How to transfer Sony Alpha photos to iPhone and iPad.

Check your camera and iOS version

You’ll need an iPhone running iOS 26 or later, or an iPad running iPadOS 26 or later. Install the Alpha Lume beta through TestFlight while you have internet access, before joining the camera’s Wi-Fi network.

The Sony α7C (a7C / ILCE-7C) is hardware-tested. Other cameras that share photos through Imaging Edge Mobile may work, but have not been individually verified with Alpha Lume. Your model and firmware determine the connection workflow. Alpha Lume does not currently implement Creators’ App pairing.

Read the camera compatibility notes before installing. No Alpha Lume account is needed: the app connects directly to your camera.

Connect your Sony Alpha to your iPhone

1. On your camera, open Send to Smartphone or Send to Smartphone Func. in the Wireless, Network, or Playback menu. The exact menu path depends on the camera model.
2. Choose Select on Smartphone to browse the camera’s card, or choose photos on the camera to share a selection. Keep the sharing screen open during the connection and transfer.
3. In Alpha Lume, open Add Camera and select your model. Tap Scan QR Code and scan the camera’s Wi-Fi connection code. You can also enter its Wi-Fi network name and password manually.
4. Review the details and tap Save Camera. Open the saved camera and accept the iOS prompts to join its Wi-Fi network and allow Local Network access.

On an NFC-equipped camera, you can instead tap Scan NFC Tag and hold the top of your iPhone near the camera’s N mark. NFC reads the connection details; photos still transfer over Wi-Fi. NFC pairing requires a compatible iPhone and camera. On iPad, use QR scanning or manual entry.

Browse and save photos to Apple Photos

Once connected, browse your camera’s library by date. Open a photo to inspect it, or select several favorites from the grid. Tap Save to Photos and allow Alpha Lume to add photos when iOS asks. You can also share selected files into another app.

Alpha Lume supports JPEG, HEIF, and MP4, with a limit of 1 GB per file. RAW transfer and other video formats are not supported. The camera decides which files and resolutions it exposes, so check its sharing settings if you receive a smaller image or a JPEG conversion.

Transfers happen directly over your camera’s Wi-Fi. They do not require internet access or an Alpha Lume cloud account. Keep the camera powered on and its sharing screen open until the save finishes.

If your Sony camera won’t connect to your iPhone

The Wi-Fi network has no internet

That is expected for the camera’s own network. Stay connected to it while transferring photos. Switching to your home Wi-Fi disconnects the phone from the camera.

The camera connects, but no photos appear

Reopen Send to Smartphone on the camera and choose Select on Smartphone, then tap Try Again in Alpha Lume. A remote-control connection screen alone does not enable photo sharing.

Local Network access was denied

In iOS Settings, open Privacy & Security → Local Network and enable Alpha Lume. Return to the app and try the connection again. If saving fails because Photos access was denied, review Alpha Lume’s Photos permission in Settings.

Your camera requires Creators’ App

The current Alpha Lume workflow does not support Creators’ App pairing. Saving that camera’s Wi-Fi details does not establish compatibility. Use the mobile app Sony specifies for your model and firmware.

Still stuck? Email [email protected] with your camera model, firmware version, iOS version, and the step where the connection stops. Never include your Wi-Fi password.