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(Skip to the bottom of this post if you just want to know how to connect to your GoPro using an internet browser.)
As I mentioned my GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition has been giving me issues lately.
It started 6 months ago as an iOS app connectivity issue. I would connect to the ad-hoc network that the GoPro Hero3+ creates, open the iOS app, and attempt to transfer the files to my phone but it would only work about 10% of the time.
I figured out how to deal with this issue by first attempting to control the GoPro using the app before attempting to transfer the photos and video off of it. I have no idea why, but this worked for a while. But then even this "hack" stopped working about a month ago.
For these times I would connect my GoPro to my Mac via USB and transfer the files. But recently this has stopped working too. The GoPro doesn’t mount to the Mac. And in Image Capture or Photos for OS X you can only see the GoPro being connected for a few seconds before it disconnects, reconnects, disconnects, repeat repeat repeat. Maddening. It isn’t the cable. Is isn’t the USB port. (I’ve managed to rule these out.)
After searching online for a bit I see a lot of people having similar issues with their GoPro cameras after they’ve had them for a little while. Some ship with these issues.
I do not have a micro USB chip reader so I have no way to get larger files off of the GoPro with all of these crazy issues. Smaller files can still be transferred using the iOS application thankfully.
On Wednesday I attached my GoPro to my kayak and paddled around for a while with the camera pointed under water. Typically I try to stop and start the video recording every few minutes because I know I can only transfer smaller files to my phone. But I just let it run for a while.
Today I cannot transfer that file to my phone (using the app) or computer (using USB). And I don’t have a card reader. So what other option do I have?
It turns out that GoPro Hero 3+ comes with a small web server on it that you can connect to, browse the files, or even see live video from the device. I had no idea this was an option. It wasn’t until I stumbled across a few poorly recorded YouTube videos that I saw it. I’ve read the manual that came with my GoPro at least twice and I don’t think it is mentioned in there either. Just to be sure, I checked the manual again while writing this post. I do not see it mentioned.
Here is how you connect to your GoPro using a web browser.
- Turn on your GoPro.
- Turn on Wi-fi into "app" mode. (if you’re unsure how to do this, see your manual)
- Connect your computer to the ad-hoc wireless network that the GoPro creates.
- Open your web browser, point it to http://10.5.5.9:8080 (if this IP address does not work, see what the IP address of your "router" or "Gateway" is when connected to the GoPro. On Windows you can run "ipconfig" using CMD.exe and on Mac you can go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP)
- If you did it right, you’ll see this.
It isn’t fancy. But it gets the job done.
I still wasn’t able to download the 2.1GB video file. It halts at around 1.47GB and just sits there. I think my GoPro is telling me it is time to be retired. Sad GoPro. However, I tried transferring a few other smaller files and it worked very smoothly. So perhaps this is easier than using the iOS app or even mounting it via USB. Who needs cables?
I’m really happy I found this feature.