Resetting GoPro WiFi Password Offline

If you accidentally "Forget" your GoPro network from your mobile device and don't remember its WiFi password, resetting it is simple.

While GoPro provides step-by-step instructions to reset the WiFi password, it involves (re-)registering your device, which will result in you receiving ~~occasional~~ weekly marketing email from GoPro. It also requires Internet access, which might not be available.

We can circumvent that.

Create Upgrade Rules Files

GoPro camera use text-based configuration files to instruct the firmware how to behave, configure various settings, upgrade software, etc. Configuring the on-camera WiFi uses these files.

Create a text file named update.10.txt that looks like this.

# Camera upgrade rules file
OPTIONS:6

Create a text file named settings.in that looks like this. Tweak the ssid and password fields as needed.

{
"current_password":"",
"token":"",
"wifi_ap":{
"ssid":"your-new-ssid",
"password":"your-new-password"
},
"wifi_networks":[]
}

Place files into a directory named UPDATE.

Transfer Files to Camera

Remove the microSD card from the camera and connect it to your computer using a card reader of some sort. Move the entire UPDATE directory into the root of your microSD card. Eject the card.

Insert the microSD card into the camera, power on the camera, wait a few seconds for the settings to be imported, and you're done.

Simple, right?

Notes

I've only verified this procedure on a GoPro Hero3+ Silver using Mac OS X 10.8.5 to generate the files, YMMV for other models and operating systems. If you've tried using other combinations, let me know!

Last Modified: 2020-08-09

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