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?