diff --git a/example-config.yaml b/example-config.yaml
index 43e7eaf4..ea696354 100644
--- a/example-config.yaml
+++ b/example-config.yaml
@@ -119,9 +119,10 @@ bridge:
     # their Telegram account at startup.
     startup_sync: true
     # Number of most recently active dialogs to check when syncing chats.
-    # Dialogs include groups and private chats, but only groups are synced.
     # Set to 0 to remove limit.
     sync_dialog_limit: 30
+    # Whether or not to sync and create portals for direct chats at startup.
+    sync_direct_chats: false
     # The maximum number of simultaneous Telegram deletions to handle.
     # A large number of simultaneous redactions could put strain on your homeserver.
     max_telegram_delete: 10
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py b/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
index 101af930..09778584 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-from typing import Tuple, Optional, AsyncIterable, Union, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import Tuple, Optional, Union, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 import asyncio
 import logging
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ import time
 from telethon.sessions import Session
 from telethon.tl.patched import MessageService, Message
 from telethon.tl.types import (
-    Channel, ChannelForbidden, Chat, ChatForbidden, MessageActionChannelMigrateFrom, PeerUser,
-    TypeUpdate, UpdateChannelPinnedMessage, UpdateChatPinnedMessage, UpdateChatParticipantAdmin,
-    UpdateChatParticipants, UpdateChatUserTyping, UpdateDeleteChannelMessages, UpdateNewMessage,
-    UpdateDeleteMessages, UpdateEditChannelMessage, UpdateEditMessage, UpdateNewChannelMessage,
-    UpdateReadHistoryOutbox, UpdateShortChatMessage, UpdateShortMessage, UpdateUserName,
-    UpdateUserPhoto, UpdateUserStatus, UpdateUserTyping, User, UserStatusOffline, UserStatusOnline)
+    Channel, Chat, MessageActionChannelMigrateFrom, PeerUser, TypeUpdate, UpdateChatPinnedMessage,
+    UpdateChannelPinnedMessage, UpdateChatParticipantAdmin, UpdateChatParticipants,
+    UpdateChatUserTyping, UpdateDeleteChannelMessages, UpdateNewMessage, UpdateDeleteMessages,
+    UpdateEditChannelMessage, UpdateEditMessage, UpdateNewChannelMessage, UpdateReadHistoryOutbox,
+    UpdateShortChatMessage, UpdateShortMessage, UpdateUserName, UpdateUserPhoto, UpdateUserStatus,
+    UpdateUserTyping, User, UserStatusOffline, UserStatusOnline)
 
 from mautrix.types import UserID, PresenceState
 from mautrix.errors import MatrixError
@@ -189,13 +189,6 @@ class AbstractUser(ABC):
         if UPDATE_TIME:
             UPDATE_TIME.labels(update_type=type(update).__name__).observe(time.time() - start_time)
 
-    def get_dialogs(self, limit: int = None) -> AsyncIterable[Union[User, Chat, Channel]]:
-        return (dialog.entity async for dialog in
-                self.client.iter_dialogs(limit=limit, ignore_migrated=True, archived=False)
-                if isinstance(dialog.entity, (ChatForbidden, ChannelForbidden))
-                or (isinstance(dialog.entity, Chat)
-                    and (dialog.entity.deactivated or dialog.entity.left)))
-
     @property
     @abstractmethod
     def name(self) -> str:
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/config.py b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
index ff2335b5..ac411fa4 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/config.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ class Config(BaseBridgeConfig):
         copy("bridge.skip_deleted_members")
         copy("bridge.startup_sync")
         copy("bridge.sync_dialog_limit")
+        copy("bridge.sync_direct_chats")
         copy("bridge.max_telegram_delete")
         copy("bridge.sync_matrix_state")
         copy("bridge.allow_matrix_login")
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/portal/base.py b/mautrix_telegram/portal/base.py
index 8a0e7523..046ab5ea 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/portal/base.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/portal/base.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class BasePortal(ABC):
         self._db_instance = db_instance
         self._main_intent = None
         self.deleted = False
-        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(self.tgid_log) if self.tgid else self.base_log
+        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(self.tgid_log if self.tgid else self.mxid)
 
         self.dedup = PortalDedup(self)
         self.send_lock = PortalSendLock()
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class BasePortal(ABC):
         if not self._main_intent:
             direct = self.peer_type == "user"
             puppet = p.Puppet.get(self.tgid) if direct else None
-            self._main_intent = puppet.intent if direct else self.az.intent
+            self._main_intent = puppet.intent_for(self) if direct else self.az.intent
         return self._main_intent
 
     @property
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ class BasePortal(ABC):
             if user != intent.mxid and (not puppets_only or puppet):
                 try:
                     if puppet:
-                        await puppet.intent.leave_room(room_id)
+                        await puppet.default_mxid_intent.leave_room(room_id)
                     else:
                         await intent.kick_user(room_id, user, message)
                 except (MatrixRequestError, IntentError):
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py b/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
index 9c24434a..5ade67f4 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
         self.tgid = new_id
         self.tg_receiver = new_id
         self.by_tgid[self.tgid_full] = self
-        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(str(self.tgid))
+        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(self.tgid_log)
         self.log.info(f"Telegram chat upgraded from {old_id}")
 
     async def set_telegram_username(self, source: 'u.User', username: str) -> None:
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
         self.by_tgid[self.tgid_full] = self
         await self.update_info(source, entity)
         self.db_instance.insert()
-        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(str(self.tgid))
+        self.log = self.base_log.getChild(self.tgid_log)
 
         if self.bot and self.bot.tgid in invites:
             self.bot.add_chat(self.tgid, self.peer_type)
@@ -192,6 +192,17 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
                                  levels: PowerLevelStateEventContent = None,
                                  users: List[User] = None,
                                  participants: List[TypeParticipant] = None) -> None:
+        try:
+            await self._update_matrix_room(user, entity, direct, puppet, levels, users,
+                                           participants)
+        except Exception:
+            self.log.exception("Fatal error updating Matrix room")
+
+    async def _update_matrix_room(self, user: 'AbstractUser', entity: Union[TypeChat, User],
+                                 direct: bool, puppet: p.Puppet = None,
+                                 levels: PowerLevelStateEventContent = None,
+                                 users: List[User] = None,
+                                 participants: List[TypeParticipant] = None) -> None:
         if not direct:
             await self.update_info(user, entity)
             if not users or not participants:
@@ -202,7 +213,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
             if not puppet:
                 puppet = p.Puppet.get(self.tgid)
             await puppet.update_info(user, entity)
-            await puppet.intent.join_room(self.mxid)
+            await puppet.intent_for(self).join_room(self.mxid)
         if self.sync_matrix_state:
             await self.sync_matrix_members()
 
@@ -221,7 +232,10 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
                 await self.invite_to_matrix(invites or [])
             return self.mxid
         async with self._room_create_lock:
-            return await self._create_matrix_room(user, entity, invites)
+            try:
+                return await self._create_matrix_room(user, entity, invites)
+            except Exception:
+                self.log.exception("Fatal error creating Matrix room")
 
     async def _create_matrix_room(self, user: 'AbstractUser', entity: TypeChat, invites: InviteList
                                   ) -> Optional[RoomID]:
@@ -235,7 +249,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
 
         if not entity:
             entity = await self.get_entity(user)
-            self.log.debug("Fetched data: %s", entity)
+            self.log.debug(f"Fetched data: {entity}")
 
         self.log.debug("Creating room")
 
@@ -244,8 +258,12 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
         except AttributeError:
             self.title = None
 
+        if direct and self.tgid == user.tgid:
+            self.title = "Telegram Saved Messages"
+            self.about = "Your Telegram cloud storage chat"
+
         puppet = p.Puppet.get(self.tgid) if direct else None
-        self._main_intent = puppet.intent if direct else self.az.intent
+        self._main_intent = puppet.intent_for(self) if direct else self.az.intent
 
         if self.peer_type == "channel":
             self.megagroup = entity.megagroup
@@ -280,7 +298,8 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
 
         room_id = await self.main_intent.create_room(alias_localpart=alias, preset=preset,
                                                      is_direct=direct, invitees=invites or [],
-                                                     name=self.title, initial_state=initial_state)
+                                                     name=self.title, topic=self.about,
+                                                     initial_state=initial_state)
         if not room_id:
             raise Exception(f"Failed to create room")
 
@@ -420,7 +439,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
             if entity.bot:
                 self._add_bot_chat(entity)
             allowed_tgids.add(entity.id)
-            await puppet.intent.ensure_joined(self.mxid)
+            await puppet.intent_for(self).ensure_joined(self.mxid)
             await puppet.update_info(source, entity)
 
             user = u.User.get_by_tgid(TelegramID(entity.id))
@@ -461,7 +480,7 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
         if source:
             entity: User = await source.client.get_entity(PeerUser(user_id))
             await puppet.update_info(source, entity)
-            await puppet.intent.join_room(self.mxid)
+            await puppet.intent_for(self).join_room(self.mxid)
 
         user = u.User.get_by_tgid(user_id)
         if user:
@@ -476,16 +495,16 @@ class PortalMetadata(BasePortal, ABC):
                         else "Left Telegram chat")
         if sender.tgid != puppet.tgid:
             try:
-                await sender.intent.kick_user(self.mxid, puppet.mxid)
+                await sender.intent_for(self).kick_user(self.mxid, puppet.mxid)
             except MForbidden:
                 await self.main_intent.kick_user(self.mxid, puppet.mxid, kick_message)
         else:
-            await puppet.intent.leave_room(self.mxid)
+            await puppet.intent_for(self).leave_room(self.mxid)
         if user:
             user.unregister_portal(self)
             if sender.tgid != puppet.tgid:
                 try:
-                    await sender.intent.kick_user(self.mxid, puppet.mxid)
+                    await sender.intent_for(self).kick_user(self.mxid, puppet.mxid)
                     return
                 except MForbidden:
                     pass
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/portal/telegram.py b/mautrix_telegram/portal/telegram.py
index 36439b9b..8be08f8d 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/portal/telegram.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/portal/telegram.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class PortalTelegram(BasePortal, ABC):
 
     async def handle_telegram_typing(self, user: p.Puppet,
                                      _: Union[UpdateUserTyping, UpdateChatUserTyping]) -> None:
-        await user.intent.set_typing(self.mxid, is_typing=True)
+        await user.intent_for(self).set_typing(self.mxid, is_typing=True)
 
     def _get_external_url(self, evt: Message) -> Optional[str]:
         if self.peer_type == "channel" and self.username is not None:
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ class PortalTelegram(BasePortal, ABC):
                                   f"{editing_msg.mxid}\">Edit</a>: "
                                   f"{content.formatted_body or escape_html(content.body)}")
 
-        intent = sender.intent if sender else self.main_intent
+        intent = sender.intent_for(self) if sender else self.main_intent
         await intent.set_typing(self.mxid, is_typing=False)
         event_id = await intent.send_message(self.mxid, content)
 
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ class PortalTelegram(BasePortal, ABC):
                          MessageMediaGame, MessageMediaPoll, MessageMediaUnsupported)
         media = evt.media if hasattr(evt, "media") and isinstance(evt.media,
                                                                   allowed_media) else None
-        intent = sender.intent if sender else self.main_intent
+        intent = sender.intent_for(self) if sender else self.main_intent
         if not media and evt.message:
             is_bot = sender.is_bot if sender else False
             event_id = await self.handle_telegram_text(source, intent, is_bot, evt)
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ class PortalTelegram(BasePortal, ABC):
         elif isinstance(action, MessageActionChatMigrateTo):
             self.peer_type = "channel"
             self._migrate_and_save_telegram(TelegramID(action.channel_id))
-            await sender.intent.send_emote(self.mxid, "upgraded this group to a supergroup.")
+            await sender.intent_for(self).send_emote(self.mxid, "upgraded this group to a supergroup.")
         elif isinstance(action, MessageActionPinMessage):
             await self.receive_telegram_pin_sender(sender)
         elif isinstance(action, MessageActionGameScore):
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ class PortalTelegram(BasePortal, ABC):
             await self.update_telegram_pin()
 
     async def update_telegram_pin(self) -> None:
-        intent = (self._temp_pinned_message_sender.intent
+        intent = (self._temp_pinned_message_sender.intent_for(self)
                   if self._temp_pinned_message_sender else self.main_intent)
         msg_id = self._temp_pinned_message_id
         self._temp_pinned_message_id = None
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/puppet.py b/mautrix_telegram/puppet.py
index a1ae68dc..f8c4d3b8 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/puppet.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/puppet.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from mautrix.types import UserID
 
 from .types import TelegramID
 from .db import Puppet as DBPuppet
-from . import util
+from . import util, portal as p
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from .matrix import MatrixHandler
@@ -135,6 +135,11 @@ class Puppet(CustomPuppetMixin):
                          ) -> Awaitable[Union[TypeInputPeer, TypeInputUser]]:
         return user.client.get_input_entity(self.peer)
 
+    def intent_for(self, portal: 'p.Portal') -> IntentAPI:
+        if portal.tgid == self.tgid:
+            return self.default_mxid_intent
+        return self.intent
+
     # region DB conversion
 
     @property
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/user.py b/mautrix_telegram/user.py
index b20629ad..ef3975bd 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/user.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/user.py
@@ -13,14 +13,15 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-from typing import (Awaitable, Dict, List, Iterable, Match, NewType, Optional, Tuple, Any,
-                    TYPE_CHECKING)
+from typing import (Awaitable, Dict, List, Iterable, Match, NewType, Optional, Tuple, Any, Union,
+                    AsyncIterable, TYPE_CHECKING)
 import logging
 import asyncio
 import re
 
 from telethon.tl.types import (TypeUpdate, UpdateNewMessage, UpdateNewChannelMessage, PeerUser,
-                               UpdateShortChatMessage, UpdateShortMessage, User as TLUser)
+                               UpdateShortChatMessage, UpdateShortMessage, User as TLUser,
+                               ChannelForbidden, ChatForbidden, Chat, Channel)
 from telethon.tl.types.contacts import ContactsNotModified
 from telethon.tl.functions.contacts import GetContactsRequest, SearchRequest
 from telethon.tl.functions.account import UpdateStatusRequest
@@ -310,7 +311,17 @@ class User(AbstractUser):
         if self.is_bot:
             return
         creators = []
-        async for entity in self.get_dialogs(limit=config["bridge.sync_dialog_limit"] or None):
+        limit = config["bridge.sync_dialog_limit"] or None
+        self.log.debug(f"Syncing dialogs (limit={limit}, synchronous_create={synchronous_create})")
+        async for dialog in self.client.iter_dialogs(limit=limit, ignore_migrated=True,
+                                                     archived=False):
+            entity = dialog.entity
+            if isinstance(entity, Chat) and (entity.deactivated or entity.left):
+                self.log.warn(f"Ignoring deactivated or left chat {entity} while syncing")
+                continue
+            elif isinstance(entity, TLUser) and not config["bridge.sync_direct_chats"]:
+                continue
+            self.log.info(f"Syncing {type(entity)}")
             portal = po.Portal.get_by_entity(entity)
             self.portals[portal.tgid_full] = portal
             creators.append(
@@ -318,6 +329,7 @@ class User(AbstractUser):
                                           synchronous=synchronous_create))
         self.save(portals=True)
         await asyncio.gather(*creators, loop=self.loop)
+        self.log.debug("Dialog syncing complete")
 
     def register_portal(self, portal: po.Portal) -> None:
         try:
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/web/provisioning/__init__.py b/mautrix_telegram/web/provisioning/__init__.py
index 3a81c19c..31b01a87 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/web/provisioning/__init__.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/web/provisioning/__init__.py
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ class ProvisioningAPI(AuthAPI):
             return web.json_response([{
                 "id": get_peer_id(chat),
                 "title": chat.title,
-            } async for chat in user.get_dialogs()])
+            } async for chat in user.client.get_dialogs(ignore_migrated=True, archived=False)])
         else:
             return web.json_response([{
                 "id": get_peer_id(chat.peer),