Anyone know if possible to use AF-C with self-timer?

Got a bit of a surprise today...... tried using Autofocus Continuous with the self-timer..... reason being I'd set the camera down a couple of feet away, put it on 2 second timer so I could get back "into position"...... but it wouldn't focus. Tried Touch Tracking, that wouldn't work either.
Did some googling and found a few posts which said it doesn't work with self-timer and you need to control with your phone.
My iPhone just won't connect..... scan the QR code from the camera and every time just says "Unable to connect"/ so that's out.

Anyone know of any way around this..... apart from manual focus?

pathetic isnt it. my a74 cant autofocus using timer . my 12 old pentax k7 can, go figure.

Seems to be a bit of an oversight for sure. Self timer will be used a lot for selfies and group shots and it might not be easy to set ideal focus manually (people move!).

Oh well, better work out how to get this (pretty rubbish) Imaging Edge app working! 🤣

EDIT - just submitted a query to Sony, will update when / if they reply.

So Sony emailed me and asked what software version was in the camera, and the lens model.
We'll see what comes back.......

The Sony on-line manual for your camera should indicate if this is possible.

Hi, thanks.
All I can find in the manual is "Adjust the focus and shoot the image."...... not much else.

Sony got back to me and said their technical team would need a couple of days to respond. 😕

Well, been a week, sent them a chaser....... nada. Not the best "customer support" so far.... will update if I ever hear from them. And I will keep nagging.

What camera do you have?

They're probably still trying to figure out the user manual !

The A7C

😂 I've searched it several times and can't find anything about this, specifically. Seems it might be something they overlooked.

Well Sony finally replied on Friday. They want me to video the problem to make it more clear for the camera technicians. Sheesh!
What isn't clear about won't auto-focus when delayed shutter is used???

They are buying time and may want you to loose interest over time.

I think you're right but I won't let go and will escalate from country customer service to head office..... if I can find out how to do it! 🤣

Yeah, keep going! 😉

For starters, they have millions of cameras on the street. They probably have a handful of people to answer questions - possibly thousands of questions per day. You have to be patient. They aren’t waiting for you to go away. They just need some time. Until you get the answers you want, put your camera on a tripod or stable surface. Then set your focus to manual and focus on the spot you want. Set your exposure so you get the depth of field you need and turn on your timer.

Well, there you go...... that's kind of lame. Not seen any youtubers mention that (rather major) shortcoming.

Thank you for providing the images and clear explanation on your inquiry.
I would like to inform that all Sony Cameras will have this limitation which the Autofocus will not change when timers is set. Should you require to change the focus you need to set a timer again for the change in focus area.*

For reference I have also provided the link for the self time below

tinyurl.com/ynw9u5xa*

And, if anyone is interested why I edited this so many times, I'm trying to put the Sony reply in italics...... no joy!

At least italic work fine, but only in one string, without <enter> within