Does GoPro Wifi Work Underwater?

No, you can’t control a GoPro by wifi underwater. That’s true even if it’s only the camera underwater and you (and the wifi remote or device) are above water.

Wifi waves don’t work at all well underwater. It might be possible one day to set up wifi networks underwater, but for now it’s not an option.

The problem is that the signal drops off very quickly in even a small amount of water. By the time you get a few inches, let alone a few feet, underwater, the signal is so weak as to be unusable.

So for all practical purposes, you can’t control your GoPro underwater with a wifi signal. That means you can’t use the Capture smartphone app, nor can you use the GoPro Smart Remote, the GoPro Remo Voice-Activate Remote (even though the Remo is waterproof), or the devices that turn an LCD Backpac into a wireless view and controller.

Underwater Wifi Extension Cable

WiFi itself won’t work underwater, but what you can do is transmit the signal for the underwater portion through a cable. That allows you to livestream from your GoPro underwater.

If you like DIY projects, it is possible to build your own. Or Cam-Do now offers off-the-shelf extension cables for the HERO4, HERO3+, and HERO3 with lengths ranging from 20 feet to 300 feet.

If you want to try building one yourself, here’s a how-to guide.

Waterproof Depth Ratings for GoPro Cameras

Newer GoPro models have a waterproof body. Older models required an external waterproof housing. Here are the depth ratings for the cameras themselves.

To go deeper, you can put the camera inside a protective dive housing. These are the compatible protective housings for recent cameras.