Android device compatibility

DSLR Controller is fully compatible with most recent Android powered phones and tablets.

Virtually all Android devices can be used to connect to your camera by Wi-Fi. This does require your camera to have built-in Wi-Fi support, or using a compatible Wi-Fi extension. Using USB is recommended when available, due to the much higher data rate and lower latency, which translates to higher FPS and thus a smoother experience. For more information about connecting using Wi-Fi, read the Connecting using Wi-Fi guide.

Some Android devices have trouble connecting by USB, especially older ander cheap ones. As a rule of thumb, all medium-to-high-end big-brand devices from 2015 onward should be fine, when using the appropriate USB host connector (see the Cables section at the bottom of this page). The table below is meant only to document older devices and their compatibility, if known.

Note that there is further information on compatible cables at the end of this page.


Legacy USB compatibility table

Device How to connect Tester
Samsung Galaxy S2

International, GT-I9100
    Gingerbread 2.3 (KH and KG): root not required
    Gingerbread 2.3 (other): root required
    Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0+: root not required

Carrier and localized models
    In general, it is expected that the app will work with root on Gingerbread firmwares,
    without root on Ice Cream Sandwich firmwares. This might differ per model.
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, S6, S7
Both international as well as carrier and localized models are fully compatible
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy Note

International, GT-N7000/GT-I9220
    Gingerbread 2.3: root required
    Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0+: root not required

Carrier and localized models
    In general, it is expected that the app will work with root on Gingerbread firmwares,
    without root on Ice Cream Sandwich firmwares. This might differ per model.
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy Note 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8.0, 10.1, 10.1 (2014), Pro 12.2
Both international as well as carrier and localized models are fully compatible
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy Tab - 7.0" Plus, 8.9", 10.1"
Honeycomb 3.0: may work if rooted
Honeycomb 3.1+: root not required
Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0: root not required

Vodaphone 10.1v: ICS 4.0 required !
USB Adapter Kit Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy Tab - 7.7"
USB Adapter Kit Chainfire
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - 7", 10.1"
We get a lot of problem reports with these models.
For as of yet unknown reasons, it seems recent firmwares are having some trouble with DSLR Controller on these devices for some users. For other users it works fine.
USB Adapter Kit Users
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 - 7", 10.1"
Compatibility unknown - please report back if you use this model
USB Adapter Kit NONE
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, Tab Pro, Tab Pro 12.2, Tab S 8.4, Tab S 10.1, Tab S 2
Many users report success on the bigger versions of these tablets, but the Tab S 7" models aren't compatible
Various Users
Google/Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Requires ICS 4.0.2 (ICL53F) or newer firmware
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Google/LG Nexus 4
Due to a hardware issue with the Nexus 4, it is NOT supported
- -
Google Nexus 5, 7, 7 2013, 9, 10
Some Nexus 7 2013 users may have USB connection issues. Please see the guide for further details.
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Google Nexus 5X, 6P
USB-C Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Google Pixel C
USB-C Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
LG G3, G4, G5
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
HTC One X, X+
Requires Jelly Bean 4.1
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
HTC One
Android 4.1/4.2: USB host support is broken on the standard firmware, custom kernel is currently required.
Android 4.3: Works with standard firmware
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
HTC 10
USB-C Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Motorola Xoom, Xoom 2
Honeycomb 3.0/3.1: may work if rooted
Honeycomb 3.2+: root not required
Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0+: root not required
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Acer Iconia A200, A500, A501, A700
Requires a Honeycomb 3.1 or newer firmware
No special USB cable needed Users
Asus Transformer, Transformer Prime Connect to keyboard dock, or
Asus USB Adapter
Users
Asus Fonepad (not the Padfone) USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Asus Pad MeMO 7 USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Toshiba Thrive No special USB cable needed Users
Lenovo Thinkpad No Special USB cable needed Users
Barnes & Noble Nook Color
Requires CyanogenMod 7, and the Nook Color Tweaks tool to enable
USB host mode. Memory limit must be changed from 32 MB to 128 MB.
Not recommended for non-tech users
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Amazon Kindle Fire
Requires CyanogenMod 9 firmware and a kernel with USB host support
Not recommend for non-tech users
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Sony Tablet S
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Sony Xperia Arc
Requires Android 2.3.4+, with root
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Sony Xperia T, V, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z3
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Chainfire
Sony Tablet Z
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Archos G9 80/101
USB Host / On-The-Go cable Users
Ainol Novo 7 Aurora
Requires Ice Cream Sandwich and Kernel 1.0 or newer
Included OTG cable Users



Canon EOS device compatibility

DSLR Controller supports most Canon EOS models released in Q3 2006 or later. It is specifically designed for models released in Q3 2008 or later. The older models use VxWorks, while the newer ones use DryOS. VxWorks models may not support some functionality such as auto-focus and continuous shooting. The cameras themselves may be able to do it - it just cannot be done remotely. If you have a Canon EOS newer than listed here, it is likely to just work.


DeviceCompatibleOSTested by
1DNo--
1D Mark IINo--
1D Mark II NNo--
1D Mark IIIMostlyVxWorksUsers
1D Mark IVYesDryOSUsers
1DsNo--
1Ds Mark IINo--
1Ds Mark IIIMostlyVxWorksUsers
1D XYesDryOSUsers
1D X Mark IIYesDryOSUsers
20DNo--
30D -- no liveview!MostlyVxWorksUsers
300D / Rebel / KissNo--
350D / Rebel XT / Kiss NNo--
40DMostlyVxWorksUsers
400D / Rebel XTi / Kiss X -- no liveview!MostlyVxWorksChainfire
450D / Rebel XSi / Kiss X2MostlyVxWorksChainfire
5DNo--
5D Mark IIYesDryOSChainfire
5D Mark IIIYesDryOSChainfire
5D Mark IVYesDryOSChainfire
5Ds(r)YesDryOSChainfire
50DYesDryOSChainfire
500D / Rebel T1i / Kiss X3YesDryOSUsers
550D / Rebel T2i / Kiss X4YesDryOSChainfire
6DYesDryOSUsers
60DYesDryOSUsers
600D / Rebel T3i / Kiss X5YesDryOSUsers
650D / Rebel T4i / Kiss X6(i?)YesDryOSUsers
7DYesDryOSChainfire
7D Mark IIYesDryOSChainfire
70DYesDryOSChainfire
700D / Rebel T5i / Kiss X7iYesDryOSUsers
750D / Rebel T6i / Kiss X8iYesDryOSUsers
760D / Rebel T6s / 8000DYesDryOSUsers
80DYesDryOSUsers
1000D / Rebel XS / Kiss FMostlyVxWorksUsers
1100D / Rebel T3 / Kiss X50YesDryOSUsers
1200D / Rebel T5 / Kiss X70YesDryOSUsers
1300D / Rebel T6 / Kiss X80YesDryOSUsers
100D / Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7YesDryOSUsers
M (remote control crippled by Canon)No--
M2No--
M10No--
M3 (some features work using Wi-Fi, do not use USB !)NoDryOSChainfire

On some of the VxWorks models, you may need to enable liveview in the camera's settings before being able to use liveview with DSLR Controller. The setting is usually located somewhere under C.Fn configuration. Even with that setting enabled, some models still only support liveview in A-DEP, M, Av, Tv and P modes.

Wi-Fi equipped camera
If you are having trouble connecting using USB on a Wi-Fi equipped camera, make sure Wi-Fi is turned off. On some cameras, having Wi-Fi enabled in turn disables USB. If you are connecting using Wi-Fi, use either Smartphone (/tablet) or EOS Utility (computer/laptop) mode. Both are supported, but have different pros and cons. For further details, see the guide about Connecting using Wi-Fi.



TP-Link TL-WR902AC compatibility

TP-Link TL-WR902AC wireless routers can be turned into a Wi-Fi module for any compatible camera. See the Creating a wireless remote from a TP-Link TL-WR902AC guide for further details.

Device
TP-Link TL-WR902AC v1

Latest DSLR Controller firmware: TP-Link TL-WR902AC (8 MB)



Nexx WT3020 (H/F/AD) compatibility

Nexx WT3020 (H/F/AD) wireless routers can be turned into a Wi-Fi module for any compatible camera. See the Creating a wireless remote from a Nexx WT3020 guide for further details.

Device
Nexx WT3020 (H/F/AD)

Latest DSLR Controller firmware: Nexx WT3020 (8 MB)
Nexx WT3020 A

This variant does not have a full-size USB port and is not supported



TP-Link TL-MR3040 compatibility

TP-Link TL-MR3040 wireless routers can be turned into a Wi-Fi module for any compatible camera. See the Creating a wireless remote from a TP-Link TL-MR3040 guide for further details.

Device
TP-Link TL-MR3040 v1.x

Marketed as 3G/3.75G router. Has a switch on one side only, next to the microUSB connector.

Latest DSLR Controller firmware: TP-Link TL-MR3040 v1.x (4 MB)
TP-Link TL-MR3040 v2.x

Marketed as 3G/4G router. Has a switch on both sides.

Latest DSLR Controller firmware: TP-Link TL-MR3040 v2.x (4 MB)



Android TV stick compatibility Legacy

Android TV sticks that can run the DSLR Controller Wi-Fi Stick software. See our Creating a wireless remote from an Android TV stick guide for further details.

Device
CX-919

The Android 4.2 firmware is required. There are show-stopper issues with the 4.1 firmware, root is broken and hotspot functionality does not work.

Updating the firmware is possible, but we advise making sure your unit comes with 4.2 at purchase time, as it can be quite a hassle to update.

For best performance, use the DC port (on the side of the stick) for power, and the full-sized USB port to connect your camera. This will be up to 35% faster than using the two ports next to eachother.

Reference 4.2 firmware and all the tools you need to flash: download (270 MB)
Instructions on how to flash: GeekBuying.com
Tronsmart MK908

We have this stick working as well. It is not as good as CX-919, specifically it has some interference issues and random slowdowns. We strongly advise you to use the OTG port (on the side of the stick) for power, and the full-sized USB port to connect your camera. If you use the two ports next to eachother together, speed will slow to a crawl.

It seems most firmwares work correctly, but we always advise flashing the reference firmware (the firmware we ourselves use for testing).

Reference 4.2 1080p firmware and all the tools you need to flash: download (297 MB)
Instructions on how to flash: GeekBuying.com



Cables

The device compatibility table above lists eBay links for a variety of cables and connectors. The cable you need is generally called a USB host or OTG (On-The-Go) cable. These are pretty standard if your Android device has a USB port, but especially tablets sometimes have a proprietary connector you may need to hunt down. If available, we always recommend getting the original cable or connector from the company that also makes your phone or tablet.

The cable or connector plugs directly into your phone or tablet, and provides it with a full-sized female USB port - the same port you are familiar with from your laptop or computer. This is where you plug your camera's cable into; the very same cable you would use to connect your camera to your laptop or computer.

Phones and tablets commonly have a microUSB, microUSB-3 or USB-C port. Cables for these ports are available from many places and many brands, ranging from a few cents to dozens of dollars in price. Unfortunately, quality varies wildly, and especially with the cheaper models, they often simply do not work. Worse, a cable that works with one phone or tablet may not work with another. You may need to a buy a few different ones before you get a working one.

A commonly attempted solution is connecting a standard phone cable and a standard camera cable together with a female-to-female connector - while it does fit, it does not work.

Another commonly attempted solution is finding a single cable that fits into the phone at one end, and into the camera at the other. These cables do exist, but unless explicitly specified they are not USB host capable, and it will not work. The LINDY brand does make cables like these that are USB host compatible.

While we recommend against using extension cables, as they will often break the USB standard and DSLR Controller operation, we've had some success with the AmazonBasics 3m (10ft) extension cable. This does not mean it will work for you - various users have reported they cannot get extension cables to work - so only go this route if you really have to, and are willing to gamble the money.