How to Update GoPro HERO6

Firmware updates improve the performance of your camera. They can add features, improve stability, improve compatibility with accessories, and fix bugs. So it’s always a good idea to keep your HERO6’s firmware up-to-date.

There are three methods you can choose from to update your GoPro HERO6:

1. Use GoPro Quik mobile app
2. Manual update
3. Use GoPro Quik desktop app
   

There’s no particular benefit to doing it one way rather than another–it’s mostly a matter of convenience. And in terms of convenience, the first method, using the GoPro Quik app is probably the most convenient–it’s the method I use most often.

However, if you need to roll back to a previous version of the firmware–which is rare, but it happens–then you’ll need to use the manual firmware update process.

So here’s how to do each method.

With all of them, make sure that your HERO6’s battery is charged. This is to avoid interruptions to the update process, which can cause problems.

1. How to Use GoPro Quik Mobile App to Update GoPro HERO6 Black

With this method, there’s no need to copy files or enter the camera’s serial number–that’s all handled by the automated update process.

Connect the GoPro Quik mobile app to your HERO6 Black. (If you haven’t done that before, here’s a guide.)

Once the wireless connection is established and the camera and phone paired, the GoPro Quik app will automatically check the firmware version. If a newer version is available, it will prompt you. You can choose to proceed with the update or skip it.

Assuming you proceed–and, if you’re reading this page, I would assume that’s what you’re going to do–the camera walks you through the update process. And it’s actually pretty good about it, explaining what it’s doing and what to expect (such as camera rebooting, etc).

So just follow the on-screen instructions, confirm the update when prompted, and wait for the process to complete. That’s really all there is to it.

2. How to Manually Update the Firmware of Your GoPro HERO6 Black

The manual update method is less automated–obviously–and less convenient, but it’s the only method that will let you roll back to a previous version if you need to.

With this method, before you can download the firmware file, you’ll need to have your camera’s serial number, and you’ll also need to register the camera with GoPro.

Go to the HERO6 page on GoPro’s website and scroll down to the “Update your camera manually” link.

Enter the camera’s 14-digit serial number and register the camera, as prompted. (That page has an illustration of how to find your camera’s serial number. While it’s not hard, the text on the camera is tiny and it can be hard to see inside the battery compartment. Another way to find it is on the camera’s menu system. Go to Preferences > About > Camera Info, and the serial number is displayed as one of the fields..)

Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to download the update file. The site will prompt you for the next steps, and there’ll be some variation depending on which computer operating system you’re using, but the basics are that you copy the file to your microSD card, insert the card, and update the firmware.

3. How to Use the GoPro Quik Desktop App to Update GoPro HERO6 Black

This works the same way as the mobile app method, with the exception of the connection method. Instead of using a wireless connection, you connect the camera to your computer with a USB cable.

The Quik desktop app is now discontinued, but you can still download it here. It’s free.

With the camera connected (and powered on), when you fire up the Quik app it will prompt you to update the firmware if there’s an update available.

FAQs

What is camera firmware?

Firmware is actually a kind of software–or code–that’s stored in your camera. It tells the camera’s hardware how to work and how to interact with external accessories and commands.

You don’t interact directly with the firmware, but from time to time it might be necessary to update the camera’s firmware if the camera manufacturer has posted an update.

What is the current firmware for the GoPro HERO6 Black?

GoPro posts the latest versions of the firmware on their website. You can find the latest version for the HERO6 Black here.

The most recent version is probably still v.02.10, which was released on October 17, 2019. It added compatibility with the new version of the battery released with the HERO8. It’s unlikely that there’ll be more firmware updates for the HERo6 after that one.

Can anything go wrong when updating firmware?

Yes. It is possible to brick your camera during a firmware update, but with simple precautions it should all run smoothly.

The most important thing to know is that the update process should not be interrupted. That’s why you should only start with a fully charged battery. While the update is being applied, avoid touching the camera’s screens or buttons or messing with your phone (if you’re using the mobile app method).

And keep the phone and camera close together so that the wireless connection doesn’t get broken (again, if you’re using the mobile app method).

How often should you update the HERO6’s firmware?

Updating your GoPro’s firmware isn’t something you have to do often, but if you haven’t use your camera for a while, it’s worth checking that you’re running the latest version.

GoPro’s firmware updates are often quite important–they have a tendency to fix problems after the camera has been released rather than exhaustively test before release. They also release new accessories–such as batteries–that can be backwardly compatible with earlier cameras if those cameras’ firmware is updated. That was true with the HERO6, for example. Firmware version 2.10 updated the HERO6 to work with a new, tweaked battery that was released with the HERO8.

Do I need a battery and SD card to be installed?

Yes, you need both a battery (charged) and an SD card (formatted) in your HERO6 in order to update the firmware. It won’t let you proceed with the update without them.

How do I check what version of the firmware is on my HERO6 and whether it’s up to date?

The simplest way to check whether there’s a firmware update for your GoPro is to connect it to the GoPro Quik mobile app. When the app fires up, it automatically checks the firmware versions and alerts you if there’s an update.

You can manually check the versions by:

• On the HERO6’s back screen, swipe down to display the menu dashboard. Then go to:
  

Preferences > About This GoPro

You’ll see the camera name and then the serial number. Below that is Version Number; that’s the current firmware version that’s installed on the camera.

You can also find this information by using the GoPro Quik app. Once you’ve connected wirelessly to your HERO6, go to Settings (the gear icon), and then scroll down to the Camera Info section. The Version field is the current firmware running on the camera.

Armed with that information, you can check the latest firmware released for the HERO6 Black on the GoPro website.