FUJIFILM XApp Reviews

by Josh_Joshmeme

After using FUJIFILMXApp for a few days it now only downloads an image at two before it just stops and gives me a spinning circle. And it seems that the firmware update to the X-T3 may have made it so the old camera remote app no longer works. So now I am unable to load images onto my iPad. This is awful. I watched FUJIFILMXApp gradually slow down after downloading a number of images and now it’s one or two and freeze. I have to force stop FUJIFILMXApp , turn off my camera and remove the battery to unfreeze everything. Then I can start over and download one or two more images before it happens again.

Update: I think the reason it stopped working was because my iPad was warning me that FUJIFILMXApp was requiring full time location tracking. I had to confirm that I was aware of it before FUJIFILMXApp would download pictures properly. This is garbage. I think I will be getting an SD card reader.

Based on the majority of the reviews, this was a horrible decision by Fujifilm. At a minimum I will have to turn location tracking on to download images and back off when done.

by Breadnought

Honestly FUJIFILMXApp is a good app - unlike the previous app, Fujifilm Cam Remote, it actually works! It’s easy enough to pair your camera, transfer JPEGs (unfortunately no Raw or Tiff support), use FUJIFILMXApp as a remote control or with live view. This should be a 4-5 star review, with that 5th star maybe hinging on Raw transfer. But the glaring issues (for me) are the Location and Notification requirements.

Please let me use FUJIFILMXApp without sharing my location info! I get that in order for GPS tagging to work properly FUJIFILMXApp needs constant access to your location, but I don’t want to use GPS tagging. Let me use FUJIFILMXApp with Location settings off!

Same thing with Notifications! You can’t use FUJIFILMXApp unless you have notifications turned on, which I just don’t want, no matter how useful they are.

It’s just odd that you can’t even use FUJIFILMXApp AT ALL with these intrusive settings turned off. I only want to use the image transfer and remote control functions, let me use FUJIFILMXApp the way I want. I’ll update my review as soon as they change this policy.

by Ralokz

I was disappointed with FUJIFILMXApp . It refuses to work unless you grant location access all of the time and won’t even allow you to manually transfer photos without providing a location. When you do provide location services, it takes a lot of fiddling around with FUJIFILMXApp and camera to get them to communicate with each other. I turn my camera off between shots, which resets the connection between the two. It doesn’t seem as though the camera can reconnect when FUJIFILMXApp is just running in the background, so I had to open FUJIFILMXApp every time I turned on the camera if I wanted to restore the connection. I ended up deleting FUJIFILMXApp and just manually transferring photos with an SD card.

by Qyulo

Never understood the negative reviews about connectivity issues; this and the old app has never given me problems. What I don’t like is the fact that I MUST give FUJIFILMXApp my PRECISE location ALWAYS, just in order to use it. It makes no sense to me and is pretty irritating, given I don’t care to utilize any location syncing and if I did… why can’t I just give the general location? Anyway… All I want is to transfer photos from camera to phone, I don’t care about all these extra invasive features. And I say invasive because it’s mandatory to have my location being tracked in order to use FUJIFILMXApp . That’s ridiculous to me. Also, if we could have a darkmode option, FUJIFILMXApp would be much better to use at night, and be more appealing in general for people like me that prefer dark mode as their system setting.

by TySpaid

This is app is unusable when it comes to monitoring and controlling video recording wirelessly. Every other mirrorless video camera app I’ve used gives you full control of the camera’s settings and focus controls, even adding on screen metering, focus peaking, manual focus options and more. It even shuts off all the on camera monitoring and controls for no reason! No other camera manufacturer does this with their mobile apps. Why in the world would Fuji do this to their customers? FUJIFILMXApp is nothing but a lackluster preview that limits you to a 1080p recording in camera, even when all your camera settings are set properly! Do better Fuji, we know you’re capable of it, just uninterested in solving the problems for your customers. Not to mention it barely can even connect to the camera and when it does it completely paralyzes the camera until you take the battery out and put it back in.

by Fan89M

1 star because it required user to not only set app location sharing to always, but also need to share precise location. While I understand the possible benefits might include to document where the photo is taken in metadata, I don’t see any other reasons why I need to set share location to always. To me, FUJIFILMXApp is currently unusable until this is fixed.

Not to mention, this is a clear violation to FUJIFILMXApp Review Guideline.

5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage (iv) Access: Apps must respect the user’s permission settings and not attempt to manipulate, trick, or force people to consent to unnecessary data access. For example, apps that include the ability to post photos to a social network must not also require microphone access before allowing the user to upload photos. Where possible, provide alternative solutions for users who don’t grant consent. For example, if a user declines to share Location, offer the ability to manually enter an address.

by JadeC47

I am deleting FUJIFILMXApp after writing this review because it will not allow any option other then always for location with precise location as well set. No app should ever require that to use it, no matter what features it may disable to not have on. Forcing location tracking feels beyond shady. Fuji, please update your app to not force location tracking, thank you..

You updated FUJIFILMXApp to not require location data but your developers are still playing privacy games!!! I just deleted FUJIFILMXApp for a second time!! You are still requiring full access to the photo library instead of allowing a folder to be chosen to use camera control features and as well requiring access to other Bluetooth devices on a network. Shame on you Fuji, I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of money on your products and your app is completely disrespectful to your customers. May be time to switch to the new Nikon Zf, maybe Nikon treats their customers with the respect they would want to be treated with.
I purchased your product, it is not a free account on Facebook, you have absolutely no right to my data and how beyond disrespectful of you!

by Zz.ii

Fuji’s camera app has lagged behind other systems for over 5 years. That’s sad because they had a head start around 2015, with great functionality, if not reliability. It’s been downhill since. FUJIFILMXApp wants full access to all photos on my phone to show me live view?! Hard pass. The location and notification requirements are also poor. No one wants to be forced to give up their privacy for abilities we had in 2015. I’ve had every XT camera, every xPro, 3 x100, XE, GFX, and more. Many many lenses. It’s all for sale as of tomorrow. I’m finally done. Colors are amazing, lenses are fabulous, form factors incredible. But as a company and a system they are regressing. FUJIFILMXApp should never have shipped. Guess I’m switching to Nikon Zf.

by AnonymousSlave

FUJIFILMXApp doesn’t work, period. I am working with a new X-T50. One of the main reasons I upgraded from the X-T20 to the 50 was for this reason - to be able to use the new app and actually transfer photos to my phone. The prior garbage app never worked with the X-T20 either. So, I learned to live with connecting a cable to my MacBook and getting photos to my phone as an intermediary step.

After configuring FUJIFILMXApp , providing it with full permissions to always allow whatever it wants, connecting it to the camera via WiFi, I get to the point where FUJIFILMXApp sees the photos on my camera. After about 2 seconds, I then get “The wireless communication between the camera and the smartphone has stopped…” FUJIFILMXApp then can’t reconnect to the phone. On the camera side, it’s just stuck in WiFi zombie mode flashing an orange/green light. The only way to get the camera back to functional is to pull the battery.

My phone is fully up to date. FUJIFILMXApp is whatever version is offered as of today. I have turned off my vpn on the phone. I’ve turned off data access through cellular. I’ve re-installed FUJIFILMXApp . Nothing seems to help the situation. I love the camera, but I feel like I’ve been ripped off. This is a major feature that in 2024 should be working flawlessly. Please fix yourself Fujifilm.

by Howzball

I won't even go into the permissions which are asinine but the overall app is basically useless. I set my camera up on a tripod right outside my window looking at a bird bath, my phone is basically 2 ft away and I cannot even connect. When I finally am able to connect standing next to the camera I'm not able to use the auto or manual focus options on my camera. I understand if some of the function of the camera is disabled while in remote control but Focus? I mean what can I do without focusing?
Fuji should probably stick to hardware and hire software people to design their apps because this thing is bad. Worse than the first version if that's possible.

by Brettgo1982

I am genuinely disappointed with the Fujifilm Xapp. While the potential for FUJIFILMXApp is clearly there, it seems it comes at the cost of sacrificing users’ privacy. The requirement for location tracking to be constantly turned on is a substantial concern. This not only drains my device’s battery life significantly, but more importantly, it brings up some serious privacy issues. An app designed for connecting to my camera should not need to access my location 24/7. This intrusive demand is unnecessary and oversteps user privacy boundaries. I urge the developers to reconsider their policies and respect user privacy. Until these changes are implemented, I’m afraid I can’t rate FUJIFILMXApp more than 1 star.

by Jacob Sokora

FUJIFILMXApp is way nice, and works so much better than the previous cam remote app but there is one major flaw: YOU DO NOT ALWAYS NEED MY LOCATION for FUJIFILMXApp to function. i should be able to transfer photos, use live view, and the shutter remote without ever giving you access to my location. ios does NOT require location services to use bluetooth or wifi and certainly doesn't require that i have your app constantly draining my battery with location updates while im not using it. terrible app and terrible user experience having to enable and disable location services every time i want to use it. 0/5 stars if i could rate it that low

by Mcary

This new app looks nicer than the old one. Unfortunately I can’t say much else that is positive…

-every time I connect my camera, it “synchronizes” the time setting on my camera to 25 hours into the future. Unhelpful, to say the least.
-trying to use the location synchronization, you have to keep FUJIFILMXApp open on the screen for it to initiate the connection. Every five minutes, you have to reopen FUJIFILMXApp and reconnect, or the photos aren’t tagged with a location. Unhelpful, to say the least.
-and can we talk about Privacy? FUJIFILMXApp is a bully! It will not function in any way without far more permissions than I care to give. I don’t want notifications from FUJIFILMXApp, but it will not connect to my camera without notification permissions. I don’t want it looking through my iOS camera roll, but it won’t function without access to “all photos,” even those not taken on my Fuji camera. I don’t want FUJIFILMXApp recording my location when I’m not using it, but if I don’t say “always allow” and “precise location” it won’t even connect to the camera. With this behavior, I’m surprised it can even be offered on FUJIFILMXApp Store! I think this is against their policies.

I’ll be waiting for the third iteration of a Fuji app: one that respects my privacy, automatically connects to my camera without me having to open FUJIFILMXApp every few minutes, and one that doesn’t mess up the time settings on my camera every time I use it!

by Silverivy

I upgraded the firmware and paired my X-T3 to my IPhone. I tried to transfer photos to my phone but FUJIFILMXApp says the sd cards are empty. I tried two different cards, both of which were formatted in camera. I even used the remote control on FUJIFILMXApp to take some of the pictures. Total waste.

Update- I figured out the problem (I was shooting in RAW). However the amount of time it took Fuji to follow up on this doesn’t encourage me to improve my rating.

by AMV7m

I recently purchased my first Fujifilm camera, the X100VI. I immediately downloaded FUJIFILMXApp as a companion to that camera. I hoped it would transfer lower res copies of the photos I take with the X100VI while I shoot. It does not. FUJIFILMXApp disconnects from the camera randomly and often, and often asks to use cellular to continue receiving files. While transferring images to my phone, which only occasionally occurs automatically, I cannot continue shooting. I have a Nikon Z7II and use the Nikon SnapBridge app to effortlessly transfer 2mp images to my phone while I continue to shoot. The Nikon app/camera hardly ever disconnect from each other, and I can continue using the camera while it transfers those files. 2mp copies keep popping up in my photos app so I can quickly edit and share good shots. The XApp does not work nearly this well, smoothly or intuitively. Fujifilm really needs to revamp FUJIFILMXApp with better usability, ease of use, and reliability. I find FUJIFILMXApp poor and frustrating to use at best. To transfer images I often have to select images to transfer. I may want that, sometimes. Usually I just want it to transfer lower res files automatically while I continue to shoot. Fujifilm, please revamp FUJIFILMXApp to work reliably and allow transfer while shooting.

by Blackbird2017

Update: Developer is asking me for “details” by filling up a blank form on their site. I feel this is like additional insult to injury. The details are here in my review below. My iPhone is 13Pro with IOS 16.6 and my camera is an X-T30 using firmware 2.0. There is no more details about this issue I have described when you released FUJIFILMXApp few months ago and the issue is still present after 1.1.0. ————— I was hopeful that this new update 1.1.0 would finally fix the big issue of FUJIFILMXApp not reconnecting with the camera via Bluetooth after the camera is turn off and then on (like when in power savings) and FUJIFILMXApp in the phone is in the background (like when the phone is in my pocket), so geo tagging will continue to work at all times when I am out taking pictures. Unfortunately, the issue remains and FUJIFILMXApp is still not reconnecting automatically while in the background. The only way to reconnect is to either bring FUJIFILMXApp to the foreground (this method always works) or go to the Bluetooth settings in the iPhone (this method works, sometimes) but taking the iPhone to reconnect every time the camera is turn off and on again is not practical. Come on Fujifilm! Fix this issue so geotagging can be useable. It has been over 3 months since you release FUJIFILMXApp.

by Dmjpix

I am a professional photojournalist. I want location tagging on everything I shoot. Connectivity with FUJIFILMXApp drops after 20-ish minutes and the dreaded red geotag icon appears in the viewfinder indicating lost connection with my iPhone. I want connectivity with the phone to be there without having to set on every shoot at every location.

Additionally, I shoot documentaries with my XH2S and XH2. Having frame accurate timecode matching across both cameras is a broadcast or production camera expectation. Please develop the capability to set these cameras to the phone time of day accurately. Can’t be that hard or labor intensive. I think the XT4 has it.

by -dk-

Much improved over old app; pairing works fine now and firmware updates are easy and convenient. The big disappointment to me is the geotagging. As soon as either camera or iPhone goes to sleep the location is no longer updated. I use a third-party app on my iPhone that can track my location all day without depleting the battery. I then need to run a desktop version of FUJIFILMXApp to match location data with photos (using the time the image was taken). I was hoping I could do with this software with the new app; sadly, this is not the case. Seems easy enough to do compared to some other things FUJIFILMXApp gets right. Tagging images with the last location available (as opposed to the correct one) seems a very poor software design choice..

by R0ck3tm4nn

FUJIFILMXApp requires “Always” access to your precise location data in order to work. Anything less and FUJIFILMXApp locks you out of its core functionality (transferring pictures from your Fujifilm camera to your phone). There is literally no reason why this access level is necessary. Other than that, it seems to work well and is much better than the old Cam Remote app. Fujifilm, please fix the privacy issues! And Apple, please block approval of apps that do this nonsense!

by GuyFuryRd

It seems they’ve heard the community and updated their app to not require location tracking. This is a step in the right direction but sadly they’ve only moved back to being at a neutral position from a taking a step backward in quality. For me, the live camera control is still lacking significantly. I can’t control timer settings or interval settings. As a self-portraitist these are vital. The lack of control in FUJIFILMXApp renders it useless as I still have to operate from the camera directly. In short, FUJIFILMXApp has gone from “bad” to “meh.”

by JustinCab

FUJIFILMXApp is a major upgrade over their other app. However, after updating the firmware it somehow broke the image Transfer feature. It will connect just fine and everything work is flawlessly when it’s my iPad, but once I try doing it on my iPhone that’s where it struggles. It fails to connect every time. Which is a shame because most of the time. I always want to transfer it to my phone anyways so I can instantly share it to friends or upload the JPEGs straight to Instagram.

Please Fujifilm, fix it so I can Connect my XT-4 to my iPhone over Wi-Fi then I can swap the star rating to a 5 star.

by Mike Steelman

Finally you’ve done it, FujiFilm. I can’t give you 5 stars, but 4 is well deserved. While I can connect and transfer photos from my X-T30, FUJIFILMXApp is pretty much useless to use with my X-T100 Bayer sensor camera and I don’t think you should dare to tell us to use the awful CameraRemote app. Yet, you have an audacity to do… Fix it please and drop an old app.

PS
I have to downgrade my review to 3 stars after all…. Why do you require a location to be on?! Why overcomplicate simple things instead of giving an option, FujiFilm? And again, why do you discriminate against owners of lower grade models such us my X-T100 with a Bayer sensor? You tell us to use an old app which you know don’t work…

by Intuitive_displays

Update: as others have noted, if FUJIFILMXApp hibernates or the camera goes to sleep, FUJIFILMXApp tags photos with the current location rather than the correct one, i.e., where you were three hours ago. The Nikon app does not do this and I wish that Fujifilm would address this bug. On the camera side, a longer delay such as an hour before the camera goes to sleep would be extremely useful and save my poor power switch.

Does what it’s supposed to and even reconnects in the background fairly reliably after I’ve turned the camera off and on again. I just came back from a week of intense shooting in areas of poor cellular connectivity and FUJIFILMXApp worked almost perfectly save for a few hiccups at launch where FUJIFILMXApp stumbled and restarted itself. The so-called privacy concerns are unfounded and FUJIFILMXApp truly does need full-time location access to geotag photos, though an opt out could be nice for those who don’t wish to geotag. FUJIFILMXApp doesn’t use location unless it’s open, so close it if you’re worried.

by Nigel Warren

FUJIFILMXApp is far better than the old Fuji app. Much easier UI, more reliable connection to camera for photo transfer and remote view. And important small improvements like being able to set the geotag location update frequency and embed timezone data.

Two big issues that still need addressing:

- It’s still not possible to transfer RAW files over wifi. The single biggest factor in letting me use my Fuji camera more is easily getting photos onto my phone. I shoot in RAW+JPG and really want to be able to quickly send the pairs to my phone.

- Geotagging requires me to open FUJIFILMXApp on my phone to initiate a connection, and periodically relaunch it to keep it alive. Other cameras like Sony are able to connect to the phone in the background without manually launching FUJIFILMXApp . It would be a useful improvement if the Fuji camera/iOS app behaved this way.

by Stulevine

I wish FUJIFILMXApp worked as well as the Camera Remote app for location services (geotagging). Unlike the Camera Remote app, FUJIFILMXApp does not have any background app refresh entitlements. What this means is that, even though I allow location services Always, FUJIFILMXApp disconnects from the X-T5 after a while when FUJIFILMXApp quits and goes into the background. TheI loose geotagging for my photos (gps icon flashes red). When this happens I have to take out my phone and relaunch the XApp to get gps back. If FUJIFILMXApp had Background refresh, this would not happen.

by TheseMyTunes

After updating my X-T5 and X-Pro3 connection was easy and quick. Does what the old app should have done all along. I would suggest that Fuji adds an option to start live view shooting from within the remote shooting module. The way it is presented on the offcial app page makes it seem like that is the workflow but it isn't. you have to exit remote shooting and then select the image acquisition/photography button to start the wi-fi connection and to still have to select another tab to get to live view shooting. the addition of a "live view shooting" pathe from the remote tab would be nice in future updates.

by Cbg2113

FUJIFILMXApp is such an upgrade for us that have current fujifilm cameras, especially compared to the old app. The design is modern, ux is solid, and the connection and transfer of photos from your camera is quicker and more stable.

Two things I’d like to see in future updates:
1.) Landscape orientation support on iPads. I primarily use my iPad attached to a keyboard, it would be great to support that.
2.) Customizable camera photos so that you can pick the camera color that matches your camera. It’s funny to log in to FUJIFILMXApp and see a camera that it claims is mine, that doesn’t look like mine. Small piece of customization that might go a long way.

by Esspy2

My X-E4 would never connect to my iPhone until I started using FUJIFILMXApp. It’ll be much faster to share my images now! My X-H2S never had a problem connecting to the old app, but now the remote control function has much less latency. I think the remote control function is limited to Program mode and doesn’t allow manual setting of the shutter speed and aperture. Hopefully that can be improved. Overall FUJIFILMXApp seems much more stable so hopefully more improvements come. FUJIFILMXApp makes the Canon app feel more outdated, which was the opposite before XApp eas released!

by Tallon Cote

It works well, but I still feel like there is a lot of opportunity for improvement. There are a few little weird things that it still does and I’m not fully convinced. ——-there does not need to be a whole tab for “support.” Just put it in the settings. ——-I don’t think that the auto upload is not working right. ——-the timeline is not really all that compelling and I feel like there is some unnecessary information in there. ——-I wonder if there is a way they can start playing into the “recipe” stuff.

The timeline has a weird design flaw where the stuff in the timeline bumps up to the top app bar and touches it. There should be some padding there.

by Mtbiss

I’m so happy Fuji finally did something about their app issue. The old app, Fujifilm Camera Remote, was terrible — it hardly ever worked and was clunky/a nuisance to use.

From my first impressions of FUJIFILMXApp after connecting and using my Xt5 and x100v, everything has worked flawlessly. It’s quick to setup Bluetooth and connect the cameras, and photos transfer quickly. Also able to use this as a remote for your camera which is a nice option too.

One addition I’d like to see is more camera specific info such as total shutter count and battery health.

by Nannini

If you have been a Fujifilm X Series user for a while, you are no doubt familiar with the TERRIBLE and frustrating remote image capture app. I think it currently sits with a 1 star rating in FUJIFILMXApp Store. I used that abomination of an app for the final time today to upgrade the firmware on my camera to 3.0, which unsurprisingly took six or seven tries before successfully upgrading. After throwing that all consuming piece of garbage in the figurative trash can, I opened this new Fujifilm X app and it is superb. The remote image capture is almost completely lag free, it is the most responsive remote image capture I’ve used through any platform actually. I was very impressed. You can finally choose image import size when storing them on your device. The geotagging system works very well. All in all it’s a huge breath of fresh air for Fuji.

by Uber Bar

Huge improvement over the previous Fujifilm camera remote, all features validated functional on my GFX100S, XH-2, & XT-5 after the prerequisite firmware update.

GPS metadata, ease and successful connectivity, remote management and control of camera coupled with ability to save camera configurations simply amazing.

Previous Canon & Sony user, my migration to all Fujifilm kit & now with this application only further solidifies my love for Fujifilm’s sensors, ergonomics, features and support of us photographers.