diff --git a/src/models/Call.ts b/src/models/Call.ts
index 3497dc01c6..93a75a200d 100644
--- a/src/models/Call.ts
+++ b/src/models/Call.ts
@@ -688,7 +688,6 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
         const params = new URLSearchParams({
             embed: "true", // We're embedding EC within another application
             // Template variables are used, so that this can be configured using the widget data.
-            preload: "$preload", // We want it to load in the background.
             skipLobby: "$skipLobby", // Skip the lobby in case we show a lobby component of our own.
             returnToLobby: "$returnToLobby", // Returns to the lobby (instead of blank screen) when the call ends. (For video rooms)
             perParticipantE2EE: "$perParticipantE2EE",
@@ -728,17 +727,13 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
     }
 
     // Creates a new widget if there isn't any widget of typ Call in this room.
-    // Defaults for creating a new widget are: skipLobby = false, preload = false
+    // Defaults for creating a new widget are: skipLobby = false
     // When there is already a widget the current widget configuration will be used or can be overwritten
-    // by passing the according parameters (skipLobby, preload).
-    //
-    // `preload` is deprecated. We used it for optimizing EC by using a custom EW call lobby and preloading the iframe.
-    // now it should always be false.
+    // by passing the according parameters (skipLobby).
     private static createOrGetCallWidget(
         roomId: string,
         client: MatrixClient,
         skipLobby: boolean | undefined,
-        preload: boolean | undefined,
         returnToLobby: boolean | undefined,
     ): IApp {
         const ecWidget = WidgetStore.instance.getApps(roomId).find((app) => WidgetType.CALL.matches(app.type));
@@ -749,9 +744,6 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
             if (skipLobby !== undefined) {
                 overwrites.skipLobby = skipLobby;
             }
-            if (preload !== undefined) {
-                overwrites.preload = preload;
-            }
             if (returnToLobby !== undefined) {
                 overwrites.returnToLobby = returnToLobby;
             }
@@ -776,7 +768,6 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
                     {},
                     {
                         skipLobby: skipLobby ?? false,
-                        preload: preload ?? false,
                         returnToLobby: returnToLobby ?? false,
                     },
                 ),
@@ -842,7 +833,6 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
                 room.roomId,
                 room.client,
                 undefined,
-                undefined,
                 isVideoRoom(room),
             );
             return new ElementCall(session, availableOrCreatedWidget, room.client);
@@ -852,7 +842,7 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
     }
 
     public static create(room: Room, skipLobby = false): void {
-        ElementCall.createOrGetCallWidget(room.roomId, room.client, skipLobby, false, isVideoRoom(room));
+        ElementCall.createOrGetCallWidget(room.roomId, room.client, skipLobby, isVideoRoom(room));
     }
 
     protected async sendCallNotify(): Promise<void> {
@@ -884,17 +874,6 @@ export class ElementCall extends Call {
         audioInput: MediaDeviceInfo | null,
         videoInput: MediaDeviceInfo | null,
     ): Promise<void> {
-        // The JoinCall action is only send if the widget is waiting for it.
-        if (this.widget.data?.preload) {
-            try {
-                await this.messaging!.transport.send(ElementWidgetActions.JoinCall, {
-                    audioInput: audioInput?.label ?? null,
-                    videoInput: videoInput?.label ?? null,
-                });
-            } catch (e) {
-                throw new Error(`Failed to join call in room ${this.roomId}: ${e}`);
-            }
-        }
         this.messaging!.on(`action:${ElementWidgetActions.TileLayout}`, this.onTileLayout);
         this.messaging!.on(`action:${ElementWidgetActions.SpotlightLayout}`, this.onSpotlightLayout);
         this.messaging!.on(`action:${ElementWidgetActions.HangupCall}`, this.onHangup);
diff --git a/test/unit-tests/models/Call-test.ts b/test/unit-tests/models/Call-test.ts
index c94792647e..923b964325 100644
--- a/test/unit-tests/models/Call-test.ts
+++ b/test/unit-tests/models/Call-test.ts
@@ -866,13 +866,6 @@ describe("ElementCall", () => {
             expect(call.connectionState).toBe(ConnectionState.Connected);
         });
 
-        it("fails to connect if the widget returns an error", async () => {
-            // we only send a JoinCall action if the widget is preloading
-            call.widget.data = { ...call.widget, preload: true };
-            mocked(messaging.transport).send.mockRejectedValue(new Error("never!!1! >:("));
-            await expect(call.start()).rejects.toBeDefined();
-        });
-
         it("fails to disconnect if the widget returns an error", async () => {
             await callConnectProcedure(call);
             mocked(messaging.transport).send.mockRejectedValue(new Error("never!!1! >:("));