Four steps from flat battery to back on your feet
Find, scan, charge, return. No counter, no paperwork, no coming back to the same spot.
Using Chargo takes four steps: find the nearest station, scan the QR code on its screen, take the battery it releases, and return it to any station on the network when you're done. The cables are already in the battery, so there's nothing to bring.
Key takeaways
- Pickup is self-service and starts by scanning the station's QR code.
- The battery comes with cables built in — you don't need to bring your own.
- You can return it to any Chargo station, not only the one you used.
- The station registers the return and puts that battery back on charge automatically.
- Rates and rental terms are set by Chargo and shown on screen before you confirm.
Step by step
The whole thing is designed to be done standing up, in under a minute, without asking anyone for help.
1. Find
Stations sit where people already spend time: bars, hotels, shopping centres, terminals, gyms. They're easy to spot — the screen stays lit and the slots carry their own light.
2. Scan
Point your camera at the QR code on the screen. That's where you see the rental terms before you commit to anything — what it costs, how it's charged, and what happens if the battery doesn't come back.
3. Charge
The station releases a charged battery. Plug in whichever cable matches your phone and carry on with what you were doing — the battery goes with you, in a pocket or a bag.
4. Return
When you're finished, slide it into a free slot at any station on the network. The station logs the return, stops the charge and puts the battery back on to charge for the next person.
How payment works
Payment sits with Chargo and is settled at pickup: the user sees the price and the terms on screen before confirming. The venue hosting the station never handles payment and never has to explain a rate.
Prices and accepted payment methods are published by Chargo on the station and in the app.
What if it isn't returned
The loan carries terms set by Chargo for exactly that case, and they're shown before pickup is confirmed. The venue doesn't absorb the cost of a battery that never comes back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return the battery to a different station?
Yes. The whole network is connected, so you can return it to any Chargo station with a free slot. There's no need to go back to where you picked it up.
Do I need to bring my own cable?
No. Every battery has its cables built into the body, so it works with most phones without you adding anything.
What if there are no free slots to return it?
The app shows each station's availability before you set off, so you can pick one with room.
How long does a charge last?
It depends on your phone and what you're doing with it. The unit's capacity is listed on the battery page.
Run a place where this would help?
If people stay in your venue and use their phones there, a Chargo station solves the problem you currently solve by lending out the bar's own charger.