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Can I Use 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, or 512GB Cards in GoPro Cameras?

Wondering if you can use a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB microSD card in your GoPro? So long as you're using one of these GoPro models and the card is fast enough, you can.

GoPro 128GB SD Cards

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 4 months ago // Categories: Memory Cards
Tags: GoPro HERO Session, GoPro HERO4 Black, GoPro HERO4 Session, GoPro HERO4 Silver, GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO5 Session, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black, GoPro MAX

Yes, in the new models of GoPro cameras you can use you can use 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, and 512GB microSD cards. There are a couple of things to watch out for, though.

Compatible GoPro Models

First, this doesn’t apply to some older models. Some of those older models only work with SDHC-formatted cards, which, in practice, limits them to 32GB and below.

But newer models also work with SDXC-formatted cards (ie. exFAT filesystem), which means that you can use cards 64GB and larger. The models that do work with the larger cards are:

  • HERO9 Black
  • HERO8 Black
  • MAX
  • HERO7 Black
  • HERO7 Silver
  • HERO7 White
  • HERO6 Black
  • HERO5 Black
  • HERO5 Session
  • HERO Session (2018)
  • HERO4 Black
  • HERO4 Silver
  • HERO4 Session

Sequential Write Speed

The second caveat is that the card is fast enough.

Not all microSDXC cards are fast enough for the high-end video modes of these GoPros, and using a card that’s too slow can lead to unstable and unexpected behavior such as video recording stopping unexpectedly or error messages. Specifically, you want SD cards that have fast sequential write speeds, which is the spec that’s relevant to recording video or using the burst photo modes on GoPros. That’s not to say that you need the fastest microSD card that money can buy, necessarily. GoPros can’t make full use of the very fastest cards, anyway.1 But you need one that’s fast enough to meet the camera’s threshold requirements.

If you’re looking for some guidance on which SD cards are fast enough for the various GoPro models, I’ve put together some recommendations for specific models:

  • SD cards for the HERO7 Black, Silver, and White
  • SD cards for the HERO6 Black
  • SD cards for the HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session
  • SD cards for the HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver

microSDXC vs microSDHC

The 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, and 512GB cards you see will all be labeled as microSDXC. Only cards 32GB and smaller will have the microSDHC label. You won’t find any 128GB cards sold with microSDHC labeling, for example. The distinction is one set by the SD Association’s specification.2

The difference between them is in the filesystem formatting used. microSDHC cards use FAT32 filesystem. microSDXC cards us a newer and more flexible exFAT filesystem. While it’s technically possible to use a computer to reformat the card with the other filesystem, it’s not recommended, and the next time you reformat the card in the camera it will revert to the expected filesystem. (That said, if you really want to do it in a computer, I’ve put together a guide to use the official SD card formatter.)

Recommendations on Memory Cards for GoPro Cameras

You can find my general recommendations on the best SD card for GoPro cameras here.


  1. For example, current models of GoPro cameras have a UHS-I bus interface, so putting a UHS-II card in the camera will work, but you’ll be limited to UHS-I speeds. ↩
  2. There’s also a new specification known as SDUC that covers the range of 2TB up to 128TB, but you won’t find any of those cards in the wild just yet. ↩

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

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    How to Format SD Cards in a GoPro
  • 01 havecamerawilltravel com 300x200 - Which GoPro HERO4 Accessories Will Work with the GoPro HERO6 Black and HERO5 Black?
    Which GoPro HERO4 Accessories Will Work with the GoPro HERO6 Black and HERO5 Black?
  • 01 havecamerawilltravel com 6 300x200 - GoPro SD Card Recommendations for the GoPro HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session
    GoPro SD Card Recommendations for the GoPro HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session
  • 01 havecamerawilltravel com 3 300x200 - Photos Taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver
    Photos Taken with a GoPro HERO4 Silver
  • sennheiser mke2 for gopro hero4 2 300x200 - Waterproof Sennheiser Microphone for the GoPro HERO4 Black & Silver
    Waterproof Sennheiser Microphone for the GoPro HERO4 Black & Silver
  • GoPro HERO6 Black Recommended microSD Cards
    Best SD Cards for the GoPro HERO6 Black
  • GoPro HERO5 Black vs HERO4 Black With Housing
    GoPro HERO5 Black vs HERO4 Black
  • gopro4 300x200 - Recommended Memory Cards for the GoPro HERO4 Black & Silver
    Recommended Memory Cards for the GoPro HERO4 Black & Silver

What to Do if Your GoPro Photos or Videos Go Missing From Your SD Card

There can be several reasons why photos and videos go missing from memory cards. But you can often recover at least some of them. I have a more detailed post on how to recover deleted GoPro videos and photos from SD cards, but here's the quick version:

  1. Stop using the SD card. This is important, because overwriting the data will make it harder to recover deleted files from it.
  2. Scan the memory card with the free trial versions of either Stellar Photo Recovery or Disk Drill. Both have Windows and Mac versions. The scan will show you whether any files can be found and recovered.
  3. Recover the files. If the apps can find the files, you can then decide whether to buy a full license to run the actual recovery process or to try one of the other options covered here.
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on October 5, 2020

Categories: Memory Cards
Tags: GoPro HERO Session, GoPro HERO4 Black, GoPro HERO4 Session, GoPro HERO4 Silver, GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO5 Session, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro HERO7 Silver, GoPro HERO7 White, GoPro HERO8 Black, GoPro HERO9 Black, GoPro MAX

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

SD Cards for GoPro

SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I...
SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I...
Check Price on Amazon
Samsung Electronics EVO Select 256GB...
Samsung Electronics EVO Select 256GB...
Check Price on Amazon

Comments

  1. David says

    July 3, 2020 at 8:54 am

    Could be a few things, including a defect in the card. First thing I’d try is to format it using a computer or another camera. Ideally, use the official SD card formatting app (it’s free). That will reduce the number of potential moving parts from app or operating system settings. If the card is still giving an error in those devices, it suggests a faulty card. Most cards come with good warranties now, so I’d try to get a replacement out of the retailer or manufacturer. If it formats correctly in those devices, try in the GoPro again. I’ve come across this situation in the past, and formatting it first in something else makes it easier for the GoPro to work with. You shouldn’t have to do that, but it sometimes works and it’s worth trying as a troubleshooting step.

    Also make sure that the card isn’t locked. Here’s how to check.

    Reply
  2. Rose Copeland says

    July 3, 2020 at 8:40 am

    I am formating a 256 SD card in my GoPro 8 Black and it said I have an error. What’s the problem?

    Reply
  3. Badrol Hisham Othman says

    June 1, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    Hello….I’m using gopro hero 8 black…Is it compatible to use the bigger memori cards like 256GB / 512 GB…Currently I’m using just the 64GB only. Thanks

    Reply
    • David says

      June 1, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      Yes. I routinely use cards of those sizes in my HERO8 Blacks. So long as they’re fast enough, there’s no problem.

      Reply
  4. Mostafa says

    February 23, 2020 at 9:50 am

    Is 128gb Extreme compatible for Go Pro HERO 7 Silver ?
    As I’ve seen a vid saying that 32gb and 64gb , noone said anything for 128gb

    Reply
    • David says

      February 24, 2020 at 9:15 am

      Yes. I have some specific information on SD cards for the HERO7 Silver here.

      Reply
  5. arun chadha says

    November 21, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    can I use 256 gb or 512 gb micro sd card in hero 8

    Reply
    • David says

      November 21, 2019 at 3:13 pm

      Yes, so long as it meets the other speed requirements of the HERO8 Black and is a good-quality card, then you should have no problem.

      Reply
  6. Krunal says

    January 19, 2019 at 12:32 am

    Does gopro hero 7 black support 512gb?

    Reply
    • David says

      January 20, 2019 at 10:55 am

      It should support all properly compliant microSDXC cards, but I haven’t personally tried a 512GB card in one.

      Reply
  7. gregory says

    May 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    how about the Samsung 256GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSDXC EVO Select Memory ?

    https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MicroSD-Adapter-MB-ME128GA-AM/dp/B072HRDM55?tag=hcwt-gp-20&SubscriptionId=AKIAJRS7QS56KIHDXSPQ&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B06XWZWYVP&th=1

    Reply
    • David says

      May 14, 2018 at 2:12 pm

      I’ve found the current EVO Select cards to work well.

      Reply
  8. A. de Jong says

    January 30, 2018 at 11:27 am

    How about the Samsung MicroSDXC EVO Plus Memory Card w/ Adapter 128GB?

    Reply
    • David says

      February 2, 2018 at 11:01 am

      I’ve found the latest EVO cards to work well.

      Reply
  9. Al says

    December 29, 2017 at 2:17 am

    How about the Samsung MicroSDXC EVO?
    https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/memory-cards/microsdxc-evo-memory-card-w–adapter-128gb–2017-model–mb-mp128ga-am/

    Reply
    • David says

      December 29, 2017 at 8:59 am

      Yes, they work well.

      Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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