GoPro Charging Guide: USB-C, Contacto & Fast-Charging Tips

If you’ve been using your GoPro camera for a while, charging it probably seems obvious. But if you’ve only recently picked up a new GoPro, the transition to USB-C, Enduro batteries, and magnetic charging might be confusing.

That’s because different camera models have different charging options, and there are specific chargers that work much faster than others. Using an old phone charger might take 4 hours, while a proper one takes just 60 minutes.

This post is a general overview about charging GoPros. I also have a separate post that goes into much more detail on choosing the right battery model for your GoPro.

7 Ways to charge a GoPro

1. USB Wall Charger: The standard method. (Note: Modern GoPros require at least 5V/2.4A for reliable charging, and 5V/3A for “Fast Charging”).
2. USB Computer Port: Slow and sometimes unreliable, but works in a pinch.
3. Portable Power Bank: Essential for long shoot days.
4. Dual Battery Charger (External): The fastest way to charge multiple batteries.
5. Contacto Magnetic Charging: The new waterproof, magnetic continuous power system.
6. Car Charger: Handy for road trips.
7. Solar Charger: For off-grid adventures. Can be slow, but sometimes it might be your only viable option.

You can find more detailed information on these options below.

The right power source (amps matter!)

This is the #1 mistake new GoPro users make.

Old Advice: In the past, almost any 5V/1A phone charger worked fine.

New Reality: Modern cameras (HERO9 through HERO13) are power-hungry. If you use an old 1-Amp charger (like the little white cube that came with old iPhones), your GoPro might take 4+ hours to charge or not charge at all while recording.

The Golden Rule: Use a charger rated for at least 5V / 2.4A (12 Watts). Ideally, use a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) charger rated for 5V / 3A (15 Watts) to unlock “Fast Charging” on the newer Enduro batteries.

Which cable do I need?

There are three main types of cables GoPros have used over the years. Here is the breakdown:

USB-C (The Modern Standard):

• HERO13 / 12 / 11 / 10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 Black
• HERO11 Black Mini
• MAX / MAX 2 / Fusion
• Lit HERO
• HERO (2018)
• HERO5 Session

Micro-USB Type-B:

• HERO Session (Original)
• HERO4 Session

Mini-USB (USB Mini-B) (Old School):

• HERO4 Black / Silver
• HERO3+ / HERO3
• HD HERO2 / Original

Charging method 1: Inside the camera

The simplest method is to leave the battery inside the camera and plug it in.

1. Power the camera OFF. (This is crucial. If the camera is on, it will charge much slower or just maintain the current level.)
2. Connect the USB-C cable to a wall outlet or computer.
3. Look for the Red LED on the front of the camera.
   • Solid Red: Charging.
   • Light Off: Fully Charged.

How long does it take? With a proper 5V/3A wall charger, a modern Enduro battery takes about 2 hours to reach 100% inside the camera. Using a USB port on a computer can take 4+ hours; it works, but it’s very slow and can be unreliable if your laptop decides it needs to conserve power.

Charging method 2: External battery chargers (faster)

If you have a camera with a removable battery (HERO13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, etc.), the best investment you can make is the Dual Battery Charger. Just be sure to get the one that’s designed specifically for the batteries your camera uses (e.g., the Enduro batteries for the HERO13 Black are different from the Enduro batteries for the HERO12 Black).

Why use an external charger?

• Efficiency: You can charge two spare batteries while using the camera with a third one.
• Speed: The official Dual Battery Charger is optimized to charge the batteries faster than the camera can.
• Safety: It generates less heat inside the camera body.

Important Compatibility Note: Make sure you buy the correct charger for your model. The batteries changed physical shape between the HERO8, HERO9, and HERO13.

Charging method 3: Contacto (magnetic charging)

For the HERO13, 12, 11, 10, and 9, GoPro recently introduced a game-changer: Contacto.

This kit replaces the standard battery door with one that has magnetic “pogo pins” (similar to an old MacBook charger). It allows you to snap a power cable onto the camera instantly without opening any doors.

The Big Benefit: It remains fully waterproof while charging. This is the only current way to power a GoPro externally in the rain or while surfing, without using a bulky underwater housing or making a DIY solution like I used to for long-term time-lapse projects. Contacto has been a huge improvement for me.

Travel & international charging

The good news is that because GoPros charge via USB, you generally do not need a voltage converter (the heavy brick that converts 220V to 110V).

You only need a simple plug adapter to fit the wall socket of the country you are visiting. Your phone charger or GoPro wall brick is almost certainly “dual voltage” (check the small print on the plug; if it says “Input: 100-240V”, you are safe to use it anywhere in the world).

General charging tips

1. Turn off WiFi/Connections: Even when the camera is off, if “Wireless Connections” are left on, the camera will “sip” power to look for your phone, slowing down the charge.

2. Cold Weather Warning: Lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged when they are below freezing (32°F / 0°C). If you just came in from skiing and the battery is ice cold, let it warm up to room temperature before plugging it in, or the safety circuits will prevent it from charging.

3. Charging While Recording: You can power the camera via USB while recording (e.g., for a timelapse). However, the battery icon will stop animating. It creates a “passthrough” power state where the camera runs off the wall power and stops charging the battery to reduce heat.

Troubleshooting: GoPro won’t charge?

If you’ve plugged your camera in and the red LED isn’t lighting up, don’t panic. Before you assume the battery is dead, run through this quick checklist:

• Swap the Wall Brick: Most GoPro charging issues are actually “under-powering” issues. If you are using an old 5V/1A phone charger, it may not have enough juice to trigger the charging circuit. Switch to a charger rated for 5V/2.4A or higher.
• Check the Red LED: If the LED is off but the camera feels warm, it might be fully charged already. Disconnect it and try to power it on. If it won’t turn on, try a Hard Reset: Hold the Mode button down for 10 seconds.
• Inspect the Cable: USB-C cables look identical, but many “charging-only” cables are too thin to carry the high amperage a GoPro needs. Try using the original GoPro cable or a high-quality 3A-rated cable like an Anker.
• Remove the Battery: If the camera won’t charge, remove the battery and plug the camera into wall power. If the camera powers on without a battery, the issue is definitely the battery itself, not the camera.
• Clean the Contacts: For the HERO13 and older models, use a cotton swab with a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol to clean the gold contact points on the battery and inside the camera. Dust or skin oils can prevent a clean connection.
• Check for “Dirty” Power: If you are charging from a laptop USB port, the laptop may be cutting power to save its own battery. Ensure the laptop is plugged into a wall outlet.

Note: If your camera has been sitting in a drawer for months and the battery is completely flat, it may take 20–30 minutes of being plugged in before you see any signs of life. Give it time to “wake up” before giving up on it.