diff --git a/src/network/CMakeLists.txt b/src/network/CMakeLists.txt
index 003e504c92..28d78989f8 100644
--- a/src/network/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/network/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -326,6 +326,7 @@ qt_internal_extend_target(Network CONDITION QT_FEATURE_ssl
         ssl/qsslkey.h ssl/qsslkey_p.cpp ssl/qsslkey_p.h
         ssl/qsslpresharedkeyauthenticator.cpp ssl/qsslpresharedkeyauthenticator.h ssl/qsslpresharedkeyauthenticator_p.h
         ssl/qsslsocket.cpp ssl/qsslsocket.h ssl/qsslsocket_p.h
+        ssl/qtlsbackend.cpp ssl/qtlsbackend_p.h
 )
 
 qt_internal_extend_target(Network CONDITION QT_FEATURE_schannel AND QT_FEATURE_ssl
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.cpp b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.cpp
index 644e3771dd..0c231c1600 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.cpp
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.cpp
@@ -385,6 +385,7 @@
 #include "qsslsocket.h"
 #include "qsslcipher.h"
 #include "qocspresponse.h"
+#include "qtlsbackend_p.h"
 #ifndef QT_NO_OPENSSL
 #include "qsslsocket_openssl_p.h"
 #endif
@@ -1556,43 +1557,68 @@ QString QSslSocket::sslLibraryBuildVersionString()
 */
 QList<QString> QSslSocket::availableBackends()
 {
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::availableBackends();
+    return QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames();
 }
 
 /*!
     \since 6.1
-    Returns the name of the backend that was loaded (implicitly by QSslSocket
-    or by an application via loadBackend() call). If no backend was loaded yet,
-    this function returns the name of the backend that will be loaded by QSslSocket.
+    Returns the name of the backend that QSslSocket and related classes
+    use. If the active backend was not set explicitly, this function
+    returns the name of a default backend that QSslSocket selects implicitly
+    from the list of available backends.
 
-    \note When selecting a default backend implicitly from the list of available
-    backends, QSslSocket prefers native backends, such as SecureTransport on Darwin,
-    or Schannel on Windows.
+    \note When selecting a default backend implicitly, QSslSocket prefers
+    native backends, such as SecureTransport on Darwin, or Schannel on Windows.
 
-    \sa loadBackend(), availableBackends()
+    \sa setActiveBackend(), availableBackends()
 */
 QString QSslSocket::activeBackend()
 {
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackend();
+    const QMutexLocker locker(&QSslSocketPrivate::backendMutex);
+
+    if (!QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackendName.size())
+        QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackendName = QTlsBackendFactory::defaultBackendName();
+
+    return QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackendName;
 }
 
 /*!
     \since 6.1
-    Returns true if a backend with name \a backendName was loaded
-    and was made the current active backend. \a backendName must
-    be one of names returned by availableBackends().
+    Returns true if a backend with name \a backendName was set as
+    active backend. \a backendName must be one of names returned
+    by availableBackends().
 
-    \note An application can switch from the default backend,
-    that will be implicitly loaded by QSslSocket, to a different backend
-    only once. It cannot mix several backends simultaneously. A non-default
-    backend must be selected prior to any use of QSslSocket or related classes
-    (like QSslCertificate or QSslKey).
+    \note An application cannot mix different backends simultaneously.
+    This implies that a non-default backend must be selected prior
+    to any use of QSslSocket or related classes, e.g. QSslCertificate
+    or QSslKey.
 
     \sa activeBackend(), availableBackends()
 */
-bool QSslSocket::loadBackend(const QString &backendName)
+bool QSslSocket::setActiveBackend(const QString &backendName)
 {
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::loadBackend(backendName);
+    if (!backendName.size()) {
+        qCWarning(lcSsl, "Invalid parameter (backend name cannot be an empty string)");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    QMutexLocker locker(&QSslSocketPrivate::backendMutex);
+    if (QSslSocketPrivate::tlsBackend.get()) {
+        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot set backend named" << backendName
+                         << "as active, another backend is already in use";
+        locker.unlock();
+        return activeBackend() == backendName;
+    }
+
+    if (!QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames().contains(backendName)) {
+        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot set unavailable backend named" << backendName
+                         << "as active";
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackendName = backendName;
+
+    return true;
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -1606,13 +1632,7 @@ bool QSslSocket::loadBackend(const QString &backendName)
 */
 QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> QSslSocket::supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName)
 {
-    if (Q_UNLIKELY(backendName.size() && !availableBackends().contains(backendName))) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot provide the list of supported protocols for the backend"
-                         << backendName;
-        return {};
-    }
-
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::supportedProtocols(backendName);
+    return QTlsBackendFactory::supportedProtocols(backendName.size() ? backendName : activeBackend());
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -1638,13 +1658,7 @@ bool QSslSocket::isProtocolSupported(QSsl::SslProtocol protocol, const QString &
 */
 QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> QSslSocket::implementedClasses(const QString &backendName)
 {
-    if (Q_UNLIKELY(backendName.size() && !availableBackends().contains(backendName))) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot provide information about supported classes for"
-                         << "backend" << backendName;
-        return {};
-    }
-
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::implementedClasses(backendName);
+    return QTlsBackendFactory::implementedClasses(backendName.size() ? backendName : activeBackend());
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -1669,13 +1683,7 @@ bool QSslSocket::isClassImplemented(QSsl::ImplementedClass cl, const QString &ba
 */
 QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> QSslSocket::supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName)
 {
-    if (Q_UNLIKELY(backendName.size() && !availableBackends().contains(backendName))) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot provide information about supported features for"
-                         << "backend" << backendName;
-        return {};
-    }
-
-    return QSslSocketPrivate::supportedFeatures(backendName);
+    return QTlsBackendFactory::supportedFeatures(backendName.size() ? backendName : activeBackend());
 }
 
 /*!
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.h b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.h
index 9bc90fad32..8841929eec 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.h
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket.h
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ public:
 
     static QList<QString> availableBackends();
     static QString activeBackend();
-    static bool loadBackend(const QString &backendName);
+    static bool setActiveBackend(const QString &backendName);
     static QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName = {});
     static bool isProtocolSupported(QSsl::SslProtocol protocol, const QString &backendName = {});
     static QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses(const QString &backendName = {});
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_mac.cpp b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_mac.cpp
index 9f1d8d1e54..abbcf8a6ac 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_mac.cpp
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_mac.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include "qsslsocket_mac_p.h"
 #include "qasn1element_p.h"
 #include "qsslcertificate_p.h"
+#include "qtlsbackend_p.h"
 #include "qsslcipher_p.h"
 #include "qsslkey_p.h"
 
@@ -75,6 +76,67 @@ QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
 
 namespace
 {
+
+// These two classes are ad-hoc temporary solution, to be replaced
+// by the real things soon.
+class SecureTransportBackend : public QTlsBackend
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexSecureTransport];
+    }
+};
+
+class SecureTransportBackendFactory : public QTlsBackendFactory
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexSecureTransport];
+    }
+    QTlsBackend *create() const override
+    {
+        return new SecureTransportBackend;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
+
+        protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
+        protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
+
+        return protocols;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
+
+        return features;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
+
+        return classes;
+    }
+};
+
+Q_GLOBAL_STATIC(SecureTransportBackendFactory, factory)
+
 #ifdef Q_OS_MACOS
 /*
 
@@ -1552,90 +1614,12 @@ bool QSslSocketBackendPrivate::startHandshake()
     }
 }
 
-QList<QString> QSslSocketPrivate::availableBackends()
+void QSslSocketPrivate::registerAdHocFactory()
 {
-    return {QStringLiteral("securetransport")};
-}
-
-QString QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackend()
-{
-    return availableBackends().first();
-}
-
-bool QSslSocketPrivate::loadBackend(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    if (backendName.size() && !availableBackends().contains(backendName)) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "A TLS backend with name" << backendName << "is not available";
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    static bool loaded = false;
-    static QBasicMutex mutex;
-    const QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-    if (loaded) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "You have already loaded the backend named:" << activeBackend();
-        if (backendName.size())
-            qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot load:" << backendName;
-        else
-            qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot load the default backend (securetransport)";
-        return true;
-    }
-    // This code to be placed in qsslsocket.cpp and there
-    // the actual plugin to be loaded (so the result can be
-    // false if we, for example, failed to resolve OpenSSL
-    // symbols).
-    return loaded = true;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about protocols supported can be found";
-        return protocols;
-    }
-
-    protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
-    protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
-
-    return protocols;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> QSslSocketPrivate::implementedClasses(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return classes;
-    }
-
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
-
-    return classes;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return features;
-    }
-
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
-
-    return features;
+    // TLSTODO: this is a temporary solution, waiting for
+    // backends to move to ... plugins.
+    if (!factory())
+        qCWarning(lcSsl, "Failed to create backend factory");
 }
 
 QT_END_NAMESPACE
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_openssl.cpp b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_openssl.cpp
index cab18d3147..2f39b68002 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_openssl.cpp
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_openssl.cpp
@@ -101,6 +101,89 @@ QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
 
 namespace {
 
+// These two classes are ad-hoc temporary solution, to be replaced
+// by the real things soon.
+class OpenSSLBackend : public QTlsBackend
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexOpenSSL];
+    }
+};
+
+class OpenSSLBackendFactory : public QTlsBackendFactory
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexOpenSSL];
+    }
+    QTlsBackend *create() const override
+    {
+        return new OpenSSLBackend;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
+
+        protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
+        protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
+
+#ifdef TLS1_3_VERSION
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3OrLater;
+#endif // TLS1_3_VERSION
+
+#if QT_CONFIG(dtls)
+        protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_0;
+        protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_0OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_2;
+        protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_2OrLater;
+#endif // dtls
+
+        return protocols;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
+
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::CertificateVerification;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ServerSideAlpn;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Ocsp;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Psk;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::SessionTicket;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Alerts;
+
+        return features;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
+
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Dtls;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::EllipticCurve;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::DiffieHellman;
+
+        return classes;
+    }
+};
+
+Q_GLOBAL_STATIC(OpenSSLBackendFactory, factory)
+
 QSsl::AlertLevel tlsAlertLevel(int value)
 {
     using QSsl::AlertLevel;
@@ -2510,111 +2593,12 @@ bool QSslSocketBackendPrivate::importPkcs12(QIODevice *device,
     return true;
 }
 
-QList<QString> QSslSocketPrivate::availableBackends()
+void QSslSocketPrivate::registerAdHocFactory()
 {
-    return {QStringLiteral("openssl")};
-}
-
-QString QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackend()
-{
-    return availableBackends().first();
-}
-
-bool QSslSocketPrivate::loadBackend(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "A TLS backend with name" << backendName << "is not available";
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    static bool loaded = false;
-    static QBasicMutex mutex;
-    const QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-    if (loaded) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "You have already loaded the backend named:" << activeBackend();
-        if (backendName.size())
-            qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot load:" << backendName;
-        else
-            qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot load the default backend (openssl)";
-        return true;
-    }
-    // This code to be placed in qsslsocket.cpp and there
-    // the actual plugin to be loaded (so the result can be
-    // false if we, for example, failed to resolve OpenSSL
-    // symbols).
-    return loaded = true;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about protocols supported can be found";
-        return protocols;
-    }
-
-    protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
-    protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
-
-#ifdef TLS1_3_VERSION
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3OrLater;
-#endif // TLS1_3_VERSION
-
-#if QT_CONFIG(dtls)
-    protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_0;
-    protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_0OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_2;
-    protocols << QSsl::DtlsV1_2OrLater;
-#endif // dtls
-
-    return protocols;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> QSslSocketPrivate::implementedClasses(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return classes;
-    }
-
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Dtls;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::EllipticCurve;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::DiffieHellman;
-
-    return classes;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return features;
-    }
-
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::CertificateVerification;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ServerSideAlpn;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Ocsp;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Psk;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::SessionTicket;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::Alerts;
-
-    return features;
+    // TLSTODO: this is a temporary solution, waiting for
+    // backends to move to ... plugins.
+    if (!factory())
+        qCWarning(lcSsl, "Failed to create backend factory");
 }
 
 QT_END_NAMESPACE
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_p.h b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_p.h
index a98f833b0c..0a30f02e5f 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_p.h
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_p.h
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 #include "qsslkey.h"
 #include "qsslconfiguration_p.h"
 #include "qocspresponse.h"
+#include "qtlsbackend_p.h"
 #ifndef QT_NO_OPENSSL
 #include <private/qsslcontext_openssl_p.h>
 #else
@@ -67,6 +68,8 @@ class QSslContext;
 
 #include <QtCore/qlist.h>
 #include <QtCore/qstringlist.h>
+#include <QtCore/qmutex.h>
+
 #include <private/qringbuffer_p.h>
 
 #if defined(Q_OS_MAC)
@@ -81,6 +84,8 @@ class QSslContext;
 #endif // !HCRYPTPROV_LEGACY
 #endif // Q_OS_WIN
 
+#include <memory>
+
 QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
 
 #if defined(Q_OS_MACOS)
@@ -91,7 +96,7 @@ QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
 
 #if defined(Q_OS_WIN)
 
-// Those are needed by both OpenSSL and SChannel back-ends on Windows:
+// Those are needed by both OpenSSL and Schannel back-ends on Windows:
 struct QHCertStoreDeleter {
     void operator()(HCERTSTORE store)
     {
@@ -204,12 +209,9 @@ public:
 
     Q_AUTOTEST_EXPORT static bool rootCertOnDemandLoadingSupported();
 
-    static QList<QString> availableBackends();
-    static QString activeBackend();
     static bool loadBackend(const QString &backendName);
-    static QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName);
-    static QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses(const QString &backendName);
-    static QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName);
+    static void registerAdHocFactory();
+
 private:
     static bool ensureLibraryLoaded();
     static void ensureCiphersAndCertsLoaded();
@@ -228,6 +230,10 @@ protected:
     bool handshakeInterrupted = false;
     bool fetchAuthorityInformation = false;
     QSslCertificate caToFetch;
+
+    static inline QMutex backendMutex;
+    static inline QString activeBackendName;
+    static inline std::unique_ptr<QTlsBackend> tlsBackend;
 };
 
 #if QT_CONFIG(securetransport) || QT_CONFIG(schannel)
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_schannel.cpp b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_schannel.cpp
index f0e9e9c9d2..7ac032bd52 100644
--- a/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_schannel.cpp
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qsslsocket_schannel.cpp
@@ -157,6 +157,75 @@
 QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
 
 namespace {
+
+class SchannelBackend : public QTlsBackend
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexSchannel];
+    }
+};
+
+class SchannelBackendBackendFactory : public QTlsBackendFactory
+{
+private:
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[QTlsBackendFactory::nameIndexSchannel];
+    }
+    QTlsBackend *create() const override
+    {
+        return new SchannelBackend;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
+
+        protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
+        protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
+        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
+
+        bool supportsTls13();
+        if (supportsTls13()) {
+            protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3;
+            protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3OrLater;
+        }
+
+        return protocols;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
+
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
+        features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ServerSideAlpn;
+
+        return features;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses() const override
+    {
+        QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
+
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
+        classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
+
+        return classes;
+    }
+};
+
+Q_GLOBAL_STATIC(SchannelBackendFactory, factory)
+
+
 SecBuffer createSecBuffer(void *ptr, unsigned long length, unsigned long bufferType)
 {
     return SecBuffer{ length, bufferType, ptr };
@@ -2144,93 +2213,12 @@ bool QSslSocketBackendPrivate::rootCertOnDemandLoadingAllowed()
     return allowRootCertOnDemandLoading && s_loadRootCertsOnDemand;
 }
 
-QList<QString> QSslSocketPrivate::availableBackends()
+void QSslSocketPrivate::registerAdHocFactory()
 {
-    return {QStringLiteral("schannel")};
-}
-
-QString QSslSocketPrivate::activeBackend()
-{
-    return availableBackends().first();
-}
-
-bool QSslSocketPrivate::loadBackend(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    if (backendName.size() && !availableBackends().contains(backendName)) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "A TLS backend with name" << backendName << "is not available";
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    static bool loaded = false;
-    static QBasicMutex mutex;
-    const QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-    if (loaded) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "You have already loaded the backend named:" << activeBackend();
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot load:" << backendName;
-        return true;
-    }
-    // This code to be placed in qsslsocket.cpp and there
-    // the actual plugin to be loaded (so the result can be
-    // false if we, for example, failed to resolve OpenSSL
-    // symbols).
-    return loaded = true;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about protocols supported can be found";
-        return protocols;
-    }
-
-    protocols << QSsl::AnyProtocol;
-    protocols << QSsl::SecureProtocols;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_0OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_1OrLater;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2;
-    protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_2OrLater;
-
-    if (supportsTls13()) {
-        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3;
-        protocols << QSsl::TlsV1_3OrLater;
-    }
-
-    return protocols;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> QSslSocketPrivate::implementedClasses(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return classes;
-    }
-
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Key;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Certificate;
-    classes << QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket;
-
-    return classes;
-}
-
-QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> QSslSocketPrivate::supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName)
-{
-    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
-    if (backendName.size() && backendName != activeBackend()) {
-        qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Unexpected backend name" << backendName
-                         << "no information about classes implemented can be found";
-        return features;
-    }
-
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
-    features << QSsl::SupportedFeature::ServerSideAlpn;
-
-    return features;
+    // TLSTODO: this is a temporary solution, waiting for
+    // backends to move to ... plugins.
+    if (!factory())
+        qCWarning(lcSsl, "Failed to create backend factory");
 }
 
 QT_END_NAMESPACE
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend.cpp b/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4183c1e2f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+/****************************************************************************
+**
+** Copyright (C) 2021 The Qt Company Ltd.
+** Contact: https://www.qt.io/licensing/
+**
+** This file is part of the QtNetwork module of the Qt Toolkit.
+**
+** $QT_BEGIN_LICENSE:LGPL$
+** Commercial License Usage
+** Licensees holding valid commercial Qt licenses may use this file in
+** accordance with the commercial license agreement provided with the
+** Software or, alternatively, in accordance with the terms contained in
+** a written agreement between you and The Qt Company. For licensing terms
+** and conditions see https://www.qt.io/terms-conditions. For further
+** information use the contact form at https://www.qt.io/contact-us.
+**
+** GNU Lesser General Public License Usage
+** Alternatively, this file may be used under the terms of the GNU Lesser
+** General Public License version 3 as published by the Free Software
+** Foundation and appearing in the file LICENSE.LGPL3 included in the
+** packaging of this file. Please review the following information to
+** ensure the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3 requirements
+** will be met: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.html.
+**
+** GNU General Public License Usage
+** Alternatively, this file may be used under the terms of the GNU
+** General Public License version 2.0 or (at your option) the GNU General
+** Public license version 3 or any later version approved by the KDE Free
+** Qt Foundation. The licenses are as published by the Free Software
+** Foundation and appearing in the file LICENSE.GPL2 and LICENSE.GPL3
+** included in the packaging of this file. Please review the following
+** information to ensure the GNU General Public License requirements will
+** be met: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html and
+** https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html.
+**
+** $QT_END_LICENSE$
+**
+****************************************************************************/
+
+#include "qtlsbackend_p.h"
+#include "qsslsocket_p.h"
+#include "qssl_p.h"
+
+#include <QtCore/private/qfactoryloader_p.h>
+
+#include <QtCore/qmutex.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <vector>
+
+QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
+
+Q_GLOBAL_STATIC_WITH_ARGS(QFactoryLoader, loader,
+                          (QTlsBackendFactory_iid, QStringLiteral("/tlsbackends")))
+
+const QString QTlsBackendFactory::builtinBackendNames[] = {
+    QStringLiteral("schannel"),
+    QStringLiteral("securetransport"),
+    QStringLiteral("openssl")
+};
+
+
+QTlsBackend::QTlsBackend() = default;
+QTlsBackend::~QTlsBackend() = default;
+
+const QString dummyName = QStringLiteral("dummyTLS");
+
+QString QTlsBackend::backendName() const
+{
+    return dummyName;
+}
+
+QSsl::TlsKey *QTlsBackend::createKey() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot generate a key");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::X509Certificate *QTlsBackend::createCertificate() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot create a certificate");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::TlsCryptograph *QTlsBackend::createTlsCryptograph() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot create TLS session");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::DtlsCryptograph *QTlsBackend::createDtlsCryptograph() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot create DTLS session");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::DtlsCookieVerifier *QTlsBackend::createDtlsCookieVerifier() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot create DTLS cookie generator/verifier");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::X509ChainVerifyPtr QTlsBackend::X509Verifier() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot verify X509 chain");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::X509PemReaderPtr QTlsBackend::X509PemReader() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot read PEM format");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::X509DerReaderPtr QTlsBackend::X509DerReader() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, don't know how to read DER");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QSsl::X509Pkcs12ReaderPtr QTlsBackend::X509Pkcs12Reader() const
+{
+    qCWarning(lcSsl, "Dummy TLS backend, cannot read PKCS12");
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+namespace {
+
+class BackEndFactoryCollection
+{
+public:
+    void addFactory(QTlsBackendFactory *newFactory)
+    {
+        Q_ASSERT(newFactory);
+        Q_ASSERT(std::find(backendFactories.begin(), backendFactories.end(), newFactory) == backendFactories.end());
+        const QMutexLocker locker(&collectionMutex);
+        backendFactories.push_back(newFactory);
+    }
+
+    void removeFactory(QTlsBackendFactory *factory)
+    {
+        Q_ASSERT(factory);
+        const QMutexLocker locker(&collectionMutex);
+        const auto it = std::find(backendFactories.begin(), backendFactories.end(), factory);
+        Q_ASSERT(it != backendFactories.end());
+        backendFactories.erase(it);
+    }
+
+    bool tryPopulateCollection()
+    {
+        if (!loader())
+            return false;
+
+        static QBasicMutex mutex;
+        const QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
+        if (loaded)
+            return true;
+
+#if QT_CONFIG(library)
+        loader->update();
+#endif
+        int index = 0;
+        while (loader->instance(index))
+            ++index;
+
+        // TLSTODO: obviously, this one should go away:
+        QSslSocketPrivate::registerAdHocFactory();
+
+        return loaded = true;
+    }
+
+    QList<QString> backendNames()
+    {
+        QList<QString> names;
+        if (!tryPopulateCollection())
+            return names;
+
+        const QMutexLocker locker(&collectionMutex);
+        if (!backendFactories.size())
+            return names;
+
+        names.reserve(backendFactories.size());
+        for (const auto *factory : backendFactories)
+            names.append(factory->backendName());
+
+        return names;
+    }
+
+    QTlsBackendFactory *factory(const QString &name)
+    {
+        if (!tryPopulateCollection())
+            return nullptr;
+
+        const QMutexLocker locker(&collectionMutex);
+        const auto it = std::find_if(backendFactories.begin(), backendFactories.end(),
+                                     [&name](const auto *fct) {return fct->backendName() == name;});
+
+        return it == backendFactories.end()  ? nullptr : *it;
+    }
+
+private:
+    std::vector<QTlsBackendFactory *> backendFactories;
+    QMutex collectionMutex;
+    bool loaded = false;
+};
+
+Q_GLOBAL_STATIC(BackEndFactoryCollection, factories);
+
+} // unnamed namespace
+
+QTlsBackendFactory::QTlsBackendFactory()
+{
+    if (factories())
+        factories->addFactory(this);
+}
+
+QTlsBackendFactory::~QTlsBackendFactory()
+{
+    if (factories())
+        factories->removeFactory(this);
+}
+
+QString QTlsBackendFactory::backendName() const
+{
+    return dummyName;
+}
+
+QList<QString> QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames()
+{
+    if (!factories())
+        return {};
+
+    return factories->backendNames();
+}
+
+QString QTlsBackendFactory::defaultBackendName()
+{
+    // We prefer native as default:
+    const auto names = availableBackendNames();
+    auto name = builtinBackendNames[nameIndexSchannel];
+    if (names.contains(name))
+        return name;
+    name = builtinBackendNames[nameIndexSecureTransport];
+    if (names.contains(name))
+        return name;
+    name = builtinBackendNames[nameIndexOpenSSL];
+    if (names.contains(name))
+        return name;
+
+    return {};
+}
+
+QTlsBackend *QTlsBackendFactory::create(const QString &backendName)
+{
+    if (!factories())
+        return {};
+
+    if (const auto *fct = factories->factory(backendName))
+        return fct->create();
+
+    qCWarning(lcSsl) << "Cannot create unknown backend named" << backendName;
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> QTlsBackendFactory::supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName)
+{
+    if (!factories())
+        return {};
+
+    if (const auto *fct = factories->factory(backendName))
+        return fct->supportedProtocols();
+
+    return {};
+}
+
+QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> QTlsBackendFactory::supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName)
+{
+    if (!factories())
+        return {};
+
+    if (const auto *fct = factories->factory(backendName))
+        return fct->supportedFeatures();
+
+    return {};
+}
+
+QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> QTlsBackendFactory::implementedClasses(const QString &backendName)
+{
+    if (!factories())
+        return {};
+
+    if (const auto *fct = factories->factory(backendName))
+        return fct->implementedClasses();
+
+    return {};
+
+}
+
+QT_END_NAMESPACE
diff --git a/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend_p.h b/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend_p.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9c4f2d3eb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/network/ssl/qtlsbackend_p.h
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+/****************************************************************************
+**
+** Copyright (C) 2021 The Qt Company Ltd.
+** Contact: https://www.qt.io/licensing/
+**
+** This file is part of the QtNetwork module of the Qt Toolkit.
+**
+** $QT_BEGIN_LICENSE:LGPL$
+** Commercial License Usage
+** Licensees holding valid commercial Qt licenses may use this file in
+** accordance with the commercial license agreement provided with the
+** Software or, alternatively, in accordance with the terms contained in
+** a written agreement between you and The Qt Company. For licensing terms
+** and conditions see https://www.qt.io/terms-conditions. For further
+** information use the contact form at https://www.qt.io/contact-us.
+**
+** GNU Lesser General Public License Usage
+** Alternatively, this file may be used under the terms of the GNU Lesser
+** General Public License version 3 as published by the Free Software
+** Foundation and appearing in the file LICENSE.LGPL3 included in the
+** packaging of this file. Please review the following information to
+** ensure the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3 requirements
+** will be met: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.html.
+**
+** GNU General Public License Usage
+** Alternatively, this file may be used under the terms of the GNU
+** General Public License version 2.0 or (at your option) the GNU General
+** Public license version 3 or any later version approved by the KDE Free
+** Qt Foundation. The licenses are as published by the Free Software
+** Foundation and appearing in the file LICENSE.GPL2 and LICENSE.GPL3
+** included in the packaging of this file. Please review the following
+** information to ensure the GNU General Public License requirements will
+** be met: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html and
+** https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html.
+**
+** $QT_END_LICENSE$
+**
+****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef QTLSBACKEND_P_H
+#define QTLSBACKEND_P_H
+
+//
+//  W A R N I N G
+//  -------------
+//
+// This file is not part of the Qt API.  It exists purely as an
+// implementation detail.  This header file may change from version to
+// version without notice, or even be removed.
+//
+// We mean it.
+//
+
+#include <private/qtnetworkglobal_p.h>
+
+#include <QtNetwork/qsslcertificate.h>
+#include <QtNetwork/qsslerror.h>
+#include <QtNetwork/qsslkey.h>
+#include <QtNetwork/qssl.h>
+
+#include <QtCore/qobject.h>
+#include <QtCore/qglobal.h>
+#include <QtCore/qstring.h>
+#include <QtCore/qlist.h>
+#include <QtCore/qmap.h>
+
+#include <vector>
+#include <memory>
+
+QT_REQUIRE_CONFIG(ssl);
+
+QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
+
+class QByteArray;
+class QIODevice;
+
+namespace QSsl {
+
+// Encapsulates key's data or backend-specific
+// data-structure, like RSA/DSA/DH structs in OpenSSL.
+class TlsKey;
+
+// Abstraction above OpenSSL's X509, or our generic
+// 'derData'-based code.
+class X509Certificate;
+
+// X509-related auxiliary functions, previously static
+// member-functions in different classes.
+using X509ChainVerifyPtr = QList<QSslError> (*)(const QList<QSslCertificate> &chain,
+                                                const QString &hostName);
+using X509PemReaderPtr = QList<QSslCertificate> (*)(const QByteArray &pem, int count);
+using X509DerReaderPtr = X509PemReaderPtr;
+using X509Pkcs12ReaderPtr = bool (*)(QIODevice *device, QSslKey *key, QSslCertificate *cert,
+                                     QList<QSslCertificate> *caCertificates,
+                                     const QByteArray &passPhrase);
+
+// TLS over TCP. Handshake, encryption/decryption.
+class TlsCryptograph;
+
+// TLS over UDP. Handshake, encryption/decryption.
+class DtlsCryptograph;
+
+// DTLS cookie: generation and verification.
+class DtlsCookieVerifier;
+
+} // namespace QSsl
+
+// Factory, creating back-end specific implementations of
+// different entities QSslSocket is using.
+// TLSTODO: consider merging with ... it's own factory
+// below, no real benefit in having this split.
+class Q_NETWORK_EXPORT QTlsBackend : public QObject
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    QTlsBackend();
+    ~QTlsBackend() override;
+
+    virtual QString backendName() const;
+
+    // X509 and keys:
+    virtual QSsl::TlsKey *createKey() const;
+    virtual QSsl::X509Certificate *createCertificate() const;
+
+    // TLS and DTLS:
+    virtual QSsl::TlsCryptograph *createTlsCryptograph() const;
+    virtual QSsl::DtlsCryptograph *createDtlsCryptograph() const;
+    virtual QSsl::DtlsCookieVerifier *createDtlsCookieVerifier() const;
+
+    // X509 machinery:
+    virtual QSsl::X509ChainVerifyPtr X509Verifier() const;
+    virtual QSsl::X509PemReaderPtr X509PemReader() const;
+    virtual QSsl::X509DerReaderPtr X509DerReader() const;
+    virtual QSsl::X509Pkcs12ReaderPtr X509Pkcs12Reader() const;
+
+    Q_DISABLE_COPY_MOVE(QTlsBackend)
+};
+
+// Factory for a backend.
+class Q_NETWORK_EXPORT QTlsBackendFactory : public QObject
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    QTlsBackendFactory();
+    ~QTlsBackendFactory() override;
+
+    virtual QString backendName() const = 0;
+    virtual QTlsBackend *create() const = 0;
+    virtual QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols() const = 0;
+    virtual QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures() const = 0;
+    virtual QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses() const = 0;
+
+    static QList<QString> availableBackendNames();
+    static QString defaultBackendName();
+    static QTlsBackend *create(const QString &backendName);
+
+    static QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols(const QString &backendName);
+    static QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures(const QString &backendName);
+    static QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses(const QString &backendName);
+
+    // Built-in, this is what Qt provides out of the box (depending on OS):
+    static constexpr const int nameIndexSchannel = 0;
+    static constexpr const int nameIndexSecureTransport = 1;
+    static constexpr const int nameIndexOpenSSL = 2;
+
+    static const QString builtinBackendNames[];
+
+    Q_DISABLE_COPY_MOVE(QTlsBackendFactory)
+};
+
+#define QTlsBackendFactory_iid "org.qt-project.Qt.QTlsBackendFactory"
+Q_DECLARE_INTERFACE(QTlsBackendFactory, QTlsBackendFactory_iid);
+
+
+QT_END_NAMESPACE
+
+#endif // QTLSBACKEND_P_H
diff --git a/tests/auto/network/ssl/qsslsocket/tst_qsslsocket.cpp b/tests/auto/network/ssl/qsslsocket/tst_qsslsocket.cpp
index df35d93a63..bb77668b81 100644
--- a/tests/auto/network/ssl/qsslsocket/tst_qsslsocket.cpp
+++ b/tests/auto/network/ssl/qsslsocket/tst_qsslsocket.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@
 
 #ifndef QT_NO_SSL
 
+#include "private/qtlsbackend_p.h"
+
 #ifndef QT_NO_OPENSSL
 #include "private/qsslsocket_openssl_p.h"
 #include "private/qsslsocket_openssl_symbols_p.h"
@@ -163,6 +165,7 @@ public slots:
 
 #ifndef QT_NO_SSL
 private slots:
+    void backends();
     void constructing();
     void configNoOnDemandLoad();
     void simpleConnect();
@@ -437,9 +440,13 @@ void tst_QSslSocket::initTestCase()
 #endif // QT_NO_SSL
 
     // Since a backend can be loaded only once by an application (this test in our case),
-    // we do backend testing here:
+    // we do backend testing here.
+
+    // Before we tried to load anything, the active is the same thing as the default one:
+    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::activeBackend(), QTlsBackendFactory::defaultBackendName());
+
     const QString nonExistingBackend = QStringLiteral("TheQtTLS");
-    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::loadBackend(nonExistingBackend), false);
+    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::setActiveBackend(nonExistingBackend), false);
     QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::supportedProtocols(nonExistingBackend).size(), 0);
     QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::supportedFeatures(nonExistingBackend), QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature>());
     QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::implementedClasses(nonExistingBackend), QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass>());
@@ -450,9 +457,9 @@ void tst_QSslSocket::initTestCase()
     const auto supportedFt = QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn;
 
     QVERIFY(QSslSocket::availableBackends().contains(backendName));
-    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::loadBackend(backendName), true);
+    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::setActiveBackend(backendName), true);
     QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::activeBackend(), backendName);
-    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::loadBackend(backendName), true); // Already loaded, but not a fail.
+    QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::setActiveBackend(backendName), true); // We can do it again.
     QCOMPARE(QSslSocket::activeBackend(), backendName);
 
     const auto protocols = QSslSocket::supportedProtocols();
@@ -557,6 +564,131 @@ void tst_QSslSocket::proxyAuthenticationRequired(const QNetworkProxy &, QAuthent
 
 #ifndef QT_NO_SSL
 
+struct MockTlsBackend : QTlsBackend
+{
+    MockTlsBackend(const QString &n) : name(n) {}
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return name;
+    }
+    QString name;
+};
+
+struct MockTlsFactory : QTlsBackendFactory
+{
+    MockTlsFactory(const QString &mockName) : name(mockName)
+    {
+    }
+    QString backendName() const override
+    {
+        return name;
+    }
+
+    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> supportedFeatures() const override
+    {
+        return features;
+    }
+    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> supportedProtocols() const override
+    {
+        return protocols;
+    }
+    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> implementedClasses() const override
+    {
+        return classes;
+    }
+    QTlsBackend *create() const override
+    {
+        auto tls = new MockTlsBackend(name);
+        return tls;
+    }
+    QString name;
+    QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass> classes;
+    QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature> features;
+    QList<QSsl::SslProtocol> protocols;
+};
+
+void tst_QSslSocket::backends()
+{
+    QFETCH_GLOBAL(const bool, setProxy);
+    if (setProxy)
+        QSKIP("Proxy is not interesting for backend test");
+
+    // We are here, protected by !QT_NO_SSL. Some backend must be pre-existing.
+    // Let's test the 'real' backend:
+    auto backendNames = QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames();
+    const auto sizeBefore = backendNames.size();
+    QVERIFY(sizeBefore > 0);
+
+    const auto builtinBackend = backendNames.first();
+    const auto builtinProtocols = QSslSocket::supportedProtocols(builtinBackend);
+    QVERIFY(builtinProtocols.contains(QSsl::SecureProtocols));
+    // Socket and ALPN are supported by all our backends:
+    const auto builtinClasses = QSslSocket::implementedClasses(builtinBackend);
+    QVERIFY(builtinClasses.contains(QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket));
+    const auto builtinFeatures = QSslSocket::supportedFeatures(builtinBackend);
+    QVERIFY(builtinFeatures.contains(QSsl::SupportedFeature::ClientSideAlpn));
+
+    {
+        // Verify that non-dummy backend can be created (and delete it):
+        const std::unique_ptr<QTlsBackend> systemBackend(QTlsBackendFactory::create(backendNames.first()));
+        QVERIFY(systemBackend.get());
+    }
+
+    const auto protocols = QList<QSsl::SslProtocol>{QSsl::SecureProtocols};
+    const auto classes = QList<QSsl::ImplementedClass>{QSsl::ImplementedClass::Socket};
+    const auto features = QList<QSsl::SupportedFeature>{QSsl::SupportedFeature::CertificateVerification};
+
+    const QString nameA = QStringLiteral("backend A");
+    const QString nameB = QStringLiteral("backend B");
+    const QString nonExisting = QStringLiteral("non-existing backend");
+
+    QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nameA));
+    QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nameB));
+    QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nonExisting));
+    {
+        MockTlsFactory factoryA(nameA);
+        backendNames = QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames();
+        QVERIFY(backendNames.contains(nameA));
+        QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nameB));
+        QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nonExisting));
+
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.supportedFeatures().size(), 0);
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.supportedProtocols().size(), 0);
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.implementedClasses().size(), 0);
+
+        factoryA.protocols = protocols;
+        factoryA.classes = classes;
+        factoryA.features = features;
+
+        // It's an overrider in some re-implemented factory:
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.supportedProtocols(), protocols);
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.supportedFeatures(), features);
+        QCOMPARE(factoryA.implementedClasses(), classes);
+
+        // That's a helper function (static member function):
+        QCOMPARE(QTlsBackendFactory::supportedProtocols(nameA), protocols);
+        QCOMPARE(QTlsBackendFactory::supportedFeatures(nameA), features);
+        QCOMPARE(QTlsBackendFactory::implementedClasses(nameA), classes);
+
+        MockTlsFactory factoryB(nameB);
+        QVERIFY(QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames().contains(nameA));
+        QVERIFY(QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames().contains(nameB));
+        QVERIFY(!QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames().contains(nonExisting));
+
+        const std::unique_ptr<QTlsBackend> backendA(QTlsBackendFactory::create(nameA));
+        QVERIFY(backendA.get());
+        QCOMPARE(backendA->backendName(), nameA);
+
+        const std::unique_ptr<QTlsBackend> nullBackend(QTlsBackendFactory::create(nonExisting));
+        QCOMPARE(nullBackend.get(), nullptr);
+    }
+    backendNames = QTlsBackendFactory::availableBackendNames();
+    QCOMPARE(backendNames.size(), sizeBefore);
+    // Check we cleaned up our factories:
+    QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nameA));
+    QVERIFY(!backendNames.contains(nameB));
+}
+
 void tst_QSslSocket::constructing()
 {
     const char readNotOpenMessage[] = "QIODevice::read (QSslSocket): device not open";