diff --git a/changelog.d/8964.bugfix b/changelog.d/8964.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2b9144a8f5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/8964.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix incoming call crash on Android 14+. ([#8964](https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8964))
diff --git a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
index dcbb5e5d942..70fafd7064c 100644
--- a/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
+++ b/vector/src/main/java/im/vector/app/features/call/VectorCallActivity.kt
@@ -246,9 +246,21 @@ class VectorCallActivity :
                 == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
             // Only start the service if the app is in the foreground
             if (isAppInForeground()) {
-                Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Starting microphone foreground service")
-                val intent = Intent(this, MicrophoneAccessService::class.java)
-                ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, intent)
+                withState(callViewModel) {
+                    // Starting in Android 14, you can't create a microphone foreground service while your app is in
+                    // the background. If we call startForegroundService while the call state is ringing (i.e. the
+                    // user has not interacted with the device at all) the app will crash. Make sure the call has
+                    // already been answered before starting the MicrophoneAccessService
+                    // https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8964
+                    val callState = it.callState.invoke()
+                    if (callState !is CallState.LocalRinging && callState !is CallState.Ended && callState != null) {
+                        Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Starting microphone foreground service")
+                        val intent = Intent(this, MicrophoneAccessService::class.java)
+                        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, intent)
+                    } else {
+                        Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("Call is in ringing or ended state; cannot start microphone service. callState: $callState")
+                    }
+                }
             } else {
                 Timber.tag(loggerTag.value).v("App is not in foreground; cannot start microphone service")
             }
@@ -269,6 +281,9 @@ class VectorCallActivity :
 
     override fun onPause() {
         super.onPause()
+
+        // Start the microphone service to keep access to the microphone when the call is in the background
+        // https://github.com/element-hq/element-android/issues/8881
         startMicrophoneService()
     }