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.
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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.
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.
Not sure this would help or be any more practical with gloves on, but the mobile app uses Bluetooth for the actual controls and wifi for previewing. So if you turn off the preview, you can actually turn off wifi on the phone and it will still work for stopping and starting recording, etc. But that, of course, would mean having a phone out, which probably isn’t a good option for what you want. It might be useful for troubleshooting, though, to see whether it’s purely the wifi signal (and, if it is, does changing the wifi band from 5 to 2.4 help?).
I don’t know of a way to hardwire a remote shutter release. Cam-Do has a remote underwater cable, but that still uses wifi so probably doesn’t solve the problem.
If it’s just a matter of start/stop and the problem is the gloves, maybe something like a hacked trigger release would work? It’s a mechanical solution and would add bulk, but it would be easier to use with gloves. Something like these. With at least some of them, you can separate the main trigger mechanism from the grip, and it would seem to be pretty straightforward to DIY a mount for that.
I was wondering, can the Smart Remote be used while being charged?
I have the clear waterproof case for the Hero3 and while installing the camera I dropped the case on the floor. It appears to be made of Lexan. The black tab that allows opening of the case broke the hinge on the oval shaped chrome plated ring. The break-proof case BROKE on a carpeted floor. So I used 2 zip ties to fasten the black locking piece in place and to date it has not failed and that includes 2 weeks at Disney and elsewhere. That is a design flaw that needs to be addressed as the case is only as strong as the weakest part which happens to be the top hinge, not the bottom hinge.
I’ve recently bought a Hero 8 and a Smart Remote although can’t seem to turn the GoPro on with it nor change any settings. When going through the options I can switch between Time Lapse, Video or Photo but no settings. When I try and turn the GoPro on with the remote, only the remote turns on and searches for a wifi signal. Do you have any thoughts?
David, you glance over the Wifi remote saying there’s really no good reason to choose it and some good reasons not to. I’d love to know what those are. WiFi remotes are readily available for $15 used. The Smart remote is 4 times that. I’m looking into getting a Hero 6 for use as a motorcycle helmet cam. A remote would be nice to be able to start/stop recording without having to feel around with gloves on. Can you elaborate a bit more on the WiFi remote and why it’s not worth considering? Thanks.
GoPro app no longer appears to be compatible with my Motorola G6 Play running Android 9.0 up to date. Worked this summer, now Google Play store says app is not compatible with my device. Same for E4 running Android 7.1.1
Only thing I can think of is app might have issue with 32 bit OS of G6 & G6 Play
I am very new to the GOPRO world. I have a hero 4 silver and the smart remote. I have succesfully paired the two. However if I turn both units off it seems as if I need to pair them again in order to turn the camera on again. Am I doing something wrong?
hello was wondering what you thought aboiut the gopro wifi remote contol version 2.0? is it better than the smart go pro remote?
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by 2.0. The Wifi Remote is old and discontinued now, but it has had firmware in the 2.1.X for several years. That firmware upgrade didn’t upgrade its features but just made it more compatible with some of the (then) newer cameras. The Smart Remote is GoPro’s current remote control and is much better than the old Wifi Remote. There are various third-party remotes made by other manufacturers, but I’ve yet to come across one that has better features and performance than the Smart Remote, although they can be significantly cheaper.
The article says that the wifi and smart remote can both be used to control go pro settings.
I’ve never used either but I suspect that there may be some differences here, which could hold the smart remote well above the other.
Is it true that you can change between narrow and wide on the smart but not the wifi remote?
If so that is a major advantage and well worth mentioning. As soon as I can find an online page that confirms this I will make my choice.
Nice review though. Very useful indeed.
Hiya,
Can I assume, from this article, that the gopro smart remote does not work with the GoPro hero 7 silver?
Nothing is abundantly clear on the specifications on Amazon!
Thank you,
PJG
That’s correct. You can connect the Silver wirelessly to the mobile app, but you can’t connect other remotes like the Smart Remote.
can i turn and point my go pro with the remote
No. For that, you’d need to put it on some kind of robot mount or gimbal. An example would be something like the Syrp Genie Mini.
The remote control works very well with my hero black 8.
I think it is worth mentioning that the WiFi Remote (the one with two buttons on it) CANNOT control a Hero6 Black. I know because I have a Hero3+ and WiFi Remote – works well – and just procured a Hero6Black and there is no way the latter will pair with my old remote. It’s also clear from the operations manual. Despite this fact I see that some are trying to sell WiFi Remotes – on eBay, for example – claiming that it is compatible with Hero6Black. This is NOT the case. To remotely control a Hero6Black a more advanced remote control is needed. The Hero6Black can also be voice controlled, so you may not even need a remote control other that your voice. How loud you can yell will determine the maximum distance :-).
This is simply not true..
I have Hero6 Black and the 2 button old gopro wifi remote, and it paired and works perfectly for months now.. I use it to control both the hero6 and the hero4 together and didn’t have any issues..
I remember it was pain to pair it first time, but I as far as I remember it was more about putting the remote in pairing mode rather than the hero6 itself …
I can confirm that it does work on the HERO7 Black as well as on the HERO6 Black. It’s been a while since I broke out the WiFi remote, but I tested it just now and it works fine. There is, however, a trick to it: you have to change the wifi band on the camera to 2.4GHz from the default 5GHz. For pairing, use the Smart Remote option on the camera and use the usual remote pairing function. Not sure how many people are still trying to use the wifi remote with the newer cameras, but I might post a quick guide.
Here it is.
Hi David, I use a Hero 7 and 8 for filming while riding my motorcycle, an issue I have is some interference which I thought at first was a poor connection between camera and ,mic adapter or microphone, tried all kinds of fixes but not sorted yet, however I came across a video which explains the issue, wifi is one, as I use a remote to stop start recording , wifi may be the issue, do you know a way to stop start my go pros remotely without wifi?
Obviously I can just press the button but not always easy with gloves on and voice is very iffy , can the remote be hard wired to the camera, I did read your article about remotes, both my cameras are being used with the two button remotes, many thanks.
Hello! Thanx for useful tip and webpage at all!!
In regards to this particular tip, i still have some survey about Removu R1+ and Hero 6 Black alignment.
So literally, at the moment – I actually have Hero 3+ Black and Removu R1+ (I actually sold my original Smart Remote on the second hand market :)
At the moment I’m on the way to procure Hero 6 since its quite advanced (even comparing with Hero 5) and so looks amazingly designed at all. But i’m planning to use it as much careful as possible and in the same time i’m looking to keep Hero 3+ to mount it for some extreme environment influence during video capturing.
So my very concern – does Removu R1+ able to connect to Hero 6 and control at least simple commands (turn-on/off, start/stop recording etc) and is it able to connect to the both cameras i have? :) There is a very lack of materials about that, so I need to conciser that before I offer hero 6 black with extra REMO Voice commander or I can avoid that expensive extra accessory and happy to use RemovuR1+ for both cameras..
Thanks!
I’d recommend contacting Removu support directly for a definitive answer (you can find them here). I know there was talk of a firmware update in the works but I don’t know the status of it and haven’t tested this latest R1+ yet.