Yo, you are spot on about that bluetooth confusion! The T7 is such a weird beast because it has Wi-Fi and NFC but totally lacks the Bluetooth Low Energy hardware required to talk to the Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Control. I actually made the same mistake when I was obsessed with shooting macro textures on tree bark last year... bought the remote, tried to pair it for an hour, and almost threw it in the woods out of frustration lol! Seriously though, you gotta skip the official bluetooth stuff and grab a radio frequency kit instead. I swear by the Pixel RW-221/E3 Wireless Shutter Remote Control for my budget setups! Its fantastic because it uses a 2.4GHz signal that doesnt care if theres a wall or a person in the way. I used it for a graduation shoot last June and being able to stand twenty feet away and just click while posing people was a total game changer compared to the Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch. I used to use that wired one but I literally tripped over the cord and nearly sent my whole rig into a creek... terrifying stuff. The Pixel kit is way under your 40 buck budget and its honestly more reliable than that clunky phone app which always seems to crash right when you get the focus perfect. It comes with the receiver that sits on your hot shoe and a handheld trigger. Super easy, super cheap, and it just works! You wont regret going wireless for those tide pools, basically gives you so much more freedom to move around while keeping the camera rock steady.

Regarding what #2 said about "> I’m basically looking for a way to trigger it without actually touching the camera body", hes right. If you want to avoid cord hassle but still have it work every time, the RF stuff is the way to go for a T7.

• Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch: Zero latency but you are tethered to the tripod.
• Pixel RW-221/E3 Wireless Shutter Remote: 100m range and uses 2.4GHz frequency. The Pixel one is better for those grad pics since you wont be stuck standing right next to the camera... its way more flexible for $20.

> I’m basically looking for a way to trigger it without actually touching the camera body For macro on a T7, you really want a 2.4GHz RF system. In my experience, those cheap infrared ones are useless in sunlight. I moved to the Vello FreeWave Fusion Basic Wireless Remote Release Canon E3 years back. It plugs into the 2.5mm jack but stays wireless. No Bluetooth lag and way more reliable than that buggy phone app for your graduation shoot.

Stumbled upon this discussion while researching similar issues with my gear. Unfortunately, I have to disagree slightly with the recommendations for wireless RF units. I have had issues with interference and battery drain on those cheaper wireless sets, which is not as good as expected when you are counting on it for a graduation shoot. Like someone mentioned, the T7 lacks the modern connectivity we see in the higher-end bodies, which is quite disappointing. For your macro work and the upcoming photos, I would suggest looking at a wired intervalometer instead. The JJC TM-A LCD Timer Remote Control for Canon E3 is very reliable because it doesnt require a wireless sync. I understand your fear of tripping over the cord, but I usually solve this by using a small piece of hook-and-loop tape to secure the remote to the tripod leg. It keeps the setup tidy and prevents accidental tugs. This way, you get the crispness of a remote trigger without the risk of a wireless signal dropping out right when your cousin walks across the stage.