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Xangle Camera Server

cameras

Android

Android phones can join a Camera Server rig through Xangle Remote Camera. Set up each phone once by USB, then use the local Wi-Fi network during operation.

Supported source

  • Android phones running Xangle Remote Camera on the same local network as Camera Server.

Requirements

  • Android 8.0 or later (API level 26 or later).
  • A USB data cable for the first-time setup and future app updates.
  • Developer options and USB debugging enabled on every phone.
  • One local Wi-Fi network shared by Camera Server and all phones, without guest-network client isolation.

First-time setup

Complete these steps for each phone before the event:

  1. On the phone, open Settings, find About phone, then tap Build number seven times to enable Developer options. The exact menu names vary by phone manufacturer.
  2. Return to Settings, open Developer options, and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect the phone to the computer running Camera Server with a data-capable USB cable. Avoid charge-only cables.
  4. Unlock the phone and accept the Allow USB debugging prompt. Select Always allow from this computer when the phone offers it.
  5. Start Camera Server. On the Camera page, open Camera Adapters and activate the Android adapter.
  6. Camera Server detects connected Android phones and installs the bundled Xangle Remote Camera app when it is missing or outdated, grants its required permissions, and launches it.
  7. Keep the app open, allow Camera and notifications permissions if the phone asks, then disconnect the USB cable after provisioning is complete.

USB is needed only to provision or update the app. Reconnect it later when Camera Server needs to reinstall the app or when troubleshooting a phone that does not appear.

Update Xangle Remote Camera

Updates are automatic. When Camera Server includes a newer Xangle Remote Camera APK:

  1. Connect the phone to the Camera Server computer by USB, unlock it, and accept the USB debugging prompt if it appears.
  2. Camera Server detects the new build and installs it on the phone without any extra step.
  3. Disconnect the phone once the app has relaunched. It returns to normal Wi-Fi operation when Xangle Remote Camera is open.

Tap the Xangle Remote Camera logo at the top of the phone's screen to check its installed version against Camera Server's version and host.

If a phone does not pick up an update after being connected for a while, use Reinstall APK in the Android camera adapter settings in Camera Server to force a fresh install on every connected phone. This is a manual fallback for troubleshooting, not a required step for routine updates.

Uninstall Xangle Remote Camera

On the phone, open Settings > Apps > Xangle Remote Camera > Uninstall. This removes the app and its local capture data. Remove the phone from the Camera Server roster if it remains listed while offline.

For a fleet managed by a technician, the same removal can be performed over USB with Android Debug Bridge. Camera Server does not currently provide an uninstall action.

Connect over Wi-Fi

  1. Connect the computer running Camera Server and every provisioned phone to the same event Wi-Fi network. They must be able to reach each other on the local network.
  2. Do not use a guest Wi-Fi network or a network with client isolation enabled. Those configurations prevent Camera Server from discovering phones.
  3. Open Xangle Remote Camera on each phone and keep it in the foreground.
  4. Wait for each phone to appear in the Camera control roster. A phone appears as one camera; choose its lens in the camera settings.
  5. Verify live view, a trigger, and a completed download from every phone before the event starts.

Relevant info

  • Keep the app in the foreground and keep the phone awake during the event.
  • Each phone appears as one camera. The selected lens is a setting on that camera, not a separate camera in the roster.
  • Before the event starts, run a full trigger and download test on the exact phone model and Wi-Fi network you plan to use.

Troubleshooting

  • The phone is not detected over USB: unlock it, confirm USB debugging is enabled, accept the debugging authorization prompt, and try another data-capable cable or USB port.
  • The phone does not appear after moving to Wi-Fi: confirm the app is open, the phone and Camera Server use the same local network, and neither is on guest Wi-Fi or behind client isolation.
  • The phone drops out during capture: keep the screen awake, leave Xangle Remote Camera open in the foreground, and prevent the phone from switching to another Wi-Fi network or mobile data.