Can a GoPro run off external power supply? | Here is a Full Guide

One of the most important gopro accessories you can have is an external power source. Without it, your GoPro will eventually run out of juice in the middle of recording something amazing.

A Gopro external power supply is simply a power source that you can attach to your GoPro and turn it on all day long. This is perfect for capturing long videos and time-lapse events.

They come in all shapes and sizes, and some even have a built-in solar panel so you can keep them going indefinitely.

There are a few reasons why you should always use an external power source for your GoPro:

You’ll never have to worry about your GoPro running out of power.
You can keep recording for hours on end without having to worry about recharging.
External power sources are usually much cheaper than buying extra batteries for your GoPro.
They’re small and lightweight, so they won’t weigh you down or take up too much space in your backpack.
You can find them easily online or at your local electronics store.

Can a GoPro run off external power while filming?

A Gopro can run on external power if the power source meets the required current and voltage which is 5V/2A.

You simply need to set up your Gopro properly and content it via the USB Type C cable that came with it to an external power source such as

USB-charging adapter
GoPro Supercharger
GoPro Portable Power Pack.
Battery Eliminator
IndiPRO Tools Power Converter P-Tap to Mini USB 5V
Wall Charger
Car charger
Solar charger, etc.

Attention: Your camera is not waterproof when charging since the door is open except you are using this X~PWR H8 All-Weather External Power Kit for Hero8

X~PWR™H9 All-weather, External Power kit With Aluminum housing for GoPro HERO9 and HERO10 Black

Though not every model of GoPro can run without an internal battery inside, Gopro HERO9, HERO8 Black, HERO7 Black, and HERO6 Black can turn on and record without the internal battery as far as the external power source is connected.

A recent update from Gopro is the USB Pass-Through Door for the HERO10/9 Black which enables you to attach a USB cable to the replacement side door.

Note: it’s quite beneficial to keep the internal battery in, as it acts as a fallback if you need to replace or recharge the external power source.

Gopro Hero9 Might not show the “lightning bolt” charging signal since the incoming power is being used to power the camera, not to charge the battery.

So if you have your battery inside and gopro attached to external power and not recording – lightning icon will display, indicating that the battery is charging

But during recording = no lightning icon will come on but be rest assured that the battery inside is charging too.

What to Look for in a Gopro External power supply

Compact and lightweight
High Power Capacity i.e 26000mAh and above
Multiple USB outputs with at least a 1.5A 5V output
High-Quality Li-Ion battery cells
Durable and Portable
Automatic power Shortoff when the battery is fully charged while using it

Best External Power source for Gopro

YOLOtek JUICEBOX
Suptig Portable Charger
Anker PowerCore 10000
Anker PowerCore 20000
Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger
ROMOSS 18W 40000mAh Power Bank
SOXONO Solar Charger
Coolezx Portable Solar Power Bank 33800mAh
External Power Source for GoPro HERO7/6/5 Black
DigiPower Re-Fuel 9-Hour Action Pack
External Power Source for GoPro HERO4 / HERO3+
Vidpro AC/DC Power Kit

How to Power Your GoPro Using an External Battery

I recommend a gopro power supply bank (I Use Anker PowerCore 26800mAh External Battery)
Type-C Gopro Charging Cable
X~PWR H8 All-Weather External Power Kit this help keep your gopro waterproof (this is optional)
Ulanzi G8-7 Battery Cover Removable Type-C Charging Port Adapter(this is optional and use this if you are using Hero9) but advantage so you can leave your internal battery in place as a safety net in case the external power stops flowing.
The Ulanzi G8-7 Battery cover reduces shock and pressure while protecting your gopro battery and camera from damage. It gives you access to the USB port while the battery and SD card are safely covered by the door, without the fear of the battery falling out.

I have dedicated a blog post for the best gopro power banks here, but here is a shortlist

Type of GoPro Powerbank Cable

Here’s a list of suitable USB cables for charging gopro with an external power source.

GoPro HERO10 Black, GoPro HERO9Black, and GoPro HERO8 use a USB-C Cable
Micro-USB B Cable if you have a GoPro HERO Session
Mini-USB (USB Mini-B (5 pin): For Owners of GoPro HERO4 Black, GoPro HERO3+GoPro HERO3, etc

Cons Of Using A Gopro External Power Supply

Good as it may sound, powering your gopro with an external power source has some disadvantage

When recording, the battery will not charge if connected to any external power supply. It will only start charging when you stop recording.

You cannot record if you use your computer as an external power source.
Be aware that your gopro will not be waterproof because the door is open. Though I don’t leave my battery door hanging open, because I leave my battery inside when connected to my type-c USB cable with the help of an Ulanzi G8-7 Battery door charger port cover. which can reduce shock and pressure while protecting the battery and camera from damage.
Risk frying your gopro with a wrong voltage power source (i.e Use only 2V 1A Power Source)
You may likely experience a thermal shutdown when it overheats. This is basically the camera shutting down to prevent any damage from being done to the device itself
Portability is an issue here, considering how bulky some power banks can be

How many amps does it take to charge a GoPro?

It takes a minimum of 1.5 amp to charge a gopro but the recommended power source for Gopro is 5V/2A

How do you turn your GoPro on all day?

You can turn on your gopro all day by simply attaching it to any external power supply rated 5v/2A.