The curious case of the missing GPS connection R7 to Android

[SteveinLouisville]

I have the connection set up, with Canon Connect. I have registered my Canon ID and everything worked fine. Turn on the camera, start Canon Connect and push the connect button and everything worked. I tried to connect the next day, nothing. Connect bluetooth and wifi symbols are grayed out. My android settings indicate the R7 is paired with my android. The canon menu in the camera says wifi and bluetooth are enabled, and the the wireless settings and GPS are enabled.



I ended up resetting the camera's communications setting and recreated them. Nothing. I deleted the R7 from my android and re-paired it. Nothing.



Anybody have any insights as to what is going on here? Worked fine, changed nothing, turned it on the next day, Poof! Nothing works.

FYI, I can't use connect for anything. It won't transfer photos to my computer or connect at all to either my PC or android.

 

[JS_Photo_Hobby]

I have the connection set up, with Canon Connect. I have registered my Canon ID and everything worked fine. Turn on the camera, start Canon Connect and push the connect button and everything worked. I tried to connect the next day, nothing. Connect bluetooth and wifi symbols are grayed out. My android settings indicate the R7 is paired with my android. The canon menu in the camera says wifi and bluetooth are enabled, and the the wireless settings and GPS are enabled.

I ended up resetting the camera's communications setting and recreated them. Nothing. I deleted the R7 from my android and re-paired it. Nothing.

Anybody have any insights as to what is going on here? Worked fine, changed nothing, turned it on the next day, Poof! Nothing works.

FYI, I can't use connect for anything. It won't transfer photos to my computer or connect at all to either my PC or android.

I did a web search. Seems you need to remove the app from your phone, reinstall and then establish a wifi connection to the camera.

Ensure it isn't just deleted from the app, but also from the phone's bluetooth and wifi memory.

You might also check the R7 firmware is up to date.

 

[SteveinLouisville]

I did a web search. Seems you need to remove the app from your phone, reinstall and then establish a wifi connection to the camera.

Ensure it isn't just deleted from the app, but also from the phone's bluetooth and wifi memory.

You might also check the R7 firmware is up to date.

Thanks very much. I forgot to add though that I can't get a GPS connection with my RP as well. I will uninstall the app, check firmware, etc. Then I will report back.

 

[SteveinLouisville]

My R7 firmware: ver 1.6

I deleted, then downloaded and reinstalled Canon Connect to my android. All android settings are enabled to find the R7 and pair it with bluetooth. My android says it is paired with my R7

When I try to establish a connection via bluetooth I get the message "Operate the camera to initiate the connection. Once the camera is detected, a dialog will display."

I turn the camera on, half press a button. Turn on the menu. Nothing.

It just doesn't work at all.

 

[drsnoopy]

My R7 firmware: ver 1.6

I deleted, then downloaded and reinstalled Canon Connect to my android. All android settings are enabled to find the R7 and pair it with bluetooth. My android says it is paired with my R7

When I try to establish a connection via bluetooth I get the message "Operate the camera to initiate the connection. Once the camera is detected, a dialog will display."

I turn the camera on, half press a button. Turn on the menu. Nothing.

It just doesn't work at all.

Maybe try on a different device?

 

[JS_Photo_Hobby]

My R7 firmware: ver 1.6

I deleted, then downloaded and reinstalled Canon Connect to my android. All android settings are enabled to find the R7 and pair it with bluetooth. My android says it is paired with my R7

When I try to establish a connection via bluetooth I get the message "Operate the camera to initiate the connection. Once the camera is detected, a dialog will display."

I turn the camera on, half press a button. Turn on the menu. Nothing.

It just doesn't work at all.

That sounds like good news to me. The camera and phone are communicating, but I assume still no PGS signal. Here is a link to Canon's directions for the R7 to enable GPS pairing on the camera. Always a good double check since all the camer's comm setting were reset.

Which model android phone are you using? I want to look into it's specifications.

Edit: helps if I actually attach the link...

Canon : Product Manual : EOS R7 : GPS Device Settings

 

[Victor Engel]

I've decided Camera Connect is not a reliable app, so I don't use it. Having said that, have you tried turning off the camera, removing the battery for a few minutes, then trying again? I give that a 10% chance of working.

 

[SteveinLouisville]

My phone is a Cricket Icon 3.

 

[SteveinLouisville]

I've decided Camera Connect is not a reliable app, so I don't use it. Having said that, have you tried turning off the camera, removing the battery for a few minutes, then trying again? I give that a 10% chance of working.

It is really strange. I have been using it with no problems for quite awhile. Used it, tried to use it again two-days later and it's a brick. I don't know what to think.

Oh, it won't connect to my RP either.

 

[Victor Engel]

I've decided Camera Connect is not a reliable app, so I don't use it. Having said that, have you tried turning off the camera, removing the battery for a few minutes, then trying again? I give that a 10% chance of working.

It is really strange. I have been using it with no problems for quite awhile. Used it, tried to use it again two-days later and it's a brick. I don't know what to think.

Oh, it won't connect to my RP either.

I don't know about Androids, but I think there must be a setting somewhere that you can reset network settings. That's another thing to try if you have not tried it already.

 

[JS_Photo_Hobby]

My phone is a Cricket Icon 3.

Great, android environment and network based gps services.

A few more questions.

Have you check Canon Connect App's permission? You can do this by going to settings -> Apps -> Canon Connect -> Permissions

Allow Nearby Devices and Allow Location all the time. You can also uncheck manage app if unused so Android doesn't take away the permissions when you don't use the app for a few weeks.

You will also want to check, Settings -> Battery -> Background Usage -> Never Auto Sleeping Apps and use the plus sign to add Canon connect to the list. Yes this will increase use of your phone battery. Make sure to close the App when not using it or it will drain your battery. Alternatively, you can skip this step, but when you need geo-tagging, this app will have to be open on your phone and not in the background.

These changes to your phone will remove any automatic restrictions preventing the app from communicating with the camera. It will also prevent the app from going to sleep when in the background.

Try connecting and downloading an image. Also take a test image and see if the coordinates ended up in the EXIF.

Your phone has to be connected to a cell network to have GPS position. If you are connected to WiFi or in airplane mode, it cannot provide position data. The phone will provide position data via bluetooth to the camera, so that must also be connected.

Edit:

I should also ask, looking at your Camera's Network Function page, choose connect to smartphone. Is you phone listed on this page?

 

[Sittatunga]

...

Try connecting and downloading an image. Also take a test image and see if the coordinates ended up in the EXIF.

Your phone has to be connected to a cell network to have GPS position. If you are connected to WiFi or in airplane mode, it cannot provide position data.

Is that a Canon Connect restriction? My phones have all been happy to display latitude and longitude or National Grid coordinates & altitude and the likely error margin of the fix using the GPS Test app, once the app has detected enough GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BAIDU etc satellites for a fix, even when I was outside mobile phone network range. Google Maps and satnav apps do use phone transmitter mast locations for a quick startup and for filling in when too few satellites are visible, but making that compulsory rather than optional is very poor.

The phone will provide position data via bluetooth to the camera, so that must also be connected.

Edit:

I should also ask, looking at your Camera's Network Function page, choose connect to smartphone. Is you phone listed on this page?

 

[JS_Photo_Hobby]

...

Try connecting and downloading an image. Also take a test image and see if the coordinates ended up in the EXIF.

Your phone has to be connected to a cell network to have GPS position. If you are connected to WiFi or in airplane mode, it cannot provide position data.

Is that a Canon Connect restriction? My phones have all been happy to display latitude and longitude or National Grid coordinates & altitude and the likely error margin of the fix using the GPS Test app, once the app has detected enough GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BAIDU etc satellites for a fix, even when I was outside mobile phone network range. Google Maps and satnav apps do use phone transmitter mast locations for a quick startup and for filling in when too few satellites are visible, but making that compulsory rather than optional is very poor.

I went online and looked up the phone, which is why I asked the phone model. It doesn't list a GPS chip or any GNSS or SBAS system compatibility. This typically means it uses cell tower and maybe registered Wifi for position data.

Cell systems can be accurate if the tower density is high enough, so to save money and offer a more affordable phone, manufacturers will leave out things like a GPS chip.

The app will take whatever location Android is reporting, but Android can't report a location if it is limited to network location and the network is off.

I'm working through the list of things that could be the problem. Since it seems to be an app issue, we need to know if the app is getting position data or if it is being put to sleep in the back ground.

I had a similar issue where my phone gave me the 'unable, select on camera.' I had to do two things to fix it, first, the wrong phone was listed on my camera, even though it appeared to connect via bluetooth. I "reset the communications settings" and repaired the phone and camera. Even after my camera listed the right phone I still had the 'unable, select on camera' message. I went to app settings and change the app permission to allow nearby devices and it now works fine.

The OP said they already reset communications on the camera, but it won't hurt to verify the right phone is listed. I also suggested permissions that will prevent the app from unexpectedly disconnecting. I don't know if this is the OP's exact issue, but trying to help whittle it down.

 

[SteveinLouisville]

I went online and looked up the phone, which is why I asked the phone model. It doesn't list a GPS chip or any GNSS or SBAS system compatibility. This typically means it uses cell tower and maybe registered Wifi for position data.

Cell systems can be accurate if the tower density is high enough, so to save money and offer a more affordable phone, manufacturers will leave out things like a GPS chip.

The app will take whatever location Android is reporting, but Android can't report a location if it is limited to network location and the network is off.

I'm working through the list of things that could be the problem. Since it seems to be an app issue, we need to know if the app is getting position data or if it is being put to sleep in the back ground.

I had a similar issue where my phone gave me the 'unable, select on camera.' I had to do two things to fix it, first, the wrong phone was listed on my camera, even though it appeared to connect via bluetooth. I "reset the communications settings" and repaired the phone and camera. Even after my camera listed the right phone I still had the 'unable, select on camera' message. I went to app settings and change the app permission to allow nearby devices and it now works fine.

The OP said they already reset communications on the camera, but it won't hurt to verify the right phone is listed. I also suggested permissions that will prevent the app from unexpectedly disconnecting. I don't know if this is the OP's exact issue, but trying to help whittle it down.

Airplane mode is off.

The camera is paired with the Android.

The phone has access to the network and connects to the Internet, makes and receives calls, etc.

I uninstalled Canon Connect, then reinstalled it. No effect.

Neither my R7 or RP will connect. My R7 has firmware ver. 1.6

The last recorded connection between the R7 and Canon Connect was on May 2, 2025. When I went to use it again a few days later, nothing.

Canon Connect has no permissions denied.

Here are some screen shots.

 

[PicPocket]

I've decided Camera Connect is not a reliable app

I have come to the same conclusion myself.

Not saying it doesn't work. It works quite well, "when it does". And mostly it does. But when it doesn't, it doesn't let the user know what went wrong. Typical suggestions to fix are uninstall / reinstall app, do over things again, check your settings, suspect your hardware (phone / camera / user) - none of which directly translates to a tangible error you see and can reliably act upon. Typical "have you tried to switch it on and off" support process. The same phones work well connecting to other types of hardware over same channels (wifi/Bluetooth)

I have stopped depending on the app. I just use it as a nice to have, if it is working. When it's not, and I absolutely need the functionality, I fallback to tried and tested ways - GP-E2 for GPS, a card reader for copy, etc

It's nice when it works

 

[JS_Photo_Hobby]

Airplane mode is off.

The camera is paired with the Android.

The phone has access to the network and connects to the Internet, makes and receives calls, etc.

I uninstalled Canon Connect, then reinstalled it. No effect.

Neither my R7 or RP will connect. My R7 has firmware ver. 1.6

The last recorded connection between the R7 and Canon Connect was on May 2, 2025. When I went to use it again a few days later, nothing.

Canon Connect has no permissions denied.

Here are some screen sh

I have a few more questions to clarify my understanding, but just double checking.



When you reinstalled connect app, did it ask you to again pair the camera like the first time?

Would you look on your camera in the connection options -> wi-fi/bluetooth connection;

It should have a list of the paired device names and your phone should be highlighted in purple.

The R5 looks slightly different, but this is what it looks like on mine. I ask because this is where part the issue was for me, even though my phone said connected, the wrong phone was listed on my camera.







Also, when your camera is on and near your phone, in the Connect app, does the Bluetooth icon change from gray to blue? (It looks like it should connect even if the camera is off but has a battery with a charge. You can wake the camera with the app)






app is not connected to phone




App is connected to phone

 

[Victor Engel]

camera is off but has a battery with a charge. You can wake the camera with the app)

Can you wake the app with the camera?