diff --git a/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/BackendApp.scala b/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/BackendApp.scala
index 80df397c..534eb1ca 100644
--- a/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/BackendApp.scala
+++ b/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/BackendApp.scala
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ trait BackendApp[F[_]] {
   def folder: OFolder[F]
   def customFields: OCustomFields[F]
   def simpleSearch: OSimpleSearch[F]
+  def clientSettings: OClientSettings[F]
 }
 
 object BackendApp {
@@ -73,26 +74,28 @@ object BackendApp {
       folderImpl       <- OFolder(store)
       customFieldsImpl <- OCustomFields(store)
       simpleSearchImpl = OSimpleSearch(fulltextImpl, itemSearchImpl)
+      clientSettingsImpl <- OClientSettings(store)
     } yield new BackendApp[F] {
-      val login        = loginImpl
-      val signup       = signupImpl
-      val collective   = collImpl
-      val source       = sourceImpl
-      val tag          = tagImpl
-      val equipment    = equipImpl
-      val organization = orgImpl
-      val upload       = uploadImpl
-      val node         = nodeImpl
-      val job          = jobImpl
-      val item         = itemImpl
-      val itemSearch   = itemSearchImpl
-      val fulltext     = fulltextImpl
-      val mail         = mailImpl
-      val joex         = joexImpl
-      val userTask     = userTaskImpl
-      val folder       = folderImpl
-      val customFields = customFieldsImpl
-      val simpleSearch = simpleSearchImpl
+      val login          = loginImpl
+      val signup         = signupImpl
+      val collective     = collImpl
+      val source         = sourceImpl
+      val tag            = tagImpl
+      val equipment      = equipImpl
+      val organization   = orgImpl
+      val upload         = uploadImpl
+      val node           = nodeImpl
+      val job            = jobImpl
+      val item           = itemImpl
+      val itemSearch     = itemSearchImpl
+      val fulltext       = fulltextImpl
+      val mail           = mailImpl
+      val joex           = joexImpl
+      val userTask       = userTaskImpl
+      val folder         = folderImpl
+      val customFields   = customFieldsImpl
+      val simpleSearch   = simpleSearchImpl
+      val clientSettings = clientSettingsImpl
     }
 
   def apply[F[_]: ConcurrentEffect: ContextShift](
diff --git a/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/ops/OClientSettings.scala b/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/ops/OClientSettings.scala
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..81f2aeec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/backend/src/main/scala/docspell/backend/ops/OClientSettings.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+package docspell.backend.ops
+
+import cats.data.OptionT
+import cats.effect.{Effect, Resource}
+import cats.implicits._
+
+import docspell.common.AccountId
+import docspell.common._
+import docspell.common.syntax.all._
+import docspell.store.Store
+import docspell.store.records.RClientSettings
+import docspell.store.records.RUser
+
+import io.circe.Json
+import org.log4s._
+
+trait OClientSettings[F[_]] {
+
+  def delete(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId): F[Boolean]
+  def save(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId, data: Json): F[Unit]
+  def load(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId): F[Option[RClientSettings]]
+
+}
+
+object OClientSettings {
+  private[this] val logger = getLogger
+
+  def apply[F[_]: Effect](store: Store[F]): Resource[F, OClientSettings[F]] =
+    Resource.pure[F, OClientSettings[F]](new OClientSettings[F] {
+
+      private def getUserId(account: AccountId): OptionT[F, Ident] =
+        OptionT(store.transact(RUser.findByAccount(account))).map(_.uid)
+
+      def delete(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId): F[Boolean] =
+        (for {
+          _ <- OptionT.liftF(
+            logger.fdebug(
+              s"Deleting client settings for client ${clientId.id} and account $account"
+            )
+          )
+          userId <- getUserId(account)
+          n <- OptionT.liftF(
+            store.transact(
+              RClientSettings.delete(clientId, userId)
+            )
+          )
+        } yield n > 0).getOrElse(false)
+
+      def save(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId, data: Json): F[Unit] =
+        (for {
+          _ <- OptionT.liftF(
+            logger.fdebug(
+              s"Storing client settings for client ${clientId.id} and account $account"
+            )
+          )
+          userId <- getUserId(account)
+          n <- OptionT.liftF(
+            store.transact(RClientSettings.upsert(clientId, userId, data))
+          )
+          _ <- OptionT.liftF(
+            if (n <= 0) Effect[F].raiseError(new Exception("No rows updated!"))
+            else ().pure[F]
+          )
+        } yield ()).getOrElse(())
+
+      def load(clientId: Ident, account: AccountId): F[Option[RClientSettings]] =
+        (for {
+          _ <- OptionT.liftF(
+            logger.fdebug(
+              s"Loading client settings for client ${clientId.id} and account $account"
+            )
+          )
+          userId <- getUserId(account)
+          data   <- OptionT(store.transact(RClientSettings.find(clientId, userId)))
+        } yield data).value
+
+    })
+}
diff --git a/modules/restapi/src/main/resources/docspell-openapi.yml b/modules/restapi/src/main/resources/docspell-openapi.yml
index 01f4bade..92766627 100644
--- a/modules/restapi/src/main/resources/docspell-openapi.yml
+++ b/modules/restapi/src/main/resources/docspell-openapi.yml
@@ -1185,6 +1185,68 @@ paths:
               schema:
                 $ref: "#/components/schemas/BasicResult"
 
+  /sec/clientSettings/{clientId}:
+    parameters:
+      - $ref: "#/components/parameters/clientId"
+    get:
+      tags: [ Client Settings ]
+      summary: Return the current user settings
+      description: |
+        Returns the settings for the current user. The `clientId` is
+        an identifier to a client application. It returns a JSON
+        structure. The server doesn't care about the actual data,
+        since it is meant to be interpreted by clients.
+      security:
+        - authTokenHeader: []
+      responses:
+        200:
+          description: Ok
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema: {}
+    put:
+      tags: [ Client Settings ]
+      summary: Update current user settings
+      description: |
+        Updates (replaces or creates) the current user's settings with
+        the given data. The `clientId` is an identifier to a client
+        application. The request body is expected to be JSON, the
+        structure is not important to the server.
+
+        The data is stored for the current user and given `clientId`.
+
+        The data is only saved without being checked in any way
+        (besides being valid JSON). It is returned "as is" to the
+        client in the corresponding GET endpoint.
+      security:
+        - authTokenHeader: []
+      requestBody:
+        content:
+          application/json:
+            schema: {}
+      responses:
+        200:
+          description: Ok
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema:
+                $ref: "#/components/schemas/BasicResult"
+    delete:
+      tags: [ Client Settings ]
+      summary: Clears the current user settings
+      description: |
+        Removes all stored user settings for the client identified by
+        `clientId`.
+      security:
+        - authTokenHeader: []
+      responses:
+        200:
+          description: Ok
+          content:
+            application/json:
+              schema:
+                $ref: "#/components/schemas/BasicResult"
+
   /admin/user/resetPassword:
     post:
       tags: [ Collective, Admin ]
@@ -5571,3 +5633,11 @@ components:
       required: false
       schema:
         type: boolean
+    clientId:
+      name: clientId
+      in: path
+      required: true
+      description: |
+        some identifier for a client application
+      schema:
+        type: string
diff --git a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/RestServer.scala b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/RestServer.scala
index 30e5733e..7891cb56 100644
--- a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/RestServer.scala
+++ b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/RestServer.scala
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ object RestServer {
       "calevent/check"          -> CalEventCheckRoutes(),
       "fts"                     -> FullTextIndexRoutes.secured(cfg, restApp.backend, token),
       "folder"                  -> FolderRoutes(restApp.backend, token),
-      "customfield"             -> CustomFieldRoutes(restApp.backend, token)
+      "customfield"             -> CustomFieldRoutes(restApp.backend, token),
+      "clientSettings"          -> ClientSettingsRoutes(restApp.backend, token)
     )
 
   def openRoutes[F[_]: Effect](cfg: Config, restApp: RestApp[F]): HttpRoutes[F] =
diff --git a/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/ClientSettingsRoutes.scala b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/ClientSettingsRoutes.scala
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3672a35b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/restserver/src/main/scala/docspell/restserver/routes/ClientSettingsRoutes.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package docspell.restserver.routes
+
+import cats.effect._
+import cats.implicits._
+
+import docspell.backend.BackendApp
+import docspell.backend.auth.AuthToken
+import docspell.common._
+import docspell.restapi.model._
+
+import io.circe.Json
+import org.http4s.HttpRoutes
+import org.http4s.circe.CirceEntityDecoder._
+import org.http4s.circe.CirceEntityEncoder._
+import org.http4s.dsl.Http4sDsl
+
+object ClientSettingsRoutes {
+
+  def apply[F[_]: Effect](backend: BackendApp[F], user: AuthToken): HttpRoutes[F] = {
+    val dsl = new Http4sDsl[F] {}
+    import dsl._
+
+    HttpRoutes.of {
+      case req @ PUT -> Root / Ident(clientId) =>
+        for {
+          data <- req.as[Json]
+          _    <- backend.clientSettings.save(clientId, user.account, data)
+          res  <- Ok(BasicResult(true, "Settings stored"))
+        } yield res
+
+      case GET -> Root / Ident(clientId) =>
+        for {
+          data <- backend.clientSettings.load(clientId, user.account)
+          res <- data match {
+            case Some(d) => Ok(d.settingsData)
+            case None    => NotFound()
+          }
+        } yield res
+
+      case DELETE -> Root / Ident(clientId) =>
+        for {
+          flag <- backend.clientSettings.delete(clientId, user.account)
+          res <- Ok(
+            BasicResult(
+              flag,
+              if (flag) "Settings deleted" else "Deleting settings failed"
+            )
+          )
+        } yield res
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/h2/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/h2/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b06c44b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/h2/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+CREATE TABLE "client_settings" (
+  "id" varchar(254) not null primary key,
+  "client_id" varchar(254) not null,
+  "user_id" varchar(254) not null,
+  "settings_data" text not null,
+  "created" timestamp not null,
+  "updated" timestamp not null,
+  foreign key ("user_id") references "user_"("uid") on delete cascade,
+  unique ("client_id", "user_id")
+);
diff --git a/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/mariadb/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/mariadb/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7014ccd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/mariadb/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+CREATE TABLE `client_settings` (
+  `id` varchar(254) not null primary key,
+  `client_id` varchar(254) not null,
+  `user_id` varchar(254) not null,
+  `settings_data` longtext not null,
+  `created` timestamp not null,
+  `updated` timestamp not null,
+  foreign key (`user_id`) references `user_`(`uid`) on delete cascade,
+  unique (`client_id`, `user_id`)
+);
diff --git a/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/postgresql/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/postgresql/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b06c44b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/resources/db/migration/postgresql/V1.23.0__clientsettings.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+CREATE TABLE "client_settings" (
+  "id" varchar(254) not null primary key,
+  "client_id" varchar(254) not null,
+  "user_id" varchar(254) not null,
+  "settings_data" text not null,
+  "created" timestamp not null,
+  "updated" timestamp not null,
+  foreign key ("user_id") references "user_"("uid") on delete cascade,
+  unique ("client_id", "user_id")
+);
diff --git a/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/impl/DoobieMeta.scala b/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/impl/DoobieMeta.scala
index e15da7ae..c38ff900 100644
--- a/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/impl/DoobieMeta.scala
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/impl/DoobieMeta.scala
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import doobie._
 import doobie.implicits.legacy.instant._
 import doobie.util.log.Success
 import emil.doobie.EmilDoobieMeta
+import io.circe.Json
 import io.circe.{Decoder, Encoder}
 
 trait DoobieMeta extends EmilDoobieMeta {
@@ -112,10 +113,18 @@ trait DoobieMeta extends EmilDoobieMeta {
 
   implicit val metaOrgUse: Meta[OrgUse] =
     Meta[String].timap(OrgUse.unsafeFromString)(_.name)
+
+  implicit val metaJsonString: Meta[Json] =
+    Meta[String].timap(DoobieMeta.parseJsonUnsafe)(_.noSpaces)
 }
 
 object DoobieMeta extends DoobieMeta {
   import org.log4s._
   private val logger = getLogger
 
+  private def parseJsonUnsafe(str: String): Json =
+    io.circe.parser
+      .parse(str)
+      .fold(throw _, identity)
+
 }
diff --git a/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/records/RClientSettings.scala b/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/records/RClientSettings.scala
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ed7c3911
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/store/src/main/scala/docspell/store/records/RClientSettings.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+package docspell.store.records
+
+import cats.data.NonEmptyList
+import cats.implicits._
+
+import docspell.common._
+import docspell.store.qb.DSL._
+import docspell.store.qb._
+
+import doobie._
+import doobie.implicits._
+import io.circe.Json
+
+case class RClientSettings(
+    id: Ident,
+    clientId: Ident,
+    userId: Ident,
+    settingsData: Json,
+    updated: Timestamp,
+    created: Timestamp
+) {}
+
+object RClientSettings {
+
+  final case class Table(alias: Option[String]) extends TableDef {
+    val tableName = "client_settings"
+
+    val id           = Column[Ident]("id", this)
+    val clientId     = Column[Ident]("client_id", this)
+    val userId       = Column[Ident]("user_id", this)
+    val settingsData = Column[Json]("settings_data", this)
+    val updated      = Column[Timestamp]("updated", this)
+    val created      = Column[Timestamp]("created", this)
+    val all =
+      NonEmptyList.of[Column[_]](id, clientId, userId, settingsData, updated, created)
+  }
+
+  def as(alias: String): Table = Table(Some(alias))
+  val T                        = Table(None)
+
+  def insert(v: RClientSettings): ConnectionIO[Int] = {
+    val t = Table(None)
+    DML.insert(
+      t,
+      t.all,
+      fr"${v.id},${v.clientId},${v.userId},${v.settingsData},${v.updated},${v.created}"
+    )
+  }
+
+  def updateSettings(
+      clientId: Ident,
+      userId: Ident,
+      data: Json,
+      updateTs: Timestamp
+  ): ConnectionIO[Int] =
+    DML.update(
+      T,
+      T.clientId === clientId && T.userId === userId,
+      DML.set(T.settingsData.setTo(data), T.updated.setTo(updateTs))
+    )
+
+  def upsert(clientId: Ident, userId: Ident, data: Json): ConnectionIO[Int] =
+    for {
+      id  <- Ident.randomId[ConnectionIO]
+      now <- Timestamp.current[ConnectionIO]
+      nup <- updateSettings(clientId, userId, data, now)
+      nin <-
+        if (nup <= 0) insert(RClientSettings(id, clientId, userId, data, now, now))
+        else 0.pure[ConnectionIO]
+    } yield nup + nin
+
+  def delete(clientId: Ident, userId: Ident): ConnectionIO[Int] =
+    DML.delete(T, T.clientId === clientId && T.userId === userId)
+
+  def find(clientId: Ident, userId: Ident): ConnectionIO[Option[RClientSettings]] =
+    run(select(T.all), from(T), T.clientId === clientId && T.userId === userId)
+      .query[RClientSettings]
+      .option
+}
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Api.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Api.elm
index 2ecf5171..c883d71c 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Api.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Api.elm
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ module Api exposing
     , deleteUser
     , fileURL
     , getAttachmentMeta
+    , getClientSettings
     , getCollective
     , getCollectiveSettings
     , getContacts
@@ -51,7 +52,6 @@ module Api exposing
     , getJobQueueState
     , getJobQueueStateIn
     , getMailSettings
-    , getNewUi
     , getNotifyDueItems
     , getOrgFull
     , getOrgLight
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ module Api exposing
     , removeTagsMultiple
     , reprocessItem
     , reprocessMultiple
+    , saveClientSettings
     , sendMail
     , setAttachmentName
     , setCollectiveSettings
@@ -124,7 +125,6 @@ module Api exposing
     , startOnceScanMailbox
     , startReIndex
     , submitNotifyDueItems
-    , toggleNewUi
     , toggleTags
     , unconfirmMultiple
     , updateNotifyDueItems
@@ -206,8 +206,10 @@ import Api.Model.VersionInfo exposing (VersionInfo)
 import Data.ContactType exposing (ContactType)
 import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
 import Data.Priority exposing (Priority)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
 import File exposing (File)
 import Http
+import Json.Decode as JsonDecode
 import Json.Encode as JsonEncode
 import Set exposing (Set)
 import Task
@@ -1982,21 +1984,40 @@ getItemProposals flags item receive =
         }
 
 
-toggleNewUi : Flags -> (Result Http.Error BasicResult -> msg) -> Cmd msg
-toggleNewUi flags receive =
-    Http2.authPost
-        { url = flags.config.baseUrl ++ "/api/v1/sec/newui"
+
+--- Client Settings
+
+
+getClientSettings : Flags -> (Result Http.Error UiSettings -> msg) -> Cmd msg
+getClientSettings flags receive =
+    let
+        defaults =
+            Data.UiSettings.defaults
+
+        decoder =
+            JsonDecode.map (\s -> Data.UiSettings.merge s defaults)
+                Data.UiSettings.storedUiSettingsDecoder
+    in
+    Http2.authGet
+        { url = flags.config.baseUrl ++ "/api/v1/sec/clientSettings/webClient"
         , account = getAccount flags
-        , body = Http.emptyBody
-        , expect = Http.expectJson receive Api.Model.BasicResult.decoder
+        , expect = Http.expectJson receive decoder
         }
 
 
-getNewUi : Flags -> (Result Http.Error BasicResult -> msg) -> Cmd msg
-getNewUi flags receive =
-    Http2.authGet
-        { url = flags.config.baseUrl ++ "/api/v1/sec/newui"
+saveClientSettings : Flags -> UiSettings -> (Result Http.Error BasicResult -> msg) -> Cmd msg
+saveClientSettings flags settings receive =
+    let
+        storedSettings =
+            Data.UiSettings.toStoredUiSettings settings
+
+        encode =
+            Data.UiSettings.storedUiSettingsEncode storedSettings
+    in
+    Http2.authPut
+        { url = flags.config.baseUrl ++ "/api/v1/sec/clientSettings/webClient"
         , account = getAccount flags
+        , body = Http.jsonBody encode
         , expect = Http.expectJson receive Api.Model.BasicResult.decoder
         }
 
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Data.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Data.elm
index 845a9555..784d8493 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Data.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Data.elm
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ module App.Data exposing
     )
 
 import Api.Model.AuthResult exposing (AuthResult)
+import Api.Model.BasicResult exposing (BasicResult)
 import Api.Model.VersionInfo exposing (VersionInfo)
 import Browser exposing (UrlRequest)
 import Browser.Navigation exposing (Key)
 import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
-import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings, UiSettings)
 import Data.UiTheme exposing (UiTheme)
 import Http
 import Messages.UiLanguage exposing (UiLanguage)
@@ -155,11 +156,13 @@ type Msg
     | SessionCheckResp (Result Http.Error AuthResult)
     | ToggleNavMenu
     | ToggleUserMenu
-    | GetUiSettings UiSettings
+    | GetUiSettings (Result Http.Error UiSettings)
     | ToggleSidebar
     | ToggleDarkMode
     | ToggleLangMenu
     | SetLanguage UiLanguage
+    | ClientSettingsSaveResp UiSettings (Result Http.Error BasicResult)
+    | ReceiveBrowserSettings StoredUiSettings
 
 
 defaultPage : Flags -> Page
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Update.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Update.elm
index 4752f4b0..fa92a709 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Update.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/App/Update.elm
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import App.Data exposing (..)
 import Browser exposing (UrlRequest(..))
 import Browser.Navigation as Nav
 import Data.Flags
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
 import Data.UiTheme
 import Page exposing (Page(..))
 import Page.CollectiveSettings.Data
@@ -65,11 +66,11 @@ updateWithSub msg model =
                             { settings | uiTheme = next }
                     in
                     -- when authenticated, store it in settings only
-                    -- once new settings arrive via a subscription,
-                    -- the ui is updated. so it is also updated on
-                    -- page refresh
+                    -- once new settings are successfully saved (the
+                    -- response is arrived), the ui is updated. so it
+                    -- is also updated on page refresh
                     ( { model | userMenuOpen = False }
-                    , Ports.storeUiSettings model.flags newSettings
+                    , Api.saveClientSettings model.flags newSettings (ClientSettingsSaveResp newSettings)
                     , Sub.none
                     )
 
@@ -84,6 +85,16 @@ updateWithSub msg model =
                     , Sub.none
                     )
 
+        ClientSettingsSaveResp settings (Ok res) ->
+            if res.success then
+                applyClientSettings model settings
+
+            else
+                ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+
+        ClientSettingsSaveResp _ (Err _) ->
+            ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+
         ToggleLangMenu ->
             ( { model | langMenuOpen = not model.langMenuOpen }
             , Cmd.none
@@ -258,22 +269,37 @@ updateWithSub msg model =
             , Sub.none
             )
 
-        GetUiSettings settings ->
+        GetUiSettings (Ok settings) ->
+            applyClientSettings model settings
+
+        GetUiSettings (Err _) ->
+            ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+
+        ReceiveBrowserSettings sett ->
             let
-                setTheme =
-                    Ports.setUiTheme settings.uiTheme
+                lm =
+                    Page.UserSettings.Data.ReceiveBrowserSettings sett
             in
-            Util.Update.andThen2
-                [ \m ->
-                    ( { m | sidebarVisible = settings.sideMenuVisible }
-                    , setTheme
-                    , Sub.none
-                    )
-                , updateUserSettings Page.UserSettings.Data.UpdateSettings
-                , updateHome Page.Home.Data.UiSettingsUpdated
-                , updateItemDetail Page.ItemDetail.Data.UiSettingsUpdated
-                ]
-                { model | uiSettings = settings }
+            updateUserSettings lm model
+
+
+applyClientSettings : Model -> UiSettings -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+applyClientSettings model settings =
+    let
+        setTheme =
+            Ports.setUiTheme settings.uiTheme
+    in
+    Util.Update.andThen2
+        [ \m ->
+            ( { m | sidebarVisible = settings.sideMenuVisible }
+            , setTheme
+            , Sub.none
+            )
+        , updateUserSettings Page.UserSettings.Data.UpdateSettings
+        , updateHome Page.Home.Data.UiSettingsUpdated
+        , updateItemDetail Page.ItemDetail.Data.UiSettingsUpdated
+        ]
+        { model | uiSettings = settings }
 
 
 updateItemDetail : Page.ItemDetail.Data.Msg -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
@@ -360,14 +386,29 @@ updateQueue lmsg model =
 updateUserSettings : Page.UserSettings.Data.Msg -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
 updateUserSettings lmsg model =
     let
-        ( lm, lc, ls ) =
+        result =
             Page.UserSettings.Update.update model.flags model.uiSettings lmsg model.userSettingsModel
+
+        model_ =
+            { model | userSettingsModel = result.model }
+
+        ( lm2, lc2, s2 ) =
+            case result.newSettings of
+                Just sett ->
+                    applyClientSettings model_ sett
+
+                Nothing ->
+                    ( model_, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
     in
-    ( { model
-        | userSettingsModel = lm
-      }
-    , Cmd.map UserSettingsMsg lc
-    , Sub.map UserSettingsMsg ls
+    ( lm2
+    , Cmd.batch
+        [ Cmd.map UserSettingsMsg result.cmd
+        , lc2
+        ]
+    , Sub.batch
+        [ Sub.map UserSettingsMsg result.sub
+        , s2
+        ]
     )
 
 
@@ -415,14 +456,29 @@ updateHome lmsg model =
                 _ ->
                     Nothing
 
-        ( lm, lc, ls ) =
+        result =
             Page.Home.Update.update mid model.key model.flags model.uiSettings lmsg model.homeModel
+
+        model_ =
+            { model | homeModel = result.model }
+
+        ( lm, lc, ls ) =
+            case result.newSettings of
+                Just sett ->
+                    applyClientSettings model_ sett
+
+                Nothing ->
+                    ( model_, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
     in
-    ( { model
-        | homeModel = lm
-      }
-    , Cmd.map HomeMsg lc
-    , Sub.map HomeMsg ls
+    ( lm
+    , Cmd.batch
+        [ Cmd.map HomeMsg result.cmd
+        , lc
+        ]
+    , Sub.batch
+        [ Sub.map HomeMsg result.sub
+        , ls
+        ]
     )
 
 
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsForm.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsForm.elm
index eb3141a5..6a59ed87 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsForm.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsForm.elm
@@ -463,9 +463,13 @@ update sett msg model =
 tagColorViewOpts2 : Texts -> Comp.ColorTagger.ViewOpts
 tagColorViewOpts2 texts =
     { renderItem =
-        \( _, v ) ->
-            span [ class (" label " ++ Data.Color.toString2 v) ]
-                [ text (texts.colorLabel v) ]
+        \( name, v ) ->
+            span [ class "flex inline-flex items-center" ]
+                [ span [ class "mr-2" ] [ text name ]
+                , span [ class (" label " ++ Data.Color.toString2 v) ]
+                    [ text (texts.colorLabel v)
+                    ]
+                ]
     , colorLabel = texts.colorLabel
     , label = texts.chooseTagColorLabel
     , description = Just texts.tagColorDescription
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
index c1e60230..178a287d 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
@@ -1,36 +1,49 @@
 module Comp.UiSettingsManage exposing
     ( Model
     , Msg(..)
+    , UpdateResult
     , init
     , update
     , view2
     )
 
+import Api
 import Api.Model.BasicResult exposing (BasicResult)
 import Comp.MenuBar as MB
 import Comp.UiSettingsForm
+import Comp.UiSettingsMigrate
 import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
-import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings, UiSettings)
 import Html exposing (..)
 import Html.Attributes exposing (..)
-import Html.Events exposing (onClick)
+import Http
 import Messages.Comp.UiSettingsManage exposing (Texts)
-import Ports
 import Styles as S
 
 
 type alias Model =
     { formModel : Comp.UiSettingsForm.Model
     , settings : Maybe UiSettings
-    , message : Maybe BasicResult
+    , formResult : FormResult
+    , settingsMigrate : Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.Model
     }
 
 
+type FormResult
+    = FormInit
+    | FormUnchanged
+    | FormSaved
+    | FormHttpError Http.Error
+    | FormUnknownError
+
+
 type Msg
     = UiSettingsFormMsg Comp.UiSettingsForm.Msg
+    | UiSettingsMigrateMsg Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.Msg
     | Submit
-    | SettingsSaved
     | UpdateSettings
+    | SaveSettingsResp UiSettings (Result Http.Error BasicResult)
+    | ReceiveBrowserSettings StoredUiSettings
 
 
 init : Flags -> UiSettings -> ( Model, Cmd Msg )
@@ -38,12 +51,19 @@ init flags settings =
     let
         ( fm, fc ) =
             Comp.UiSettingsForm.init flags settings
+
+        ( mm, mc ) =
+            Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.init flags
     in
     ( { formModel = fm
       , settings = Nothing
-      , message = Nothing
+      , formResult = FormInit
+      , settingsMigrate = mm
       }
-    , Cmd.map UiSettingsFormMsg fc
+    , Cmd.batch
+        [ Cmd.map UiSettingsFormMsg fc
+        , Cmd.map UiSettingsMigrateMsg mc
+        ]
     )
 
 
@@ -51,7 +71,15 @@ init flags settings =
 --- update
 
 
-update : Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+type alias UpdateResult =
+    { model : Model
+    , cmd : Cmd Msg
+    , sub : Sub Msg
+    , newSettings : Maybe UiSettings
+    }
+
+
+update : Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> UpdateResult
 update flags settings msg model =
     case msg of
         UiSettingsFormMsg lm ->
@@ -62,54 +90,89 @@ update flags settings msg model =
                 ( m_, sett ) =
                     Comp.UiSettingsForm.update inSettings lm model.formModel
             in
-            ( { model
-                | formModel = m_
-                , settings =
-                    if sett == Nothing then
-                        model.settings
+            { model =
+                { model
+                    | formModel = m_
+                    , settings =
+                        if sett == Nothing then
+                            model.settings
 
-                    else
-                        sett
-                , message =
-                    if sett /= Nothing then
-                        Nothing
+                        else
+                            sett
+                    , formResult =
+                        if sett /= Nothing then
+                            FormInit
 
-                    else
-                        model.message
-              }
-            , Cmd.none
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+                        else
+                            model.formResult
+                }
+            , cmd = Cmd.none
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
+
+        UiSettingsMigrateMsg lm ->
+            let
+                result =
+                    Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.update flags lm model.settingsMigrate
+            in
+            { model = { model | settingsMigrate = result.model }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map UiSettingsMigrateMsg result.cmd
+            , sub = Sub.map UiSettingsMigrateMsg result.sub
+            , newSettings = result.newSettings
+            }
+
+        ReceiveBrowserSettings sett ->
+            let
+                lm =
+                    UiSettingsMigrateMsg (Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.receiveBrowserSettings sett)
+            in
+            update flags settings lm model
 
         Submit ->
             case model.settings of
                 Just s ->
-                    ( { model | message = Nothing }
-                    , Ports.storeUiSettings flags s
-                    , Ports.onUiSettingsSaved SettingsSaved
-                    )
+                    { model = { model | formResult = FormInit }
+                    , cmd = Api.saveClientSettings flags s (SaveSettingsResp s)
+                    , sub = Sub.none
+                    , newSettings = Nothing
+                    }
 
                 Nothing ->
-                    ( { model | message = Just (BasicResult False "Settings unchanged or invalid.") }
-                    , Cmd.none
-                    , Sub.none
-                    )
+                    { model = { model | formResult = FormUnchanged }
+                    , cmd = Cmd.none
+                    , sub = Sub.none
+                    , newSettings = Nothing
+                    }
 
-        SettingsSaved ->
-            ( { model | message = Just (BasicResult True "Settings saved.") }
-            , Cmd.none
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+        SaveSettingsResp newSettings (Ok res) ->
+            if res.success then
+                { model = { model | formResult = FormSaved }
+                , cmd = Cmd.none
+                , sub = Sub.none
+                , newSettings = Just newSettings
+                }
+
+            else
+                { model = { model | formResult = FormUnknownError }
+                , cmd = Cmd.none
+                , sub = Sub.none
+                , newSettings = Nothing
+                }
+
+        SaveSettingsResp _ (Err err) ->
+            UpdateResult { model | formResult = FormHttpError err } Cmd.none Sub.none Nothing
 
         UpdateSettings ->
             let
                 ( fm, fc ) =
                     Comp.UiSettingsForm.init flags settings
             in
-            ( { model | formModel = fm }
-            , Cmd.map UiSettingsFormMsg fc
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+            { model = { model | formModel = fm }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map UiSettingsFormMsg fc
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
 
 
@@ -118,12 +181,26 @@ update flags settings msg model =
 
 isError : Model -> Bool
 isError model =
-    Maybe.map .success model.message == Just False
+    case model.formResult of
+        FormSaved ->
+            False
+
+        FormInit ->
+            False
+
+        FormUnchanged ->
+            True
+
+        FormHttpError _ ->
+            True
+
+        FormUnknownError ->
+            True
 
 
 isSuccess : Model -> Bool
 isSuccess model =
-    Maybe.map .success model.message == Just True
+    not (isError model)
 
 
 view2 : Texts -> Flags -> UiSettings -> String -> Model -> Html Msg
@@ -141,16 +218,32 @@ view2 texts flags settings classes model =
             , end = []
             , rootClasses = "mb-4"
             }
+        , div []
+            [ Html.map UiSettingsMigrateMsg
+                (Comp.UiSettingsMigrate.view model.settingsMigrate)
+            ]
         , div
             [ classList
                 [ ( S.successMessage, isSuccess model )
                 , ( S.errorMessage, isError model )
-                , ( "hidden", model.message == Nothing )
+                , ( "hidden", model.formResult == FormInit )
                 ]
             ]
-            [ Maybe.map .message model.message
-                |> Maybe.withDefault ""
-                |> text
+            [ case model.formResult of
+                FormInit ->
+                    text ""
+
+                FormUnchanged ->
+                    text texts.settingsUnchanged
+
+                FormHttpError err ->
+                    text (texts.httpError err)
+
+                FormSaved ->
+                    text texts.settingsSaved
+
+                FormUnknownError ->
+                    text texts.unknownSaveError
             ]
         , Html.map UiSettingsFormMsg
             (Comp.UiSettingsForm.view2
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsMigrate.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsMigrate.elm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..58fdad67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Comp/UiSettingsMigrate.elm
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+module Comp.UiSettingsMigrate exposing
+    ( Model
+    , Msg
+    , UpdateResult
+    , init
+    , receiveBrowserSettings
+    , update
+    , view
+    )
+
+import Api
+import Api.Model.BasicResult exposing (BasicResult)
+import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings, UiSettings)
+import Html exposing (..)
+import Html.Attributes exposing (class, href, title)
+import Html.Events exposing (onClick)
+import Http
+import Messages.Comp.HttpError
+import Ports
+import Styles as S
+
+
+init : Flags -> ( Model, Cmd Msg )
+init flags =
+    ( Initialized
+    , Cmd.batch
+        [ Api.getClientSettings flags GetClientSettingsResp
+        , requestBrowserSettings flags
+        ]
+    )
+
+
+type Model
+    = Initialized
+    | WaitingForHttp StoredUiSettings
+    | WaitingForBrowser
+    | MigrateActive StoredUiSettings
+    | MigrateDone
+    | MigrateRequestRunning
+    | MigrateRequestFailed String
+
+
+type Msg
+    = GetClientSettingsResp (Result Http.Error UiSettings)
+    | GetBrowserSettings StoredUiSettings
+    | MigrateSettings StoredUiSettings
+    | SaveSettingsResp UiSettings (Result Http.Error BasicResult)
+
+
+receiveBrowserSettings : StoredUiSettings -> Msg
+receiveBrowserSettings sett =
+    GetBrowserSettings sett
+
+
+
+--- Update
+
+
+requestBrowserSettings : Flags -> Cmd Msg
+requestBrowserSettings flags =
+    case flags.account of
+        Just acc ->
+            Ports.requestUiSettings acc
+
+        Nothing ->
+            Cmd.none
+
+
+type alias UpdateResult =
+    { model : Model
+    , cmd : Cmd Msg
+    , sub : Sub Msg
+    , newSettings : Maybe UiSettings
+    }
+
+
+update : Flags -> Msg -> Model -> UpdateResult
+update flags msg model =
+    let
+        empty =
+            { model = model
+            , cmd = Cmd.none
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
+    in
+    case msg of
+        GetClientSettingsResp (Err (Http.BadStatus 404)) ->
+            case model of
+                Initialized ->
+                    { model = WaitingForBrowser
+                    , cmd = requestBrowserSettings flags
+                    , sub = Sub.none
+                    , newSettings = Nothing
+                    }
+
+                WaitingForHttp sett ->
+                    { empty | model = MigrateActive sett }
+
+                _ ->
+                    { empty
+                        | sub = Sub.none
+                        , cmd = requestBrowserSettings flags
+                        , model = model
+                    }
+
+        GetBrowserSettings sett ->
+            case model of
+                Initialized ->
+                    { empty | model = WaitingForHttp sett }
+
+                WaitingForBrowser ->
+                    { empty | model = MigrateActive sett }
+
+                _ ->
+                    empty
+
+        GetClientSettingsResp _ ->
+            { empty | model = MigrateDone }
+
+        MigrateSettings settings ->
+            let
+                uiSettings =
+                    Data.UiSettings.merge settings Data.UiSettings.defaults
+
+                cmd =
+                    Api.saveClientSettings flags uiSettings (SaveSettingsResp uiSettings)
+            in
+            { empty | model = MigrateRequestRunning, cmd = cmd }
+
+        SaveSettingsResp settings (Ok res) ->
+            if res.success then
+                { empty | model = MigrateDone, newSettings = Just settings }
+
+            else
+                { empty | model = MigrateRequestFailed "Unknown error saving settings." }
+
+        SaveSettingsResp _ (Err err) ->
+            { empty | model = MigrateRequestFailed <| Messages.Comp.HttpError.gb err }
+
+
+
+--- View
+{-
+   Note: this module will be removed later, it only exists for the
+   transition from storing ui settings at the server. Therefore
+   strings here are not externalized; translation is not necessary.
+
+-}
+
+
+view : Model -> Html Msg
+view model =
+    case model of
+        MigrateActive sett ->
+            div
+                [ class (S.box ++ " px-2 py-2")
+                , class S.infoMessage
+                , class "flex flex-col"
+                ]
+                [ div [ class S.header2 ] [ text "Migrate your settings" ]
+                , p [ class " mb-3" ]
+                    [ text "The UI settings are now stored at the server. You have "
+                    , text "settings stored at the browser that you can now move to the "
+                    , text "server by clicking below."
+                    ]
+                , p [ class " mb-2" ]
+                    [ text "Alternatively, change the default settings here and submit "
+                    , text "this form. This message will disappear as soon as there are "
+                    , text "settings at the server."
+                    ]
+                , div [ class "flex flex-row items-center justify-center" ]
+                    [ a
+                        [ href "#"
+                        , title "Move current settings to the server"
+                        , onClick (MigrateSettings sett)
+                        , class S.primaryButton
+                        ]
+                        [ text "Migrate current settings"
+                        ]
+                    ]
+                ]
+
+        _ ->
+            span [ class "hidden" ] []
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/UiSettings.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/UiSettings.elm
index 8e1e3cd0..71f1fc8b 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/UiSettings.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Data/UiSettings.elm
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ module Data.UiSettings exposing
     , mergeDefaults
     , posFromString
     , posToString
+    , storedUiSettingsDecoder
+    , storedUiSettingsEncode
     , tagColor
     , tagColorFg2
     , tagColorString2
@@ -30,6 +32,9 @@ import Data.UiTheme exposing (UiTheme)
 import Dict exposing (Dict)
 import Html exposing (Attribute)
 import Html.Attributes as HA
+import Json.Decode as Decode
+import Json.Decode.Pipeline as P
+import Json.Encode as Encode
 import Messages
 import Messages.UiLanguage exposing (UiLanguage)
 
@@ -67,6 +72,70 @@ type alias StoredUiSettings =
     }
 
 
+storedUiSettingsDecoder : Decode.Decoder StoredUiSettings
+storedUiSettingsDecoder =
+    let
+        maybeInt =
+            Decode.maybe Decode.int
+
+        maybeString =
+            Decode.maybe Decode.string
+    in
+    Decode.succeed StoredUiSettings
+        |> P.optional "itemSearchPageSize" maybeInt Nothing
+        |> P.optional "tagCategoryColors" (Decode.keyValuePairs Decode.string) []
+        |> P.optional "nativePdfPreview" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "itemSearchNoteLength" maybeInt Nothing
+        |> P.optional "itemDetailNotesPosition" maybeString Nothing
+        |> P.optional "searchMenuFolderCount" maybeInt Nothing
+        |> P.optional "searchMenuTagCount" maybeInt Nothing
+        |> P.optional "searchMenuTagCatCount" maybeInt Nothing
+        |> P.optional "formFields" (Decode.maybe <| Decode.list Decode.string) Nothing
+        |> P.optional "itemDetailShortcuts" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "searchMenuVisible" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "editMenuVisible" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "cardPreviewSize" maybeString Nothing
+        |> P.optional "cardTitleTemplate" maybeString Nothing
+        |> P.optional "cardSubtitleTemplate" maybeString Nothing
+        |> P.optional "searchStatsVisible" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "cardPreviewFullWidth" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "uiTheme" maybeString Nothing
+        |> P.optional "sideMenuVisible" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "powerSearchEnabled" Decode.bool False
+        |> P.optional "uiLang" maybeString Nothing
+
+
+storedUiSettingsEncode : StoredUiSettings -> Encode.Value
+storedUiSettingsEncode value =
+    let
+        maybeEnc enca ma =
+            Maybe.map enca ma |> Maybe.withDefault Encode.null
+    in
+    Encode.object
+        [ ( "itemSearchPageSize", maybeEnc Encode.int value.itemSearchPageSize )
+        , ( "tagCategoryColors", Encode.dict identity Encode.string (Dict.fromList value.tagCategoryColors) )
+        , ( "nativePdfPreview", Encode.bool value.nativePdfPreview )
+        , ( "itemSearchNoteLength", maybeEnc Encode.int value.itemSearchNoteLength )
+        , ( "itemDetailNotesPosition", maybeEnc Encode.string value.itemDetailNotesPosition )
+        , ( "searchMenuFolderCount", maybeEnc Encode.int value.searchMenuFolderCount )
+        , ( "searchMenuTagCount", maybeEnc Encode.int value.searchMenuTagCount )
+        , ( "searchMenuTagCatCount", maybeEnc Encode.int value.searchMenuTagCatCount )
+        , ( "formFields", maybeEnc (Encode.list Encode.string) value.formFields )
+        , ( "itemDetailShortcuts", Encode.bool value.itemDetailShortcuts )
+        , ( "searchMenuVisible", Encode.bool value.searchMenuVisible )
+        , ( "editMenuVisible", Encode.bool value.editMenuVisible )
+        , ( "cardPreviewSize", maybeEnc Encode.string value.cardPreviewSize )
+        , ( "cardTitleTemplate", maybeEnc Encode.string value.cardTitleTemplate )
+        , ( "cardSubtitleTemplate", maybeEnc Encode.string value.cardSubtitleTemplate )
+        , ( "searchStatsVisible", Encode.bool value.searchStatsVisible )
+        , ( "cardPreviewFullWidth", Encode.bool value.cardPreviewFullWidth )
+        , ( "uiTheme", maybeEnc Encode.string value.uiTheme )
+        , ( "sideMenuVisible", Encode.bool value.sideMenuVisible )
+        , ( "powerSearchEnabled", Encode.bool value.powerSearchEnabled )
+        , ( "uiLang", maybeEnc Encode.string value.uiLang )
+        ]
+
+
 {-| Settings for the web ui. These fields are all mandatory, since
 there is always a default value.
 
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Main.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Main.elm
index 9be17f90..3e4b3030 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Main.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Main.elm
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ init flags url key =
 
           else
             Cmd.none
-        , Ports.getUiSettings flags
+        , Api.getClientSettings flags GetUiSettings
         ]
     )
 
@@ -85,5 +85,5 @@ subscriptions : Model -> Sub Msg
 subscriptions model =
     Sub.batch
         [ model.subs
-        , Ports.loadUiSettings GetUiSettings
+        , Ports.receiveUiSettings ReceiveBrowserSettings
         ]
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
index 9a79f50a..16028d75 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Messages/Comp/UiSettingsManage.elm
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 module Messages.Comp.UiSettingsManage exposing (Texts, gb)
 
+import Http
 import Messages.Basics
+import Messages.Comp.HttpError
 import Messages.Comp.UiSettingsForm
 
 
@@ -8,6 +10,10 @@ type alias Texts =
     { basics : Messages.Basics.Texts
     , uiSettingsForm : Messages.Comp.UiSettingsForm.Texts
     , saveSettings : String
+    , settingsUnchanged : String
+    , settingsSaved : String
+    , unknownSaveError : String
+    , httpError : Http.Error -> String
     }
 
 
@@ -16,4 +22,8 @@ gb =
     { basics = Messages.Basics.gb
     , uiSettingsForm = Messages.Comp.UiSettingsForm.gb
     , saveSettings = "Save settings"
+    , settingsUnchanged = "Settings unchanged or invalid."
+    , settingsSaved = "Settings saved."
+    , unknownSaveError = "Unknown error while trying to save settings."
+    , httpError = Messages.Comp.HttpError.gb
     }
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Data.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Data.elm
index 2190afb7..1ecfa5da 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Data.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Data.elm
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ type Msg
     | KeyUpPowerSearchbarMsg (Maybe KeyCode)
     | RequestReprocessSelected
     | ReprocessSelectedConfirmed
+    | ClientSettingsSaveResp UiSettings (Result Http.Error BasicResult)
 
 
 type SearchType
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Update.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Update.elm
index 97abd815..3c09e588 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Update.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/Home/Update.elm
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-module Page.Home.Update exposing (update)
+module Page.Home.Update exposing
+    ( UpdateResult
+    , update
+    )
 
 import Api
 import Api.Model.ItemLightList exposing (ItemLightList)
@@ -16,7 +19,6 @@ import Data.Items
 import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
 import Page exposing (Page(..))
 import Page.Home.Data exposing (..)
-import Ports
 import Process
 import Scroll
 import Set exposing (Set)
@@ -28,7 +30,15 @@ import Util.ItemDragDrop as DD
 import Util.Update
 
 
-update : Maybe String -> Nav.Key -> Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+type alias UpdateResult =
+    { model : Model
+    , cmd : Cmd Msg
+    , sub : Sub Msg
+    , newSettings : Maybe UiSettings
+    }
+
+
+update : Maybe String -> Nav.Key -> Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> UpdateResult
 update mId key flags settings msg model =
     case msg of
         Init ->
@@ -41,11 +51,12 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                     , scroll = True
                     }
             in
-            Util.Update.andThen2
-                [ update mId key flags settings (SearchMenuMsg Comp.SearchMenu.Init)
-                , doSearch searchParam
-                ]
-                model
+            makeResult <|
+                Util.Update.andThen3
+                    [ update mId key flags settings (SearchMenuMsg Comp.SearchMenu.Init)
+                    , doSearch searchParam
+                    ]
+                    model
 
         ResetSearch ->
             let
@@ -79,21 +90,21 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                                 BasicSearch
                     }
 
-                ( m2, c2, s2 ) =
+                result =
                     if nextState.stateChange && not model.searchInProgress then
                         doSearch (SearchParam flags BasicSearch settings.itemSearchPageSize 0 False) newModel
 
                     else
                         withSub ( newModel, Cmd.none )
             in
-            ( m2
-            , Cmd.batch
-                [ c2
-                , Cmd.map SearchMenuMsg nextState.cmd
-                , dropCmd
-                ]
-            , s2
-            )
+            { result
+                | cmd =
+                    Cmd.batch
+                        [ result.cmd
+                        , Cmd.map SearchMenuMsg nextState.cmd
+                        , dropCmd
+                        ]
+            }
 
         SetLinkTarget lt ->
             case linkTargetMsg lt of
@@ -101,7 +112,7 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                     update mId key flags settings m model
 
                 Nothing ->
-                    ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+                    makeResult ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
 
         ItemCardListMsg m ->
             let
@@ -144,15 +155,16 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                         , moreAvailable = list.groups /= []
                     }
             in
-            Util.Update.andThen2
-                [ update mId key flags settings (ItemCardListMsg (Comp.ItemCardList.SetResults list))
-                , if scroll then
-                    scrollToCard mId
+            makeResult <|
+                Util.Update.andThen3
+                    [ update mId key flags settings (ItemCardListMsg (Comp.ItemCardList.SetResults list))
+                    , if scroll then
+                        scrollToCard mId
 
-                  else
-                    \next -> ( next, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
-                ]
-                m
+                      else
+                        \next -> makeResult ( next, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+                    ]
+                    m
 
         ItemSearchAddResp (Ok list) ->
             let
@@ -167,10 +179,7 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                         , moreAvailable = list.groups /= []
                     }
             in
-            Util.Update.andThen2
-                [ update mId key flags settings (ItemCardListMsg (Comp.ItemCardList.AddResults list))
-                ]
-                m
+            update mId key flags settings (ItemCardListMsg (Comp.ItemCardList.AddResults list)) m
 
         ItemSearchAddResp (Err _) ->
             withSub
@@ -514,10 +523,11 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                                 res.change
                                 (MultiUpdateResp res.change)
                     in
-                    ( { model | viewMode = SelectView svm_ }
-                    , Cmd.batch [ cmd_, upCmd ]
-                    , sub_
-                    )
+                    makeResult
+                        ( { model | viewMode = SelectView svm_ }
+                        , Cmd.batch [ cmd_, upCmd ]
+                        , sub_
+                        )
 
                 _ ->
                     noSub ( model, Cmd.none )
@@ -540,10 +550,11 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                 noSub ( nm, Cmd.none )
 
         MultiUpdateResp change (Err _) ->
-            ( updateSelectViewNameState False model change
-            , Cmd.none
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+            makeResult
+                ( updateSelectViewNameState False model change
+                , Cmd.none
+                , Sub.none
+                )
 
         ReplaceChangedItemsResp (Ok items) ->
             noSub ( replaceItems model items, Cmd.none )
@@ -592,10 +603,24 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
                     { settings | cardPreviewFullWidth = not settings.cardPreviewFullWidth }
 
                 cmd =
-                    Ports.storeUiSettings flags newSettings
+                    Api.saveClientSettings flags newSettings (ClientSettingsSaveResp newSettings)
             in
             noSub ( model, cmd )
 
+        ClientSettingsSaveResp newSettings (Ok res) ->
+            if res.success then
+                { model = model
+                , cmd = Cmd.none
+                , sub = Sub.none
+                , newSettings = Just newSettings
+                }
+
+            else
+                noSub ( model, Cmd.none )
+
+        ClientSettingsSaveResp _ (Err _) ->
+            noSub ( model, Cmd.none )
+
         PowerSearchMsg lm ->
             let
                 result =
@@ -609,7 +634,7 @@ update mId key flags settings msg model =
             in
             case result.action of
                 Comp.PowerSearchInput.NoAction ->
-                    ( model_, cmd_, Sub.map PowerSearchMsg result.subs )
+                    makeResult ( model_, cmd_, Sub.map PowerSearchMsg result.subs )
 
                 Comp.PowerSearchInput.SubmitSearch ->
                     update mId key flags settings (DoSearch model_.searchTypeDropdownValue) model_
@@ -703,21 +728,22 @@ loadChangedItems flags ids =
         Api.itemSearch flags search ReplaceChangedItemsResp
 
 
-scrollToCard : Maybe String -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+scrollToCard : Maybe String -> Model -> UpdateResult
 scrollToCard mId model =
     let
         scroll id =
             Scroll.scrollElementY "item-card-list" id 0.5 0.5
     in
-    case mId of
-        Just id ->
-            ( { model | scrollToCard = mId }
-            , Task.attempt ScrollResult (scroll id)
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+    makeResult <|
+        case mId of
+            Just id ->
+                ( { model | scrollToCard = mId }
+                , Task.attempt ScrollResult (scroll id)
+                , Sub.none
+                )
 
-        Nothing ->
-            ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+            Nothing ->
+                ( model, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
 
 
 loadEditModel : Flags -> Cmd Msg
@@ -725,7 +751,7 @@ loadEditModel flags =
     Cmd.map EditMenuMsg (Comp.ItemDetail.MultiEditMenu.loadModel flags)
 
 
-doSearch : SearchParam -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+doSearch : SearchParam -> Model -> UpdateResult
 doSearch param model =
     let
         param_ =
@@ -798,16 +824,26 @@ doSearchMore flags settings model =
     )
 
 
-withSub : ( Model, Cmd Msg ) -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+withSub : ( Model, Cmd Msg ) -> UpdateResult
 withSub ( m, c ) =
-    ( m
-    , c
-    , Throttle.ifNeeded
-        (Time.every 500 (\_ -> UpdateThrottle))
-        m.throttle
-    )
+    makeResult
+        ( m
+        , c
+        , Throttle.ifNeeded
+            (Time.every 500 (\_ -> UpdateThrottle))
+            m.throttle
+        )
 
 
-noSub : ( Model, Cmd Msg ) -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+noSub : ( Model, Cmd Msg ) -> UpdateResult
 noSub ( m, c ) =
-    ( m, c, Sub.none )
+    makeResult ( m, c, Sub.none )
+
+
+makeResult : ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg ) -> UpdateResult
+makeResult ( m, c, s ) =
+    { model = m
+    , cmd = c
+    , sub = s
+    , newSettings = Nothing
+    }
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Data.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Data.elm
index 69c8f974..88545c60 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Data.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Data.elm
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import Comp.NotificationManage
 import Comp.ScanMailboxManage
 import Comp.UiSettingsManage
 import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
-import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings, UiSettings)
 
 
 type alias Model =
@@ -62,3 +62,4 @@ type Msg
     | ScanMailboxMsg Comp.ScanMailboxManage.Msg
     | UiSettingsMsg Comp.UiSettingsManage.Msg
     | UpdateSettings
+    | ReceiveBrowserSettings StoredUiSettings
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Update.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Update.elm
index d3f1fb6e..d9e07609 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Update.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Page/UserSettings/Update.elm
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-module Page.UserSettings.Update exposing (update)
+module Page.UserSettings.Update exposing (UpdateResult, update)
 
 import Comp.ChangePasswordForm
 import Comp.EmailSettingsManage
@@ -11,7 +11,15 @@ import Data.UiSettings exposing (UiSettings)
 import Page.UserSettings.Data exposing (..)
 
 
-update : Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> ( Model, Cmd Msg, Sub Msg )
+type alias UpdateResult =
+    { model : Model
+    , cmd : Cmd Msg
+    , sub : Sub Msg
+    , newSettings : Maybe UiSettings
+    }
+
+
+update : Flags -> UiSettings -> Msg -> Model -> UpdateResult
 update flags settings msg model =
     case msg of
         SetTab t ->
@@ -25,17 +33,25 @@ update flags settings msg model =
                         ( em, c ) =
                             Comp.EmailSettingsManage.init flags
                     in
-                    ( { m | emailSettingsModel = em }, Cmd.map EmailSettingsMsg c, Sub.none )
+                    { model = { m | emailSettingsModel = em }
+                    , cmd = Cmd.map EmailSettingsMsg c
+                    , sub = Sub.none
+                    , newSettings = Nothing
+                    }
 
                 ImapSettingsTab ->
                     let
                         ( em, c ) =
                             Comp.ImapSettingsManage.init flags
                     in
-                    ( { m | imapSettingsModel = em }, Cmd.map ImapSettingsMsg c, Sub.none )
+                    { model = { m | imapSettingsModel = em }
+                    , cmd = Cmd.map ImapSettingsMsg c
+                    , sub = Sub.none
+                    , newSettings = Nothing
+                    }
 
                 ChangePassTab ->
-                    ( m, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+                    UpdateResult m Cmd.none Sub.none Nothing
 
                 NotificationTab ->
                     let
@@ -43,7 +59,7 @@ update flags settings msg model =
                             Cmd.map NotificationMsg
                                 (Tuple.second (Comp.NotificationManage.init flags))
                     in
-                    ( m, initCmd, Sub.none )
+                    UpdateResult m initCmd Sub.none Nothing
 
                 ScanMailboxTab ->
                     let
@@ -51,64 +67,86 @@ update flags settings msg model =
                             Cmd.map ScanMailboxMsg
                                 (Tuple.second (Comp.ScanMailboxManage.init flags))
                     in
-                    ( m, initCmd, Sub.none )
+                    UpdateResult m initCmd Sub.none Nothing
 
                 UiSettingsTab ->
-                    ( m, Cmd.none, Sub.none )
+                    UpdateResult m Cmd.none Sub.none Nothing
 
         ChangePassMsg m ->
             let
                 ( m2, c2 ) =
                     Comp.ChangePasswordForm.update flags m model.changePassModel
             in
-            ( { model | changePassModel = m2 }, Cmd.map ChangePassMsg c2, Sub.none )
+            { model = { model | changePassModel = m2 }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map ChangePassMsg c2
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
         EmailSettingsMsg m ->
             let
                 ( m2, c2 ) =
                     Comp.EmailSettingsManage.update flags m model.emailSettingsModel
             in
-            ( { model | emailSettingsModel = m2 }, Cmd.map EmailSettingsMsg c2, Sub.none )
+            { model = { model | emailSettingsModel = m2 }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map EmailSettingsMsg c2
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
         ImapSettingsMsg m ->
             let
                 ( m2, c2 ) =
                     Comp.ImapSettingsManage.update flags m model.imapSettingsModel
             in
-            ( { model | imapSettingsModel = m2 }, Cmd.map ImapSettingsMsg c2, Sub.none )
+            { model = { model | imapSettingsModel = m2 }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map ImapSettingsMsg c2
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
         NotificationMsg lm ->
             let
                 ( m2, c2 ) =
                     Comp.NotificationManage.update flags lm model.notificationModel
             in
-            ( { model | notificationModel = m2 }
-            , Cmd.map NotificationMsg c2
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+            { model = { model | notificationModel = m2 }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map NotificationMsg c2
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
         ScanMailboxMsg lm ->
             let
                 ( m2, c2 ) =
                     Comp.ScanMailboxManage.update flags lm model.scanMailboxModel
             in
-            ( { model | scanMailboxModel = m2 }
-            , Cmd.map ScanMailboxMsg c2
-            , Sub.none
-            )
+            { model = { model | scanMailboxModel = m2 }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map ScanMailboxMsg c2
+            , sub = Sub.none
+            , newSettings = Nothing
+            }
 
         UiSettingsMsg lm ->
             let
-                ( m2, c2, s2 ) =
+                res =
                     Comp.UiSettingsManage.update flags settings lm model.uiSettingsModel
             in
-            ( { model | uiSettingsModel = m2 }
-            , Cmd.map UiSettingsMsg c2
-            , Sub.map UiSettingsMsg s2
-            )
+            { model = { model | uiSettingsModel = res.model }
+            , cmd = Cmd.map UiSettingsMsg res.cmd
+            , sub = Sub.map UiSettingsMsg res.sub
+            , newSettings = res.newSettings
+            }
 
         UpdateSettings ->
             update flags
                 settings
                 (UiSettingsMsg Comp.UiSettingsManage.UpdateSettings)
                 model
+
+        ReceiveBrowserSettings sett ->
+            let
+                lm =
+                    Comp.UiSettingsManage.ReceiveBrowserSettings sett
+            in
+            update flags settings (UiSettingsMsg lm) model
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Ports.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Ports.elm
index 9f630a81..0e9ad372 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Ports.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Ports.elm
@@ -1,21 +1,17 @@
 port module Ports exposing
     ( checkSearchQueryString
-    , getUiSettings
     , initClipboard
-    , loadUiSettings
-    , onUiSettingsSaved
     , receiveCheckQueryResult
+    , receiveUiSettings
     , removeAccount
+    , requestUiSettings
     , setAccount
     , setUiTheme
-    , storeUiSettings
     )
 
 import Api.Model.AuthResult exposing (AuthResult)
-import Api.Model.BasicResult exposing (BasicResult)
-import Data.Flags exposing (Flags)
 import Data.QueryParseResult exposing (QueryParseResult)
-import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings, UiSettings)
+import Data.UiSettings exposing (StoredUiSettings)
 import Data.UiTheme exposing (UiTheme)
 
 
@@ -27,18 +23,6 @@ port setAccount : AuthResult -> Cmd msg
 port removeAccount : () -> Cmd msg
 
 
-port saveUiSettings : ( AuthResult, StoredUiSettings ) -> Cmd msg
-
-
-port receiveUiSettings : (StoredUiSettings -> msg) -> Sub msg
-
-
-port requestUiSettings : ( AuthResult, StoredUiSettings ) -> Cmd msg
-
-
-port uiSettingsSaved : (() -> msg) -> Sub msg
-
-
 port internalSetUiTheme : String -> Cmd msg
 
 
@@ -48,45 +32,15 @@ port checkSearchQueryString : String -> Cmd msg
 port receiveCheckQueryResult : (QueryParseResult -> msg) -> Sub msg
 
 
+port initClipboard : ( String, String ) -> Cmd msg
+
+
+port receiveUiSettings : (StoredUiSettings -> msg) -> Sub msg
+
+
+port requestUiSettings : AuthResult -> Cmd msg
+
+
 setUiTheme : UiTheme -> Cmd msg
 setUiTheme theme =
     internalSetUiTheme (Data.UiTheme.toString theme)
-
-
-onUiSettingsSaved : msg -> Sub msg
-onUiSettingsSaved m =
-    uiSettingsSaved (\_ -> m)
-
-
-storeUiSettings : Flags -> UiSettings -> Cmd msg
-storeUiSettings flags settings =
-    case flags.account of
-        Just ar ->
-            saveUiSettings
-                ( ar
-                , Data.UiSettings.toStoredUiSettings settings
-                )
-
-        Nothing ->
-            Cmd.none
-
-
-loadUiSettings : (UiSettings -> msg) -> Sub msg
-loadUiSettings tagger =
-    receiveUiSettings (Data.UiSettings.mergeDefaults >> tagger)
-
-
-getUiSettings : Flags -> Cmd msg
-getUiSettings flags =
-    case flags.account of
-        Just ar ->
-            requestUiSettings
-                ( ar
-                , Data.UiSettings.toStoredUiSettings Data.UiSettings.defaults
-                )
-
-        Nothing ->
-            Cmd.none
-
-
-port initClipboard : ( String, String ) -> Cmd msg
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Util/Update.elm b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Util/Update.elm
index 0a135e89..90127cca 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Util/Update.elm
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/elm/Util/Update.elm
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 module Util.Update exposing
     ( andThen1
     , andThen2
+    , andThen3
     , cmdUnit
     )
 
@@ -44,6 +45,21 @@ andThen2 fs m =
         |> combine
 
 
+andThen3 :
+    List (model -> { x | model : model, cmd : Cmd msg, sub : Sub msg })
+    -> model
+    -> ( model, Cmd msg, Sub msg )
+andThen3 list m =
+    let
+        mkTuple r =
+            ( r.model, r.cmd, r.sub )
+
+        list2 =
+            List.map (\e -> e >> mkTuple) list
+    in
+    andThen2 list2 m
+
+
 cmdUnit : a -> Cmd a
 cmdUnit a =
     Task.perform (\_ -> a) (Task.succeed ())
diff --git a/modules/webapp/src/main/webjar/docspell.js b/modules/webapp/src/main/webjar/docspell.js
index d6fcc4c6..d13f6889 100644
--- a/modules/webapp/src/main/webjar/docspell.js
+++ b/modules/webapp/src/main/webjar/docspell.js
@@ -50,40 +50,22 @@ elmApp.ports.removeAccount.subscribe(function() {
     localStorage.removeItem("account");
 });
 
-
-elmApp.ports.saveUiSettings.subscribe(function(args) {
-    if (Array.isArray(args) && args.length == 2) {
-        var authResult = args[0];
-        var settings = args[1];
-        if (authResult && settings) {
-            var key = authResult.collective + "/" + authResult.user + "/uiSettings";
-            console.log("Save ui settings to local storage");
-            localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(settings));
-            elmApp.ports.receiveUiSettings.send(settings);
-            elmApp.ports.uiSettingsSaved.send(null);
-        }
-    }
-});
-
 elmApp.ports.requestUiSettings.subscribe(function(args) {
     console.log("Requesting ui settings");
-    if (Array.isArray(args) && args.length == 2) {
-        var account = args[0];
-        var defaults = args[1];
-        var collective = account ? account.collective : null;
-        var user = account ? account.user : null;
-        if (collective && user) {
-            var key = collective + "/" + user + "/uiSettings";
-            var settings = localStorage.getItem(key);
+    var account = args;
+    var collective = account ? account.collective : null;
+    var user = account ? account.user : null;
+    if (collective && user) {
+        var key = collective + "/" + user + "/uiSettings";
+        var settings = localStorage.getItem(key);
+        try {
             var data = settings ? JSON.parse(settings) : null;
-            if (data && defaults) {
-                var defaults = extend(defaults, data);
-                elmApp.ports.receiveUiSettings.send(defaults);
-            } else if (defaults) {
-                elmApp.ports.receiveUiSettings.send(defaults);
+            if (data) {
+                console.log("Sending browser ui settings");
+                elmApp.ports.receiveUiSettings.send(data);
             }
-        } else if (defaults) {
-            elmApp.ports.receiveUiSettings.send(defaults);
+        } catch (error) {
+            console.log(error);
         }
     }
 });