Basic Setup for Your GoPro Camera

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. GoPro Camera: What's In the Box

Package contents

Once you've unboxed your GoPro Camera, you should have the following items:

  1. The camera itself
  2. Rechargeable battery
  3. USB-C charging cable
  4. Camera frame
  5. Mounting buckle attached to the frame
  6. Curved and flat adhesive mounts

Micro SD memory cards are sold separately, unless you're getting them as a bonus with the camera through a promotional offer. To find out what memory cards are compatible with the camera, visit the GoPro website.

Micro SD Memory Card

2. GoPro Camera: Insert Battery and Memory

  1. Locate the battery compartment at the bottom of the camera, press the button in the middle and slide the door to the side then lift it to open it.
Battery compartment release button highlighted on bottom of camera


  1. Insert the battery and snap it into place.
Inserting battery into camera


  1. Insert the memory card and snap it into place as well.
Inserting memory card into camera


  1. Place the door back into place, slide it back until it snaps and make sure the middle button pops back up.
Closing battery compartment door

3. GoPro Camera: Charge Battery

  1. Locate the connectors compartment on the side of the camera, press the button in the middle and slide the door downwards then lift it to open it.
Connectors compartment door release button highlighted on side of camera


  1. Plug one end of the provided USB cable into the camera and the other end into a power source. The power source can be a power adapter, recharging power bank, car charger or a computer.
Connecting USB cable to camera


  1. A red indicator light will turn on while the battery is charging and will turn off when the charging is complete.
Indicator light location pointed out


  1. Once the charging is complete, unplug the USB cable, place the door back into place, slide it back until it snaps and make sure the middle button pops back up.

4. GoPro Camera: Install Apps

To manage your GoPro camera from a mobile device you have to install the GoPro app. If you'd like to edit your photos and videos you have to install the Quik app as well. You can get them both on either Android or iOS devices:

  1. On your mobile device, go into the appropriate app store or marketplace and search for the "gopro" keyword. Depending on your device tap on Get, Install or the download image.
Mobile apps landing pages


  1. Once the apps are installed, go ahead and launch the GoPro and sign in or create an account to get started.

5. GoPro Camera: Basic Setup

  1. Locate the Power/Mode button on the side of the camera and press it to turn it on.
GoPro HERO6 with power button highlighted.
  1. On the touchscreen, swipe through the languages and select your preference then tap on the checkmark on the top right corner.
GoPro HERO6 screen with language selection options.
  1. To continue, you have to Agree with the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
GoPro HERO6 with terms and privacy screen. Disagree and Agree buttons along the bottom.
  1. Choose whether you want the GPS feature to be turned On or left Off.
GoPro HERO6 GPS screen with OFF and ON buttons below.
  1. Next you'll be presented with a quick Camera Tour. Tap or swipe the screen to proceed through the slideshow.
GoPro HERO6 camera tour screen with Modes and settings.
  1. Once you've completed the Camera Tour you'll need to connect the camera with your smartphone. Tap on Ready to continue.
GoPro HERO6 prompting the user to connect their camera with a smartphone.
  1. The camera will show you the Wi-Fi network name and Wi-Fi password you need to use to the connect to it with your smartphone.
GoPro HERO6 displaying temporary Wi-Fi information that will be used for initial setup.
  1. On your smartphone, go into Settings, then Wi-Fi. Look for and tap on the Wi-Fi network name indicated on the camera screen.
GoPro HERO6 next to a smartphone, demonstrating the Wi-Fi connection process.
  1. Type in the Wi-Fi password provided on the camera screen and tap on Join or Connect.
GoPro HERO6 next to a smartphone demonstrating the user entering the Wi-Fi password.
  1. Then go back to main screen and launch the GoPro app.
Smartphone opening the GoPro app.
  1. Tap on Allow to receive notifications.
Smartphone prompting the user for permission to display notifications.
  1. Tap on OK to give permission to the app to perform listed tasks.
GoPro app prompting the user for permission to perform tasks on the smartphone.
  1. Read through the QuikStories feature presentation and tap on Got It.
GoPro app displaying a list of features.
  1. Tap on the camera symbol on the top left corner of the screen.
GoPro app with the camera icon highlighted in the upper-left corner of the smartphone screen.
  1. Then tap on Add Camera.
GoPro app with the add a camera button highlighted.
  1. Select your camera from the list.
GoPro app displaying a list of available GoPro devices.
  1. The Wi-Fi connection to the camera will be replaced by a Bluetooth connection. Tap on Continue.
GoPro app informing the user that the GoPro will connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth at this time.
  1. Then tap on Pair.
GoPro app prompting the user for permission to connect via Bluetooth.
  1. Once the Bluetooth pairing is established, your smartphone will reconnect to the default Wi-Fi network and check for software updates. Tap on Update to continue.
GoPro HERO6 displaying a successful connection screen, and a smartphone checking for available updates.
  1. Tap on Accept & Continue to agree with the Firmware License.
GoPro HERO6 displaying a successful connection screen, and a smartphone displaying a EULA acknowledgement.
  1. The smartphone will download the software update. Tap on Continue when it completed.
GoPro HERO6 displaying a successful connection screen, and a smartphone in the process of downloading an update.
  1. Then it will transfer the update to the camera. You'll notice the camera reboot a few times.
GoPro HERO6 displaying its update process, and a smartphone displaying it processing update files wirelessly to the GoPro.
  1. You'll be notified when the setup is compete. Tap on Done and you're all set.
GoPro HERO6 having completed the update process, and a smartphone acknowledging the update was processed successfully.