The Short Answer
To connect a Hohem gimbal, power it on, turn on your phone's Bluetooth, then pair inside the Hohem Joy app, not in Bluetooth settings. You can skip the app entirely for stabilization and, on V2S, V3, V3 Ultra and M7, for AI tracking.
You open Bluetooth settings, see the gimbal in the list, tap it, and nothing happens. Or it connects to your old phone, not the new one. Or the app spins on "searching" forever. This is the most common first-day question we get, and nearly every case comes down to pairing in the wrong place or an old pairing that never got cleared.
Here is how to connect a Hohem gimbal to an iPhone or Android phone, what the app actually adds, and when you do not need it at all. The steps apply to current models like the Hohem iSteady V3; button combinations differ slightly by model, so check your manual for the exact reset.
Connect in Four Steps
- Power on the gimbal. Hold the power button for about 3 seconds until the motors start.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone. Leave the Bluetooth settings screen; you will not pair there.
- Open the Hohem Joy app (free on the App Store and Google Play) and allow the Bluetooth, camera and location permissions it asks for. Android uses location permission to scan for Bluetooth devices.
- Tap your gimbal's name in the app's device list and follow the prompts. Hohem's M6 manual describes the same flow: power on, Bluetooth on, open Hohem Joy and follow the instructions.
Once connected, the app will offer any firmware update. Install it while the gimbal is charged.
When You Can Skip the App
| Feature | Needs Hohem Joy? |
|---|---|
| 3-axis stabilization and modes | No |
| AI tracking on V2S, V3, V3 Ultra, M6, M7 (built-in sensor) | No, works in any camera app |
| Tracking on Mobile Plus and X3 | Yes, inside the app |
| Electronic zoom from the gimbal | Yes, when recording in the app |
| Hyperlapse, panorama and creative modes | Yes |
| Firmware updates and calibration settings | Yes |
That is why live sellers on TikTok or Facebook often never open the app: a built-in AI tracker works inside those apps directly. Our AI tracking guide explains the difference.
If It Will Not Connect
- Not found in the app: check the gimbal is powered on and charged, then close and reopen Hohem Joy.
- Paired in Bluetooth settings by mistake: open your phone's Bluetooth list, choose "Forget" on the gimbal, then pair from the app.
- Still paired to another phone: turn off Bluetooth on the old phone, or clear the gimbal's pairing. On the M6, Hohem says to hold the M button for five seconds while pushing the zoom lever up. Check your model's manual for its combination.
- Permissions blocked: in phone settings, allow Hohem Joy to use Bluetooth, camera, microphone and, on Android, location.
- Wrong app: use Hohem Joy, Hohem's current app. Older Hohem apps may not list newer models.
- Still stuck: update your phone's OS and the app, restart both, and try again.
iPhone vs Android Notes
- iPhone: the app asks for Bluetooth and camera access the first time. If you tapped "Don't Allow," turn it on under Settings, then Hohem Joy.
- Android: some phones aggressively close background apps to save battery. Exclude Hohem Joy from battery optimization if the connection drops mid-shoot.
- Both: keep the phone within a few meters of the gimbal; Bluetooth gets unreliable through bodies and walls.
Connecting the Detachable Remote
On models with a detachable remote, like the V3 Ultra and M7, the remote controls the gimbal directly, so you do not pair it in your phone's Bluetooth list. If it stops responding, charge it, reattach it to the handle, and power-cycle the gimbal before anything else. The V3 Ultra's remote runs about 55 minutes per charge, so a flat remote is a common cause of "not connecting."
Before a Live Selling Session
If you sell live, a dropped connection mid-show is the worst time to troubleshoot. A short routine helps:
- Charge the gimbal, the remote and your phone the night before.
- Decide whether you need the app at all. For tracking inside TikTok or Facebook Live on an AI-tracker model, close Hohem Joy so it does not fight for the camera.
- Run a two-minute test stream in private mode to check framing and tracking.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so calls and pop-ups do not interrupt the stream.
Our live selling setup guide covers lighting and framing too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect my Hohem gimbal to my iPhone?
Power on the gimbal, turn on Bluetooth, open Hohem Joy and pair inside the app. Do not pair from iPhone Bluetooth settings.
Can I use a Hohem gimbal without the app?
Yes. Stabilization works without it, and models with a built-in AI tracker follow you in any camera app.
Why does my Hohem gimbal keep disconnecting?
Usually battery optimization closing the app, distance, or a low gimbal battery. Exclude the app from battery saving and charge fully.
More in this series: how to use a phone gimbal and balancing and calibration.
Questions? Contact our team with your phone and gimbal model. VMI Direct is an authorized Hohem distributor in the Philippines.
Written by Johannes Yu, VMI Direct. Pairing steps from the Hohem iSteady M6 user manual.
