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Losing your GoPro can be frustrating and disappointing as they contain your special moments and memories. The risk of losing a GoPro is higher as they are often mounted on the person. They can easily fall out of a pocket while hiking, be left behind, or be stolen from your bag. Locating your lost GoPro as soon as possible is essential to avoid losing valuable footage and memories.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps you can take to locate a misplaced GoPro. There are a few basic steps, such as following the tracks and remembering, as well as a few technical methods. Let’s get started.
Start Your Search for the Lost GoPro: Steps
If your GoPro is missing, you have limited options, some of which you must carry out immediately before the camera battery dies. Let’s see where to begin your search:
1. Use GoPro Application
If you feel your GoPro is within 30-40 metres of you, you can use the GoPro Quik app to locate it. It should be your first course of action, as it won’t work after your GoPro battery dies. Also, the range can differ based on the obstacles between your smartphone and the camera. To locate your GoPro using the GoPro Quik app, you can follow these steps:
- This option will work if your camera is powered on and connected to the same smart Wi-Fi.
- Launch the GoPro Quik app and tap Connect & Control in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap the Connect button to search for available GoPro cameras.
- Tap and select your GoPro from the list of available cameras.
- Once your GoPro is connected, you will see a live preview of the camera’s view on your smartphone’s screen.
- If you cannot detect the location from the camera’s view, go to camera settings from the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Use the toggle switch in front of Locate Camera to turn this feature on. As you turn it on, the camera starts beeping. Try to follow the noise.
- If you cannot find your GoPro, walk around and turn it off and back on again. You can also restart your smartphone or tablet.
2. Check the Last Location
If your GoPro model is GPS-enabled, you can use the GoPro Quik app to find out the last known location of your camera. Additionally, you can check your activity log to see when the camera was recently used and what was the specific location.
3. Ask for Help
It is worth asking people around you if they have seen your lost GoPro. If you were with people when you last used your GoPro, they might have seen where you left it or picked it up unknowingly. Here is what you can do:
- Search your home or other known locations. You may have left your GoPro at home or misplaced it at an unusual location. Call your family members and ask them to search around the house. Also, check all the usual places you might have left it, such as your car, backpack, or desk.
- Someone might have noticed your camera if you were with a group of people. Ask each member of the group if they have seen it.
- If bystanders were nearby, they may have some clue that could help you locate your GoPro. Try to locate those people and ask. If someone did find it and has kept it, they may be more willing to return it to you if you ask them directly.
- Make posters with a photo of the camera and your contact information and post them in the area where you lost the camera. It may help a visitor locate the camera and return it to you.
4. Check with Lost & Found
If you have lost your GoPro at a public place, hotel, or beach, someone may have found it and submitted it to the lost and found. Ensure you check with staff and ask them to inspect the area thoroughly.
5. Download LightBlue App
In the latest GoPro cameras (From Hero5 onwards), the Bluetooth Smart connection remains turned on for nearly 8 hours after the camera is powered off. You can use this feature to locate your lost camera. All you need to do is to download the LightBlue application on your smartphone.
This app locates nearby Bluetooth low energy devices by sorting them by signal strength. Download the app and start searching for devices; you will see which device is closest to you. Remember, you will need wireless connections turned on for the Bluetooth to be discoverable.
6. Use Social Media to Locate Your GoPro
Create social media posts explaining your GoPro specifications and the last known location. You can also write in some local lost and found groups, Facebook groups, or forums to check if anyone has seen your GoPro. Be alert to any clue that could be helpful.
7. Additional Methods
Here are a few more things you can try:
- You can use a Stolen camera finder that tracks down the pictures taken by your camera on the web. All you have to do is to upload images taken by your camera, and it will extract the serial number and match it with the web images.
- If someone has picked up your GoPro, they may try to sell it. Check local online places such as OLX, eBay, Craigslist, etc., and look for the model that matches your camera specifications.
- If you have exhausted all other options, consider hiring a professional recovery service to help locate your GoPro.
Conclusion
Finding a log gadget is never easy, especially an expensive one like GoPro. To avoid such a situation, Keep your camera attached to your backpack or yourself through a thread. You can also attach a label with your contact information to the camera and hope that someone responsible finds your camera and returns it to you.
