Lumix Sync app by Panasonic works only the first time

[Satyaa]

Hi. I have another post where I asked about keeping the time on my two cameras in sync.

The real problem is that I cannot use the Lumix Sync app. If that works, there is an option in the camera menu for automatic time set and that may solve all my problems.

I installed Lumix Sync app from Panasonic on three different phones. Here's what happens on all of them:

1. I go to Bluetooth menu on the camera, select SET and Pairing.

2. After app installation on the phone, I open it, go to Bluetooth connection, and select the camera <name>.

3. After a minute of spinning, I get several prompts on the phone asking if I want to allow the camera <name> to join the network <homenet>.

4. After I click "allow" a few times, it is connected. It sets the time automatically, prompts for any firmware update available, downloads the update, sends to camera, etc.

All good, but it's a one-time wonder. End of story.

Next time I try to connect, it never succeeds. In step 3 above, it just keeps spinning with the message "connecting to camera device on network <homenet>". It never gets to the prompts to allow the connection. Then it errors out. Same behavior on all three phones.

Any thoughts on what's going on with this app?

Thanks.

 

[alcelc]

My older cameras do not support BT, wifi only.

When connecting through wifi, I discovered that my phone must have location enabled otherwise while I have established wifi connection between my phone and camera, Image App won't connect to the camera (searchz for the camera forever).

Not sure would Syn App on BT connection do similarly.

 

[Satyaa]

My older cameras do not support BT, wifi only.

I will double-check that with GH5M2. I tried GH6 again today. I see that it has BT support.

When connecting through wifi, I discovered that my phone must have location enabled otherwise while I have established wifi connection between my phone and camera, Image App won't connect to the camera (searchz for the camera forever).

Not sure would Syn App on BT connection do similarly.

First the app is connecting to the camera via BT, then it is helping the camera connect to the router and then to the app via WiFi. It appears to be a two-stage connection, but I am not understanding where it breaks down the second time.

Thanks.

 

[alcelc]

In case of my understanding it is happened on the Image App, Wich will work only under Location enabled on the (Android 9 or later? Never happened on older Androids) phone.

Theorically Location shouldn't affect wifi connection (physically the phone and cameras were connected), and Image App itselves does not use Location. But in really having Location disable Image App cannot see the camera...

Not sure would Syn App doe the same? Just for your info.

 

[Satyaa]

In case of my understanding it is happened on the Image App, Wich will work only under Location enabled on the (Android 9 or later? Never happened on older Androids) phone.

Theorically Location shouldn't affect wifi connection (physically the phone and cameras were connected), and Image App itselves does not use Location. But in really having Location disable Image App cannot see the camera...

Not sure would Syn App doe the same? Just for your info.

The app did ask for location, and it is enabled.

 

[JosephScha]

Is your phone using a VPN (virtual private network)? If so, your "location" is not where you are, it's where you are connected to the VPN. I've run into issues like this on web sites that think they know my location and now won't let me in because I do use a VPN, and my location appears to have changed.

 

[John Bean (UK)]

Is your phone using a VPN (virtual private network)? If so, your "location" is not where you are, it's where you are connected to the VPN. I've run into issues like this on web sites that think they know my location and now won't let me in because I do use a VPN, and my location appears to have changed.

I had similar issues using a VPN-like adblocker (Adguard); it wasn't a "real" VPN but was enough to break reliable connection to cameras, even though it only intercepted DNS lookup that the camera app shouldn't even be using.

I'm have no idea why camera makers can't produce decent well-behaved phone apps but all of them are pretty bad... and some worse than others. With Adguard disabled the Lumix Sync app works as well as it's ever likely to on my Android 14 phone but I only use one camera with it.

--
John Bean [GMT+1]
RIP Elliott Erwitt 26 July 1928 - 29 November 2023

 

[Satyaa]

Is your phone using a VPN (virtual private network)? If so, your "location" is not where you are, it's where you are connected to the VPN. I've run into issues like this on web sites that think they know my location and now won't let me in because I do use a VPN, and my location appears to have changed.

I don't use a VPN on phones. I do on laptop.

Even then, I am not sure why the app works first time but not subsequently.