One of the main attractions of GoPros is using them in places where you can’t easily reach the shutter button — mounted on a helmet, a car bumper, or the end of a long pole. For those shots, you need a remote.
But not all remotes work with all cameras, and the technology has shifted from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth in recent years.
So here’s my rundown of how to control your GoPro remotely in 2026, with dedicated remotes as well as the GoPro Quik smartphone app.
Heads up: Modern Bluetooth remotes are much more battery-efficient but have a shorter range than the old Wi-Fi models. Also, budget models like the HERO7 Silver/White and the new 2024 HERO (small model) have limited or no compatibility with dedicated remote hardware.
The current lineup
1. The Remote (premium Bluetooth control)
Simply called “The Remote,” this is the flagship controller. It features a high-resolution screen that mirrors your camera’s status and allows you to change settings deep in the menus.
- Compatible With: HERO13 Black, HERO12 Black, HERO11 (Black & Mini), HERO10, HERO9, HERO8, MAX, and MAX 2.
- Key Feature: Controls up to 5 cameras simultaneously.
- Durability: Waterproof down to 16ft (5m).
- Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for maximum battery life.
2. Waterproof Shutter Remote (the simple choice)
Released alongside the HERO12 and HERO13, this is a simplified “button-only” remote. It doesn’t have a screen, but it’s incredibly reliable for starting and stopping recording without draining your camera’s battery.
NB: “Waterproof” is not the same as “works underwater.” It still relies on Bluetooth, and Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. It’s designed for use in splashy or rainy environments above the water.
- Compatible With: HERO13 Black, HERO12 Black, HERO11 (Black & Mini), HERO (2024), MAX 2, and Lit HERO.
- Key Feature: Uses a replaceable coin battery (CR2032), so you never have to “charge” it.
- Durability: Fully waterproof (up to 16ft / 5m) and includes a wrist strap and extension pole mount.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Legacy & discontinued GoPro remotes
GoPro Smart Remote (Wi-Fi)
NB: The Smart Remote is NOT compatible with the HERO13, 12, 11, 10, or 9.
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The Smart Remote was the king of the Wi-Fi era. It could control 50 cameras at once and had a range of up to 600 feet. However, GoPro moved away from Wi-Fi remotes because they drained the camera’s battery too quickly. If you use a HERO8 Black or older (back to the HERO3), this is still the best remote you can buy, but it won’t work with anything released in the last few years.
GoPro Remo (voice remote)
Discontinued. The Remo allowed you to use voice commands in windy or noisy environments by speaking into the remote on your wrist. It worked with HERO5 through HERO8. While it was a clever idea, it was plagued by connectivity issues, and I never liked it — it failed me far too often. It has been replaced in spirit by the voice-control improvements in the cameras themselves, so you can now speak directly to the camera without using a remote as an intermediary.
Which remote should you choose?
| If you need… | Recommended Remote |
|---|---|
| Full Settings Control (HERO9-13) | The Remote |
| Multi-Camera Sync (HERO9-13) | The Remote (Up to 5 cams) |
| Simple Start/Stop (HERO12-13) | Waterproof Shutter Remote |
| Max Range (HERO8 and older) | Smart Remote |
| A Free Option | GoPro Quik App (Smartphone) |
Alternative remote options
The GoPro Quik app
While it’s not always the most convenient or rugged option, your smartphone is the most powerful remote you own.
GoPro’s own Quik app (you can get it here; it’s free) provides a live preview (something the hardware remotes don’t do) and allows for easy firmware updates.
The downside? Touchscreens don’t work well when wet, and most phones aren’t as rugged as a dedicated GoPro remote.
Voice Control
With newer models, you can control the camera directly by voice without using a remote as an intermediary.
It works best if you’re within about 10–15 feet of the camera and not in a super-noisy environment. For HERO13 and HERO12 users, the “Wake on Voice” feature allows you to turn the camera on from a completely powered-down state just by speaking.
The Basics: “GoPro Start Recording” and “GoPro Take a Photo” are built-in features for all modern models. I have a more detailed guide to controlling your GoPro by voice here.
Summary: The “Underwater” catch
It is worth repeating: Wireless signals (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) do not travel through water.
Even if your remote and camera are both waterproof to 33 feet, they will lose connection the moment they are submerged more than an inch or two. If you need to trigger a GoPro underwater, you must use a physical underwater Wi-Fi extension cable (a “dive lead”) or set a long time-lapse/timer before you go under (which is cheaper, simpler, and more reliable, but doesn’t give you the direct fine control).
Pro tips: Getting the best range from your remote
Because modern GoPros (HERO9 through HERO13) use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), they are much more efficient, but the signal is more sensitive to physical obstacles. If you are experiencing dropped connections or limited range, try these tricks:
- Line-of-Sight is Key: Bluetooth signals operate at a frequency that is easily blocked by “water-dense” objects. That includes the human body. If you are wearing the remote on your wrist but the camera is mounted behind you (like on a backpack), your body can actually block the signal. Try to maintain a clear line-of-sight between the remote and the camera’s front face.
- Elevation Helps: If your camera is mounted low to the ground (like on a skateboard or a low tripod), the ground itself can cause signal interference. Raising the camera just a few feet can often double your effective remote range.
- Avoid “Signal Noise”: If you are in a crowded area with dozens of other people using Bluetooth headphones and Wi-Fi, your range will drop. In these environments, try to stay within 20–30 feet (10 meters) for a guaranteed connection.
- The “Antenna” Position: The Bluetooth antenna in most GoPros is located near the front or top of the camera. Pointing the front of the camera toward your position will usually result in a more stable connection than if the back screen is facing you.
- Update Your Firmware: It sounds cliché, but GoPro frequently releases firmware updates that specifically “improve connectivity and pairing stability.” If your remote is acting glitchy, use the Quik app to ensure both the camera and the remote are running the latest software.
Tip: If you absolutely need to trigger a camera from 100+ feet away, your most reliable option is still the GoPro Quik app on a high-end smartphone, which often has a stronger Bluetooth antenna than the dedicated remotes.
Alternatively, it’s worth considering whether the Scheduled Capture feature (available on HERO9 through HERO13) might be a viable option. This allows you to set a specific time for the camera to wake up and start recording automatically, bypassing the need for a wireless signal entirely — perfect for capturing sunrises or distant wildlife without needing to be within range.
Comparison: Range vs. battery life
| Remote Model | Technology | Max Range (Line of Sight) | Remote Battery Life | Camera Standby Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Remote (Legacy) | Wi-Fi | 600 ft / 180m | ~5–6 Hours | High (2–4 hours) |
| The Remote (Premium) | Bluetooth (BLE) | 196 ft / 60m | ~60+ Hours | Low (8+ hours) |
| Waterproof Shutter | Bluetooth (BLE) | 65 ft / 20m | 12+ Months* | Low (8+ hours) |
*Uses a replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery (the same battery you might already have on hand for Apple Airtags); estimate based on average intermittent use.
The Data Explained: The move to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) was a trade-off. While you lost about 400 feet of effective range compared to the old Wi-Fi remotes, you gained massive efficiency. Modern GoPros can now stay in a “Remote Ready” state for a full day of activity, whereas the old Wi-Fi protocol would drain a camera battery in a single morning just by staying connected.
How to pair your remote (HERO9 through HERO13)
Modern GoPro remotes use Bluetooth, which makes the initial pairing much faster than the old Wi-Fi models. Here is the step-by-step for the two current models.
Pairing “The Remote” (LCD screen model)
- On Your Camera: Swipe down to access the Dashboard. Swipe left and tap Pair Device (on HERO12/13) or
Connections > Connect Device > Remote(on HERO9/10/11). - On The Remote: Power it on. If it’s your first time, it will automatically show “Pair New.” Press the Shutter button to start searching.
- Confirmation: The camera and the remote will both display a confirmation message once they find each other. Press the Shutter button on the remote one last time to finish.
Pairing the Waterproof Shutter Remote
- On Your Camera: Follow the same steps as above: Swipe down > Swipe left > Tap
Pair Device. - On the Remote:
- First time: Simply press the Power button. The blue LED will flash quickly (every 0.5 seconds).
- Pairing to a different camera: Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds until the blue light starts flashing quickly.
- Confirmation: Once connected, the blue light will transition from a fast flash to a slow “pulse” (once every 5 seconds).
Tip: If your camera won’t find the remote, go to the camera’s Wireless Connections menu and select Reset Connections. This clears out old Bluetooth “handshakes” and usually fixes pairing glitches immediately.
