On GoPros from the HERO6 Black onward you can choose the Wi-Fi band: 5GHz is faster and less congested for previews and transfers; 2.4GHz has longer range and works in regions and with phones that don’t support 5GHz. On the HERO13 Black it’s under Preferences > Wireless Connections > Wi-Fi Band; the paths for the HERO12 back to the HERO6 are listed below.
The HERO5 Black is dual-band but picks automatically. If your phone keeps dropping the connection, switching to 2.4GHz is the first thing to try; if transfers are slow, make sure you’re on 5GHz. See also what GoPros use Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi for.
There are two main wifi frequencies commonly in use today: 2.4GHz and 5GHz (GHz = gigahertz). If you’re using a relatively new router or phone, it’s mostly a 5GHz device. The 5GHz frequency is newer, less congested, and faster, and it’s what these cameras are set to use by default.
But there are reasons you might want to switch back to the 2.4GHz frequency. While it’s much more crowded, it’s also much more compatible with other devices, including older smartphones and routers. An easy example in GoPro’s own universe of products is that the older GoPro Wifi remote uses 2.4GHz. Overall, there are many more devices that are compatible with 2.4GHz than 5GHz.
That, in turn, can lead to congestion issues on the band, as you might run into interference with anything from baby monitors to wireless routers to garage door openers. That’s not a problem if you’re out in the surf or on a mountain, but it can be an issue in crowded urban areas.
Congestion issues aside, you can potentially get a stronger and more stable connection via 2.4GHz, especially if you’re pushing the distance boundaries or trying to transmit through walls or other physical barriers. The strength of a 5GHz signal fades quickly as you move away from the broadcast source (e.g., a Wi-Fi router), which is why many routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems are designed to silently switch you over to 2.4GHz when the 5GHz band reception gets weak.1
Less commonly, but still conceivable, is that you might be in a location where the 5GHz band is still restricted and not available to use with consumer devices.
How to switch the GoPro Wi-Fi band between 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Swipe down on the rear screen to open the Dashboard. On the HERO9 Black and later, swipe left once more. Then tap through the path for your camera and pick 5GHz or 2.4GHz:
- HERO13 Black:
Preferences > Wireless Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO12 Black:
Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO11 Black:
Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO10 Black:
Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO9 Black:
Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO8 Black:
Preferences > Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO7 Black:
Preferences > Connections > Wi-Fi Band - HERO6 Black:
Connections > Wi-Fi Band
Notes & References:
- Many smart home devices still use 2.4GHz, presumably in part because it’s cheaper to implement, it’s generally more widely compatible, and the distance range is more reliable. [↩︎]
