Getting started
Connect your camera,
start your workflow.
Check the connection requirements, then shoot, receive and organize.
This guide covers the development version. Available controls and screens depend on the app and device.
Prepare your devices
Prepare an Android phone, your camera and the required connection. No public installer is available yet. Use a trusted release before making a real connection.
- Phone:Android 8.0 or later is required. For USB connections, the phone must also support USB Host.
- Cable:Use a data-capable cable and an OTG adapter if needed. A charge-only cable cannot transfer camera data.
- Camera:Ensure sufficient battery and storage, and check the USB or network mode in the device instructions.
No physically tested models have been announced. Firmware, lenses, the phone OS and connection type can affect results. A catalog entry is not a compatibility test pass.
Check connection requirements →Find a camera model →Connect and authorize
Using USB / PTP
- Set the required USB mode according to your camera instructions, then connect the camera and phone with a data cable.
- Add a camera from the camera entry point in LensDock and grant USB access when Android prompts you.
- Confirm the detected device identity, then check its actual shooting and file capabilities.
If no device appears, check the data cable, adapter direction and camera mode, then review the system permission. Charging does not prove that the data connection works.
Using a network connection
CCAPI requires a model that provides and enables the interface, with network reachability between phone and camera. Manual PTP/IP requires protocol support and the necessary pairing and network setup first.
Brand-specific setup and authorization may be separate processes. Sony SSH has username, password and public-key fingerprint fields; Nikon has experimental Bluetooth pairing. Both need physical camera validation. Nikon pairing does not automatically enable Wi-Fi control or fully replace SnapBridge.
Check shooting capabilities
After connecting, check the controls actually provided by the current device. A supported capability may still be unavailable in the selected shooting mode or with the attached lens.
- When supported, view live view and release the shutter from the shooting controls.
- Use the options returned by the current device when changing exposure or advanced settings.
- Manage frequently used settings in presets and custom templates, and organize sequences in shooting plans.
- Start with a single shot and verify the camera result and file status before trying a longer plan.
A template records intended settings; it does not guarantee that every camera can apply every parameter. If the outcome is unknown, check the camera and task records before triggering the shutter again.
Receive and select
- Browse media through the camera photos entry point, distinguishing previews from complete files.
- Select the JPEG / RAW files to receive and review the task and file status.
- Organize received or imported photos through the local photos entry point, recording ratings and filtering results.
A visible thumbnail does not mean the full original has been saved. RAW preview is not full development. Use the correct originals and suitable tools when checking image quality.
Size detection, reads and recovery above 4 GiB depend on the capabilities reported by the device. Actual large-file transfer still needs physical testing. Do not use your only copy of important originals for a first test.
Export and back up
After selecting photographs, choose the delivery method for your purpose. System sharing and saving to a folder are separate actions; explicitly choose and authorize the destination folder.
- Originals / file lists
- Use for further editing or organization, and verify the destination and export results.
- XMP / JPEG IPTC copies
- Prepare sidecars or metadata copies for your workflow. Writing copies is separate from receiving originals.
- PDF contact sheets
- Arrange photographs in a document for browsing and discussion.
- NAS backup
- Configure the destination connection, then check local file status, upload completion and remote verification separately.
Real NAS servers and XMP/IPTC interoperability with external software still need validation. Check results in your own software and storage environment before using a production workflow.
Interruptions and recovery
If a transfer stops, review the task details and file status before using the recovery method shown by the app. Different connections may require different steps.
- Random reads available:Use the saved checkpoints and file-identity checks to continue chunked reception when the conditions are met.
- Full reread required:Read the entire file again and compare it with the old chunks. This does not save the network or USB traffic already transferred.
- Unknown outcome:Check retained files and task records first. An unknown outcome is not completion.
Long-running tasks have notification and progress entry points. Keeping the screen on is optional in app settings, but lock-screen behavior, force stops, cable removal and power usage still need device testing. Canceling a task may not stop an exposure; check the final camera state.
Ready to continue?
Check the connection requirements, then try the workflow step by step on your own equipment.
View camera connection notes