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🎉 Insta360 Cameras Are Now Supported — Here's How to Get Started

A complete setup, connection, and troubleshooting guide for Insta360 Cameras

Written by Emmy Budis

What You'll Need

- RentCheck’s Accelerate Plan Subscription (Formerly Professional)

- A fast-track inspection

- An Insta360 Camera

- A micro SD card (see below)

- The Insta360 app (for initial setup only)

Supported Cameras:

  • Insta360 X2

  • Insta360 X3

  • Insta360 X4 Air

  • Insta360 X5

To find out more about which camera best suits your needs, read our “Choosing the right 360 camera guide” here.

Before You Start: Camera Prep

Micro SD Card (Required)

All Insta360 cameras require a micro SD card to function. Some models include one in the box, but most do not - check the product listing before purchasing. Without an SD card inserted, the camera cannot save photos.

Recommended specs: UHS-I microSD, V30 or above speed class, exFAT format. Do not use UHS-II or UHS-III cards, or cards larger than 1TB, as these are not compatible.

Insta360 App (Required for Initial Setup Only)

You must activate your camera through the Insta360 app before it can be used with RentCheck. Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) before powering on your camera for the first time. You will not need the Insta360 app open during inspections as all functionality is handled within RentCheck.

Initial Camera Setup (One-Time)

Step 1: Activate Your Camera via the Insta360 App

1. Insert your micro SD card into the camera.

2. Power on the camera.

3. Open the Insta360 app on your phone.

4. Follow the in-app prompts to activate your camera.

Note for Insta360 X4 Air and X5 users: The X4 Air and X5 models require an additional physical setup walkthrough on the camera itself after activating in the app. The camera starts in video mode by default — you must complete this on-camera walkthrough before you can switch to photo mode. Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Update Firmware (Likely Required)

When you first connect your camera to the Insta360 app, you will likely be prompted to update the firmware. This is required for most models to complete activation and unlock all features. Allow the update to complete fully before proceeding.

Step 3: Set Your Camera to Photo Mode

Your Insta360 camera must be in Photo Mode to work with RentCheck. It will not function in Video Mode.

On the camera screen, navigate to the shooting mode selector and confirm it is set to Photo. If you completed the X4 Air walkthrough above, you can now switch out of video mode.

Connecting to RentCheck

Step 4: Ensure You're on an Accelerate Plan

360 camera functionality is only available to users with a Professional Plan. You can upgrade through your Billing Page if needed.

Step 5: Use a Fast-Track Inspection

Make sure the inspection you create is a fast-track inspection - 360 cameras are not supported for standard inspections. Open the inspection in RentCheck before connecting to your camera’s wifi

Step 6: Connect Your Phone to the Camera's Wi-Fi

On your phone, open Wi-Fi settings and connect to your camera's network.

Important for iOS users: Go to Settings → RentCheck and make sure Local Network is enabled. Bluetooth permission is also required. If you were not prompted to grant this automatically, enable it manually in your phone settings.

Step 7: Select 360 Photo Mode in RentCheck

Back in the RentCheck app on the camera screen for the inspection, select the "360 Photo" option under the Media Options button.

Step 8: Capture the Image

Place the camera on a tripod in the center of the room, step out of the frame, and capture the image with a single tap. Repeat for each room.

Step 9: Complete & Submit the Inspection

Note: For desktop uploads, ensure the image has a "-image-360.jpg" extension.

360 Images In Inspection Reports

360 photos are seamlessly integrated into RentCheck reports! Users can click thumbnails to enter the full 360° view through any browser. Reports can be shared as PDFs or HTML links with residents or property owners.

Using The 360 Viewer

The 360 Viewer allows users to explore different angles of a room by clicking and dragging. It works on both desktop and mobile devices, offering detailed property documentation.

Troubleshooting

General Tips

  • Charge: Ensure your camera is fully charged before inspections; consider a portable battery pack for back-to-back units.

  • Wi-Fi Connection: Keep a strong connection between your device and the camera throughout the inspection.

  • Camera Mode: Make sure the camera is in Photo Mode, not Video Mode. The RentCheck integration will not function in any other mode.

  • Work vs. Personal Phones: Antivirus software on work phones may block image processing. Try on a personal device if issues persist.

  • Uninstall/Reinstall: Try uninstalling and reinstalling the RentCheck app. Ensure all inspections are uploaded first to avoid data loss.

  • Clear Cache: Clearing the app cache or data may fix issues, but be aware this could log you out or reset settings.

  • Safe Mode: Booting your device into Safe Mode may help identify conflicts with other apps.

iOS Local Network Permission

When connecting on an iPhone, iOS may prompt you to allow RentCheck to access devices on your local network — tap Allow. This permission is required for the app to communicate with your camera. If you missed the prompt, go to Settings → RentCheck and enable Local Network manually. Bluetooth permission is also required.

For Insta360 specifically: if permissions are missing, go to Settings → RentCheck and confirm that Local Network, Bluetooth, and network access are all enabled.

Camera Wi-Fi Not Appearing?

- Be patient, it may take a few seconds after powering on.

- Ensure only one device is trying to connect at a time.

- Toggle your phone's Wi-Fi off and back on.

- If it still doesn't appear, power cycle the camera and try again.

- Forget the network in your Wi-Fi settings and reconnect from scratch.

Wrong Password / Can't Connect?

- The X2, X3, X4 Air, and X5 use randomly generated passwords — check it directly on the camera screen (Settings → Wi-Fi Settings). It is not printed on the camera body.

- Re-check for typos if entered manually.

Connected to Wi-Fi but RentCheck Can't See the Camera?

- Confirm Local Network and Bluetooth permissions are enabled in Settings → RentCheck (iOS).

- Confirm the camera is in Photo Mode.

- Keep the camera within 3–4 feet of your phone.

- Make sure Airplane Mode is disabled on your phone.

Photos Not Saving?

- Check that a micro SD card is properly inserted. The camera cannot save images without one.

- Confirm the SD card is compatible (UHS-I, V30+, exFAT, under 1TB).

Firmware Update Prompt During Inspection?

- Firmware updates should be completed during initial setup via the Insta360 app (Step 2 above), not mid-inspection. If prompted, exit, complete the update, and reconnect to RentCheck. You may need to reconnect the wifi after a firmware update.

Upload Speed Tips

Upload times vary by model and file size. For faster uploads, wait until you have a strong Wi-Fi signal and disconnect from the camera's network after capturing all images.

For More Details

For in-depth Insta360 camera documentation, visit the official Insta360 resources:

- Insta360 Online Manual: https://onlinemanual.insta360.com

RELATED RESOURCES

Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to our Customer Support team through live chat.

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