The 2023 QRControl Guide to Mastering the GoPro Labs Mobile App in 10 Steps

If you’ve been keeping up with my GoPro Labs series, you know we’ve been diving deep into what GoPro Labs is all about. We started with a general overview and then moved on to the installation process on your GoPro camera.

Now, it’s time to take the next step: getting to know the GoPro Labs mobile app called QRControl. This is where things get really exciting, as we explore how to use the app to control your camera in new ways. Think of it as your GoPro camera’s new best friend, helping you unlock cool features and making everything more convenient.

So, let’s jump in and see what this app can do for you!

Pre-requisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before we jump into the cool stuff, let’s make sure you have everything you need to use the GoPro Labs mobile app QRControl. Here’s what you need to check off your list:

1. Check Your Camera:
   • HERO12
   • HERO11 Black or Mini
   • HERO10 Black or Bones (Just a little note: keep the LCD on to scan QR codes)
   • MAX
   • HERO9
   • HERO8
   • HERO7
   • HERO5 Session
2. Get the GoPro Labs Firmware:
   • Download and Install: If you’re thinking, “How do I get GoPro Labs firmware?” — it’s easy! You need to download the firmware first. Just visit this link to download the firmware and find out how to install GoPro Labs on your camera.
3. Download the GoPro Labs Mobile App QRControl:
   • For iPhone Users: Ready to take control with the GoPro Labs mobile app? iPhone users can download GoPro Labs app for iPhone it here.
   • For Android Users: If you’re an Android user, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You can download the Gopro labs mobile app for Android here.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to explore all the awesome things you can do with the GoPro Labs mobile app QRControl.

Why QR Codes: The Genius Behind GoPro Labs’ Control Mechanism

You might be wondering why GoPro chose QR codes as a means to control the camera when using the GoPro Labs firmware and features. Well, here’s the scoop straight from GoPro:

GoPro Labs serves as a playground for beta camera firmware, bringing in new experimental features that are yet to be released officially. Since these features are still in the beta stage, they lack dedicated user interface controls. This is where QR codes come into play, stepping in as a practical and innovative solution to control the camera.

But here’s the cool part: these QR codes not only offer a new way to interact with your GoPro but also enable the rapid addition of new features through the GoPro Labs platform. And don’t worry, even with this beta firmware, your camera retains its usual functionalities, allowing you to use the buttons and touchscreen as you always have. It’s all about adding more capabilities, not taking any away!

So, in essence, QR codes are GoPro Labs’ way of enhancing your camera’s functionality swiftly and efficiently, opening up a new dimension of interaction with your GoPro.

Using QR Codes: A Simple Way to Control Your GoPro Camera

QR codes are a big part of the magic behind the GoPro Labs mobile app QRControl . They let you control your camera in all sorts of new ways, from adding motion detection to starting and stopping recording based on your speed. It’s a handy tool, especially when voice control isn’t an option or you’re working with more than one camera.

Setting Up Your Camera Made Easy

Picture this: you’re going surfing early in the morning. The sky is a bit cloudy, and you want to make sure you get the best shots with your GoPro. You decide that a 4:3 aspect ratio would be perfect for the shots you have in mind.

But how do you quickly set up your camera with these specific settings? Easy! Just follow these steps:

1. Open the App: Start by opening the GoPro Labs mobile app on your phone.
2. Choose Your Settings: Next, pick out the settings you want. You can even add some special commands to get things just right.
3. Create a QR Code: Once you’ve chosen your settings, the app will create a QR code for you.
4. Scan the Code with Your Camera: Now, all you have to do is point your camera at the QR code. Your camera will read the code and automatically change to the settings you picked. And if you have more than one camera, just scan the code with each one to quickly match the settings across all your cameras.

Save Your Favorite Settings

The app lets you save each QR code you create. That means you can build up a collection of your favorite settings, ready to use anytime you need them. It’s a simple way to switch between different settings, saving you time and making sure you always get the shot you want.

Exploring the QRControl App: A Step-by-Step Guide to Each Screen

Ready to get to know the GoPro Labs mobile app inside and out? You’re in the right place! In this part of the guide, we’re going to take a close look at each of the app’s eight screens.

These screens are your gateway to the many special features that GoPro Labs brings to your camera. Remember, these features are not available through the regular camera interface; it’s the app that brings them to life, turning your phone into a powerful remote control for your GoPro.

So, let’s take it step by step, and I’ll show you all the cool things each screen can do to make using your GoPro even more fun and easy.

Getting to Know the QRControl Interface

Diving into the QRControl interface, you’ll notice it’s divided into five main sections, each designed to help you navigate and control various camera settings with ease. Let’s take a closer look at each section to understand how they work:

Switching Between Screens at the Top

At the very top, you have the option to switch between the app’s different screens. There are eight screens in total, each dedicated to controlling a group of related settings for your camera. Don’t worry; we’ll explore each screen in detail further down in this guide.

Discovering Settings in the Top Half

As you move to the top half of the screen, this is where you’ll find all the settings you can control on the current screen you are on. It’s your playground to tweak and choose the best settings for your shot.

QR Code and Commands in the Bottom Half

In the bottom half, you’ll find the QR code that holds all the settings you’ve chosen. This isn’t just for the screen you’re on; it combines the settings from all the screens you’ve worked on. Here, you also have the space to add specific commands, giving you more control over your GoPro’s functionality.

Managing Pages on the Bottom Right

Over on the bottom right, you’ll find controls to manage the app’s pages. Think of a page as a saved version of a specific screen, kind of like a preset that stores settings you use often. It’s a quick way to access your favorite settings without having to set them up each time.

Saving QR Codes as PNG Files

And here’s a handy tip: you can save the QR code as a PNG file on your device. This could be a lifesaver for those who want to have printouts of frequently used settings, making it a breeze to switch to your preferred settings anytime.

QRControl Screen: Mode – Your GoPro’s Operating Hub

Welcome to the “Mode” screen, the place where you decide how your GoPro will capture those breathtaking moments. Here, you can choose from various modes like video, time-lapse, photo, and more, setting the stage for the perfect shot.

Finding Help is Just a Click Away

Notice the question mark in the top right corner? Give it a click anytime you need a bit of guidance. It brings up a help screen that changes based on the mode you’ve selected, offering you insights into what each control does.

GoPro Labs Unique Setting

Here’s a special treat exclusive to GoPro Labs users: the Jam Sync Timecode. When you select this option, a QR code pops up, ready to help you sync multiple cameras with ease. It’s a little feature that packs a big punch, simplifying the synchronization process in a snap.

QRControl Screen: Protune – Fine-Tuning Your Camera Settings

Step right into the “Protune” screen, where you get to play with all the Protune-related settings available for your GoPro camera. It’s your one-stop destination to fine-tune your camera to capture the perfect shot.

A Little Heads-Up

While this screen offers a plethora of options, it’s important to note that not all settings may apply to your specific GoPro model. Since the app isn’t aware of the exact GoPro you’re using, you might come across options that aren’t relevant to your camera. For instance, the “Bit Depth” setting is exclusively available for GoPro HERO11 and GoPro HERO12 users.

So, make sure to choose the settings that match your camera’s capabilities to get the most out of the Protune screen.

QRControl Screen: Prefs – Setting Up Your Camera Preferences

Next up is the “Prefs” screen, your go-to place to set up the regular preferences for your GoPro camera. Here, you can easily toggle features like GPS on or off, adjust the beep volume, manage Wi-Fi settings, and choose energy-saving options to ensure your camera runs just the way you like it.

Keeping it Simple

While this screen helps you tailor the basic settings to your preferences, it doesn’t house any GoPro Labs specific settings. It’s all about personalizing the standard functionalities to enhance your GoPro usage experience.

QRControl Screen: Start – Timing Your Perfect Shot

Welcome to the “Start” screen, where you get to be in full control of when your GoPro kicks into action, especially when you’re aiming to capture the perfect time-lapse sequence.

Setting Your Start Time

Here, you can set the ball rolling in two ways:

• Countdown: Set a timer specifying the hours, minutes, and seconds before the camera starts recording.
• Specific Time: Choose an exact start time using a 24-hour format (HH:MM) to initiate the recording at a predetermined moment.

Catching the Sunrise and Sunset with Ease

A standout feature on this screen is the “Sunset and Sunrise Time-lapses” option, a GoPro Labs special. By utilizing the GPS location, your camera smartly calculates the exact times for sunrise and sunset. You can instruct it to start recording a time-lapse a certain number of minutes before these beautiful natural events unfold, capturing the magical moments without a hitch.

QRControl Screen: Motion – Capturing Movement with Precision

Stepping into the “Motion” screen, you unlock the doors to some of the GoPro Labs’ special features, all designed to help you capture motion with greater control and precision.

Triggering the Action with GoPro Labs Features

Here, you get to play around with three exciting triggers that bring a new dimension to your GoPro recordings:

• Accelerometer: This feature senses the acceleration of the camera, triggering recording based on the speed of movement.
• Gyroscope: Utilize this to detect the orientation of the camera, starting the recording when specific angular movements are detected.
• Motion Detection: Set up your camera to start recording the moment it detects motion in its field of view, ensuring you never miss a moment of action.

QRControl Screen: Speed – Leveraging GPS for Smart Capture

As you navigate to the “Speed” screen, you’ll find yourself with the tools to make the most of the GoPro Labs’ GPS Speed Triggered Start and Stop Capture feature. It’s all about using speed data smartly to control your recording sessions.

GPS Speed Trigger: Your GoPro’s Smart Start and Stop

Thanks to the GPS feature in your GoPro, not only can you track your location, but you can also monitor your speed. This screen allows you to set a speed threshold to control when the recording starts and stops.

QRControl Screen: SPL – Sound-Activated Recording

The “SPL” screen is all about using sound to control your GoPro camera. It’s here that you find the GoPro Labs feature “Trigger – Sound Pressure Level.”

How Does it Work?

Simply put, this feature uses the noise level around the camera to start and stop recording. It’s a smart way to automatically capture moments when the sound level reaches a point you’ve set, making sure you don’t miss exciting moments that come with a bang or a cheer.

QRControl Screen: Extras – Unlocking Additional Features

The “Extras” screen is your gateway to activating special GoPro Labs features. It’s here that you can input a Four Character Code (FourCC) to unlock and set various parameters for different features.

Dive into the Details

When you select a FourCC from the dropdown menu, the app will show you all the details about that feature, helping you understand what it does and how you can use it. Some of the features you can explore and set up here include:

• Proxy File Support: Manage your proxy files more efficiently.
• 24.0Hz vs 23.976Hz Capture: Choose the best frame rate for your recording.
• Histogram: Get a graphical representation of your image’s light values.
• Spirit Level on Rear LCD: Ensure your shots are perfectly level.
• Display Current ISO and Shutter Speed: Stay informed about your camera settings during preview and capture.

It’s a space where you can delve deeper into the functionalities, fine-tuning your GoPro to meet your specific needs.

QRControl Screen: About – Tailoring Your GoPro Labs Mobile App Experience

The “About” screen is where you can personalize your app experience to suit your preferences. It’s a handy place to control various aspects of the app’s interface and functionality.

Making the App Your Own

Here’s what you can do on this screen:

• Control Visible Screens: Choose which screens you want to see in the app, keeping only the ones you frequently use.
• Adjust Screen Brightness: Find the perfect brightness level for comfortable use, whether you’re indoors or out in the sun.
• Reset the App: If things get a bit messy or you want to start fresh, you have the option to reset the app, clearing all saved settings.

It’s all about making the app work for you, ensuring a user-friendly experience tailored to your needs.

Wrapping Up: Your Gateway to Mastering the GoPro Labs Mobile App

As we reach the end of our deep dive into the GoPro Labs mobile app, it’s clear that this tool is a game-changer for GoPro users. Whether you’re using a GoPro Labs iPhone app or the GoPro Labs mobile app for Android, you now have the knowledge to navigate each screen with confidence, making the most of the GoPro Labs QR generator to control your camera in innovative ways.

Beyond the App

Remember, while the mobile app brings convenience to your fingertips, it’s not the only way to generate QR codes for GoPro Labs. You can also create QR codes through the following web pages:

• Custom QR Code Generator
• GoPro Labs Control

Keep Exploring

I invite you to continue exploring the fascinating world of GoPro Labs through my other blog posts. There’s much more to learn and discover as you delve deeper into what GoPro Labs has to offer.

• Installing GoPro Labs
• GoPro Labs: 51 Features You Didn’t Know Your Camera Had
• Master the GoPro Labs Update for PC in 4 Easy Steps (2023 Edition)
• GoPro Labs Reset: Your How-To Guide for a Fresh Start
• How to Remove GoPro Labs Firmware on PC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and remember, the adventure is just getting started. Happy recording!