Navigating The Fujifilm Camera Apps

Have you ever wanted a handy way to control your Fuji X or GFX camera remotely?

Or perhaps you want a simple and smart way to document your photography experience, camera settings, and locations.

In this article, we’ll examine the connectivity options of the Fujifilm X and GFX camera systems and how they pair with the Fuji Camera Remote Apps.

Most importantly, we’ll discuss the vital relationship between your smartphone and your Fuji camera and how to optimize that relationship.

Camera connectivity includes WiFi and Bluetooth wireless protocols to afford photographers greater freedom and flexibility in how they approach their craft.

Wirelessly transferring images is a highly sought-after solution for professional and enthusiast photographers.

Let’s unplug, ride the radio waves, and navigate the Fuji camera remote apps.

The Days Before Wireless

Pairing camera gear with modern tech wasn’t possible in the days of film and even the early days of digital photography.

The closest form of connectivity with film cameras was a cable release.

At one end of the cable, a thread allowed you to screw the cable to the camera shutter button.

At the other end, a plunger would push the cable down along a tube to physically press the shutter button down.

It was a handy solution for long exposures when you didn’t want to touch the camera for fear of blurring the image.

Remote shutter releases are also available for many digital cameras – check out our guide.

As for digital tech, WiFi and Bluetooth were a science fiction dream, and smartphone apps hadn’t even been conceived yet!

However, over the years, as camera technology advanced and the internet age dawned, things changed.

Every so slowly, thanks to the wiz kids at the big brands, digital cameras introduced connectivity options.

Granted, the earlier connectivity methods took the form of tethering and LAN ports; it was a start.

As wireless protocols took flight, the big camera brands embraced the new connectivity tech and worked to incorporate WiFi and Bluetooth (later) into their flagship models.

Wireless connectivity sometimes required a separate, very expensive vertical grip. In others, a separate wireless module could be attached to the camera body.

It was convenient for photojournalists who had to upload their scoop to the editor of a publication as quickly as possible.

Image files were smaller back then, but they were also low resolution.

Fortunately, those dark days are behind us, and we have the magical power of invisible signaling to achieve our connectivity goals.

The Wireless Empire

Let’s face it: we have become a society reliant on connectivity to technology.

Putting aside our endless doom-scrolling and inevitable evolutionary changes, which will leave us with super-long thumbs, we need to be connected.

With the advancement in microprocessors, WiFi, and Bluetooth, we’re connected to more devices than we probably even realize.

The heart of our connected lifestyle is, of course, our smartphones – the nerve center!

My Apple iPhone uses WiFi and Bluetooth to connect to my headphones, television, MacBook, iPad, HomePods, Nintendo Switch, lighting, and even my clothes-washing machine!

Our cars, electric bikes, refrigerators, and doorbells rely on some form of wireless connectivity to function as per manufacturer specifications.

It’s a conspiracy, I tell you! Fortunately, it’s not all an evil ploy to take over the world.

And let’s face it: wireless connectivity is incredibly convenient and adds flexibility, speed, and utility to tech-based gadgets.

Digital camera connectivity is just as advanced and just as helpful.

Why Is Camera Connectivity Important

Like many of our tech-based gadgets, camera connectivity adds a lot of convenience and flexibility to our craft.

Pro photographers employ wireless image transfer to quickly and confidently send files to a smartphone, tablet, or computer for quick editing or sharing with other parties.

A great example of this application is the recent Paris Olympics. Thousands of photojournalists worldwide flocked to France to capture record-breaking moments of human capability.

Every one of those photographers was tasked with capturing the winning shots and getting them back to the publication as quickly as possible.

The ability to instantly transfer an image file to a device for editing before dropping it into an online shared drive is critical.

Of course, this kind of technology isn’t just for working professionals.

The benefits of camera connectivity can be enjoyed by anyone with the time and patience to set it up.

Imagine being on holiday with your Fujifilm X100 VI and wanting to share your eye-catching JPEG images from the day.

With wireless connectivity (and a Fuji app), you transfer those images directly to your smartphone, edit them, and then share them via social media and email.

Putting aside image transfer for a moment, the other benefit of camera connectivity is the ability to control your camera remotely.

Some camera brands, including Fujifilm, offer remote camera controls via a smartphone app.

That way, you can set your camera up on a tabletop or tripod, get in position, and take the shot.

In some cases, like with the Fuji tech, you can adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

It’s convenient when capturing long exposures, such as in astrophotography. No touching, no blur.

The Fujifilm Camera Remote App

I recall when I first bought my Fujifilm X-T1 in 2014 and discovered that it supported WiFi and the ability to download JPEG files to my phone.

For important shoots, like trips abroad, I could shoot in RAW plus JPEG to ensure I had a RAW file to edit later and a JPEG for instant transfer.

Alternatively, if I was only recording RAW image files, I could use the Fuji camera’s built-in RAW Conversion software to apply simple edits to the image and then create a JPEG copy.

It works in the same way as the Fuji X RAW Studio software I recently reviewed.

Regardless, it allowed me to use the Fuji app to quickly download key shots from the day and send them to my family back home. I was just like the photojournalists at the Olympics!

Until mid-2023, the Fujifilm Camera Remote App supported all Fuji X and GFX cameras – even my 12-year-old Fuji X70.

Unfortunately, the app has copped some backlash over the years due to connectivity issues, especially when setting up your camera to pair with the app.

While Fuji issues software updates for the app and firmware updates for the cameras, its app earned a stinky reputation.

In a recent article, I asked Fuji photographers what they wished Fujifilm would fix. The app was one of the most popular responses.

The reality is that unless you shoot a lot of long-exposure work or are often on the road, you’re not likely to use the app very often.

Fortunately, in 2023, Fuji released a fresh new app for X and GFX camera users.

• More: My Step-by-Step Process for Editing Fuji Raw Files

The Fujifilm XApp

Fuji realized the aging Camera Remote App for iOS and Android wasn’t cutting the mustard. Plus, it’s hard to remove a stinky reputation.

It was time for an overhaul and a fresh start to the company’s camera connectivity utility.

The Fujifilm XApp launched in mid-2023 with the same features, new features, improved stability, and a fresh coat of paint.

The Fuji XApp serves the following core functions for Fujifilm X and GRX users.

Wireless Image Transfer

The Fuji XApp’s number one feature is wirelessly transferring images and videos from your X or GFX camera to a smartphone or tablet.

The app is available for iOS and Android users with some compatibility restrictions on operating systems.

Furthermore, the image transfer function is controlled by the app rather than by the camera menu.

It’s far easier to control a task using a larger touch screen than fiddling with the camera’s menu toggle.

Another attribute of the wireless image transfer option is the ability to change the size of the image file.

The app also offers an Image Order Transfer feature that will continue to transfer your files even if you’re capturing other images or have turned the camera off.

For instant backup of your files, you can set the app to transfer all images upon capture automatically.

Remote Camera Control

The Fujifilm XApp lets you remotely control compatible Fuji X and GFX cameras to take photos and videos.

It offers a simple Remote Control shutter button mode and a far superior Live View Shooting mode.

The live view mode lets you control white balance, aperture, ISO, and shutter speed and apply any of the Fujifilm film simulations.

Furthermore, your smartphone screen shows a live view of what your camera is currently seeing.

It makes remote compositions and exposure management simple.

Photographic Activity

A feature new to the Fuji XApp is the ability to record and document your photographic activity. The function is split into two halves, the first being the Timeline.

Timeline works like a visual diary and records your photographic activities chronologically.

It also includes the location of each entry, provided you’ve synced your phone’s location settings.

The second half of the feature is a data dump of your camera activity.

It lists the Fuji cameras and lenses you’ve shot with, shot counts, and what film simulations you’ve applied.

Backup/Restore

Many photographers like to create custom settings in their X and GFX cameras.

Custom settings achieve the right look and exposure in different scenarios. The Fujifilm XApp can create and store a backup of any custom settings.

That way, it can be chosen from the app rather than using the camera to select a custom setting.

Custom settings can also be restored on the camera from the backup copy held on the app.

It’s not an especially helpful feature – but some folks will appreciate it.

Firmware Updates

In the past, to update firmware on a Fuji X or GFX camera, you had to take a formatted SD card and plug it into your computer.

You’d then download the firmware from the Fuji site to the SD card, insert it back into the camera, and update the firmware via the menu.

It was a clunky and messy process. Mind you, before you pair your Fuji camera with the XApp, you must ensure the camera firmware is up to date using this process.

Now, you can use the Fuji XApp to update the firmware of your Fuji cameras and lenses without fuss.

• More: 9 Best Photo Editing Mobile Apps

Pairing The Fujifilm XApp

Pairing your Fujifilm X or GFX camera with the XApp is relatively straightforward. The Fuji camera box even has a QR code printed inside for quick access.

Once you’ve downloaded the Fujifilm XApp from the app store, it’s time to pair. Here’s the step-by-step process:

• With the camera turned on, hold down the DISP/Back button for a few seconds.
• The Bluetooth & FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING quick menu will appear.
• Highlight Bluetooth and press the OK button.
• The Bluetooth Pairing screen will appear. Select PAIRING and press OK.
• On the Fujifilm XApp, select add a new camera, and it will search for your Fujifilm camera – keep the camera and phone close together.
• Once the app and the camera have established a connection, your camera model will appear, and you will be asked to register the connection.
• You can also register your connection using an existing Google or Apple account.
• After selecting Register, the app will ask for various permissions to enable location services, access to your phone’s image folder, and notifications.

From here, you can use the Fujifilm XApp to:

• Get or download photos from your camera
• Take or capture new shots with full remote access and Live View on your phone screen
• Remote Control the shutter button only
• Backup/Restore your custom settings
• Upload Activity, including location, shooting conditions, date, time, and camera settings.

Beyond that, the app provides additional functionality via the tabs at the bottom of the screen:

• Connect allows you to connect to registered cameras or add new Fuji cameras to your app.
• Equipment lists your registered cameras, lenses, and accessories.
• Timeline provides a calendar view of your activity, including the camera, lens, and a Google Map with exact coordinates.
• Activity shows a shot count for each registered camera and lens as well as a list of the Fujifilm film simulations you’ve applied to your images.
• Settings allows you to fine-tune your Fujifilm XApp experience.

Once the pairing process is complete, the app will be incredibly intuitive and simple to employ.

If the connection between the camera and the app stops due to the camera going into sleep mode, the app will prompt you to re-establish the connection.

• More: 12 Best Fujifilm Lenses

Unplugged

There’s no denying the attractive list of features and benefits of the Fujifilm XApp.

Photographers and videographers looking for a smart way to control their cameras remotely, transfer images without fuss, or document their experiences are in luck.

The Fuji Camera Remote App and the new Fujifilm XApp offer visual creatives greater freedom and flexibility.

Furthermore, if you hate sitting in a room editing your images for hours on end, there’s a lot to love about working with JPEG files straight out of the camera.

You’ll wirelessly transfer your favorite Hawaii holiday snaps to your smartphone or tablet for editing while sipping cocktails by the pool.

Or update your Photographic Activity over a hot bowl of Ramen in Hokkaido.

While the Fuji camera apps may not appeal to everyone, they offer a range of tools to enhance the use of any Fuji X or GFX camera.