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The Hero 8 action camera from GoPro will now work as a webcam on Windows PCs, however the feature is still in development. The webcam functionality for users of macOS was first introduced in July, and now it is compatible with Windows. Although a GoPro probably won’t make you look quite as good as if you were using a DSLR or mirrorless camera as your webcam, you’ll probably have better image quality than the built-in webcam on your laptop. GoPro claims that a number of well-known videoconferencing services, including Zoom, WebEx, Slack, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Discord, already support the beta software on Windows.
GoPro provides a tutorial right here that explains how to set up the Hero 8 as a webcam on Windows and Mac and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. When the webcam tool for macOS debuted in July, it was still in development, but as of today, GoPro has officially removed the beta label. You could also try connecting your iPhone or Android phone or one of the many mirrorless cameras that have added webcam modes if you really need a better webcam during this COVID-19 period. We mentioned below are the steps to use GoPro 8 as a Webcam on Windows and Mac.
Steps to Use GoPro 8 as a Webcam on Windows and Mac
Use GoPro 8 as a Webcam on Windows
- Before setting up your GoPro as a webcam in Windows, update the camera to its latest firmware. You can do this by connecting it to the GoPro Quik smartphone app for Android or iOS.
- Download the GoPro Webcam Desktop Utility and install it. This will only work for Windows 10 or 11. You’ll have to approve the installation of a virtual webcam device, then restart your computer at the end of the installation process.
- You should see a small GoPro icon in the notification area.
- Power on your GoPro and connect it using a USB-C cable. This can be a USB-C to USB-C or USB-A to USB-C cable. A USB 3 or better port is required to provide enough power and data throughput for the camera.
- The GoPro should indicate on its screen that it’s in webcam mode.
- You should now have the option to select “GoPro Camera” as a webcam in the most popular apps that work with webcams.
Use GoPro 8 as a Webcam on macOS
- Before you set up your GoPro to work on your Mac, update it to the latest available firmware. You can do this using the GoPro Quik app for Android or iOS.
- Download the GoPro Webcam Desktop Utility for Mac and install it.
- You should see a small GoPro icon in the macOS Status Bar.
- Power on your GoPro and connect it to your Mac with a USB cable. A USB 3 port is recommended. You should now see it as an option in your video-calling apps.
- You can see it as an option in Microsoft Teams for macOS.
Final Words
So here we conclude our article on how to use GoPro 8 as a Webcam on Windows and Mac. Many people use GoPro, and you might not be aware that you can now utilize your GoPro as a webcam on your Windows and Mac. While utilizing a GoPro enables full HD recording, you may also take advantage of other benefits, such as the wider angle lens. Additionally, the GoPro range’s pixel and color quality generally significantly outperform that of modern webcams in general.