Viewfinder Support

On the camera, start remote control: MENU › Application › Application List › Smart Remote Control (some cameras call it Smart Remote Embedded or Ctrl w/ Smartphone). The camera shows a Wi-Fi network name (like DIRECT-xxxx:ILCE-6300) and a password. In Viewfinder, scan the camera's QR code if it shows one, or type the name and password and tap Join. You can also join the network in Settings › Wi-Fi. Then tap Connect: Viewfinder finds the camera by itself.

In Viewfinder, tap Add camera and choose Canon. On the camera: MENU › Wireless features › Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection › Remote control (EOS Utility) › Add a device. Choose your Wi-Fi network, or Easy connection to use the camera's own Wi-Fi, and put your iPhone on the same network. Tap Connect: Viewfinder finds the camera on the network. The first time, the camera asks whether to pair with "Viewfinder iPhone" and a number; press OK. You can also type the IP address the camera shows.

On some cameras (such as the a6000 and a6300), Smart Remote Control is a camera app installed on the camera itself rather than built in, and it may need updating to work. Look under MENU › Application › Application List, and check your camera's help guide for "Smart Remote Control".

Sony cameras that support Smart Remote Control or Smart Remote Embedded over Wi-Fi: the a5000, a5100, a6000, a6300 and a6500; the a7, a7R, a7S and a7 II series; RX100 III to V; RX10 and RX10 II; and many HX and WX models. Newer cameras, such as the a6400, a6700, a7 III and later, use a different connection and are not supported yet. Canon EOS cameras with Wi-Fi remote control through EOS Utility, such as the EOS R6, work on your home Wi-Fi or on the camera's own network.

Make sure your iPhone is on the camera's network (Settings › Wi-Fi) and that Viewfinder is allowed to use the local network (Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network). If the iPhone switches back to your home Wi-Fi because the camera has no internet, choose the camera's network again; Viewfinder asks iOS to stay on it.

The camera decides what can change right now: the mode dial, the lens, and the shooting mode all matter. For example, aperture and shutter speed are both available only in M, and movie recording isn't offered with the dial on M on some cameras.

On iOS 26 and later, yes: iOS shows the time-lapse's progress and keeps it running while you use other apps or lock the phone. Keep the iPhone near the camera. On earlier iOS, keep Viewfinder open; the screen stays on while it runs.

For sunsets and sunrises in M: after each picture, Viewfinder compares its brightness with the first picture's and moves the shutter speed (then the ISO, if it isn't on Auto) a third of a stop to keep it even. It never makes an exposure longer than the interval allows.

The camera stamps pictures with its own clock. Set it on the camera: MENU › Setup › Date/Time Setup.