diff --git a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
index 99fdfb2a489..e8143b58c58 100644
--- a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
+++ b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
@@ -246,15 +246,20 @@ class VectorCallActivity :
                 == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
             // Only start the service if the app is in the foreground
             if (isAppInForeground()) {
-                // Starting in Android 14, you can't create a microphone foreground service while your app is in
-                // the background. If we call startForegroundService the app will crash.
-                // https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8964
-                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.UPSIDE_DOWN_CAKE) {
-                    Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Starting microphone foreground service")
-                    val intent = Intent(this, MicrophoneAccessService::class.java)
-                    ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, intent)
-                } else {
-                    Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("App is in running Android 14+; cannot start microphone service")
+                withState(callViewModel) {
+                    // Starting in Android 14, you can't create a microphone foreground service while your app is in
+                    // the background. If we call startForegroundService while the call state is ringing (i.e. the
+                    // user has not interacted with the device at all) the app will crash. Make sure the call has
+                    // already been answered before starting the MicrophoneAccessService
+                    // https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8964
+                    val callState = it.callState.invoke()
+                    if (callState !is CallState.LocalRinging && callState !is CallState.Ended) {
+                        Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Starting microphone foreground service")
+                        val intent = Intent(this, MicrophoneAccessService::class.java)
+                        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, intent)
+                    } else {
+                        Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Call is in ringing or ended state; cannot start microphone service. callState: $callState")
+                    }
                 }
             } else {
                 Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("App is not in foreground; cannot start microphone service")
@@ -276,6 +281,9 @@ class VectorCallActivity :
 
     override fun onPause() {
         super.onPause()
+
+        // Start the microphone service to keep access to the microphone when the call is in the background
+        // https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8881
         startMicrophoneService()
     }