Turning the GoPro Hero (2018) into a Hero 5 Black for 4K!

by Oscar

The new GoPro Hero 2018 edition is cheaper than the Hero 5 Black, but it won’t do 4K nor 2.7K, only up to 1440p. There are some other features missing too. Interestingly there are smart people out there managed to turn it into a Hero 5 Black that is capable of recording 4K videos!

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According to this page, the new GoPro Hero 2018 edition is actually using nearly identical hardware as the older GoPro Hero 5 Black. Therefore it’s possible to “unlock” the performance and features on the Hero 5 Black that are missing in the cheaper GoPro Hero! All you need to do is to flash a custom firmware to remove the “restrictions”.

Disclaimer: Do this at your own risk, I have not tried this myself. Beware that by doing this DIY hack you might void the warranty!

Instructions: https://www.reddit.com/r/goprohack/comments/8wpe49/gopro_hero_1080p_2018_to_hero_5_black_firmware/

With this simple firmware update, you can unlock features of the GoPro HERO 2018 action camera including 4K 30FPS, 2.7K 60FPS with EIS turned ON, GPS works too, 240 FPS slow-motion at 720p, 120 FPS at 1080p, and a whole lot more! Superview also works for 2.7K, 1080p and below. Unfortunately there are still some features that are not possible such as Image Stabilization at 4K.

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22 comments

Raghul 27th December 2020 - 6:04 pm

Any guys still in need of that file? i can send it

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Meshal Alobaid 8th August 2021 - 2:57 pm

I need it pleases

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Jordan Bobby Lay 5th December 2021 - 11:32 pm

can you please send me the files and how to install this. i cant get it to work. Tahoe6point3L @ Gmail . com

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Bob 29th November 2022 - 10:56 pm

If you still have the file I would like a copy.
hardfind_1 @ yahoo . com

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Ike 4th January 2023 - 12:47 am

Me please , isaacg247 AT gmail.com

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Amruth Raj 14th February 2020 - 3:32 pm

After hero 2018 is upgraded to hero 5 black I tried updating to the latest software update. It is not updating from version 2.60 to version 2.70. I tried the manual method aswell, didn’t work. Everytime I try updating, it shows error ‘!’ This exclamatory sign appears. Please Help.

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Marcel 29th July 2019 - 9:20 am

Is it possible to use Reelsteady Go with the custom FW?

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Zach 22nd October 2018 - 8:55 pm

Can you please send me the files?
Thanks for the help on this. I am really looking forward to having my Hero operate in my Drone. Thanks!!!

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hakan 1st October 2018 - 12:57 am

Can I install the original version?

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Mattias 23rd September 2018 - 4:38 pm

Would love to get the fil so i can update my hero 2018.
mattias.eriksson AT motala.se

Thanx in advance.

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Lol 4th October 2018 - 10:45 pm

Did you get the file?

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Mattias Eriksson 8th October 2018 - 10:51 pm

no

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Francesco 12th September 2018 - 6:25 pm

Pls can i have the file to my email macrofago AT libero.it ? Thank you!

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Oscar 18th September 2018 - 5:54 pm

The file has been taken down by the author.

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spartan 25th November 2018 - 1:52 pm

i can, but if you explain me how to turn it

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Greg 8th September 2018 - 9:18 am

Could you share the file with me please? My email is lasgregass AT msn.com
Thx !

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fl0PPsy 6th September 2018 - 2:09 am

Does anyone know what the model number is of the 2018 edition?

Is it GPCHDHB-501?

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Dave Gillies 4th September 2018 - 2:26 pm

I did this firmware install to make my hero (2018) to work exactly like a hero 5 black. Install is simple and takes about 5 minutes. All working perfectly!

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Benish Augustine 5th September 2018 - 12:14 pm

Hi Dave, can you please share the download files with me? I can’t seem to find it. You can mail me on benish.augustine AT gmail.com

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Aaron 5th September 2018 - 4:23 pm

Could you send it to me as well? I have been following the steps for the files mod but it doesnt seem to auto update.

my email is death_aaron AT hotmail.com

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George 6th September 2018 - 2:05 am

Hi Dave, im having trouble finding the files and understanding how to do the process.

Can you share with me the hacked firmware files?

jwilsont AT gmail.com

Cheers,
George

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Luigi 7th September 2018 - 7:56 am

Could you share the files with me pls? my email is luigi92lm AT gmail.com

Reply