Different Ways You Can Connect GoPro to Mac

Yes, we can!

You must first connect your camera to your computer to import photos and videos from GoPro to your Mac. That's the only way to access your GoPro files on Mac. However, this might become a challenge if you're new to macOS devices.

With that in mind, we'll share the top four methods to connect GoPro to a Macbook and import and download your files to your computer. We'll also share the best three GoPro file recovery methods to help you avoid file loss.

How to Connect GoPro to Mac

It takes more than a simple USB cable to connect your GoPro to your Mac. Below are the top 4 GoPro Mac connection methods to help you learn how to view GoPro footage on your Mac.

Connect GoPro to Mac With an SD Card (Card Reader)

If you have a card reader for your MicroSD card, insert your SD card into the reader and connect the reader to the appropriate card slot on your Mac to access your files.

Here's how to do it:

1. Turn off your GoPro and remove the SD card from the camera;
2. Insert the card into the card reader and connect the reader to your Mac;
3. Give your Mac a few seconds to detect and mount the SD card as a new drive;
4. Navigate to Finder > Devices > NO NAME > DCIM;

   

5. Double-click the DCIM folder and open 100GOPRO;

   

6. Select the files you wish to access and drag and drop them anywhere on your computer.

   

Connect GoPro to Mac With USB (Image Capture)

Image Capture is a built-in app on your Mac that automatically detects and opens detected cameras or scanners upon launching. The moment you launch the app, it automatically opens your GoPro devices, giving you access to all the media files stored on your camera.

Here's how to import photos from GoPro to Mac with a USB cable using Image Capture. This method allows you to access your GoPro footage and all other media files stored on your camera.

1. Use the USB cable to connect GoPro to your Mac;
2. Navigate to Dock > Launchpad > Other;

   

3. Select Image Capture;

   

4. Image Capture will automatically show you your GoPro files;
5. Select the files you wish to import;
6. Go to the Import To section and select the location where you want to transfer GoPro media files to your Mac via USB;

   

7. Click Download or Download All or Import or Import All (imports all media files).

   

Note: Some macOS versions will have Download & Download All instead of Import & Import All.

Connect GoPro to Mac Using WiFi

You can turn your GoPro into a web server by connecting it to the wireless network on your Mac. This method lets you quickly connect and sync GoPro to your Mac to access, view, transfer, or download photos, videos, etc.

Here's how to download footage from GoPro to Mac using WiFi:

1. Power on your GoPro and navigate to Preferences;
2. Select Wireless Connection and enable it;
3. Navigate your Mac to WiFi and select GoPro's SSID;
4. Connect SSID to your Mac using the SSID credentials (Preferences > Wireless Connections > Camera Info);
5. Launch Camera Suite or Quik to import/download your files.

Connect GoPro to Mac Using Quik App

Quik is a free, proprietary GoPro app that you can download on your Mac computer to access your camera files. The app lets you import media files to your Mac for editing, processing, safekeeping, etc.

Here are the steps to connect GoPro to Mac using Quik:

1. Download Quik from the GoPro website and install the app on your Mac;
2. Connect GoPro to your Mac to launch the app automatically;
3. If the app doesn't automatically launch, run Quik via Launchpad;

   

4. Sign in to your Quik account and click Import Files to access your GoPro video footage, images, etc.

   

How to Recover GoPro Files on Mac

Unexpected problems can occur during the download/import process. When you sync GoPro to your Mac, incomplete or interrupted file transfers can make your data go missing.

On the other hand, unintentional formatting or accidental deletion can also cause you to lose your GoPro files, as would data corruption caused by incorrect SD card ejection, abrupt power surges, and malware/virus infections.

If you experience problems during a GoPro file transfer, stop using your SD card to avoid losing or overwriting your files. Then, use the methods below to recover your GoPro files on Mac.

Recover From Trash

If you've accidentally deleted your GoPro files on Mac, check the Trash folder to see if you can get them back. This folder is a temporary holding space for deleted data. It will hold your files until you select the Empty Trash option, which will delete the data permanently.

Here's how to recover your GoPro files from the Trash folder on Mac:

1. Navigate to the Dock and open the Trash folder;
2. Find and select the GoPro files you wish to recover;
3. Right-click the selection and select Put Back.

   

Using Recovery Software

Data recovery software can recover your GoPro media files directly from the memory card's file system. Using advanced data scanning and recovery technology, a GoPro recovery solution like Wondershare Recoverit will scan your GoPro SD card for retrievable files.

It can successfully and effectively recover various photo and video formats from GoPro devices and SD cards of all types and sizes.

In addition, the app comes with enhanced recovery features. If your GoPro video footage got corrupted, you can use Recoverit to repair your damaged and corrupt videos. It supports video recovery in HD, UHD, and 4K/8K quality.

Download and install Recoverit on your Mac, then follow the steps below to recover your missing GoPro files.

1. Launch Recoverit on your Mac and navigate to the main File Recover menu;
2. Connect your GoPro memory card to your Mac and let your macOS detect it;
3. Navigate Recoverit to Hard Drives and Locations and locate your memory card under the External Drives section;

   

4. Click Start to scan your memory card for recoverable files;

   

5. Once Recoverit completes the scanning process, the program will outline all retrievable GoPro files;
6. Preview your files, select photos and videos you wish to restore, and click Recover ;

   

7. Click Save to choose a new location to save the recovered GoPro files.

   

Using Time Machine

If you've backed up your GoPro files to an external drive, you can get them back using the Time Machine app on your Mac. This robust backup feature can help you recover missing, lost, or accidentally deleted GoPro video footage and photos by retrieving them from specific points in time.

Follow these steps to use Time Machine to recover your missing GoPro files on Mac:

1. Connect your backup drive to your Mac;
2. Navigate to Finder > Applications > Time Machine ;
3. Select Enter Time Machine ;

   

4. Browse the files and folders to find your missing GoPro files;
5. Use the arrow keys to select the wanted version of GoPro files you wish to recover;
6. Click Recover to get your GoPro files back, save them on your Mac, or transfer them to your GoPro SD card.

   

Scenarios: When You Need to Connect GoPro to Mac

Transferring GoPro footage to your Mac can be convenient in various situations. It can give you multiple benefits:

• You can access and view your GoPro media files to keep them organized;
• You can streamline file management on your Mac;
• You can transfer and save your files in a preferred location on your Mac to avoid overwriting your SD card with new files;
• Transferring GoPro files to your computer also allows you to avoid data loss scenarios such as unintentional deletion, accidental formatting, and file corruption;
• You can edit your files before uploading and sharing them online;
• Connecting your GoPro to your Mac gives you more options for sharing your media files. You could upload them to YouTube, and share them on social media or streaming platforms like Vimeo.

Conclusion

This article showed you the best methods for connecting a GoPro to a Mac computer. You can connect your GoPro to a Mac computer using an SD card, the Image Capture built-in tool, WiFi connection, or the Quik app. Each method offers a reliable way to connect your GoPro to a Mac and access, view, transfer, import, or download your camera media files.

In addition, we also shared the top three methods for recovering missing, deleted, or lost GoPro files on macOS. If you've accidentally deleted your GoPro video footage or photos, check the Trash folder to see if you can get them back.

If you've created an external GoPro backup, use the Time Machine app to recover your files. If both methods don't give you the desired results, use a professional GoPro data recovery software for Mac like Wondershare Recoverit to scan the memory card for recoverable files and repair and retrieve the missing GoPro files.