start();
         const roomA = "!a:localhost";
         const roomB = "!b:localhost";
         const roomC = "!c:localhost";
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
     });
 
     it("sets the sticky room on the basis of the viewed room in RoomViewStore", async () => {
-        await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!);
+        await store.start();
         // seed the store with 3 rooms
         const roomIdA = "!a:localhost";
         const roomIdB = "!b:localhost";
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ describe("SlidingRoomListStore", () => {
     });
 
     it("gracefully handles unknown room IDs", async () => {
-        await store.useUnitTestClient(context.client!);
+        await store.start();
         const roomIdA = "!a:localhost";
         const roomIdB = "!b:localhost"; // does not exist
         const roomIdC = "!c:localhost";
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index 5c995a2538..c34ac3a9f5 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -1898,13 +1898,13 @@
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@matrix-org/analytics-events/-/analytics-events-0.26.0.tgz#7c8f8f924d8313c87951a0e941640ef8ff78f3d6"
   integrity sha512-cjKZBejajUG8wPhVygMkBTwTLdEn74luUP6g6RjCUqPR3RYIl3NVi58Zil8CWfRTILb4wVLCPpAvehgXJn1HnQ==
 
-"@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings@^1.1.2":
-  version "1.1.3"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings/-/emojibase-bindings-1.1.3.tgz#d35f0367d586d83261564662b6bb67fda8845d68"
-  integrity sha512-ljr0kPerx8yUc4JVJz7japebb1ZbtGH4V4cvlO2LYgTg+warjagDwkJ5x+ZUVuTU6MH8x0LrUxmkqVgmSoQyWA==
+"@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings@^1.3.3":
+  version "1.3.3"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@matrix-org/emojibase-bindings/-/emojibase-bindings-1.3.3.tgz#cee82a739c0866bf3100b03755647ace1f3ba6ef"
+  integrity sha512-GwuZdmF+wZT34RKehQYjTzdgba1ju2W3FM4jPJfwqh0jUxVXZLb+6b6dV3lna6/7EDzgGvOMwTwCAolILDwS0g==
   dependencies:
-    emojibase "^15.0.0"
-    emojibase-data "^15.0.0"
+    emojibase "^15.3.1"
+    emojibase-data "^15.3.1"
 
 "@matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-wasm@^7.0.0":
   version "7.0.0"
@@ -4431,20 +4431,20 @@ emoji-regex@^9.2.2:
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emoji-regex/-/emoji-regex-9.2.2.tgz#840c8803b0d8047f4ff0cf963176b32d4ef3ed72"
   integrity sha512-L18DaJsXSUk2+42pv8mLs5jJT2hqFkFE4j21wOmgbUqsZ2hL72NsUU785g9RXgo3s0ZNgVl42TiHp3ZtOv/Vyg==
 
-emojibase-data@^15.0.0:
-  version "15.2.0"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emojibase-data/-/emojibase-data-15.2.0.tgz#475a786c091a101ef4bcf57227771c6260ee39b2"
-  integrity sha512-hDiw4ugxnI4pcVQO+73NlKx6aZP/A+BAPfDgK/3A83RVbHZa0Ut6GHpd5r5XUV9G7BZhKejlIRuxhXialpbt6Q==
+emojibase-data@^15.3.1:
+  version "15.3.2"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emojibase-data/-/emojibase-data-15.3.2.tgz#2742246bfe14f16a7829b42ca156dec09934cf85"
+  integrity sha512-TpDyTDDTdqWIJixV5sTA6OQ0P0JfIIeK2tFRR3q56G9LK65ylAZ7z3KyBXokpvTTJ+mLUXQXbLNyVkjvnTLE+A==
 
 emojibase-regex@15.3.2:
   version "15.3.2"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emojibase-regex/-/emojibase-regex-15.3.2.tgz#5175231715b86d4b437754527288844a6c29318f"
   integrity sha512-ue6BVeb2qu33l97MkxcOoyMJlg6Tug3eTv2z1at+M9TjvlWKvdmAPvZIDG1JbT2RH3FSyJNLucO5K5H/yxT03w==
 
-emojibase@^15.0.0:
-  version "15.2.0"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emojibase/-/emojibase-15.2.0.tgz#0a175d4218f4a1600f2ada6b3a3184cef1b3ec7b"
-  integrity sha512-gB6rIVtyJPersQvAo4nOGYPeILMhlcfZdiwCWVeRAtkJ7sm0tExZETGyLhrTQcHvZQhDEYI1vlCeqUhn5gZkQA==
+emojibase@^15.3.1:
+  version "15.3.1"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/emojibase/-/emojibase-15.3.1.tgz#7f6ff5482486f23e59a457de64e974bd35f3c9a3"
+  integrity sha512-GNsjHnG2J3Ktg684Fs/vZR/6XpOSkZPMAv85EHrr6br2RN2cJNwdS4am/3YSK3y+/gOv2kmoK3GGdahXdMxg2g==
 
 emojis-list@^3.0.0:
   version "3.0.0"