URGENT: BLE Recording Completely Broken in All SDKs After 1.8.0_build_11 — Camera Reboots, Cannot Record (Android)

[mushtaqcontineu]

We are reporting a critical blocker affecting our production app.
This requires immediate attention because it makes the latest Insta360 Android SDK versions unusable for BLE-based control.

❗ Summary of the Problem

Only one version works correctly: 1.8.0_build_11.

Every SDK version released after 1.8.0_build_11 has a severe regression:

🔴 BLE scan → works
🔴 BLE connect → works
❌ Setting capture mode → fails or is ignored
❌ Starting HDR / Timelapse recording → camera instantly reboots
❌ No file is created
❌ No callbacks return (success or failure)
❌ App cannot control the camera anymore

This issue is 100% reproducible.

🚫 Impact on Real Devices

When calling APIs such as:

setCaptureModeSafely(CaptureMode.HDR_RECORD)

startHDRRecord()

startTimeLapse()

The camera:

⚠️ Immediately restarts itself
⚠️ Recording never begins
⚠️ Camera becomes unstable after BLE connection

This happens on every SDK version after 1.8.0_build_11.

🟢 What Works (Only in 1.8.0_build_11)

In 1.8.0_build_11, BLE integration is fully stable:

1. Device scan
2. BLE connection
3. Setting capture mode
4. Starting HDR recording
5. Stopping recording
6. File retrieval
7. Camera operates normally

This is the last working build.

❗ Why This Needs Immediate Fixing

Our production workflow relies on BLE camera control:

Scan the camera

Connect via BLE

Set recording mode

Start/stop recordings reliably

Since all newer SDKs break step #3 and #4, we are unable to upgrade to any newer version.

This has effectively blocked all SDK updates for our application.

🚨 Request for Immediate Action

We urgently need:

✔ Confirmation that this regression is known
✔ Guidance on whether the BLE recording workflow changed
✔ Corrected documentation (if API behavior changed)
✔ A hotfix or updated build that restores recording functionality

At this moment, all SDKs except 1.8.0_build_11 are non-functional for BLE recording.

SDK versions tried (1.8.1 build6, 1.8.2_build4, 1.9.3, 1.9.4)

I want to use Capturing Status Notification from the new SDK, with all functionalities I already have.

Please investigate and prioritize this issue — it is a complete blocker for us.

Thank you.

[Double-Insta360]

@mushtaqcontineu
First, what camera are you using?

Second, have you tested our SDK Demo? We made some changes to the code after version 1.8.0. If you use the 1.8.0 code and replace the underlying package with 1.8.1 or later, there may be incompatibility issues. I suggest you compare it with the newer version of the Demo.

[mushtaqcontineu]

We are using X4 devices and I have tried demo sdk as well.
We are using React Native For Development and integrate all code on native side of Android.
We are able to scan and connect to camera but not able to start HDR, timelapse recordings..

Taking refrence of Sdk demo code

[Double-Insta360]

@mushtaqcontineu Can you connect via Bluetooth and shoot using the 1.9.4 demo?

[mushtaqcontineu]

URGENT

Hi team,

The official Demo APK (v1.9.4) works fine with our X4 devices.

We are integrating the Android SDK into a React Native app (SDK used on native side and bridged to RN).
This setup works correctly with SDK 1.8.0_build_11.

Our setup

App: React Native

SDK usage: Native Android → bridged to RN

Camera: Insta360 X4

Primary workflow: BLE-based (we avoid Wi-Fi initially to not interrupt internet usage)

Issue 1: SDK BLE scan returns no devices (1.9.4)

In a fresh Android project mirroring the SDK demo, using SDK 1.9.4, BLE scan does not return any devices:

InstaCameraManager.getInstance().startBleScan();
InstaCameraManager.getInstance().setScanBleListener(new IScanBleListener() {
    @Override public void onScanStartSuccess() {}// never called
    @Override public void onScanStartFail() {}// never called
    @Override public void onScanning(BleDevice bleDevice) {} // never called
    @Override public void onScanFinish(List<BleDevice> list) {} //never called
});

Same device is discoverable in the Demo APK (1.9.4)

Issue 2: Low-level BLE scan works, SDK connect fails

If we use Android low-level BLE scanning, we can discover the camera.
However, connecting via SDK fails silently:

InstaCameraManager.getInstance().connectBle(bleDevice);

No connection

No error callback

Nothing happens

Questions

Is startBleScan() expected to work for X4 in SDK 1.9.4?

Are there any changes or additional requirements for BLE scanning/connection in newer SDKs?

Must BleDevice objects come only from the SDK scanner for connectBle() to work?

Is BLE-only workflow still supported, or is Wi-Fi now mandatory?

This is currently blocking our upgrade from 1.8.0_build_11.

Happy to share more details or connect on a call if needed.

Thanks!

Please help @Double-Insta360

— Mushtaq (Contineu AI)

[mushtaqcontineu]

@Double-Insta360 any update on above?

[Double-Insta360]

@mushtaqcontineu

1. The SDK demo can discover devices, but your app that has integrated the SDK cannot. This may be due to permission issues. Please check if your app has been granted Bluetooth, location, and other permissions.

2. SDK 1.9.4 X4 can still use Bluetooth to connect, and startBleScan is applicable. However, compared to 1.8.0_build_11, there are changes to the write interface in 1.9.4. Please refer to the current interface documentation and compare it with the demo's source code.

[mushtaqcontineu]

I have created fresh project and setup 1.9.4 SDK, mirrored all code from SDK demo code. I'm not able to discover any devices using startBleScan, and I have given all permission before hand like bluetooth, location, nearby etc.

talking about 1.8.0 which is working fine for us, except we are not able to change Timelapse configuration, I have tried to upgrade to 1.8.1_build_6. I was able to connect with camera but recording is not happening and camera restarts itself.

Can you please help setting up latest SDK 1.9.4 in React Native. You can create a fresh project and share it or help us in doing it?

@Double-Insta360

[Double-Insta360]

We can't provide you with an empty project, but I can assist you in troubleshooting:

1. Check if your X4 camera firmware version is the latest from the official website. If not, please upgrade to the latest version.

2. Confirm that you're not using React Native, but directly compiling our SDK source code to generate an APK and testing if the Bluetooth connection is working properly.