How Do You Attach a Float to a GoPro Housing?
To attach a Nordic Flash float to a GoPro housing, loop the float's cord around one of the mounting fingers on the housing, then secure the housing with its thumbscrew. In rough water, loop the camera strap around the float as well. Test it in shallow water before the trip.
Have a GoPro Floaty or The Handler? This guide is for a Nordic Flash camera float: a foam loop you wear on your wrist, with a cord you loop around a mounting finger or a lanyard hole. If you have GoPro's wraparound Floaty or The Handler floating grip, use GoPro's own steps for that accessory: Floaty (opens in a new tab) and The Handler (opens in a new tab).
Key takeaways
- The cord goes around a mounting finger, and the thumbscrew holds it in place.
- In rough water, also loop the camera strap around the float.
- Keep the float clear of the lens.
- For phones, use a waterproof case with a lanyard loop or hole.
- Check the total weight against the float's rating 7 oz (200 g) first.
Step 1. Find a mounting finger or loop
On a GoPro housing, use one of the mounting fingers. On a phone, use the waterproof case's lanyard loop or hole. There has to be something to loop the cord through.
Step 2. Loop the cord
Loop the float's cord around the finger or through the loop.
Step 3. Tighten the thumbscrew
On a GoPro housing, secure it with the thumbscrew so the cord cannot work its way off. Check that the screw is actually tight.
Step 4. Add a second connection in rough water
Loop the camera strap around the float as well, so you have two connections, not one.
Step 5. Test in shallow water
Confirm the camera stays at the surface, the float hangs clear of the lens, and the door is latched before you go further out.
What do you need?
- A Nordic Flash camera float (from the 2-pack)
- Your camera in its housing, or with its mounting fingers out
- The housing's thumbscrew
- For a phone: a waterproof case with a lanyard loop or hole
- A sink, bucket or the shallow end of a pool for a quick test
Before you start, weigh the full setup. One float is made to float up to 7 oz (200 g); our weight capacity guide shows how to check.
How do you attach a float to a GoPro housing, step by step?
| Step | What to do | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loosen the thumbscrew so there is room for the cord | The housing door is closed and latched |
| 2 | Loop the float's cord around one of the mounting fingers | The cord sits fully around the finger, not just over the tip |
| 3 | Secure the housing with its thumbscrew | The screw is tight and the cord can't slide off |
| 4 | In rough water, loop the camera strap around the float as well | The strap is snug and the float hangs freely |
| 5 | Test in shallow water | The camera stays at the surface |
Once the float is on, check that it hangs clear of the lens.
GoPro's own advice is to make sure the door latch is closed before the camera goes in the water (GoPro (opens in a new tab)). It takes a second to check, and step 1 is a good moment to do it.
How do you use the quick-release cord?
The float sits on a quick-release cord: slide the float onto your wrist and clip the camera to the cord. That lets you take the camera off to change a battery or a card without undoing the whole setup.
How do you attach a float to a phone case?
Phones need a waterproof case first. Thread the float's cord through the case's lanyard loop or hole and make sure the case is fully sealed before it goes near water.
Phones are often heavier than action cameras. Apple lists the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g without a case; compare that with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g) (Apple (opens in a new tab)). Weigh the phone in its case first. Our post on whether a waterproof phone case floats goes into this.
The camera float 1-pack also works with waterproof phone pouches.
What are the common mistakes?
- A loose thumbscrew. If the screw isn't tight, the cord can work its way off the finger.
- Skipping the strap in rough water. Looping the camera strap around the float adds a second connection.
- The float in front of the lens. Keep the float clear of the lens so it doesn't sit in the shot.
- Going over the weight. A float only helps if it can hold the whole setup.
- No test. Try it in shallow water before you rely on it.
- An open door. Close and latch the camera door before it gets wet.
Gear for this
Frequently asked questions
How do I attach a float to a GoPro?
Loop the float's cord around one of the mounting fingers on the housing, then secure the housing with its thumbscrew. In rough water, loop the camera strap around the float as well.
Can I attach a float to a phone?
Yes, if the phone is in a waterproof case with a lanyard loop or hole. Thread the cord through the loop and check the total weight against the float's rating 7 oz (200 g).
Can I use both floats from the 2-pack on one camera?
Yes. The 2-pack lets you connect both floats to one camera for added security.
Do I need to remove the float to change the battery?
No. The quick-release cord lets you clip the camera off and back on.
How do I know the setup works?
Test it. Put the whole setup in a sink, bucket or the shallow end of a pool and check that it stays at the surface.
Sources
- GoPro: Floaty (opens in a new tab)
- GoPro: The Handler (opens in a new tab)
- GoPro: HERO13 Black, how deep can you dive? (door latch and rinsing tips) (opens in a new tab)
- Apple: iPhone 17 Pro Max tech specs (opens in a new tab)
Related reading
- How do you keep a GoPro from sinking?
- How much weight can a camera float hold?
- Does a waterproof phone case float?
- Nordic Flash FAQ
GoPro and iPhone are trademarks of their owners. Nordic Flash is not affiliated with them; brand names are used only to describe compatibility.