diff --git a/src/audio/backend/alsink.cpp b/src/audio/backend/alsink.cpp
index 3114443e8..33c544a0e 100644
--- a/src/audio/backend/alsink.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/backend/alsink.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,6 @@ void AlSink::kill()
 AlSink::AlSink(OpenAL& al, uint sourceId)
     : audio(al)
     , sourceId{sourceId}
-    , killLock(QMutex::Recursive)
 {}
 
 AlSink::operator bool() const
diff --git a/src/audio/backend/alsink.h b/src/audio/backend/alsink.h
index b742bba13..2c1682adf 100644
--- a/src/audio/backend/alsink.h
+++ b/src/audio/backend/alsink.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 #include "src/model/interface.h"
 #include "src/audio/iaudiosink.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 
 class OpenAL;
 class QMutex;
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ private:
     OpenAL& audio;
     uint sourceId;
     bool killed = false;
-    mutable QMutex killLock;
+    mutable CompatibleRecursiveMutex killLock;
 };
 
 #endif // ALSINK_H
diff --git a/src/audio/backend/alsource.cpp b/src/audio/backend/alsource.cpp
index c29c579ad..0eb6c2b4e 100644
--- a/src/audio/backend/alsource.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/backend/alsource.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
  */
 AlSource::AlSource(OpenAL& al)
     : audio(al)
-    , killLock(QMutex::Recursive)
 {}
 
 AlSource::~AlSource()
diff --git a/src/audio/backend/alsource.h b/src/audio/backend/alsource.h
index 64e2191f5..3d525787e 100644
--- a/src/audio/backend/alsource.h
+++ b/src/audio/backend/alsource.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #define ALSOURCE_H
 
 #include "src/audio/iaudiosource.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 #include <QMutex>
 #include <QObject>
 
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ public:
 private:
     OpenAL& audio;
     bool killed = false;
-    mutable QMutex killLock;
+    mutable CompatibleRecursiveMutex killLock;
 };
 
 #endif // ALSOURCE_H
diff --git a/src/audio/backend/openal.h b/src/audio/backend/openal.h
index 64b4470ec..669bc3c6c 100644
--- a/src/audio/backend/openal.h
+++ b/src/audio/backend/openal.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "src/audio/iaudiocontrol.h"
 #include "src/audio/backend/alsink.h"
 #include "src/audio/backend/alsource.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 
 #include <memory>
 #include <unordered_set>
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ private:
 
 protected:
     QThread* audioThread;
-    mutable QMutex audioLock{QMutex::Recursive};
+    mutable CompatibleRecursiveMutex audioLock;
     QString inDev{};
     QString outDev{};
 
diff --git a/src/core/core.cpp b/src/core/core.cpp
index f19956ead..1db522dac 100644
--- a/src/core/core.cpp
+++ b/src/core/core.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include "src/nexus.h"
 #include "src/persistence/profile.h"
 #include "src/util/strongtype.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 
 #include <QCoreApplication>
 #if (QT_VERSION >= QT_VERSION_CHECK(5, 15, 0))
diff --git a/src/core/core.h b/src/core/core.h
index 4863f51bc..b09e4fe14 100644
--- a/src/core/core.h
+++ b/src/core/core.h
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include "toxpk.h"
 
 #include "src/util/strongtype.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 #include "src/model/status.h"
 #include <tox/tox.h>
 
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ private:
     std::unique_ptr<CoreAV> av;
     QTimer* toxTimer = nullptr;
     // recursive, since we might call our own functions
-    mutable QMutex coreLoopLock{QMutex::Recursive};
+    mutable CompatibleRecursiveMutex coreLoopLock;
 
     std::unique_ptr<QThread> coreThread = nullptr;
 };
diff --git a/src/core/coreav.cpp b/src/core/coreav.cpp
index b0f67548c..1ea796931 100644
--- a/src/core/coreav.cpp
+++ b/src/core/coreav.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "src/persistence/settings.h"
 #include "src/video/corevideosource.h"
 #include "src/video/videoframe.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 #include <QCoreApplication>
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <QThread>
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@
  * deadlock.
  */
 
-CoreAV::CoreAV(std::unique_ptr<ToxAV, ToxAVDeleter> toxav, QMutex& toxCoreLock)
+CoreAV::CoreAV(std::unique_ptr<ToxAV, ToxAVDeleter> toxav, CompatibleRecursiveMutex& toxCoreLock)
     : audio{nullptr}
     , toxav{std::move(toxav)}
     , coreavThread{new QThread{this}}
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ void CoreAV::connectCallbacks(ToxAV& toxav)
  * @param core pointer to the Tox instance
  * @return CoreAV instance on success, {} on failure
  */
-CoreAV::CoreAVPtr CoreAV::makeCoreAV(Tox* core, QMutex &toxCoreLock)
+CoreAV::CoreAVPtr CoreAV::makeCoreAV(Tox* core, CompatibleRecursiveMutex &toxCoreLock)
 {
     TOXAV_ERR_NEW err;
     std::unique_ptr<ToxAV, ToxAVDeleter> toxav{toxav_new(core, &err)};
diff --git a/src/core/coreav.h b/src/core/coreav.h
index 3b312e47d..dd18576d5 100644
--- a/src/core/coreav.h
+++ b/src/core/coreav.h
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 #define COREAV_H
 
 #include "src/core/toxcall.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
+
 #include <QObject>
 #include <QMutex>
 #include <QReadWriteLock>
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ class CoreAV : public QObject
 
 public:
     using CoreAVPtr = std::unique_ptr<CoreAV>;
-    static CoreAVPtr makeCoreAV(Tox* core, QMutex& coreLock);
+    static CoreAVPtr makeCoreAV(Tox* core, CompatibleRecursiveMutex& coreLock);
 
     void setAudio(IAudioControl& newAudio);
     IAudioControl* getAudio();
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ private:
         }
     };
 
-    CoreAV(std::unique_ptr<ToxAV, ToxAVDeleter> tox, QMutex &toxCoreLock);
+    CoreAV(std::unique_ptr<ToxAV, ToxAVDeleter> tox, CompatibleRecursiveMutex &toxCoreLock);
     void connectCallbacks(ToxAV& toxav);
 
     void process();
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ private:
      *        must not execute at the same time as tox_iterate()
      * @note This must be a recursive mutex as we're going to lock it in callbacks
      */
-    QMutex& coreLock;
+    CompatibleRecursiveMutex& coreLock;
 };
 
 #endif // COREAV_H
diff --git a/src/core/corefile.cpp b/src/core/corefile.cpp
index f31a6b7f9..3dcd47712 100644
--- a/src/core/corefile.cpp
+++ b/src/core/corefile.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "src/persistence/settings.h"
 #include "src/model/status.h"
 #include "src/model/toxclientstandards.h"
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <QDir>
 #include <QFile>
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@
  * @brief Manages the file transfer service of toxcore
  */
 
-CoreFilePtr CoreFile::makeCoreFile(Core *core, Tox *tox, QMutex &coreLoopLock)
+CoreFilePtr CoreFile::makeCoreFile(Core *core, Tox *tox, CompatibleRecursiveMutex &coreLoopLock)
 {
     assert(core != nullptr);
     assert(tox != nullptr);
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ CoreFilePtr CoreFile::makeCoreFile(Core *core, Tox *tox, QMutex &coreLoopLock)
     return result;
 }
 
-CoreFile::CoreFile(Tox *core, QMutex &coreLoopLock)
+CoreFile::CoreFile(Tox *core, CompatibleRecursiveMutex &coreLoopLock)
     : tox{core}
     , coreLoopLock{&coreLoopLock}
 {
diff --git a/src/core/corefile.h b/src/core/corefile.h
index 429e7579a..08041979d 100644
--- a/src/core/corefile.h
+++ b/src/core/corefile.h
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@
 #include "src/core/toxpk.h"
 #include "src/model/status.h"
 
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
+
 #include <QHash>
 #include <QMutex>
 #include <QObject>
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ class CoreFile : public QObject
 
 public:
     void handleAvatarOffer(uint32_t friendId, uint32_t fileId, bool accept);
-    static CoreFilePtr makeCoreFile(Core* core, Tox* tox, QMutex& coreLoopLock);
+    static CoreFilePtr makeCoreFile(Core* core, Tox* tox, CompatibleRecursiveMutex& coreLoopLock);
 
     void sendFile(uint32_t friendId, QString filename, QString filePath,
                          long long filesize);
@@ -78,7 +80,7 @@ signals:
     void fileSendFailed(uint32_t friendId, const QString& fname);
 
 private:
-    CoreFile(Tox* core, QMutex& coreLoopLock);
+    CoreFile(Tox* core, CompatibleRecursiveMutex& coreLoopLock);
 
     ToxFile* findFile(uint32_t friendId, uint32_t fileId);
     void addFile(uint32_t friendId, uint32_t fileId, const ToxFile& file);
@@ -107,7 +109,7 @@ private slots:
 private:
     QHash<uint64_t, ToxFile> fileMap;
     Tox* tox;
-    QMutex* coreLoopLock = nullptr;
+    CompatibleRecursiveMutex* coreLoopLock = nullptr;
 };
 
 #endif // COREFILE_H
diff --git a/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.cpp b/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.cpp
index 6026145bf..eb6a2fde3 100644
--- a/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.cpp
+++ b/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.cpp
@@ -30,8 +30,7 @@
 #include <chrono>
 
 OfflineMsgEngine::OfflineMsgEngine(Friend* frnd, ICoreFriendMessageSender* messageSender)
-    : mutex(QMutex::Recursive)
-    , f(frnd)
+    : f(frnd)
     , messageSender(messageSender)
 {}
 
diff --git a/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.h b/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.h
index adac2aa93..9c098d6ca 100644
--- a/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.h
+++ b/src/persistence/offlinemsgengine.h
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
 #include "src/core/core.h"
 #include "src/model/message.h"
 #include "src/persistence/db/rawdatabase.h"
+
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
+
 #include <QDateTime>
 #include <QMap>
 #include <QMutex>
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ private slots:
 private:
     void checkForCompleteMessages(ReceiptNum receipt);
 
-    QMutex mutex;
+    CompatibleRecursiveMutex mutex;
     const Friend* f;
     ICoreFriendMessageSender* messageSender;
     QVector<ReceiptNum> receivedReceipts;
diff --git a/src/persistence/settings.cpp b/src/persistence/settings.cpp
index 7b8d632ec..e724775f3 100644
--- a/src/persistence/settings.cpp
+++ b/src/persistence/settings.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
 #endif
 #include "src/ipc.h"
 
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
+
 #include <QApplication>
 #include <QCryptographicHash>
 #include <QDebug>
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@
 
 const QString Settings::globalSettingsFile = "qtox.ini";
 Settings* Settings::settings{nullptr};
-QMutex Settings::bigLock{QMutex::Recursive};
+CompatibleRecursiveMutex Settings::bigLock;
 QThread* Settings::settingsThread{nullptr};
 
 Settings::Settings()
diff --git a/src/persistence/settings.h b/src/persistence/settings.h
index d235c4b67..0effc96c1 100644
--- a/src/persistence/settings.h
+++ b/src/persistence/settings.h
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 #include "src/persistence/igroupsettings.h"
 #include "src/video/ivideosettings.h"
 
+#include "src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h"
+
 #include <QDateTime>
 #include <QFlags>
 #include <QFont>
@@ -703,7 +705,7 @@ private:
 
     int themeColor;
 
-    static QMutex bigLock;
+    static CompatibleRecursiveMutex bigLock;
     static Settings* settings;
     static const QString globalSettingsFile;
     static QThread* settingsThread;
diff --git a/src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h b/src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..755cf3d01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+    Copyright © 2021 by The qTox Project Contributors
+
+    This file is part of qTox, a Qt-based graphical interface for Tox.
+
+    qTox is libre software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    qTox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with qTox.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <QtGlobal>
+#include <QMutex>
+
+#if (QT_VERSION >= QT_VERSION_CHECK(5, 14, 0))
+class CompatibleRecursiveMutex : public QRecursiveMutex
+{};
+#else
+class CompatibleRecursiveMutex : public QMutex
+{
+public:
+    CompatibleRecursiveMutex()
+        : QMutex(QMutex::Recursive)
+    {}
+};
+#endif
diff --git a/util/include/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h b/util/include/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..755cf3d01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/include/util/compatiblerecursivemutex.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+    Copyright © 2021 by The qTox Project Contributors
+
+    This file is part of qTox, a Qt-based graphical interface for Tox.
+
+    qTox is libre software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    qTox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with qTox.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <QtGlobal>
+#include <QMutex>
+
+#if (QT_VERSION >= QT_VERSION_CHECK(5, 14, 0))
+class CompatibleRecursiveMutex : public QRecursiveMutex
+{};
+#else
+class CompatibleRecursiveMutex : public QMutex
+{
+public:
+    CompatibleRecursiveMutex()
+        : QMutex(QMutex::Recursive)
+    {}
+};
+#endif