There are different ways to connect your GoPro to a computer and to fix connecting issues.

In this tutorial, you’ll find out how to connect your GoPro to a computer (Pc or Mac) for saving, sharing or editing your photos and videos.

You will also find here a list of the most common connection issues and suggestions on how to fix them.

 

How to Connect GoPro to Computer


First, let’s have a look at the different ways to connect your GoPro to your PC/Mac. It opens up a whole new world of editing for you to shape your pictures your own way!

Using an SD card

The first and the simplest method is using a SD card to copy files to your PC/Mac. This can be done using a SD card reader or an adapter.

  1. Eject your SD card from your cam and link it to your PC using a card reader/adapter.
  2. Find your SD card on the PC and look for the files you want to copy/edit (using Finder App for MAC or, Start>My Computer>Device, in case of other PC).
  3. Right click and copy the files you want to edit and save them to a location on your Mac.
  4. Eject the card reader out, after you are done.

Check out: 7 BEST (High-Speed) GoPro SD Memory Cards.

Using the USB Cable

GoPro Not Connecting to PC Mac

If you don’t have a card reader or adapter, you can import the pictures/videos using a USB cable. Follow the below steps :

  1. Connect the cable in USB ports of your GoPro and PC.
  2. Turn on the GoPro.
  3. Open iPhoto on your Mac (or similar photo import software for PC).
  4. Choose the files you want to transfer and select “Import Selected”.
  5. Lastly, drag them to your desktop and save them.

The next two methods, Image Capture application, or GoPro Quik both require a USB cable.

Using Image Capture

Image Capture is a software which helps you import files from your GoPro to your Mac. All you need is a USB-C cable.

  1. Plug in the USB-C cable into the USB-C port of the GoPro and Mac.
  2. Turn on the GoPro.
  3. Open Image Capture by clicking on it in the Applications folder or by clicking the Launchpad app on the Dock, typing “image” into the search field, and then clicking Image Capture.
  4. Find your device name and choose files to be imported.
  5. Click Import All to complete the process.

(This feature is currently supported only on the HERO 7 Black or earlier cameras. Newer cameras may or may not work as expected when connected via USB cable).

Using GoPro Quik

GoPro Quik is a free software which you may install to start transferring your files from your GoPro to your Mac. Like the above step you will need a USB cable for this one too.

  1. Plug in the USB-C cable into the USB-C port of the GoPro and Mac.
  2. Turn on the GoPro.
  3. Click the LaunchPad on the Dock.
  4. Type “quik” and click on the GoPro Quik launcher.
  5.  To store files on your Desktop, head to the last step.
  6. Click on Import All to complete the process.

Now that we are well acquainted with the facts of how to connect GoPro to your PC/Mac. The next section will take you through the quick Fixes in case of an issue.

 

How to Fix Connection Issues


Broadly, there are two reasons that GoPro users commonly face while connecting a GoPro to their PC/Mac. GoPro not connecting to mac or GoPro not showing up on mac.

GoPro is Not Connecting to PC/Mac

This is  the most common issue faced by users. When you experience that your GoPro is not being recognized by the PC, it could be due to several reasons, such as:

  • The connection between the GoPro and PC is not properly established.
  • The USB cable is faulty.
  • The camera is faulty.
  • SD card or the card reader is not compatible with the PC.

gopro usb device not recognized

You can overcome these by the following methods.

#1. Make sure there are no loose ends and the cam and PC are properly connected (Note, the camera is powered on when it is plugged in, it is showing the USB symbol on the front LCD screen).

#2. The SD card and reader are compatible with the machine.

#3. The camera is without virus or faults.

#4. The USB cable is working properly (try connecting with another cable).

#5. Reset the Hardware Settings – Access the Apple Menu and go to Shut Down. Hold the keys: Shift + Control  +  Option + Power Button for 5 seconds and release. Turn On (Hard Reset for any other PC as well).

GoPro Not Showing Up on Mac

There is also an issue where the camera does establish a connection with the PC but the contents are not visible. Messages like “No Files to Import” will appear but Space Used indicates that there is still data on the SD card which can be imported.

gopro not showing up on mac

Sometimes when you are using software like Image Capture, there are chances that the application will fail to recognize the camera. The main reason could be changes in folder names. 

How you can fix this is by ensuring to keep the SD card structure and the same names at all times. This will decrease the chance of incompatibility. For example, avoid changing or renaming the “DCIM” folder. The original name and information is more recognisable and hence leads to lesser problems.

There are some other minor solutions like:

  • Sometimes users find Quik is not compatible with their device, for this, make sure if the “Access to Photos” option for Quik, was disabled in Security & Privacy settings.
  • When the camera is not being recognised by your PC, make sure that the USB and battery symbol are there on the camera’s screen. Red LED light of the camera indicates that it is charging. These are few things to know if connection has been properly established.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you know everything regarding how to connect GoPro to computer 🙂

 

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