Hi everyone, Quick question I was hoping someone might help me with. I'll be traveling internationally. I typically do not activate an international cellular plan (voice or data) on my phone. If I turn off cellular data and voice on my phone (so as not to incur expensive international roaming charges), will I still be able to geotag using the Play Memories App? I would think so, since the GPS chip doesn't turn off and doesn't use data. But I'm curious if others know.
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Geotagging Question
- Thread starter ERN812
- Start date
You can still use the GPS (and WiFi connection to your camera) with cellular data turned off.
You can try this out right now by turning off the cellular data on your phone (or pulling out your SIM card).
Last edited:
MinoltaDrew
Well-known member
GPS will generally stay on (it does on iPhone) even if you put the phone in airplane mode. Cellular access may improve GPS accuracy, but not necessarily. I was in Africa this summer and had no problem using GPS on my phone, while having only occasional wifi access.
Andy M
Forum Enthusiast
It will work, but unless you connect to WiFi you will lose the benefit of location services based on WiFi locations and also if away for a while the ability to lock onto satellites faster. Obviously the former won’t matter if there are no WiFi access points where you are going.
wco81
Leading Member
I'm seeing complaints about the Play Memories app. not reliably geotagging.
Is it better now?
I used this a couple of whole days lately and it worked flawlessly. Just remeber to turn on Bluetooth both on your cam and your phone to establish communication between them. And, the PlayMemeories app need to find your cam (connect to camera).
When you takes a picture your cam asks your phone: Where is this? and the phone sends the GPS coordinates to cam which then in turn adds this coordinates to your picture.
Hope this was what you asked for.
vpilot
When you takes a picture your cam asks your phone: Where is this? and the phone sends the GPS coordinates to cam which then in turn adds this coordinates to your picture.
Hope this was what you asked for.
vpilot
Andy M
Forum Enthusiast
The latest version is even worse for me https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4330727#forum-post-61808138
Andy M
Forum Enthusiast
Yes straight after starting the phone it connects really quickly but it eventually ends up in a state where it just won’t work. The phone still thinks the camera is connected but the camera says it isn’t and doesn’t save GPS coordinates to the images.
David Naylor
Leading Member
A quick workaround which seems to work reliably for me is to just quickly flick Bluetooth off and on again in my phone. The camera then quickly connects and is ready to go. (Though I wish this wasn't necessary...)
SilvanBromide
Veteran Member
That's correct.
I have an android phone that I use exclusively for GPS and geotagging. It has never had a chip in it and has no voice or data capability, but the geotagging works fine.
SilvanBromide
Veteran Member
Same here.
Mostly it works, but occasionally it becomes temperamental and usually, turning BT off and on again on the 'phone causes it to reconnect.
The main PIA is that I don't always notice straight away that the camera is no longer reporting a location data connection, so if I'm not paying close enough attention, I end up taking a few pics without geo-data before I detect that there's a problem...
Paul Barnard
Veteran Member
Completely agree. That's the main issue for me as well. Recovering the situation is usually not too bad, though it used to be worse. Not noticing and continuing to shoot without the location is what has driven me to use an alternative solution. Until I can rely on it 100% it is just a liability.
Andy M
Forum Enthusiast
Can confirm this is also resuming the connection for me, thanks.
David Naylor
Leading Member
I think I may have found a solution. Or at least an improvement.
I have setup the Tasker app (on Android) to basically whenever it detects the presence of the A7iii Bluetooth (state: BT near), switch Bluetooth off, wait one second, and switch it on again.
So far this seems to have improved the reliability of the connection between camera and phone. I'll keep you posted if I manage to improve it further.
I have setup the Tasker app (on Android) to basically whenever it detects the presence of the A7iii Bluetooth (state: BT near), switch Bluetooth off, wait one second, and switch it on again.
So far this seems to have improved the reliability of the connection between camera and phone. I'll keep you posted if I manage to improve it further.
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum