Use Remote Capture when you want a more fixed studio photography setup without buying a separate camera, tether cable, or dedicated tethering software.

Before you start

Install the Dropstitch mobile app on your iPhone:

Sign in to the Dropstitch web app on desktop.
Sign in to the Dropstitch mobile app on the iPhone you want to use as your camera.
Place the iPhone on a stable tripod, overhead mount, or other fixed support.
Keep a charger nearby for longer capture sessions.

How it works

Remote Capture turns the camera in your iPhone into a wireless tethered camera for Dropstitch.

The Dropstitch capture page shows a QR code for the current session. In the Dropstitch mobile app, tap the QR-code icon in the top toolbar to open the dedicated camera-connection scanner. Scan the code shown on desktop to connect your iPhone.

Once connected, the live camera view appears in the web app and you can trigger photos from your desktop without touching the phone. Click an area in the live view when you want the camera to automatically focus and expose for that part of the image.

The web app also shows the battery level of the connected iPhone. After connection, the iPhone screen dims to reduce battery use and heat during longer sessions.

Captured photos appear in the Session Gallery on desktop. After you finish the photos for an item, you can quickly add optional details such as price, measurements, and size. These fields can be changed to capture other manual Attributes, including custom Attributes that fit your workflow.

You do not need to complete these optional details during capture. You can add or update product information later when reviewing the captured items in the Listing Grid. After you send an item to Product Buffer, Dropstitch extracts the product information and applies the same product logic used for regular uploads.

How to use it

Open the capture page in the Dropstitch web app.
Start a new Remote Capture session.
Open the Dropstitch mobile app on your iPhone.
Tap the QR-code icon in the top toolbar of the mobile app to open the camera-connection scanner.
Scan the QR code shown on the desktop capture page.
Wait for the iPhone camera view to appear in the web app.
Position your first item and adjust the camera settings from desktop.
If needed, click the relevant area in the live view to automatically focus and expose for that part of the image.
Trigger the shutter from the web app.
Review the incoming photos in Session Gallery.
Optionally add quick product details such as price, measurements, size, or your configured Attributes.
Click Confirm and send to buffer.
Repeat for the next item. Start a New session or click End session when you are done.

Success check

The live iPhone camera view appears on the desktop capture page.
Clicking an area in the live view updates focus and exposure for that part of the image.
You can trigger a photo from the web app without touching the iPhone.
The captured photo appears in Session Gallery.
After confirmation, the item is sent to Product Buffer for the normal desktop review workflow.

Tips

Use a tripod for front-facing product photography or an overhead mount for flat-lay capture.
Connect a charger before a longer batch. The battery indicator in the web app helps you decide when charging is needed.
Frame the capture area once, then keep item placement consistent for a faster studio rhythm.
Use always-on softboxes for your main studio lighting. They create softer, more consistent light than relying on the iPhone flash, which can look harsh.
Use Torch or Flash as supporting controls when needed, not as the default replacement for a stable lighting setup.
Configure the quick-detail fields around the information your team often knows at capture time. Skip optional fields when they slow the batch down; the details can still be added or updated later in the Listing Grid.
Start with a short test session before photographing a larger batch.

Advanced settings

Use the camera controls on the left side of the desktop capture page to adjust the connected iPhone:

Setting	Options	Use it for
Lens	Available iPhone lenses or Auto	Choose the camera lens that fits your framing and distance
Flash	Off, On, or Auto	Add light when the photo is taken
Torch	Off or On	Keep continuous light on while positioning and capturing
Ratio	`1:1`, `4:3`, `4:5`, or `9:16`	Match the framing to your product photography style
Zoom	Fine adjustment slider	Tighten or widen the frame without touching the phone
Exposure	Fine adjustment slider	Make the image lighter or darker before capture
Battery	Current iPhone battery level	Decide when to connect a charger during longer sessions
Quick-detail fields	Price, measurements, size, or configured manual Attributes	Capture useful product information immediately after the photos when it fits your workflow

Use Reset if you want to return the camera settings to their default state.

Click an area in the live view when you want the connected iPhone to automatically focus and expose for that part of the frame.

The fields shown under Confirm details are configurable. Replace standard fields with other manual Attributes, including custom Attributes, when your intake workflow needs different product information. Custom Attributes must have Desktop Capture form enabled in Form visibility before they can appear here. Attributes with AI enabled are not shown in this picker because Dropstitch fills them after generation.

Troubleshooting

The web app still says Waiting for phone: tap the QR-code icon in the top toolbar of the Dropstitch mobile app, scan the QR code from the dedicated camera-connection screen, and confirm that the iPhone has an active internet connection. If needed, start a New session and scan the new QR code.
The phone battery is running low: connect a charger before continuing the batch. The iPhone can stay mounted while it charges.
The subject is out of focus or the image is not exposed correctly: click the relevant area in the live view to automatically focus and expose for that part of the image. If needed, fine-tune Exposure afterward.
The lighting looks harsh: use always-on softboxes as your main light source instead of relying on the iPhone flash. Adjust Exposure, then use Flash or Torch only when your setup needs additional light.
The framing is not right: adjust Lens, Ratio, and Zoom from desktop before moving the mounted phone.
The photos do not appear in Session Gallery: refresh the session or start a New session, reconnect the iPhone, and run one test shot.
I cannot find an Attribute in Confirm details: check whether the Attribute has Desktop Capture form enabled in Form visibility. If AI is enabled for that Attribute, it is intentionally hidden from the Capture intake form.
I do not want to fill in the product details during capture: skip the optional fields and send the item to Product Buffer. Add or update the details later in the Listing Grid.

Value reflection

A traditional tethered studio setup can require a separate camera, tether cable, camera settings, and dedicated capture software before the first item is photographed. Remote Capture uses the iPhone and Dropstitch workflow you already have, so one-of-one vintage inventory can move through a repeatable studio setup with less equipment and less operational complexity. Once the phone is mounted and connected, you can keep the camera fixed and control the batch from desktop.