How to Find a GoPro’s MAC Network Address

Finding your GoPro’s MAC address isn’t something most users will ever need. It is certainly not needed for normal shooting or connecting to the Quik app.

However, if you are setting up a custom network, dealing with strict enterprise security (like a university or office Wi-Fi), or registering your device on a hotel portal, you might need it.

What is a MAC address?

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique 12-character ID assigned to the network hardware of your camera. Think of it like a Social Security Number for networking — it allows routers to identify exactly which device is trying to connect.

Note: This is not the same as your Wi-Fi Password or your Camera Serial Number. It is a specific code that looks like 04:57:53:05:1b:35.

And it has nothing to do with Apple Mac computers.

The only reliable method: The SD card trick

On older GoPros, you could sometimes find this in the menu. On the HERO13, 12, 11, and 10, the menu hides this information. The closest the camera gets is Preferences > Connections > Wireless Info, and GoPro’s manual is explicit that the screen shows the camera’s name and password — not its MAC address. The only 100% reliable way to find it is to look at the “ghost file” your camera creates on the SD card.

Step 1: Prep the card

For this file to exist, the camera must have been turned on with the SD card inside at least once. (Ideally, take a quick photo or video just to be sure).

Step 2: Connect to a computer

Take the microSD card out of your camera and put it into a card reader on your computer. (You can also plug the camera in via USB, but a card reader is faster).

Step 3: Open the “version.txt” file

Open the SD card folder. You will see a folder named MISC (it usually sits next to the DCIM folder).

Inside the MISC folder, there is a small file called version.txt.

Double-click to open it (it opens in Notepad or TextEdit).

Step 4: Find the code

Look for the line labeled wifi mac. It will look something like this:

In this example, the address is 045753051b35.

While you have the file open, it’s worth knowing what else is in there. The same handful of lines also gives you the camera’s firmware version, the model it thinks it is, and its serial number — the one GoPro asks for when you register a camera or file a warranty claim. So one small text file answers three separate questions.

How to format the address

The GoPro text file gives you the “raw” hexadecimal string (12 numbers/letters smashed together). Most network portals require you to format it with colons.

To do this, simply add a colon after every two characters.

Raw Version: 045753051b35

Formatted Version: 04:57:53:05:1b:35

Alternative method: The Wi-Fi browser trick (advanced)

Note: This method works well on older cameras (HERO7/8) but is very difficult on the HERO12/13 because modern GoPros do not broadcast an open Wi-Fi network that computers can easily join.

If you can manage to connect your laptop to the GoPro’s Wi-Fi network (using the password found in the “Connections” menu), you can find the MAC address by typing a specific command into your web browser.

1. Connect your laptop to the GoPro’s Wi-Fi network.
2. Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).
3. Type this URL: http://10.5.5.9/gp/gpControl/info
4. Look for the field labeled ap_mac.