GO 3S: Insta360 App Exclusive Features for Retro Bundle (Special Edition)

GO 3S: Insta360 App Exclusive Features for Retro Bundle (Special Edition)

Applicable Models: GO 3S

GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition) features a vintage design paired with exclusive custom filters to capture textured image with one touch. This bundle does not include an Action Pod, and camera settings need to be configured via the Insta360 app. This article introduces basic operations and exclusive features, along with FAQ to help you get started quickly.

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Access to shooting and settings pages

Shooting page

Connect the camera to the Insta360 app, then tap the "Camera" icon at the bottom to enter the shooting page.

"More settings" page

On the shooting page, tap the "⋮" icon in the upper right corner to access the settings page.

"Other Settings" page

Scroll down on the "More settings" page to find "Other Settings".

How to enable the Portrait Mode via the Insta360 app

Video Mode

Access the "Exposure Parameter Settings" page in the lower right corner of the main shooting page, then tap the portrait icon to turn the Portrait Mode on or off. This effect takes effect during recording and cannot be removed in post production.

Photo Mode

The Portrait Mode is enabled by default. After capturing a photo, enter the image editing page and tap "Settings" in the upper left corner to disable the Portrait Mode.

Please note: The Portrait Mode is currently only available with the "Standard" filter.

List of Supported Filters

Status	Supported Filters	Supported Shooting Modes
While shooting	Standard, GR-F, Monochrome, Vintage Vacation, NC Film, CC Film, Glow, Rosy, Vivid, Biking, Urban, and Snow	Video modes: Video, Timelapse, TimeShift, Loop Recording, and FreeFrame Video Photo modes: Photo, Interval, and HDR Photo
	Negative Film and Positive Film	Photo Mode only
While editing in Insta360 app	Sticker A/B/C, Negative Film, and Positive Film	Photo Mode only

The Positive Film, Negative Film and Sticker A/B/C filters are exclusive to the GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition). Their stylistic characteristics are detailed below:

• Negative Film: It replicates classic film negative aesthetics with lower overall contrast and a softer visual tone. Featuring cool color temperatures and reduced saturation, it suits bright, clean and refreshing scenes as well as portrait photography.

• Positive Film: Designed to emulate slide film styles, this filter delivers a strong stylized look with high contrast and vivid color grading. Ideal for colorful indoor and outdoor scenes with distinct light and shadow details, it enhances tonal separation and color vibrancy for a more striking visual impact.

• Sticker A/B/C: It recreates vintage film aesthetics with built-in decorative film border overlays for a retro photographic effect.

Please note: When the standard version of GO 3S is used with a separately purchased Retro Viewfinder and the NFC Custom Skin is successfully paired, connecting to the Insta360 app allows users to apply Positive Film and Negative Film filters to regular photos during post-production. Such filters are not available for real-time shooting preview and can only be added in post-production.

Camera activation & firmware update

The GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition) does not include the Action Pod, so activation and firmware updates must be done through the Insta360 app.

Activation

1. Press and hold the camera button for three seconds to power on the device. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone, and ensure a stable network connection.
2. Launch the Insta360 app, tap the "Camera" icon at the bottom of the page, select your GO 3S from the device list, and tap "Connect".
3. Follow the on-screen prompts in the Insta360 app, briefly press the camera button to confirm network access, then tap "Activate" to complete the process.

Firmware update

1. Before performing a firmware update, ensure the camera's battery level is no less than 25%. Keep your phone's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, maintain a stable connection between the phone and the camera, and ensure a smooth network environment.
2. Connect the camera to the Insta360 app. If a new firmware version is available, the app will automatically pop up an update notification.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions in the Insta360 app to complete corresponding confirmation steps, then wait for the system to download the firmware and finish updating automatically.

FAQ

1. Why can't I find the vintage watermark featured in the official promotional video in the Insta360 app?

This feature is currently in a gradual rollout phase and available to only a limited number of users. We are continuously optimizing the user experience and will fully release this feature to all users as soon as possible. Stay tuned.

2. What is the function of the Live Activities window in the iOS version of the Insta360 app?

The Live Activities window is displayed on the iOS lock screen and Dynamic Island. It supports quick switching between photo and video modes, one-touch start and stop of shooting, and real-time viewing of camera status, including remaining battery, overheating alerts, and available storage space.

Please note: This feature is compatible with both the GO 3S Standard Edition and GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition).

3. Why does single-pressing or double-pressing the camera button not trigger the default photo or video feature?

If your camera does not operate in accordance with default settings, the button functions may have been modified. You may check and restore settings by following the steps below:

Connect the camera to the Insta360 app, go to the main shooting page > tap the "⋮" icon in the upper left corner > "More settings" > "Button Settings" to view and customize the shooting modes triggered by single-press and double-press operations.

The default factory button settings are as follows:

• Single-press: Photo mode. After pressing, the blue indicator light on the camera flashes with three notification tones. Keep the camera steady until the tones end.
• Double-press: Video mode. The camera starts recording after double-pressing, with the red indicator light on the camera flashing simultaneously. Single-press once again to stop recording.

Please note: If the Insta360 app shooting preview page is open during shooting, the camera will prioritize the mode and parameters selected on the preview page instead of the default button settings.

4. Do media files captured with the GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition) need to be edited and exported exclusively via the Insta360 app? How to export files via a computer?

You may download original media through the Insta360 app on your phone, then connect the phone to a computer for editing and export. Alternatively, you can purchase the GO 3S Quick Reader or Action Pod separately. Connect the camera directly to your computer with a data cable to access and export files stored on the device.

5. Why does image noise appear after applying the Positive Film or Negative Film filter in the Insta360 app?

The Positive Film and Negative Film filters are exclusive vintage film styles with built-in grain and noise effects. Designed to replicate authentic retro film textures, such visual characteristics are intentional and normal. For cleaner, clearer visuals, switch to other grain-free filters during shooting. You may also change to a different filter manually in the photo editor after capture.

6. Why is there no access point to QuickCapture settings in the Insta360 app?

Navigate to the shooting page in the Insta360 app > tap the "⋮" icon in the upper right corner > "More settings" page, where you can customize the shooting modes triggered by single or double pressing of the camera button. These settings will apply to the camera whether it is powered on or off, integrating QuickCapture and camera button settings.

7. Why does the connection schematic for the Retro Bundle (Special Edition) look identical to the standard version when connecting to the Insta360 app?

The GO 3S Retro Bundle (Special Edition) has the same camera appearance as the standard version. The NFC Custom Skin is an attached accessory and not an inherent part of the camera. Therefore, the Insta360 app does not display differentiated connection diagrams for the two versions.