Sony α1 Tethering App for iPhone & Android
Yes — you can tether the Sony α1 to an iPhone, iPad or Android phone. With CloudTether it connects over a USB cable or Wi-Fi, and every full-resolution photo — JPEG or ARW RAW — copies to the phone seconds after you take it, then uploads to Dropbox, Google Drive, a client gallery or your own server while you keep shooting. Top-end sports, wildlife and event pros who need it all.
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By the CloudTether team · Updated
Sony α1 tethering at a glance
| Tested by us | Supported by the protocol, not yet tested by us |
|---|---|
| USB | Expected to work — same code as our verified Sony body |
| Wi-Fi | Supported by the camera, not yet tested by us |
| Rated send | No — every shot is sent |
| Files | ARW RAW, JPEG (and HEIF where the camera makes it) |
“Verified” means we've run that body on real hardware. Every Sony camera runs the same CloudTether code, so a verified Sony body proves its siblings over USB; Wi-Fi is checked model by model. See all supported cameras.
Camera settings for tethering the α1
MENU → Setup → USB → USB Connection Mode → Remote Shooting (USB Connection → PC Remote on older firmware), then MENU → Network → Transfer/Remote → PC Remote Function → PC Remote → On. Disconnect any smartphone connection first.
Use a data cable: USB-C to USB-C for a USB-C iPhone or Android phone, or Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter for a Lightning iPhone. On Android, accept the USB permission prompt.
The camera supports wireless PC Remote: join an access point with Wi-Fi Connect, set PC Remote Cnct Method to Wi-Fi Access Point and pair. Not yet tested by us — use USB for paid work until you've tried it.
On location, put the camera on your phone's hotspot so the phone keeps mobile data for uploads. More in wireless camera tethering.
How to tether the Sony α1 to your phone
- 1
Set up the α1
MENU → Setup → USB → USB Connection Mode → Remote Shooting (USB Connection → PC Remote on older firmware), then MENU → Network → Transfer/Remote → PC Remote Function → PC Remote → On. Disconnect any smartphone connection first. Lengthen auto power-off so the camera stays awake while tethered.
- 2
Connect it to your phone
Open CloudTether, tap “Connect a camera” and plug a USB-C cable from the α1 into your iPhone, iPad or Android phone (a Lightning iPhone needs Apple's camera adapter). For Wi-Fi instead: The camera supports wireless PC Remote: join an access point with Wi-Fi Connect, set PC Remote Cnct Method to Wi-Fi Access Point and pair. Not yet tested by us — use USB for paid work until you've tried it.
- 3
Choose where the shots go
The “Send its shots to…” sheet shows where the camera is sending. Keep shots on the phone, or add Dropbox, Google Drive, a client gallery or an FTP/SFTP server — a shoot can send to several at once. Take a test shot.
- 4
Shoot as normal
Every frame your α1 captures is copied to the phone at full resolution — JPEG or ARW RAW — and delivered while you keep shooting. Each photo uploads from the phone once and goes to every destination.
What to know about the α1
- Every Sony Alpha body runs the same CloudTether code, which we've verified over USB on a ZV-E10.
- In the camera's PC Remote settings, set Still Img. Save Dest. to PC+Camera so every shot is also written to the card as a backup.
- Rated send isn't available over Sony tethering — in PC Remote the phone can't read ratings from the card — so every shot is sent.
Every α1 frame at full resolution — ARW, JPEG or both
JPEG only: leave RAW on the card to save mobile data
Every shot is sent (no rated send over this brand)
Several destinations at once, each photo uploaded once
Keeps working with no signal; uploads catch up later
Run a second body on the same phone (up to three)
Send α1 photos where they're needed
Each shot uploads from the phone once and goes to every destination on the shoot. Storage gets every file; gallery services such as SmugMug, ShootProof and Photohawk get the JPEGs.
All destinations · how delivery works in camera to cloud.
Guides and comparisons
Sony α1 tethering FAQ
Can I tether the Sony α1 to my iPhone or Android phone?
Yes. The Sony α1 connects to CloudTether on iPhone, iPad or Android with a USB cable or over Wi-Fi, and every photo copies to the phone and on to your destinations as you shoot. It's supported by the protocol but we haven't tested this exact body yet — every Sony camera runs the same CloudTether code, which is verified on other Sony bodies, so try it before a paid job.
Which USB setting does the α1 need for tethering?
MENU → Setup → USB → USB Connection Mode → Remote Shooting (USB Connection → PC Remote on older firmware), then MENU → Network → Transfer/Remote → PC Remote Function → PC Remote → On. Disconnect any smartphone connection first.
Can the α1 tether over Wi-Fi?
The α1 has the wireless features CloudTether uses, but we haven't tested its Wi-Fi yet. The camera supports wireless PC Remote: join an access point with Wi-Fi Connect, set PC Remote Cnct Method to Wi-Fi Access Point and pair. Not yet tested by us — use USB for paid work until you've tried it. USB is the dependable path.
Does CloudTether transfer ARW RAW files from the α1?
Yes. CloudTether copies the original ARW RAW, JPEG or both, exactly as the camera writes them. Shooting RAW+JPEG? Turn on JPEG only to leave the ARW files on the card and send just the JPEGs — the fastest option over mobile data.
Can I send only the shots I rate on the α1?
No. Rated send works over Canon and Nikon tethering only; over Sony tethering every shot is sent. Use JPEG only to keep uploads light.
How fast does the α1 tether to a phone?
We don't have enough α1 transfers in our logs to publish a figure. As a guide, a Canon EOS R5 Mark II JPEG took a median 0.06 s over USB and 0.20 s over Wi-Fi; RAW files take longer in proportion to their size.
Where do my α1 photos go?
Wherever you choose: Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, SmugMug, ShootProof, an FTP/SFTP server and more — several at once — or just the phone. Gallery destinations such as SmugMug and ShootProof take the JPEGs; storage takes RAW too.
Does CloudTether offer live view or remote shutter for the α1?
No. CloudTether is built for capture and delivery: you shoot on the α1 as normal and every frame comes off it automatically. Keep Sony's own app for remote control.
Tether your α1 today
Install CloudTether, set the camera as above and take a test shot. One plan with everything included, starting with a 7-day free trial.
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