diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
index d67fb4b0f..4adc8e5ee 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
@@ -388,6 +388,8 @@ void Config::ReadValues() {
     UISettings::values.first_start = ReadSetting("firstStart", true).toBool();
     UISettings::values.callout_flags = ReadSetting("calloutFlags", 0).toUInt();
     UISettings::values.show_console = ReadSetting("showConsole", false).toBool();
+    UISettings::values.pause_when_in_background =
+        ReadSetting("pauseWhenInBackground", false).toBool();
 
     qt_config->beginGroup("Multiplayer");
     UISettings::values.nickname = ReadSetting("nickname", "").toString();
@@ -640,6 +642,7 @@ void Config::SaveValues() {
     WriteSetting("firstStart", UISettings::values.first_start, true);
     WriteSetting("calloutFlags", UISettings::values.callout_flags, 0);
     WriteSetting("showConsole", UISettings::values.show_console, false);
+    WriteSetting("pauseWhenInBackground", UISettings::values.pause_when_in_background, false);
 
     qt_config->beginGroup("Multiplayer");
     WriteSetting("nickname", UISettings::values.nickname, "");
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
index 7332d959a..47d559e3d 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ ConfigureGeneral::~ConfigureGeneral() = default;
 
 void ConfigureGeneral::SetConfiguration() {
     ui->toggle_check_exit->setChecked(UISettings::values.confirm_before_closing);
+    ui->toggle_background_pause->setChecked(UISettings::values.pause_when_in_background);
 
     ui->toggle_update_check->setChecked(UISettings::values.check_for_update_on_start);
     ui->toggle_auto_update->setChecked(UISettings::values.update_on_close);
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ void ConfigureGeneral::ResetDefaults() {
 
 void ConfigureGeneral::ApplyConfiguration() {
     UISettings::values.confirm_before_closing = ui->toggle_check_exit->isChecked();
+    UISettings::values.pause_when_in_background = ui->toggle_background_pause->isChecked();
 
     UISettings::values.check_for_update_on_start = ui->toggle_update_check->isChecked();
     UISettings::values.update_on_close = ui->toggle_auto_update->isChecked();
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
index 0e7933625..2a461a05d 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
@@ -29,6 +29,13 @@
           </property>
          </widget>
         </item>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QCheckBox" name="toggle_background_pause">
+          <property name="text">
+           <string>Pause emulation when in background</string>
+          </property>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/main.cpp b/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
index d9d9a6c0e..482dd6f10 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
@@ -499,6 +499,24 @@ void GMainWindow::RestoreUIState() {
     statusBar()->setVisible(ui.action_Show_Status_Bar->isChecked());
 }
 
+void GMainWindow::OnAppFocusStateChanged(Qt::ApplicationState state) {
+    if (!UISettings::values.pause_when_in_background) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if (state != Qt::ApplicationHidden && state != Qt::ApplicationInactive &&
+        state != Qt::ApplicationActive) {
+        LOG_DEBUG(Frontend, "ApplicationState unusual flag: {} ", state);
+    }
+    if (ui.action_Pause->isEnabled() &&
+        (state & (Qt::ApplicationHidden | Qt::ApplicationInactive))) {
+        auto_paused = true;
+        OnPauseGame();
+    } else if (ui.action_Start->isEnabled() && auto_paused && state == Qt::ApplicationActive) {
+        auto_paused = false;
+        OnStartGame();
+    }
+}
+
 void GMainWindow::ConnectWidgetEvents() {
     connect(game_list, &GameList::GameChosen, this, &GMainWindow::OnGameListLoadFile);
     connect(game_list, &GameList::OpenDirectory, this, &GMainWindow::OnGameListOpenDirectory);
@@ -2013,6 +2031,10 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
     Core::System::GetInstance().RegisterSoftwareKeyboard(std::make_shared<QtKeyboard>(main_window));
 
     main_window.show();
+
+    QObject::connect(&app, &QGuiApplication::applicationStateChanged, &main_window,
+                     &GMainWindow::OnAppFocusStateChanged);
+
     int result = app.exec();
     detached_tasks.WaitForAllTasks();
     return result;
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/main.h b/src/citra_qt/main.h
index 204d1c8f1..c86d99b79 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/main.h
+++ b/src/citra_qt/main.h
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ public:
     GameList* game_list;
     std::unique_ptr<DiscordRPC::DiscordInterface> discord_rpc;
 
+public slots:
+    void OnAppFocusStateChanged(Qt::ApplicationState state);
 signals:
 
     /**
@@ -231,6 +233,8 @@ private:
     // The path to the game currently running
     QString game_path;
 
+    bool auto_paused = false;
+
     // Movie
     bool movie_record_on_start = false;
     QString movie_record_path;
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h b/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
index 31be267c6..ef56ea722 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
+++ b/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ struct Values {
 
     bool confirm_before_closing;
     bool first_start;
+    bool pause_when_in_background;
 
     bool updater_found;
     bool update_on_close;