USB tethering

How to tether your Nikon over USB to your phone

Turn your phone into the tether: connect your Nikon over USB and CloudTether uploads every full-resolution shot to the cloud the instant you press the shutter — no laptop, no card reader.

By the CloudTether team · Updated

Step by step

  1. 1

    Set your Nikon to tether mode

    Connect over USB (PC connection mode) for the fastest, most dependable transfer.

  2. 2

    Connect the camera to your phone

    Plug the camera into your phone with a USB-C cable (or the right adapter). CloudTether detects it and opens a session.

  3. 3

    Pick a destination and shoot

    Choose where photos should go — Dropbox, Google Drive, a client gallery, an FTP server — and start shooting. Every full-resolution frame uploads as you fire the shutter.

CloudTether Connect a camera screen with the USB cable option and Nikon in the brand list
Plug in and the camera connects by itself.
CloudTether Send its shots to sheet after a camera connects over USB, with a test shot delivered to Dropbox and Google Drive
When the camera connects, pick where its shots go and take a test shot.

Nikon USB settings in detail

Current Nikon bodies tether in their default USB mode, so there's usually nothing to change. If an older body mounts as storage instead, set its USB option to MTP/PTP. Lengthen the standby timer so the camera stays awake.

The Z9, Z8, Z6 III, Z6 II, Z7 II, Z5, Zf and the D780 have USB-C; the D850 uses Micro-B USB 3. On iPhone, a Nikon shooting to CFexpress may refuse the USB connection until the card is formatted in the camera — SD cards and Android phones weren't affected in our testing.

Nikon cameras

Nikon Z8Nikon Z8Nikon Z9Nikon Z9Nikon Z6 IIINikon Z6 IIINikon Z6 IINikon Z6 IINikon Z7 IINikon Z7 IINikon Z5Nikon Z5Nikon Z50Nikon Z50Nikon ZfNikon Zf

Nikon USB not working?

FAQ

Can I tether my Nikon over USB without a computer?

Yes. CloudTether tethers your Nikon to your phone over USB and uploads every shot to the cloud — no laptop, no card reader, no desktop tethering software.

Is USB faster than Wi-Fi for tethering my Nikon?

Generally yes — USB is the fastest, most reliable link, which is why it's preferred for studio and high-volume work. Nikon also supports Wi-Fi tethering if you'd rather go cable-free.

Which Nikon cameras can tether over USB?

Most modern Nikon mirrorless and DSLR bodies support USB tethering. See the Nikon hub for your specific model.

Where your Nikon photos can go

Deliver every shot to Dropbox, Google Drive, a client gallery, an FTP server and more — live as you shoot.

Destinations Nikon over Wi-Fi