Canon Camera Connect app makes Chrome compulsory to connect

[agreeable5604]

I am appalled by the requirement Canon's Camera App makes of having Google Chrome installed.

This prevents the user from NOT using the Chrome browser device-wide.

Somebody wrote something along the lines of "just install Chrome and don't use it, you can just continue to use your other web browser" but that's not how Google's version of Android works. As long as Chrome is not deactivated, there are a number of situations where the phone will open links using Chrome instead of the default web browser.

TL;DR users should be 100% free of choosing which web browser they want to have on their device. Canon should remove all technical barriers and let them have this freedom. Especially because most web browsers are chromium-based nowadays and therefore do NOT lack any security functionality Chrome has.

[jrhoffman75]

Welcome to the forum. 

Can you explain more what your issue is?

I use an iPhone, do not have Google Chrome installed, and have no problem using the Camera Connect app. 

[shadowsports]

I heard someone else mention something about this before so I'm curious too.  🤔.  

[agreeable5604]

Hi there,

So I use an Android phone. Upon opening the Canon Camera Connect App, unless I install AND activate the Chrome app, I am served a message telling me I will not be able to use the Canon app until Chrome is available.

This is not just a matter of installing, activating Chrome and forgetting about it though, since Google apps (such as their news app I use) LOVE to force the user to use Chrome instead of any other web browser. The only way to use another browser on the phone consistently is to fully deactivate Chrome. And then comes Canon with its requirement to have it activated...

I am pretty sure this is unnecessary and it hinders the user's freedom to use their device the way they want.

[kvbarkley]

I certainly agree with this in principle, but we can't do much since we are users like you. You need to use the Canon USA website and click on the little (+)feedback button at the top or bottom of the page.

[jrhoffman75]

Found this using the search feature of the Forum.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Camera-Software/Camera-Connect-requires-Chrome-Why/m-p/570930

[shadowsports]

I have Chrome and Edge installed on my pixel 10.  I've been an Android User for 15 years .Chrome comes installed on every Android device, Even those like Samsung with a skinned OS.  Once you log in to the Canon Connect App using your Canon ID, you'll never have to do it again.  I use Edge when I want to watch YouTube videos on my mobile device since it blocks their ads.  If you want to be mad at somebody be mad at Google for ruining YouTube 😂.  Like my colleague, I agree with you in principle but Chrome's already there. Just log in once and walk away from chrome.  I've spent a great deal of time trying to neuter and use third-party browsers on all of my pixel devices, but Google is ruthless.  (As I'm sure you are aware).  It's part of there data aggregation BS.