Tethering a Sony Camera over USB
On Sony, where you switch PC remote on depends on the generation. In the setup menu means a newer body; in the network menu means an older one. The rest is the same.
What you need
A USB-C (OTG) cable, an Android phone and your camera. The camera end is either USB-C or micro USB depending on the model.
Charge-only cables have no data wires. They look identical, but nothing at all happens when you plug one in. Use the cable that came with the camera, or one that says it carries data.
Without a card the camera either refuses the connection outright or will not take shooting commands. Keep one inserted even if you only intend to receive photos on the phone.
Connecting
Three steps. Only the first happens on the camera, the rest on the phone.
Turn off the camera power saving
Whatever the brand, this is the most common cause of dropouts. Even with the cable in, the camera falls asleep on its own when left alone, and the connection goes with it. Turn it back on after the shoot.
Change four items under power setting option in the setup menu. They keep the camera from stopping itself during a long session.
Change the USB settings
If you left it on sel. when connect, four options appear each time you plug in. Choose Remote Shoot (PC Remote). Image transfer (MSC or MTP) and live stream will not give you shooting control. If picking every time is tedious, set USB connection mode to Remote Shoot permanently.
Check the remote shoot settings
Inside the PC remote connection in the network menu there is a separate remote shoot setting. These values decide where your shots are kept and at what size.
On some bodies the default is a reduced size. Left alone, the camera shoots properly but only a small copy reaches the phone, and the film simulation gets applied to that small copy. Set the destination to both as well, so the original stays on the card.
Plug the cable in
With the camera switched on, join the camera and the phone with the cable. The order does not matter.
Adapters and USB hubs often break detection. Joining the camera and the phone with a single cable is the reliable way.
Allow the permission on the phone
As soon as the cable is in, a dialog asks whether to let CamCon access this camera. Tap allow and it is recognised right away, ready to shoot.
Allow CamCon to access this camera? [ ] Always use for this camera
Photos land on your phone the moment you press the shutter. If a film simulation is on, they arrive with the look already applied. Live view and shooting settings can be controlled from the phone as well.
Some cameras block card access while under remote control. On those, switch the USB setting to MTP to browse the card. Remote shooting will not work in that state, so it is one or the other.
If it does not connect
Work down the list in order. The first three solve most cases.
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Is it a charge-only cable?
If no permission dialog appears at all, this is almost always why. Try a different cable. The one that came with the camera is the safest bet.
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Is the USB setting on mass storage?
If the app reports a USB I/O error, this is the setting. Go back to the first step and switch it to PTP or PC connection.
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You tapped allow but it says denied?
On some phones, tapping allow still comes through as denied. The app double checks and corrects for this, but if it persists, unplug the cable and plug it back in.
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Are you going through an adapter or hub?
Anything in the middle can pass power while cutting data. Try a single direct cable, and if that works, the adapter was the cause.
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Has the camera gone to sleep?
Left plugged in for a while, the camera switches itself off. Half press the shutter to wake it, then tap refresh in the app.
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Does your phone support OTG?
Most modern phones do, but some budget models cannot see external devices at all. A quick check is to plug in a USB stick and see whether it is recognised.
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Is the camera firmware out of date?
USB behaviour has been fixed by firmware updates more than once. If everything above fails, check the maker site for the latest firmware.
If you would rather go wireless
Wireless takes different settings on each brand, but once it is set up you can shoot without a cable. There is a guide for each brand.
Sony Wi-Fi