How to Use a GoPro as a Webcam With Restream

Looking for a way to make the most of your GoPro camera? In addition to capturing action footage, you can use it as a webcam for live streaming and recording videos. With a high-quality camera like a GoPro, you can create more engaging videos that can help boost your viewers.

Learn how to take your GoPro to the next level by using it as a webcam with Restream.

How to use a GoPro as a webcam with Restream

Restream is an easy-to-use live video platform that lets you create engaging and professional live videos and multistream them to your favorite channels. Using Restream Studio, you can go live on multiple platforms directly from your web browser — no downloads or extra bandwidth required. You can also use Restream to turn your GoPro into a webcam, to live stream and record videos.

Setting up your GoPro as a webcam is pretty simple. Keep in mind that only the GoPro HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black and HERO8 Black models can be used as webcams. If you have an older model, you can still use your GoPro with Restream but you’ll also need a streaming application called LIVE4.

We’ll go over how to stream with the newer models first.

Step 1: Set up your GoPro camera

Update your GoPro camera with the most current firmware. You can either use GoPro Quik or update manually.
Download and install the GoPro Webcam app on your computer. It’s available for both Mac and PC.
After the GoPro Webcam app is installed, restart your computer and launch the app.
Connect your GoPro to your computer via a USB cable.
Position your GoPro where you would normally put a webcam — a tripod or camera stand can be helpful here.
Use the GoPro Webcam app to do a preview so you can check your field of view and make any needed adjustments before going live.

Note that if you want a higher quality video, you may want to connect your GoPro to a capture card first, then connect the capture card to a computer. You’ll also need to use this setup if you want to stream with your GoPro and another camera, for a broadcast with multiple camera angles. Restream lets you add an unlimited number of camera sources and switch between them when you go live using our browser-based live streaming studio.

Step 2: Connect your GoPro to Restream

Create a Restream account if you don’t have one yet.
Add or edit your preferred streaming destinations (such as YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) by clicking Add/Edit Destinations.
Select the icon of the streaming platform you want to add. You’ll either have to enter your account credentials for the streaming platform and give Restream access, or get the URL and stream key from the streaming platform and paste them into Restream. You can read more about connecting streaming platforms to Restream in our help center.
Once your preferred streaming platforms are added, click Stream with Studio.
Enter your name as you want it to appear on your live stream (you can toggle it off later) and give access to your GoPro camera and your microphone.
Click Enter Studio.

Step 3: Start streaming

Once you’re in the Restream Studio, you can adjust your stream settings and apply your customizations (overlays, backgrounds, etc.) to your preferences. You can also toggle on and off which platforms you want to stream to.
When you’re ready to start streaming, click the red Go Live button.

If you don’t have a GoPro HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black or HERO8 Black, you can still use a GoPro as a webcam with Restream, but you’ll need an app called LIVE4.

Learn more: GoPro live streaming: A how-to guide

Browser-based live streaming with a GoPro

When you go live using Restream Studio, you gain access to tons of features that make your live stream look more professional and boost your engagement:

Multistreaming to Facebook, Twitch, YouTube and other platforms simultaneously
Using record-only mode to record a video
Customizing your stream with logos, backgrounds and captions
Adding a guest to your broadcast
Playing a local video file or adding presentation slides to your live stream
Multichat with each platform you’re streaming to
Streaming in Full HD
Adding an extra camera source

Read our full guide to Restream Studio to discover all the features you can use when you go live with Restream.

Create stunning live videos

Restream Studio is the easiest way to create high-quality live videos on multiple platforms at once. It's user-friendly and offers an engaging viewer experience.

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FAQs

Can I use a GoPro as a webcam?

Yes. With the GoPro HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black and HERO8 Black models, you can use the GoPro webcam utility and plug your GoPro camera into your computer via a USB cable. Older GoPro models are not compatible with the GoPro webcam utility.

Can I use a GoPro for live streaming?

Yes. With the GoPro app and subscription, you can stream to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook or another site via a RTMP URL. If you have a GoPro HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black or HERO8 Black, you can also use the GoPro webcam utility for desktop and a streaming software like Restream to go live on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and more. If you have an older GoPro camera, you can live stream with it using Restream and the LIVE4 app.

How do I use a GoPro as a webcam without a capture card?

If you have a newer GoPro camera model (GoPro HERO11 Black, HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black or HERO8 Black), you can use the GoPro webcam app and connect your GoPro to your computer via a USB cable — no need for a capture card.

Wrap-up

GoPros are versatile cameras that can be used for live streaming, as webcams and of course, for capturing on-the-go action shots. Turning your GoPro into a webcam for live streaming is easy when you use Restream. Plus, you can use all the features that come with Restream’s live streaming studio to make your broadcast more engaging and professional-looking.