diff --git a/proto/backend.proto b/proto/backend.proto
index 618db0522..075b2a4bb 100644
--- a/proto/backend.proto
+++ b/proto/backend.proto
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ service BackendService {
     rpc AbortMediaSync (Empty) returns (Empty);
     rpc BeforeUpload (Empty) returns (Empty);
     rpc SyncLogin (SyncLoginIn) returns (SyncAuth);
-    rpc SyncStatus (SyncAuth) returns (SyncCollectionOut);
+    rpc SyncStatus (SyncAuth) returns (SyncStatusOut);
     rpc SyncCollection (SyncAuth) returns (SyncCollectionOut);
     rpc FullUpload (SyncAuth) returns (Empty);
     rpc FullDownload (SyncAuth) returns (Empty);
@@ -904,6 +904,15 @@ message SyncLoginIn {
     string password = 2;
 }
 
+message SyncStatusOut {
+    enum Required {
+        NO_CHANGES = 0;
+        NORMAL_SYNC = 1;
+        FULL_SYNC = 2;
+    }
+    Required required = 1;
+}
+
 message SyncCollectionOut {
     enum ChangesRequired {
         NO_CHANGES = 0;
diff --git a/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py b/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
index f01aec5ec..7b84f6680 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ DeckTreeNode = pb.DeckTreeNode
 StockNoteType = pb.StockNoteType
 SyncAuth = pb.SyncAuth
 SyncOutput = pb.SyncCollectionOut
+SyncStatus = pb.SyncStatusOut
 
 try:
     import orjson
diff --git a/pylib/tools/genbackend.py b/pylib/tools/genbackend.py
index 6cdb60afd..a143d7ed0 100755
--- a/pylib/tools/genbackend.py
+++ b/pylib/tools/genbackend.py
@@ -107,7 +107,10 @@ def render_method(method, idx):
         input_args = f"self, input: {fullname(method.input_type.full_name)}"
         input_assign_outer = ""
     name = fix_snakecase(stringcase.snakecase(method.name))
-    if len(method.output_type.fields) == 1:
+    if (
+        len(method.output_type.fields) == 1
+        and method.output_type.fields[0].type != TYPE_ENUM
+    ):
         # unwrap single return arg
         f = method.output_type.fields[0]
         single_field = f".{f.name}"
diff --git a/qt/.gitignore b/qt/.gitignore
index 85e37d52a..3b37d2cc5 100644
--- a/qt/.gitignore
+++ b/qt/.gitignore
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ aqt_data/web/overview.js
 aqt_data/web/reviewer-bottom.js
 aqt_data/web/reviewer.js
 aqt_data/web/webview.js
+aqt_data/web/toolbar.js
 dist
 aqt.egg-info
 build
diff --git a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
index 91773f14c..4c417b15d 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/deckbrowser.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from anki.utils import ids2str
 from aqt import AnkiQt, gui_hooks
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.sound import av_player
+from aqt.sync import get_sync_status
 from aqt.toolbar import BottomBar
 from aqt.utils import askUser, getOnlyText, openLink, shortcut, showWarning, tr
 
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ class DeckBrowser:
         self.web.set_bridge_command(self._linkHandler, self)
         self._renderPage()
         # redraw top bar for theme change
-        self.mw.toolbar.draw()
+        self.mw.toolbar.redraw()
 
     def refresh(self):
         self._renderPage()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/profiles.py b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
index 3592e0472..9fc13a0bd 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/profiles.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class ProfileManager:
     def __init__(self, base=None):
         self.name = None
         self.db = None
+        self.profile: Optional[Dict] = None
         # instantiate base folder
         self._setBaseFolder(base)
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/sync.py b/qt/aqt/sync.py
index 2e7d58b72..34e030cbb 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/sync.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/sync.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from anki.rsbackend import (
     SyncError,
     SyncErrorKind,
     SyncOutput,
+    SyncStatus,
 )
 from aqt.qt import (
     QDialog,
@@ -37,13 +38,19 @@ class FullSyncChoice(enum.Enum):
     DOWNLOAD = 2
 
 
-def get_sync_status(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, callback: Callable[[SyncOutput], None]):
+def get_sync_status(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, callback: Callable[[SyncStatus], None]):
     auth = mw.pm.sync_auth()
     if not auth:
-        return
+        return SyncStatus(required=SyncStatus.NO_CHANGES)
 
     def on_future_done(fut):
-        callback(fut.result())
+        try:
+            out = fut.result()
+        except Exception as e:
+            # swallow errors
+            print("sync status check failed:", str(e))
+            return
+        callback(out)
 
     mw.taskman.run_in_background(
         lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_status(auth), on_future_done
diff --git a/qt/aqt/toolbar.py b/qt/aqt/toolbar.py
index 3067a580d..5cfa9e1e2 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/toolbar.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/toolbar.py
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
 
 import aqt
 from anki.lang import _
+from anki.rsbackend import SyncStatus
 from aqt import gui_hooks
 from aqt.qt import *
+from aqt.sync import get_sync_status
 from aqt.webview import AnkiWebView
 
 
@@ -45,11 +47,16 @@ class Toolbar:
         link_handler = link_handler or self._linkHandler
         self.web.set_bridge_command(link_handler, web_context)
         self.web.stdHtml(
-            self._body % self._centerLinks(), css=["toolbar.css"], context=web_context,
+            self._body % self._centerLinks(),
+            css=["toolbar.css"],
+            js=["webview.js", "jquery.js", "toolbar.js"],
+            context=web_context,
         )
         self.web.adjustHeightToFit()
-        if self.mw.media_syncer.is_syncing():
-            self.set_sync_active(True)
+
+    def redraw(self) -> None:
+        self.set_sync_active(self.mw.media_syncer.is_syncing())
+        self.update_sync_status()
 
     # Available links
     ######################################################################
@@ -128,6 +135,9 @@ class Toolbar:
 
         return "\n".join(links)
 
+    # Sync
+    ######################################################################
+
     def _create_sync_link(self) -> str:
         name = _("Sync")
         title = _("Shortcut key: %s") % "Y"
@@ -146,6 +156,12 @@ class Toolbar:
             meth = "removeClass"
         self.web.eval(f"$('#sync-spinner').{meth}('spin')")
 
+    def set_sync_status(self, status: SyncStatus) -> None:
+        self.web.eval(f"updateSyncColor({status.required})")
+
+    def update_sync_status(self) -> None:
+        get_sync_status(self.mw, self.mw.toolbar.set_sync_status)
+
     # Link handling
     ######################################################################
 
diff --git a/qt/ts/scss/toolbar.scss b/qt/ts/scss/toolbar.scss
index ffc79a26f..9fca95921 100644
--- a/qt/ts/scss/toolbar.scss
+++ b/qt/ts/scss/toolbar.scss
@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ body {
     #header {
         border-bottom-color: vars.$night-faint-border;
     }
+
+    .normal-sync {
+        color: vars.$night-new-count;
+    }
+
+    .full-sync {
+        color: vars.$night-learn-count;
+    }
 }
 
 .isMac.nightMode #header {
@@ -70,4 +78,14 @@ body {
     height: 16px;
     margin-bottom: -3px;
     visibility: hidden;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+.normal-sync {
+    color: vars.$day-new-count;
+}
+
+.full-sync {
+    color: vars.$day-learn-count;
+}
+
+
diff --git a/qt/ts/src/toolbar.ts b/qt/ts/src/toolbar.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7c2aa6c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qt/ts/src/toolbar.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+enum SyncState {
+    NoChanges = 0,
+    Normal,
+    Full,
+}
+
+function updateSyncColor(state: SyncState) {
+    const elem = document.getElementById("sync");
+    switch (state) {
+        case SyncState.NoChanges:
+            elem.classList.remove("full-sync", "normal-sync");
+            break;
+        case SyncState.Normal:
+            elem.classList.add("normal-sync");
+            elem.classList.remove("full-sync");
+            break;
+        case SyncState.Full:
+            elem.classList.add("full-sync");
+            elem.classList.remove("normal-sync");
+            break;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
index 32e4455bf..49db678e8 100644
--- a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ use crate::{
     sched::timespan::{answer_button_time, learning_congrats, studied_today, time_span},
     search::SortMode,
     sync::{
-        sync_abort, sync_login, FullSyncProgress, NormalSyncProgress, SyncActionRequired, SyncAuth,
-        SyncOutput, SyncStage,
+        get_remote_sync_meta, sync_abort, sync_login, FullSyncProgress, NormalSyncProgress,
+        SyncActionRequired, SyncAuth, SyncMeta, SyncOutput, SyncStage,
     },
     template::RenderedNode,
     text::{extract_av_tags, strip_av_tags, AVTag},
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ use crate::{
 use fluent::FluentValue;
 use futures::future::{AbortHandle, Abortable};
 use log::error;
-use pb::BackendService;
+use pb::{sync_status_out, BackendService};
 use prost::Message;
 use serde_json::Value as JsonValue;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
@@ -92,6 +92,27 @@ pub struct Backend {
     media_sync_abort: Option<AbortHandle>,
     progress_state: Arc<Mutex<ProgressState>>,
     runtime: Option<Runtime>,
+    state: Arc<Mutex<BackendState>>,
+}
+
+// fixme: move other items like runtime into here as well
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct BackendState {
+    remote_sync_status: RemoteSyncStatus,
+}
+
+#[derive(Default, Debug)]
+pub(crate) struct RemoteSyncStatus {
+    last_check: TimestampSecs,
+    last_response: sync_status_out::Required,
+}
+
+impl RemoteSyncStatus {
+    fn update(&mut self, required: sync_status_out::Required) {
+        self.last_check = TimestampSecs::now();
+        self.last_response = required
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy)]
@@ -971,12 +992,12 @@ impl BackendService for Backend {
         self.sync_login_inner(input)
     }
 
-    fn sync_status(&mut self, input: pb::SyncAuth) -> BackendResult<pb::SyncCollectionOut> {
-        self.sync_collection_inner(input, true)
+    fn sync_status(&mut self, input: pb::SyncAuth) -> BackendResult<pb::SyncStatusOut> {
+        self.sync_status_inner(input)
     }
 
     fn sync_collection(&mut self, input: pb::SyncAuth) -> BackendResult<pb::SyncCollectionOut> {
-        self.sync_collection_inner(input, false)
+        self.sync_collection_inner(input)
     }
 
     fn full_upload(&mut self, input: pb::SyncAuth) -> BackendResult<Empty> {
@@ -1157,6 +1178,7 @@ impl Backend {
                 last_progress: None,
             })),
             runtime: None,
+            state: Arc::new(Mutex::new(BackendState::default())),
         }
     }
 
@@ -1265,10 +1287,38 @@ impl Backend {
         })
     }
 
+    fn sync_status_inner(&mut self, input: pb::SyncAuth) -> BackendResult<pb::SyncStatusOut> {
+        // any local changes mean we can skip the network round-trip
+        let req = self.with_col(|col| col.get_local_sync_status())?;
+        if req != pb::sync_status_out::Required::NoChanges {
+            return Ok(req.into());
+        }
+
+        // return cached server response if only a short time has elapsed
+        {
+            let guard = self.state.lock().unwrap();
+            if guard.remote_sync_status.last_check.elapsed_secs() < 300 {
+                return Ok(guard.remote_sync_status.last_response.into());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // fetch and cache result
+        let rt = self.runtime_handle();
+        let remote: SyncMeta = rt.block_on(get_remote_sync_meta(input.into()))?;
+        let response = self.with_col(|col| col.get_sync_status(remote).map(Into::into))?;
+
+        {
+            let mut guard = self.state.lock().unwrap();
+            guard.remote_sync_status.last_check = TimestampSecs::now();
+            guard.remote_sync_status.last_response = response;
+        }
+
+        Ok(response.into())
+    }
+
     fn sync_collection_inner(
         &mut self,
         input: pb::SyncAuth,
-        check_only: bool,
     ) -> BackendResult<pb::SyncCollectionOut> {
         let (abort_handle, abort_reg) = AbortHandle::new_pair();
         self.sync_abort = Some(abort_handle);
@@ -1277,39 +1327,36 @@ impl Backend {
         let input_copy = input.clone();
 
         let ret = self.with_col(|col| {
-            let result = if check_only {
-                let sync_fut = col.get_sync_status(input.into());
-                let abortable_sync = Abortable::new(sync_fut, abort_reg);
-                rt.block_on(abortable_sync)
-            } else {
-                let mut handler = self.new_progress_handler();
-                let progress_fn = move |progress: NormalSyncProgress, throttle: bool| {
-                    handler.update(progress, throttle);
-                };
-
-                let sync_fut = col.normal_sync(input.into(), progress_fn);
-                let abortable_sync = Abortable::new(sync_fut, abort_reg);
-                rt.block_on(abortable_sync)
+            let mut handler = self.new_progress_handler();
+            let progress_fn = move |progress: NormalSyncProgress, throttle: bool| {
+                handler.update(progress, throttle);
             };
-            match result {
+
+            let sync_fut = col.normal_sync(input.into(), progress_fn);
+            let abortable_sync = Abortable::new(sync_fut, abort_reg);
+
+            match rt.block_on(abortable_sync) {
                 Ok(sync_result) => sync_result,
                 Err(_) => {
                     // if the user aborted, we'll need to clean up the transaction
-                    if !check_only {
-                        col.storage.rollback_trx()?;
-                        // and tell AnkiWeb to clean up
-                        let _handle = std::thread::spawn(move || {
-                            let _ =
-                                rt.block_on(sync_abort(input_copy.hkey, input_copy.host_number));
-                        });
-                    }
+                    col.storage.rollback_trx()?;
+                    // and tell AnkiWeb to clean up
+                    let _handle = std::thread::spawn(move || {
+                        let _ = rt.block_on(sync_abort(input_copy.hkey, input_copy.host_number));
+                    });
 
                     Err(AnkiError::Interrupted)
                 }
             }
         });
         self.sync_abort = None;
+
         let output: SyncOutput = ret?;
+        self.state
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .remote_sync_status
+            .update(output.required.into());
         Ok(output.into())
     }
 
@@ -1361,7 +1408,16 @@ impl Backend {
         )?);
 
         match result {
-            Ok(sync_result) => sync_result,
+            Ok(sync_result) => {
+                if sync_result.is_ok() {
+                    self.state
+                        .lock()
+                        .unwrap()
+                        .remote_sync_status
+                        .update(sync_status_out::Required::NoChanges);
+                }
+                sync_result
+            }
             Err(_) => Err(AnkiError::Interrupted),
         }
     }
diff --git a/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs b/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
index 90305a3a3..60ccc627a 100644
--- a/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
@@ -307,6 +307,15 @@ impl SqliteStorage {
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn get_last_sync(&self) -> Result<TimestampMillis> {
+        self.db
+            .prepare_cached("select ls from col")?
+            .query_and_then(NO_PARAMS, |r| r.get(0))?
+            .next()
+            .ok_or_else(|| AnkiError::invalid_input("missing col"))?
+            .map_err(Into::into)
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn set_last_sync(&self, stamp: TimestampMillis) -> Result<()> {
         self.db
             .prepare("update col set ls = ?")?
diff --git a/rslib/src/sync/mod.rs b/rslib/src/sync/mod.rs
index 6e2262c19..e5eba1278 100644
--- a/rslib/src/sync/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/sync/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 mod http_client;
 
 use crate::{
+    backend_proto::{sync_status_out, SyncStatusOut},
     card::{Card, CardQueue, CardType},
     deckconf::DeckConfSchema11,
     decks::DeckSchema11,
@@ -211,7 +212,7 @@ pub struct FullSyncProgress {
     pub total_bytes: usize,
 }
 
-#[derive(PartialEq, Debug)]
+#[derive(PartialEq, Debug, Clone, Copy)]
 pub enum SyncActionRequired {
     NoChanges,
     FullSyncRequired { upload_ok: bool, download_ok: bool },
@@ -262,6 +263,35 @@ impl Usn {
     }
 }
 
+impl SyncMeta {
+    fn compared_to_remote(&self, remote: SyncMeta) -> SyncState {
+        let local = self;
+        let required = if remote.modified == local.modified {
+            SyncActionRequired::NoChanges
+        } else if remote.schema != local.schema {
+            let upload_ok = !local.empty || remote.empty;
+            let download_ok = !remote.empty || local.empty;
+            SyncActionRequired::FullSyncRequired {
+                upload_ok,
+                download_ok,
+            }
+        } else {
+            SyncActionRequired::NormalSyncRequired
+        };
+
+        SyncState {
+            required,
+            local_is_newer: local.modified > remote.modified,
+            usn_at_last_sync: local.usn,
+            latest_usn: remote.usn,
+            pending_usn: Usn(-1),
+            new_usn: Some(remote.usn),
+            server_message: remote.server_message,
+            host_number: remote.host_number,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl<F> NormalSyncer<'_, F>
 where
     F: FnMut(NormalSyncProgress, bool),
@@ -338,29 +368,7 @@ where
             });
         }
 
-        let required = if remote.modified == local.modified {
-            SyncActionRequired::NoChanges
-        } else if remote.schema != local.schema {
-            let upload_ok = !local.empty || remote.empty;
-            let download_ok = !remote.empty || local.empty;
-            SyncActionRequired::FullSyncRequired {
-                upload_ok,
-                download_ok,
-            }
-        } else {
-            SyncActionRequired::NormalSyncRequired
-        };
-
-        Ok(SyncState {
-            required,
-            local_is_newer: local.modified > remote.modified,
-            usn_at_last_sync: local.usn,
-            latest_usn: remote.usn,
-            pending_usn: Usn(-1),
-            new_usn: Some(remote.usn),
-            server_message: remote.server_message,
-            host_number: remote.host_number,
-        })
+        Ok(local.compared_to_remote(remote))
     }
 
     /// Sync. Caller must have created a transaction, and should call
@@ -593,12 +601,29 @@ pub async fn sync_abort(hkey: String, host_number: u32) -> Result<()> {
     remote.abort().await
 }
 
+pub(crate) async fn get_remote_sync_meta(auth: SyncAuth) -> Result<SyncMeta> {
+    let remote = HTTPSyncClient::new(Some(auth.hkey), auth.host_number);
+    remote.meta().await
+}
+
 impl Collection {
-    pub async fn get_sync_status(&mut self, auth: SyncAuth) -> Result<SyncOutput> {
-        NormalSyncer::new(self, auth, |_p, _t| ())
-            .get_sync_state()
-            .await
-            .map(Into::into)
+    pub fn get_local_sync_status(&mut self) -> Result<sync_status_out::Required> {
+        let last_sync = self.storage.get_last_sync()?;
+        let schema_mod = self.storage.get_schema_mtime()?;
+        let normal_mod = self.storage.get_modified_time()?;
+        let required = if schema_mod > last_sync {
+            sync_status_out::Required::FullSync
+        } else if normal_mod > last_sync {
+            sync_status_out::Required::NormalSync
+        } else {
+            sync_status_out::Required::NoChanges
+        };
+
+        Ok(required)
+    }
+
+    pub fn get_sync_status(&self, remote: SyncMeta) -> Result<sync_status_out::Required> {
+        Ok(self.sync_meta()?.compared_to_remote(remote).required.into())
     }
 
     pub async fn normal_sync<F>(&mut self, auth: SyncAuth, progress_fn: F) -> Result<SyncOutput>
@@ -1130,6 +1155,22 @@ impl From<SyncState> for SyncOutput {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<sync_status_out::Required> for SyncStatusOut {
+    fn from(r: sync_status_out::Required) -> Self {
+        SyncStatusOut { required: r.into() }
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<SyncActionRequired> for sync_status_out::Required {
+    fn from(r: SyncActionRequired) -> Self {
+        match r {
+            SyncActionRequired::NoChanges => sync_status_out::Required::NoChanges,
+            SyncActionRequired::FullSyncRequired { .. } => sync_status_out::Required::FullSync,
+            SyncActionRequired::NormalSyncRequired => sync_status_out::Required::NormalSync,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod test {
     use super::*;
@@ -1246,8 +1287,9 @@ mod test {
         // col1.storage.set_creation_stamp(TimestampSecs(12345))?;
 
         // and sync our changes
-        let out: SyncOutput = col1.get_sync_status(ctx.auth.clone()).await?;
-        assert_eq!(out.required, SyncActionRequired::NormalSyncRequired);
+        let remote = get_remote_sync_meta(ctx.auth.clone()).await?;
+        let out = col1.get_sync_status(remote)?;
+        assert_eq!(out, sync_status_out::Required::NormalSync);
 
         let out: SyncOutput = col1.normal_sync(ctx.auth.clone(), norm_progress).await?;
         assert_eq!(out.required, SyncActionRequired::NoChanges);
diff --git a/rslib/src/timestamp.rs b/rslib/src/timestamp.rs
index e09e4e50b..d4a9b23d6 100644
--- a/rslib/src/timestamp.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/timestamp.rs
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ impl TimestampSecs {
     pub fn now() -> Self {
         Self(elapsed().as_secs() as i64)
     }
+
+    pub fn elapsed_secs(self) -> u64 {
+        (Self::now().0 - self.0).max(0) as u64
+    }
 }
 
 impl TimestampMillis {