diff --git a/src/tile/GridTile.module.css b/src/tile/GridTile.module.css
index bb0685120..0ec2b7e7a 100644
--- a/src/tile/GridTile.module.css
+++ b/src/tile/GridTile.module.css
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ borders don't support gradients */
   position: absolute;
   z-index: -1; /* Put it below the outline */
   opacity: 0; /* Hidden unless speaking */
-  transition: opacity ease 0.15s;
+  /* this only animates in one direction. In the other direction,
+  the background will disappear and the opacity has no effect.*/
+  transition: opacity ease 0.5s;
   inset: calc(-1 * var(--cpd-border-width-4));
   border-radius: var(--cpd-space-5x);
   background-blend-mode: overlay, normal;
@@ -48,6 +50,11 @@ borders don't support gradients */
   outline: var(--cpd-border-width-2) solid var(--cpd-color-bg-canvas-default) !important;
 }
 
+.tile.loading {
+  /* !important because loading border should take priority over hover */
+  outline: var(--cpd-border-width-2) solid var(--cpd-color-bg-canvas-default) !important;
+}
+
 .tile.handRaised::before {
   background: linear-gradient(
       119deg,
@@ -62,6 +69,31 @@ borders don't support gradients */
   opacity: 1;
 }
 
+.tile.loading::before {
+  background: linear-gradient(
+    var(--angle),
+    var(--cpd-color-green-900) 0%,
+    var(--cpd-color-blue-200) 100%
+  );
+  opacity: 1;
+  animation: rotate-gradient linear 2s infinite;
+}
+
+@property --angle {
+  syntax: "<angle>";
+  inherits: false;
+  initial-value: 0deg;
+}
+
+@keyframes rotate-gradient {
+  from {
+    --angle: 0deg;
+  }
+  to {
+    --angle: 360deg;
+  }
+}
+
 @media (hover: hover) {
   .tile:hover {
     outline: var(--cpd-border-width-2) solid
diff --git a/src/tile/GridTile.tsx b/src/tile/GridTile.tsx
index 15f7c2954..11e9f04d1 100644
--- a/src/tile/GridTile.tsx
+++ b/src/tile/GridTile.tsx
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import {
   useDisplayName,
   LocalUserMediaViewModel,
   RemoteUserMediaViewModel,
+  EncryptionStatus,
 } from "../state/MediaViewModel";
 import { Slider } from "../Slider";
 import { MediaView } from "./MediaView";
@@ -145,6 +146,8 @@ const UserMediaTile = forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, UserMediaTileProps>(
         className={classNames(className, styles.tile, {
           [styles.speaking]: showSpeaking,
           [styles.handRaised]: !showSpeaking && !!handRaised,
+          [styles.loading]:
+            encryptionStatus === EncryptionStatus.Connecting && !vm.local,
         })}
         nameTagLeadingIcon={
           <AudioIcon