Using remote app / bluetooth connection instructions ? [ Edited ]

[tdsurf]

I'm not finding any instruction or help on how to remotely use the Hero 5 Black.

Specifically, I have the camera mounted high up on my rig. When I am ready to go I want to use my Android app to connect, power up and record. But... I cannot power up the camera unless I physically press the power button, which is a major hassle due to where the cam is located.

Should I not be able to power up through the app because apparently I can power it down then back up within some unknown quantity of time. Is the camera not actually powering down, is it not a binary status? All indications are that it is. So why can I not power it back up when I try at a later time?

I think I figured out one detail. When you remove the battery it appears you must re-establish the connection relationship. Is this true?

thanks in advance

There must be some explanation or sequence of these events to follow or best practices that is not documented (that I can find).

[mariustanya · Accepted solution]

Hello @tdsurf, 

The GoPro app should be able to power the camera on. This is even if you turn the camera off, turn Bluetooth of, and you exit the app. I just tested with an Android phone running on Android 8 OS, a HERO5 Black camera (v2.60) and GoPro App (v5.0) and it is working.  There is an "expiration" to the connectivity though. Keeping the Bluetooth on will keep the connection for up to 8 hours from the last camera and phone interaction. It is also important to consider that the GoPro App's range is between 35-50 feet depending on the wireless interference in the area.

To further isolate the issue with your setup, try manually updating the camera's firmware, and uninstall and re-install the app. Let us know how it goes. 

Thanks, 
Marius​​​​​​​

[mariustanya · Accepted solution]

Hello @tdsurf, 

The GoPro app should be able to power the camera on. This is even if you turn the camera off, turn Bluetooth of, and you exit the app. I just tested with an Android phone running on Android 8 OS, a HERO5 Black camera (v2.60) and GoPro App (v5.0) and it is working.  There is an "expiration" to the connectivity though. Keeping the Bluetooth on will keep the connection for up to 8 hours from the last camera and phone interaction. It is also important to consider that the GoPro App's range is between 35-50 feet depending on the wireless interference in the area.

To further isolate the issue with your setup, try manually updating the camera's firmware, and uninstall and re-install the app. Let us know how it goes. 

Thanks, 
Marius​​​​​​​

[tdsurf]

Awesome answer, the "expiration" explains perfectly what I'm experiencing. Mucho thanks. td

p.s. curious why I cannot find my thread without an email with link? It appears there is a sub-catagory under 'cameras' but on the forum I don't see sub catagories and it doesn't appear under 'cameras' either. cheers.

[jayr3438]

Hi @tdsurf,

You can view it on your account. 

You'll see there your recent posts. 

Also you may search the exact title of the thread.

Regards,

-Jay