diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 8b5a93d0f..5e769dbb5 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 */
 
 #include "src/audio/audio.h"
-#include "src/core/coreav.h"
 #include "src/ipc.h"
 #include "src/net/toxuri.h"
 #include "src/nexus.h"
@@ -194,8 +193,8 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 #endif
 
     qsrand(time(nullptr));
-    Settings::getInstance();
-    QString locale = Settings::getInstance().getTranslation();
+    Settings& settings = Settings::getInstance();
+    QString locale = settings.getTranslation();
     Translator::translate(locale);
 
     // Process arguments
@@ -215,15 +214,14 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
                            QObject::tr("Starts new instance and opens the login screen.")));
     parser.process(*a);
 
-    uint32_t profileId = Settings::getInstance().getCurrentProfileId();
+    uint32_t profileId = settings.getCurrentProfileId();
     IPC ipc(profileId);
     if (!ipc.isAttached()) {
         qCritical() << "Can't init IPC";
         return EXIT_FAILURE;
     }
 
-    QObject::connect(&Settings::getInstance(), &Settings::currentProfileIdChanged, &ipc,
-                     &IPC::setProfileId);
+    QObject::connect(&settings, &Settings::currentProfileIdChanged, &ipc, &IPC::setProfileId);
 
     // For the auto-updater
     if (sodium_init() < 0) {
@@ -232,7 +230,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     }
 
 #ifdef LOG_TO_FILE
-    QString logFileDir = Settings::getInstance().getAppCacheDirPath();
+    QString logFileDir = settings.getAppCacheDirPath();
     QDir(logFileDir).mkpath(".");
 
     QString logfile = logFileDir + "qtox.log";
@@ -274,7 +272,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     qDebug() << "commit: " << GIT_VERSION;
 
     QString profileName;
-    bool autoLogin = Settings::getInstance().getAutoLogin();
+    bool autoLogin = settings.getAutoLogin();
 
     uint32_t ipcDest = 0;
     bool doIpc = true;
@@ -294,7 +292,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         doIpc = false;
         autoLogin = false;
     } else {
-        profileName = Settings::getInstance().getCurrentProfile();
+        profileName = settings.getCurrentProfile();
     }
 
     if (parser.positionalArguments().size() == 0) {
@@ -330,38 +328,27 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         }
     }
 
-    Profile* profile = nullptr;
+    // TODO(sudden6): remove once we get rid of Nexus
+    Nexus& nexus = Nexus::getInstance();
+    // TODO(kriby): Consider moving application initializing variables into a globalSettings object
+    //  note: Because Settings is shouldering global settings as well as model specific ones it
+    //  cannot be integrated into a central model object yet
+    nexus.setSettings(&settings);
 
     // Autologin
+    // TODO (kriby): Shift responsibility of linking views to model objects from nexus
+    // Further: generate view instances separately (loginScreen, mainGUI, audio)
     if (autoLogin && Profile::exists(profileName) && !Profile::isEncrypted(profileName)) {
-        profile = Profile::loadProfile(profileName);
+        Profile* profile = Profile::loadProfile(profileName);
+        settings.updateProfileData(profile);
+        nexus.bootstrapWithProfile(profile);
     } else {
-        LoginScreen loginScreen{profileName};
-        loginScreen.exec();
-        profile = loginScreen.getProfile();
-        if (profile) {
-            profileName = profile->getName();
+        int returnval = nexus.showLogin(profileName);
+        if (returnval != 0) {
+            return returnval;
         }
     }
 
-    if (!profile) {
-        return EXIT_FAILURE;
-    }
-
-    Nexus::getInstance().setProfile(profile);
-    Settings& s = Settings::getInstance();
-    s.setCurrentProfile(profileName);
-
-    auto audio = Audio::makeAudio(s);
-    assert(audio != nullptr);
-    // TODO(sudden6): init CoreAV audio backend somewhere else so main doesn't depend on coreav.h
-    profile->getCore()->getAv()->setAudio(*audio);
-
-    Nexus& nexus = Nexus::getInstance();
-    // TODO(sudden6): remove once we get rid of Nexus
-    nexus.audio = audio.get();
-    nexus.start();
-
     // Start to accept Inter-process communication
     ipc.registerEventHandler("uri", &toxURIEventHandler);
     ipc.registerEventHandler("save", &toxSaveEventHandler);
diff --git a/src/nexus.cpp b/src/nexus.cpp
index c88da24db..add239196 100644
--- a/src/nexus.cpp
+++ b/src/nexus.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include <QThread>
 #include <cassert>
 #include <vpx/vpx_image.h>
+#include <src/audio/audio.h>
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_MAC
 #include <QActionGroup>
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ Nexus::~Nexus()
     widget = nullptr;
     delete profile;
     profile = nullptr;
-    Settings::getInstance().saveGlobal();
+    emit saveGlobal();
 #ifdef Q_OS_MAC
     delete globalMenuBar;
 #endif
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ void Nexus::start()
 /**
  * @brief Hides the main GUI, delete the profile, and shows the login screen
  */
-void Nexus::showLogin()
+int Nexus::showLogin(const QString& profileName)
 {
     delete widget;
     widget = nullptr;
@@ -156,26 +157,71 @@ void Nexus::showLogin()
     delete profile;
     profile = nullptr;
 
-    LoginScreen loginScreen;
-    loginScreen.exec();
+    LoginScreen loginScreen{profileName};
+    connectLoginScreen(loginScreen);
 
-    profile = loginScreen.getProfile();
+    // TODO(kriby): Move core out of profile
+    // This is awkward because the core is in the profile
+    // The connection order ensures profile will be ready for bootstrap for now
+    connect(this, &Nexus::currentProfileChanged, this, &Nexus::bootstrapWithProfile);
+    int returnval = loginScreen.exec();
+    disconnect(this, &Nexus::currentProfileChanged, this, &Nexus::bootstrapWithProfile);
+    return returnval;
+}
+
+void Nexus::bootstrapWithProfile(Profile *p)
+{
+    // kriby: This is a hack until a proper controller is written
+
+    profile = p;
 
     if (profile) {
-        Nexus::getInstance().setProfile(profile);
-        Settings::getInstance().setCurrentProfile(profile->getName());
-        showMainGUI();
-    } else {
-        qApp->quit();
+        audioControl = std::unique_ptr<IAudioControl>(Audio::makeAudio(*settings));
+        assert(audioControl != nullptr);
+        profile->getCore()->getAv()->setAudio(*audioControl);
+        start();
     }
 }
 
+void Nexus::setSettings(Settings* settings)
+{
+    if (this->settings) {
+        QObject::disconnect(this, &Nexus::currentProfileChanged, this->settings,
+                            &Settings::updateProfileData);
+        QObject::disconnect(this, &Nexus::saveGlobal, this->settings, &Settings::saveGlobal);
+    }
+    this->settings = settings;
+    if (this->settings) {
+        QObject::connect(this, &Nexus::currentProfileChanged, this->settings,
+                         &Settings::updateProfileData);
+        QObject::connect(this, &Nexus::saveGlobal, this->settings, &Settings::saveGlobal);
+    }
+}
+
+void Nexus::connectLoginScreen(const LoginScreen& loginScreen)
+{
+    // TODO(kriby): Move connect sequences to a controller class object instead
+
+    // Nexus -> LoginScreen
+    QObject::connect(this, &Nexus::profileLoaded, &loginScreen, &LoginScreen::onProfileLoaded);
+    QObject::connect(this, &Nexus::profileLoadFailed, &loginScreen, &LoginScreen::onProfileLoadFailed);
+    // LoginScreen -> Nexus
+    QObject::connect(&loginScreen, &LoginScreen::createNewProfile, this, &Nexus::onCreateNewProfile);
+    QObject::connect(&loginScreen, &LoginScreen::loadProfile, this, &Nexus::onLoadProfile);
+    // LoginScreen -> Settings
+    QObject::connect(&loginScreen, &LoginScreen::autoLoginChanged, settings, &Settings::onSetAutoLogin);
+    // Settings -> LoginScreen
+    QObject::connect(settings, &Settings::autoLoginChanged, &loginScreen,
+                     &LoginScreen::onAutoLoginChanged);
+}
+
 void Nexus::showMainGUI()
 {
+    // TODO(kriby): Rewrite as view-model connect sequence only, add to a controller class object
     assert(profile);
 
     // Create GUI
-    widget = Widget::getInstance(audio);
+    widget = Widget::getInstance(audioControl.get());
 
     // Start GUI
     widget->init();
@@ -270,14 +316,36 @@ Profile* Nexus::getProfile()
 }
 
 /**
- * @brief Unload the current profile, if any, and replaces it.
- * @param profile Profile to set.
+ * @brief Creates a new profile and replaces the current one.
+ * @param name New username
+ * @param pass New password
  */
-void Nexus::setProfile(Profile* profile)
+void Nexus::onCreateNewProfile(const QString& name, const QString& pass)
 {
-    getInstance().profile = profile;
-    if (profile)
-        Settings::getInstance().loadPersonal(profile->getName(), profile->getPasskey());
+    setProfile(Profile::createProfile(name, pass));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Loads an existing profile and replaces the current one.
+ */
+void Nexus::onLoadProfile(const QString& name, const QString& pass)
+{
+    setProfile(Profile::loadProfile(name, pass));
+}
+/**
+ * Changes the loaded profile and notifies listeners.
+ * @param p
+ */
+void Nexus::setProfile(Profile* p) {
+    if (!p) {
+        emit profileLoadFailed();
+        // Warnings are issued during respective createNew/load calls
+        return;
+    } else {
+        emit profileLoaded();
+    }
+
+    emit currentProfileChanged(p);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/nexus.h b/src/nexus.h
index 2ce624edf..43ec679a5 100644
--- a/src/nexus.h
+++ b/src/nexus.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 
 class Widget;
 class Profile;
+class Settings;
+class LoginScreen;
 class Core;
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_MAC
@@ -44,16 +46,13 @@ class Nexus : public QObject
 public:
     void start();
     void showMainGUI();
-
+    void setSettings(Settings* settings);
     static Nexus& getInstance();
     static void destroyInstance();
     static Core* getCore();
     static Profile* getProfile();
-    static void setProfile(Profile* profile);
     static Widget* getDesktopGUI();
 
-public slots:
-    void showLogin();
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_MAC
 public:
@@ -81,17 +80,29 @@ private:
     QSignalMapper* windowMapper;
     QActionGroup* windowActions = nullptr;
 #endif
-public:
-    // TODO(sudden6): hack to pass the audio instance
-    IAudioControl* audio = nullptr;
+signals:
+    void currentProfileChanged(Profile* Profile);
+    void profileLoaded();
+    void profileLoadFailed();
+    void saveGlobal();
+
+public slots:
+    void onCreateNewProfile(const QString& name, const QString& pass);
+    void onLoadProfile(const QString& name, const QString& pass);
+    int showLogin(const QString& profileName = QString());
+    void bootstrapWithProfile(Profile *p);
 
 private:
     explicit Nexus(QObject* parent = nullptr);
+    void connectLoginScreen(const LoginScreen& loginScreen);
+    void setProfile(Profile* p);
     ~Nexus();
 
 private:
     Profile* profile;
+    Settings* settings;
     Widget* widget;
+    std::unique_ptr<IAudioControl> audioControl;
 };
 
 #endif // NEXUS_H
diff --git a/src/persistence/profile.cpp b/src/persistence/profile.cpp
index b35fa9024..d75821373 100644
--- a/src/persistence/profile.cpp
+++ b/src/persistence/profile.cpp
@@ -105,9 +105,6 @@ Profile::Profile(QString name, const QString& password, bool isNewProfile,
     , encrypted{this->passkey != nullptr}
 {
     Settings& s = Settings::getInstance();
-    s.setCurrentProfile(name);
-    s.saveGlobal();
-    s.loadPersonal(name, this->passkey.get());
     initCore(toxsave, s, isNewProfile);
 
     const ToxId& selfId = core->getSelfId();
diff --git a/src/persistence/settings.cpp b/src/persistence/settings.cpp
index df375137a..560f6224d 100644
--- a/src/persistence/settings.cpp
+++ b/src/persistence/settings.cpp
@@ -273,6 +273,19 @@ void Settings::loadGlobal()
     loaded = true;
 }
 
+void Settings::updateProfileData(Profile *profile)
+{
+    QMutexLocker locker{&bigLock};
+
+    if (profile == nullptr) {
+        qWarning() << QString("Could not load new settings (profile change to nullptr)");
+        return;
+    }
+    setCurrentProfile(profile->getName());
+    saveGlobal();
+    loadPersonal(profile->getName(), profile->getPasskey());
+}
+
 void Settings::loadPersonal(QString profileName, const ToxEncrypt* passKey)
 {
     QMutexLocker locker{&bigLock};
@@ -1281,7 +1294,7 @@ void Settings::setCurrentProfile(const QString& profile)
     if (profile != currentProfile) {
         currentProfile = profile;
         currentProfileId = makeProfileId(currentProfile);
-        emit currentProfileChanged(currentProfile);
+
         emit currentProfileIdChanged(currentProfileId);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/persistence/settings.h b/src/persistence/settings.h
index 4028b7869..dfaaf5637 100644
--- a/src/persistence/settings.h
+++ b/src/persistence/settings.h
@@ -168,6 +168,8 @@ public:
 public slots:
     void saveGlobal();
     void sync();
+    void onSetAutoLogin(bool state);
+    void updateProfileData(Profile *profile);
 
 signals:
     // General
@@ -190,7 +192,6 @@ signals:
     void toxmeBioChanged(const QString& bio);
     void toxmePrivChanged(bool priv);
     void toxmePassChanged();
-    void currentProfileChanged(const QString& profile);
     void currentProfileIdChanged(quint32 id);
     void enableLoggingChanged(bool enabled);
     void autoAwayTimeChanged(int minutes);
diff --git a/src/widget/loginscreen.cpp b/src/widget/loginscreen.cpp
index 8c0a72479..acaf8ed7e 100644
--- a/src/widget/loginscreen.cpp
+++ b/src/widget/loginscreen.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 #include <QMessageBox>
 #include <QToolButton>
 
-LoginScreen::LoginScreen(QString initialProfile, QWidget* parent)
+LoginScreen::LoginScreen(const QString& initialProfileName, QWidget* parent)
     : QDialog(parent)
     , ui(new Ui::LoginScreen)
     , quitShortcut{QKeySequence(Qt::CTRL + Qt::Key_Q), this}
@@ -72,6 +72,15 @@ LoginScreen::~LoginScreen()
     delete ui;
 }
 
+void LoginScreen::closeEvent(QCloseEvent* event)
+{
+
+    // If we are in the bootstrap, returning -1 will give us something to exit with in main.cpp
+    this->setResult(-1);
+    // If we are in application exec, we can quit by closing it, instead.
+    qApp->quit();
+}
+
 /**
  * @brief Resets the UI, clears all fields.
  */
@@ -103,14 +112,15 @@ void LoginScreen::reset(QString initialProfile)
         ui->loginPassword->setFocus();
     }
 
-    ui->autoLoginCB->blockSignals(true);
-    ui->autoLoginCB->setChecked(Settings::getInstance().getAutoLogin());
-    ui->autoLoginCB->blockSignals(false);
+void LoginScreen::onProfileLoadFailed() {
+    QMessageBox::critical(this, tr("Couldn't load this profile"), tr("Wrong password."));
+    ui->loginPassword->setFocus();
+    ui->loginPassword->selectAll();
 }
 
-Profile *LoginScreen::getProfile() const
+void LoginScreen::onAutoLoginChanged(bool state)
 {
-    return profile;
+    ui->autoLoginCB->setChecked(state);
 }
 
 bool LoginScreen::event(QEvent* event)
@@ -129,11 +139,6 @@ bool LoginScreen::event(QEvent* event)
     return QWidget::event(event);
 }
 
-void LoginScreen::closeEvent(QCloseEvent*)
-{
-    emit closed();
-}
-
 void LoginScreen::onNewProfilePageClicked()
 {
     ui->stackedWidget->setCurrentIndex(0);
@@ -174,16 +179,7 @@ void LoginScreen::onCreateNewProfile()
         return;
     }
 
-    profile = Profile::createProfile(name, pass);
-    if (!profile) {
-        // Unknown error
-        QMessageBox::critical(this, tr("Couldn't create a new profile"),
-                              tr("Unknown error: Couldn't create a new profile.\nIf you "
-                                 "encountered this error, please report it."));
-        done(-1);
-        return;
-    }
-    done(0);
+    emit createNewProfile(name, pass);
 }
 
 void LoginScreen::onLoginUsernameSelected(const QString& name)
@@ -227,20 +223,7 @@ void LoginScreen::onLogin()
         return;
     }
 
-    profile = Profile::loadProfile(name, pass);
-    if (!profile) {
-        if (!ProfileLocker::isLockable(name)) {
-            QMessageBox::critical(this, tr("Couldn't load this profile"),
-                                  tr("Profile already in use. Close other clients."));
-            return;
-        } else {
-            QMessageBox::critical(this, tr("Couldn't load this profile"), tr("Wrong password."));
-            ui->loginPassword->setFocus();
-            ui->loginPassword->selectAll();
-            return;
-        }
-    }
-    done(0);
+    emit loadProfile(name, pass);
 }
 
 void LoginScreen::onPasswordEdited()
diff --git a/src/widget/loginscreen.h b/src/widget/loginscreen.h
index 5b5050e23..4d1065527 100644
--- a/src/widget/loginscreen.h
+++ b/src/widget/loginscreen.h
@@ -36,20 +36,23 @@ class LoginScreen : public QDialog
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    LoginScreen(QString selectedProfile = QString(), QWidget* parent = nullptr);
+    LoginScreen(const QString& initialProfileName = QString(), QWidget* parent = nullptr);
     ~LoginScreen();
-    void reset(QString selectedProfile = QString());
-    Profile* getProfile() const;
-
     bool event(QEvent* event) final override;
 
 signals:
+
     void windowStateChanged(Qt::WindowStates states);
-    void closed();
+    void createNewProfile(QString name, const QString& pass);
+    void loadProfile(QString name, const QString& pass);
 
 protected:
     virtual void closeEvent(QCloseEvent* event) final override;
 
+public slots:
+    void onProfileLoaded();
+    void onProfileLoadFailed();
+
 private slots:
     void onAutoLoginToggled(int state);
     void onLoginUsernameSelected(const QString& name);
@@ -63,6 +66,7 @@ private slots:
     void onImportProfile();
 
 private:
+    void reset(const QString& initialProfileName = QString());
     void retranslateUi();
     void showCapsIndicator();
     void hideCapsIndicator();
@@ -71,7 +75,6 @@ private:
 private:
     Ui::LoginScreen* ui;
     QShortcut quitShortcut;
-    Profile* profile{nullptr};
 };
 
 #endif // LOGINSCREEN_H