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How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

If you're looking to control your GoPro HERO6 Black with the Smart Remote or Remo, here are some step-by-step guides to pairing the remotes with the camera.

01 1068x570 - How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 10 months ago // Categories: Remote Control
Tags: GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro Remo, GoPro Smart Remote

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One of the most useful features of GoPros is that you can trigger them remotely. For a camera that’s designed to go in places most other cameras can’t, that’s a big plus, and it opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities.

So there are plenty of times when there’s likely to be some distance between you and the camera, when you don’t want to be messing with the buttons and settings using the camera’s own buttons and menu.

There are a few different options for controlling a GoPro remotely. With the more recent GoPros, you can, of course, use the GoPro mobile app to control the camera, change the settings, and view the photos and videos on the memory card. And a big plus is that it also gives you a live view of what the camera is seeing through its lens.

But there are also downsides to using the mobile app: it chews through battery life of both the camera and your phone, you have to have your phone handy (which isn’t always convenient, especially in action or damp environments), and you can only connect one device at a time. To some degree, these negatives can be addressed using one of GoPro’s dedicated remote controls.

So here’s a rundown on how to connect a dedicated remote control to the HERO6 Black.

To keep things simple and reliable, I’m focusing here on the GoPro Smart Remote and the Remo.

There are some other aftermarket remotes available from other manufacturers, and they’re often significantly cheaper. I’ve used a few of those. Some work well; some don’t. There’s also an older model, the GoPro Wifi Remote. You can get that working with some of the newer cameras (I’ve put together a quick guide here), but unless you already have one, there’s no reason to choose a Wifi Remote over the better and newer Smart Remote.

GoPro Smart Remote + HERO6 Black

One important advantage to using the Smart Remote is that you can connect and control up to 50 GoPros at once. And they don’t all have to be the same model. (I’ve put together a guide here). The Smart Remote is also waterproof (but doesn’t work underwater) and has a small screen that’s useful for changing the shooting mode and checking on the camera status.

How to Pair the GoPro Smart Remote to the HERO6 Black

Here’s how to connect to the HERO6 Black with a Smart Remote.

Power on the camera and swipe down on the back screen to access the Settings top menu. Tap on the Preferences button.

Tap on “Connections” to open that submenu.

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Tap on Connect New Device.

03 678x453 - How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

Scroll down to Smart Remote at the bottom, and tap on that.

04 678x453 - How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

You’ll then see a message to put the remote into pairing mode.

05 678x453 - How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

It will then put the camera into pairing mode. So now we move over to the Smart Remote.

Power on the Smart Remote. Then hold down the button with the wrench (spanner) icon.

How to Connect GoPro Remote to HERO6 Black

The screen will show a camera icon with two arrows moving toward each other.

How to Connect GoPro Remote to HERO6 Black

Once it’s successfully paired, you’ll see a message on the remote’s screen asking if you’d like to pair another camera. You can connect up to 50 cameras to the one Smart Remote. If you do want to connect another, press the shutter button (red circle) for Yes. If not, press the power/mode button to move the cursor down to No, then press the shutter button (red circle).

06 678x453 - How to Connect a GoPro Smart Remote or Remo to a HERO6 Black

GoPro Remo + HERO6 Black

GoPro has now discontinued the Remo remote, but it’s still available as a connection option on the HERO6 Black’s connection settings.

The Remo is waterproof and simple, with just one button and no screen. It has a shorter working range than the Smart Remote because it only uses Bluetooth, not wifi. But its headline feature–and the reason it exists in the first place–is that it can be used with voice commands to control those cameras that support both voice commands and remote control connections, something that the Smart Remote can’t do.

How to Pair the GoPro Remo to the HERO6 Black

Here’s how to connect to a HERO6 Black with a Remo. The first part of it is basically identical to connecting a Smart Remote. So I’m not going to repost the same images here–the ones above work the same way.

  • Power on the camera and swipe down on the back screen to access the preferences.
  • Tap on the Preferences button.
  • Tap on “Connections” to open that submenu.
  • Tap on Connect Device.
  • Scroll down to Remo Remote and tap on that.

It will then put the camera into pairing mode. So now we move over to the Remo.

While it looks like a single-button remote, there’s actually a second button the Remo. It’s a small one on the side. Push that in and hold it for 8 seconds.

Pairing Guide for GoPro Remo with HERO6 Black

You should see a small blue light start to flash on the front to indicate the Bluetooth is activated.

The camera should then display a message that it has paired successfully, and your Remo is now connected. You’ll see a blue light flashing slowly on the Remo to indicate that it’s connected to the camera.

How to Charge the Smart Remote and Remo

This isn’t specific to the HERO6 Black, but I mention it in case it’s useful to new users of the GoPro remotes.

Both of these remotes use a built-in rechargeable battery that isn’t removable. So you need to connect the remote directly to a power source to charge it.

With the Remo, it charges using a standard USB-C connection. That’s the same cable that you use to connect the HERO6. If you’ve lost that cable, any USB-C cable should work just fine. The Remo doesn’t take advantage of the rapid charging offered by high-output chargers like the Smart Charger.

With the Smart Remote, there’s a special charging dock that looks a bit like a key. If you’ve lost that dock, there’s no way to charge the remote. The good news is that if you have lost it, you can pick it up as a replacement part from a number of aftermarket manufacturers relatively inexpensively, such as this one. The charging cable uses standard USB to charge, so you can connect it to any of the usual power sources, from wall adapters to USB hubs to power bricks.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes the pairing process doesn’t go as smoothly as it should, with the camera and remote just not being able to find each other despite both being in pairing mode and sitting right next to each other.

Here are some things you can try to troubleshoot it:

Try again. I know this sounds obvious, but it’s also what the camera prompts you to do if the pairing process fails. If it works, great!

Restart. Turn both the camera and remote off and then again and try again.

Reset the connections. This is usually the most effective solution for me, but it comes with the inconvenience of resetting all of your connections, not just the one. On the HERO6 Black, go to Preferences > Connections > Reset Connections. You’ll then be prompted for confirmation.

Things Worth Knowing

You don’t have to turn the camera’s wireless connection on first. That’s done automatically as part of the connecting process. So that’s one less step you need to do manually.

There are also some limitations with using the remotes. These issues aren’t specific to the HERO6 Black–they generally apply to these remotes.

While both of these remotes are waterproof–theSmart Remote to 33 feet / 10 meters, and the Remo to 16 feet / 5 meters–they won’t actually work for controlling the camera submerged underwater. That’s because wifi (and Bluetooth) signals hardly penetrate water. But you can use them in the rain or getting splashed on the water’s surface–just not submerged.

GoPro claims the Smart Remote has a range of up to 600 feet (180m). They claim a working range of up to 33 feet (10 meters) for the Remo. In both cases, the “up to” is important, because those are in optimum conditions. In real-world shooting, there are many things that can make conditions less than ideal and result in significantly shorter working distances than that, including interference from other devices or physical obstructions in the line of sight. So if you’re planning on pushing the distance limits, it’s worth testing before a critical shoot. I’m not away of a signal relay or booster that works with the GoPro remote, but it’s possible there’s something available somewhere that will work.

Unless you really need the voice control, I’d recommend the Smart Remote for every other use over the Remo. Not only is it more powerful and have more features, but in my experience, at least (and, apparently many others as well, if online reports are any indication) it can be quite unreliable.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

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By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on April 8, 2020

Categories: Remote Control
Tags: GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro Remo, GoPro Smart Remote

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GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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