jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I bought an Insta360 X3 for my son a year or more ago, and I was surprised that he's never used it.

The requirements for apps have gotten out of hand. It seems that most electronic products require downloading an app to your cell phone to set it up. That applies to the Insta360 X3 camera. The problem is that you need a new, expensive phone to use this camera. Before you can use it, you have to download the app and pair it with your phone. We have three active phones here, and although I can download the app, I cannot install it because none of the phones is powerful enough to use it.

Frist, you have to "activate" the phone. This is supposedly a security measure to make sure the camera is new. The phone app is required for that. After activating it, you must register it, but I don't know what's involved with that because I cannot activate it.

I have searched extensively online, and I could find no way to activate it. They say you can activate it if the app is on your phone or tablet, even if it can't run the app, but that isn't true.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Not for me, Jerry. I don't accept manipulation. I would send it back with a nasty note!

JBRIII

This has become a real issue for me. Even if you get it to work, the company may issue a new app which requires an OS version your camera can't handle. I've had this happen and then had the old app decommissioned by the maker.
I also have a scope which to update requires both cell and WiFi access at the same time. As we have no cell service here, I took the device with me while my wife had an appointment at the Hospital complex which offers free internet.
I've done similar things sitting outside the local library.
I have one phone with no SIM card just devices and the sensors it has.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Well, it's been two years, so I don't think B&H will accept a return. 😁

I'll sell it when I get around to it.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I have that camera and the previous one. You can download their studio app on your computer and manipulate the images on your computer.
I love this camera. I have taken it to Africa a few times, to Cuba many times, to Italy, to Morocco. Where ever I go for photography this camera comes with me.

Here are 2 images I took yesterday at a 100th birthday party for a Merchant Marine Captain. Both were processed on my computer in the Insta 360 studio.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! If I could use the camera, I could process the results. I can't even take a picture or a video with it because I can't activate it.

Nice pictures!

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I am not sure what you are referring to. I had no problem activating either the Insta 360 x2 or the Insta 360 x3.
Have you tried emailing the company?

scootersurfs Loc: Buckeye, Az

I’d be interested in buying it if it’s a good enough deal?? Thnx

JBRIII

If its your PC or maybe even your phone, it could be either the ver. of the OS on the phone, or your email. I had my email on my PC stopping activation of all Microsoft products and Turbo Tax 2023, nothing else, just those. I had to remove the program to solve the issue, turning it off did not help..These types of issues are very frustrating and time consuming, I spend a day or more working between 2 and 5 when internet was fastest and more than 2hrs with Microsoft support to no avail. I was about to either take the computer in for repairs or buy a new one, transfer all my programs, the strip the older one (3 yrs old) and start over with it. Only at the last did I find a net reference where someone said they had to remove the email completely.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Okay. Let me look on eBay and see what they've sold for.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I turn the camera on, it tells me to download the app and activate the camera. Although I can download it, I cannot install the app because my phones are not capable enough. I can download and install the processing software, but I have nothing to process.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The Insta360 site says I need at least Android version 7. I have version 9, but the processor isn't powerful enough to pair with the camera. Yes, that's ridiculous.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I contacted Support, and they replied with a list of questions, including the serial number of the camera. Then, I had to contact Support to find out how to find the serial number, since it is nbot printed anywhere on the body of the camera.

This is a fantastic little camera, and I wish I could use it. I also wish the description and all the reviews stated that a special cell phone is required to use it.