Every GoPro since the HERO5 responds to voice commands once Voice Control is switched on — “GoPro, stop recording,” “GoPro, turn off,” and so on. The exact set depends on the model: the general list is below, followed by what each camera supports.
It’s hands-free control for when you’re holding handlebars, ski poles, or a paddle, or the camera is mounted out of reach on a helmet or a car. Say “GoPro” first, then the command; the camera needs to be on (only older models could wake by voice — details below).
List of action commands
These commands act as your remote shutter button. They will immediately start or stop capturing content. Not every camera supports every command — check the model table below.
| Voice Command | What it Does |
|---|---|
| GoPro Capture | Starts capturing in the mode the camera is currently set to. |
| GoPro Stop Capture | Stops capture (Video and Time Lapse). |
| GoPro Start Recording | Immediately starts recording video. |
| GoPro Stop Recording | Stops recording video. |
| GoPro HiLight | Adds a “HiLight Tag” to the video (useful for editing later). |
| GoPro Take a Photo | Takes a single photo. |
| GoPro Shoot Burst | Takes a burst of photos. |
| GoPro Start Time Lapse | Starts capturing a time lapse. |
| GoPro Stop Time Lapse | Stops the time lapse. |
| GoPro Turn Off | Turns the camera off. Works on every model with Voice Control. |
| GoPro Turn On | Turns the camera on after power-off. HERO6, HERO7, HERO8, and HERO9 Black only, with Wake on Voice switched on. |
List of mode commands
These commands change the camera’s settings without starting a recording. Use these to prep your shot.
Heads up: These will not work if the camera is currently recording. You must stop capture first.
| Voice Command | What it Does |
|---|---|
| GoPro Video Mode | Switches the camera to Video mode. |
| GoPro Photo Mode | Switches the camera to Photo mode. |
| GoPro Time Lapse Mode | Switches the camera to Time Lapse mode. |
How to turn Voice Control on & off
There are three ways to enable voice control on modern GoPros (HERO13, 12, 11, 10).
1. The Dashboard Shortcut: Swipe down on the rear screen to access the Dashboard. Look for the Voice Control icon (a speech bubble with sound bars on the HERO13 Black). Tap it to toggle it Blue (On) or Gray (Off).
2. The Menu System: Swipe down > Swipe left > Tap Preferences > Voice Control > On/Off.
3. The Quik App: Connect your camera to the app > Tap the Gear Icon > Toggle Voice Control.
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Which GoPros have Voice Control, and what differs by model
Voice Control arrived with the HERO5 in 2016 and has been on every GoPro since, but the command set and two details — whether the camera can wake by voice, and how you switch the feature on — vary. Sources are GoPro’s own manuals and support articles; where I couldn’t confirm something, the table says so.
| Model | Voice Control | Wake by voice (“GoPro, turn on”) | How to switch on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HERO13 Black | Yes | No | Dashboard (swipe down) toggle, or Preferences > Voice Control | GoPro’s manual lists capture, stop capture, stop recording, take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off, and Video/Photo/Time Lapse mode; “GoPro, HiLight” is in its HiLight section. “GoPro, start recording” is not in the HERO13 manual — check Preferences > Voice Control > Commands on the camera. |
| HERO12 Black | Yes | No | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set: capture, stop capture, start/stop recording, HiLight, take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off, plus Video/Photo/Time Lapse mode |
| HERO11 Black | Yes | No | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set: capture, stop capture, start/stop recording, HiLight, take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off, plus Video/Photo/Time Lapse mode |
| HERO11 Black Mini | Yes | No | Only via the Quik app (no rear screen): connect, tap the settings icon, toggle Voice Control | Reduced set: capture / stop capture / start recording / stop recording / HiLight / turn off — no mode commands |
| HERO (2024) | Yes | No | Camera or Quik app | Reduced set: capture / stop capture / start recording / stop recording / take a photo / turn off; 14 languages |
| LIT HERO | Yes | No turn-on command in manual | Dashboard toggle | capture, stop capture, start/stop recording, take a photo, turn off; Video/Photo mode |
| HERO10 Black | Yes | No — removed from the HERO10 on | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set |
| HERO10 Black Bones | Yes | No turn-on command in manual | QR code or the Quik app (no screen) | Same set as HERO10 Black |
| HERO9 Black | Yes | Yes — up to 1 hour after power-off, with Wake on Voice enabled | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set |
| HERO8 Black | Yes | Yes (Wake on Voice, 1-hour window) | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set |
| HERO7 Black | Yes | Yes — listens for 8 hours after power-off, with Wake on Voice enabled | Dashboard toggle | Also understands “That was sick” and “GoPro, Burst mode” |
| HERO7 Silver / White | Yes | No — GoPro’s manuals say to use the Mode button to turn it on | Dashboard toggle | Also understands “That was sick” and “GoPro, Burst mode” |
| HERO (2018) | Yes | No turn-on command in manual | Swipe down and tap the icon, or Preferences > On Camera Voice Control | start/stop recording, HiLight, “That was sick,” take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off; Video/Photo/Burst/Time Lapse mode |
| HERO6 Black | Yes | Yes — listens for 8 hours after power-off, with Wake on Voice enabled | Preferences > Voice Control | Also understands “GoPro, turn on,” “That was sick,” “GoPro, edit my story,” and “GoPro, Burst mode.” |
| HERO5 Black / Session | Yes | No on the camera alone — only with the Remo remote | HERO5 Black: swipe down and tap the icon, or Preferences > On Camera Voice Control. HERO5 Session: Menu button > Voice Control. | First generation: start/stop recording, HiLight, “That was sick,” take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off; Video/Photo/Burst/Time Lapse mode. |
| MISSION 1 / MISSION 1 PRO | Yes | No turn-on command in manual | Dashboard toggle | capture, stop capture, start/stop recording, take a photo, shoot burst, turn off; Video/Photo mode. Command list is under Preferences > Audio & Voice Control > Commands. |
| MAX2 | Yes | No turn-on command in manual | Dashboard toggle | capture, stop capture, start/stop recording, HiLight, take a photo, shoot burst, start/stop time lapse, turn off; Video/Photo/Time Lapse mode |
| MAX | Yes | No | Dashboard toggle or Preferences | Full set incl. HiLight and time lapse; no voice command to switch 360/HERO lens modes |
| Fusion | Yes | No on the camera alone — only with Remo | Menu | Same list as the HERO5, including “That was sick” and Burst mode. |
Sources: GoPro user manuals (Voice Control sections) for the HERO13 Black, HERO12 Black, HERO11 Black, HERO11 Black Mini, HERO10 Black Bones, HERO8 Black, HERO7 Black, HERO7 Silver, HERO7 White, HERO6 Black, HERO (2018), HERO5 Black, HERO5 Session, MAX, MAX2, MISSION 1 and MISSION 1 PRO, LIT HERO, and Fusion; GoPro support articles “HERO (2024): Voice Control” (Sept 2024) and “Can You Use Voice Control to Power On the Camera?” (Jan 2021).
Commands only on older models
A few commands appear only in the manuals for older cameras. GoPro’s manuals for the HERO8 Black and later don’t list them, so don’t count on them working on a current camera.
| Voice Command | What it Does |
|---|---|
| “That was sick” | Adds a HiLight Tag during recording. No need to say “GoPro” first. Listed for the HERO5 Black, HERO5 Session, HERO6 Black, HERO7 (Black, Silver, White), HERO (2018), and Fusion. |
| “GoPro, Burst mode” | Switches to Burst mode. Same older models. |
| “GoPro, edit my story” | Moves your latest clips to your phone to build a QuikStory. HERO6 Black only. |
Myth Buster: You might read on forums that shouting “Oh Sh*t!” adds a HiLight tag. It was rumored to work on older models like the HERO5 and HERO6 (I haven’t tried it on those models), but no GoPro manual lists it. To mark a crash or a whale breaching, say “GoPro, HiLight”.
“Wake on Voice” vs. “Turn Off”
There is often confusion about whether you can turn the camera on with your voice.
- “GoPro Turn Off”: This command works on all voice-enabled GoPros. It is a great way to save battery without touching the camera.
- “GoPro Turn On” (Wake on Voice): Only the HERO6, HERO7, HERO8, and HERO9 Black have it. Switch on Wake on Voice first, and the camera keeps listening after power-off — for 8 hours on the HERO6 and HERO7 Black, and for 1 hour on the HERO8 and HERO9 Black. The HERO7 Silver and White never had it.
On the HERO10, 11, 12, and 13, you cannot turn the camera on with your voice; you must use the power button or a Bluetooth remote. (The HERO5 and Fusion could only be woken by voice through the Remo remote, per GoPro.)
Available languages
You can change the listening language in Preferences > Voice Control > Language. The available options include:
- English (US, UK, Australian, India)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese (BR)
- Russian
- Spanish (EU / NA)
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Korean
- Japanese
- Swedish
What happened to Remo
GoPro used to sell Remo, a waterproof voice-activated remote. The HERO5 and HERO6 Black manuals recommend it to extend voice control in windy and noisy places. GoPro has since discontinued it.
On the HERO13 Black, GoPro’s manual also says you can pair wireless earbuds so the camera hears your commands when it’s mounted out of earshot. If you find that voice control isn’t working for you (for example, in high winds or underwater), the solution today isn’t the Remo — it’s a modern Bluetooth remote. You can check out my full breakdown of which GoPro remote works with your camera here.
Common questions
Can I turn a GoPro on with my voice?
Only on the HERO6, HERO7, HERO8, and HERO9 Black, and only after you switch on Wake on Voice. The HERO8 and HERO9 Black listen for 1 hour after power-off; the HERO6 and HERO7 Black listen for 8 hours. The HERO7 Silver and White, the HERO10, and every model since (including the HERO13, the Mini, and HERO (2024)) need the power button or a remote. “GoPro, turn off” works on all of them.
Do voice commands work while the camera is recording?
Only the stop commands and HiLight tagging: “GoPro, HiLight,” or “That was sick” on the HERO7 and older models. To change mode or take a photo you first have to stop capture — by voice (“GoPro, stop capture”) or with the shutter button.
Why isn’t my GoPro responding to voice commands?
Check that Voice Control is on (dashboard icon blue, or the Quik toggle for the Mini), that the language matches how you speak, and that wind or water isn’t covering the mics. Say “GoPro” first, clearly, and stay close to the camera.
Which languages does Voice Control understand?
English (US, UK, Australia, India), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish (Spain and North America), and Swedish — 14 options; set it under Preferences > Voice Control > Language.
Pro tips: Getting best results & reliability
Voice Control works well in quiet conditions and struggles in wind and noise. These habits help.
- Match Your Accent: If you are British but have your camera set to “English (US),” the camera will struggle to understand you. This is one I found out the hard way. I still have an Australian accent, and while I write in US English now, the camera struggled to understand me when I had it set to English (US). Go to
Preferences > Voice Control > Languageand select the specific region that matches your accent (e.g., UK, Australian, or India). - The “Windy” Reality: GoPro’s manuals warn that wind, noise, and distance from the camera all affect Voice Control. At speed, speak toward the camera from as close as you can, or switch to a Bluetooth remote.
- Mark the Moment: Say “GoPro, HiLight” while recording to tag it. On the HERO5 through HERO7, “That was sick” does the same.
- Avoid “Ghost” Recordings: If you leave Voice Control on while the camera is in your pocket or backpack, it can sometimes misinterpret conversations or radio noise as a command to “Start Recording.” If you notice your battery draining mysteriously or find random clips of the inside of your bag, make sure to toggle Voice Control OFF before packing the camera away.
- Enunciate the “Wake Word”: The camera is constantly listening for the trigger word “GoPro.” For best results, treat it like two distinct parts: Say “GoPro” clearly, then immediately follow with the command. Don’t slur it into one long word like “GoProstartrecording.”
- Take it Out of the Sleeve or Protective Housing. These are going to drastically cut down the clarity of the sound reaching the camera’s mic and will almost certainly create problems for voice control.
