How to Connect a GoPro to Your Computer

Use a USB cable to connect the camera, and then select it like an external drive

By
Jordan Baranowski
Jordan Baranowski
Jordan Baranowski
Writer
  • University of Kansas
  • Avila University
Jordan Baranowski is a former Lifewire writer and educator with experience writing for SVG, The Nerd Stash, and Feast Magazine.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on February 29, 2024

What to Know

  • Turn off the GoPro. Connect one end of a micro USB cable to the GoPro and the other to an open USB port on the computer.
  • Turn on the GoPro. It automatically enters USB mode. If it doesn't, use the Mode Selection button to access it.
  • If it doesn't appear: In Windows, go to Start > My Computer and look for the GoPro. On a Mac, click the camera icon on the desktop.

This article explains how to connect a GoPro to your computer using a micro USB cable. It also includes information on how to connect the GoPro and computer using a microSD card.

Connect GoPro to Computer Using a Micro USB Cable

There are a few ways to connect your GoPro to your computer and start working with your best footage today. The easiest way to connect the GoPro to your computer is through the transfer cable that came with the GoPro. Most GoPro models use a USB to micro USB cable, which is the same cable used with most Android phones.

  1. Turn off your GoPro camera before connecting it to your computer. Press the Power button on the top or front of your camera and shut it down.

  2. Connect the micro USB cable to your GoPro camera, then find an open USB port on your computer and connect the two.

  3. Turn on your GoPro camera. It will automatically enter USB Mode, as indicated by a symbol on the screen. If it doesn't enter USB Mode, you may need to use the Mode Selection button to access it. On many computers, a notification will pop up and allow you to access the content.

    If a notification doesn't appear, check the steps below, depending on if you have a Windows or Mac computer, to find the files on your GoPro camera.

  4. On Windows: If your GoPro's content doesn't automatically appear when you power your camera on, go to the Start Menu and select My Computer (or This PC). You should see a GoPro device listed as one of the items you can browse.

  5. On Mac: A Camera icon should appear on your desktop. Access it through Finder or through minimizing all your other windows and locating it on your Mac's desktop.

How to Connect a GoPro to a Computer Using a microSD Card

The instructions for doing this are almost identical; your computer will read the microSD card just like it will read your GoPro.

  1. Eject the SD card from your GoPro and insert it into a microSD reader.

  2. You should then be able to follow the same instructions as above to access your footage from your device.

  3. Once you have access to your GoPro footage, you can copy it onto your computer for easier editing and uploading.

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