What is the reason that new version of "Camera connect" Android app now requires login?

[Butlnor]

The new version of Canon's Camera Connect app now requires Canon ID, which it didn't need in the past. Since I am only using the app as the GPS source for the photos, and occasionally as a remote shutter button, I wonder what is the reason for that? Technically there is no real reason for that. So, why did Canon changed this?

Luckily I haven't updated the app yet, my friend did as was immediately sorry. I will definitely not update the app, as I don't want to login. Such apps should never require a login or email, since they are standalone and are pairing two physical devices. Image being in the middle of some desert without a mobile network? How to login in such a situation? The camera doesn't require the internet, and a smartphone that is paired with the camera also shouldn't require it.

So, I will use the old version until it will work, but then I will just stop using it. I can inject GPS data into photos with ExifTool.

[jrhoffman75]

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@Butlnor wrote:

The new version of Canon's Camera Connect app now requires Canon ID, which it didn't need in the past. Since I am only using the app as the GPS source for the photos, and occasionally as a remote shutter button, I wonder what is the reason for that? Technically there is no real reason for that. So, why did Canon changed this?

Luckily I haven't updated the app yet, my friend did as was immediately sorry. I will definitely not update the app, as I don't want to login. Such apps should never require a login or email, since they are standalone and are pairing two physical devices. Image being in the middle of some desert without a mobile network? How to login in such a situation? The camera doesn't require the internet, and a smartphone that is paired with the camera also shouldn't require it.

So, I will use the old version until it will work, but then I will just stop using it. I can inject GPS data into photos with ExifTool.

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Are you or your friend really sure that it requires a CanonID. The app gives the option to register your camera with your CanonID but seems to function if I select No.

[Butlnor]

Yes, I am sure, as I was with him. As soon as he started the app, there was no option to skip the login/register step. I tried to find a way, but didn't. Also I googled this, and it seems many users are complaining about this.

[Butlnor]

I am quite afraid that sooner or later even DPP will require a login. I just hope we won't need to login into the camera as well.

[Stephen]

As of April 1, 2025, a Canon ID is required to access the Camera Connect App.

To learn more, please visit https://canon.us/CanonID 

[Butlnor]

Stephen, yes, my question was WHY. And the link you provided says:

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access to quick and easy product registration, tailored notifications about firmware, software updates, equipment notifications, new product announcements, and more to help optimize your experience with your Canon equipment.

Well, I never registered any product (in my country, a payment receipt is enough for a warranty), I don't need and don't want notifications about the firmware (I never updated any software, as long as it works, as I have mostly bad experiences with the updates), I don't like being spammed about the new products (when I need something, I make a research, I hate the ads). What does "more to help optimize your experience" mean, I don't know, but most likely I won't need that 🙂

So, if I don't need and don't want anything from above, WHY does Canon force me to login to the app? Why not making the login just optional?

[PRDCineWide]

Hi ButInor, I agree, there should be an 'opt-in' for a registration like this. Simply put it is a grab for data and people like you and me, do not consent to it as it is not not needed, which leaves us to find alternate ways of handling our own content on a device we fully paid for.

I had the same issue with my Mother's canon camera app on her phone, for a period of time, she was forced to take out the SD card and copy files to computer, then upload back to phone, which was extremely inconvenient and only brought on by Canon.

There are a few options;

Download/install 'Skit - apps manager' and use it to extract your app version (that doesn't require registration), this saves the apk installation file into a folder you can navigate to on your device, then simply share apk installation file with friends and family. All they need to do is then install it directly from the apk file (aka side load) in order to have the same version but they must make sure to disable auto-update in Google Play Store for this app. There is also UpToDown website that archives old versions of various apps, this app may also be available there.