Lost Your GoPro Files? Complete GoPro File Recovery Guide
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of successful GoPro file recovery. We detail the most effective methods and reliable software to retrieve deleted gopro video, ensuring you can restore your valuable footage and photos after accidental deletion or card corruption. Get back your memories with our expert, step-by-step process.
Last Updated November 6, 2025
How to Recover Deleted GoPro Videos from SD Card?
GoPro Data Recovery
Hey, happy go-pro-ers. So, I recorded a bunch of footage today for a collaboration I'm doing with someone. They are based overseas, and I'm unable to re-record with them due to distance and a limited schedule. In short, the videos that I was exporting to the Quik app were long, and due to space, etc., they did not fully download (like literally only parts of the videos were saved). I tried to delete it from the Quik app and was going to upload it to my PC. When I deleted it on the mobile app, it deleted the videos from my micro SD card. Does anyone know how I can recover the videos? I'm desperate to get this footage back!
- Question from reddit.com
It’s upsetting if you formatted the GoPro SD Card by accident, or worse, find the SD card is corrupted. What should you do to protect your photos and videos on a GoPro SD card? Can I recover files from a GoPro SD card? Don’t panic, this guide is going to give you a clear, actionable path to getting your files back. Let’s find out.
Reasons for GoPro Data Loss
It’s necessary to learn why your GoPro files get lost before recovery, and here are the main reasons for that:
⭕ Power outage in the middle of recording a high-bitrate video, that file can easily become corrupted.
⭕ Accidentally hitting "Delete All" or "Format".The camera asks, "Are you sure?" and in your haste, you confirm. It’s a gut-wrenching feeling.
⭕ Furthermore, formatting the card in a computer without safely transferring files first is another common misstep that wipes the slate clean.
⭕ Using a card that isn't fast enough or isn't on GoPro's recommended list is a recipe for disaster. These cards can't always keep up with the data stream, leading to errors and corruption.
⭕ Physical damage, like a bent pin or a cracked card, is often a death sentence for the data inside.
⭕ Even a faulty USB cable can cause a transfer to fail mid-way, corrupting the files you're trying to save.
About GoPro Recovery
When you delete a file from your GoPro or format the card, the data isn't immediately erased. The camera simply marks the space those files occupied as "available for use".Until new data is written over that space, the original files are still there, waiting to be found.
Thus, that’s why you can use a GoPro file recovery software to recover files from a GoPro SD card easily.
Best GoPro Recovery Software - MyRecover
MyRecover stands out while recovering files from any device compared with other recovery tools. Why choose MyRecover? You can find the answer below:
- It uses complex algorithms to identify file signatures—unique data patterns that define the beginning and end of a file, like a JPEG photo or an MP4 video.
- It helps you to scan files deeply (sector-by-sector scan)to recover deleted GoPro footage, even from a severely damaged directory.
- It supports a wide range of file systems (NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT).
- You can preview files before you recover them. This lets you see exactly which photos and videos are salvageable, so you're not paying for a license to recover a bunch of corrupted files.
- The ability to retrieve deleted GoPro video in its original quality is paramount.
- A user-friendly interface that doesn't require a degree in computer science.
Step-by-Step Guide to GoPro File Recovery
Alright, it's action time.
Preparing for a Successful Data Recovery Process
- The most critical rule right now is to stop using the GoPro and its SD card immediately, or you will make them permanently unrecoverable.
- Remove the SD card from your GoPro. You'll need a reliable card reader to connect it directly to your computer—avoid connecting the camera via USB, as it can be less stable for this process.
- Download MyRecover and install it onto your computer's hard drive, not onto the GoPro's SD card.
100% SecureHow to Recover Deleted Photos from GoPro with MyRecover?
The process of recovering deleted videos and photos from GoPro is surprisingly straightforward. Here it is:
1. Launch MyRecover and choose USB/SD Card Recovery, choose your GoPro SD Card, and hit Scan.
2. Wait for the process to complete, and hit OK.
3. Preview and choose the photos and videos, and hit Recover.
4. Choose a safe location to save these recovered GoPro photos and videos now.
- Tips:✎...
- Once the scan is completed, you'll see a list of recoverable files. You can use the filter options to show only photos (JPG, PNG) to recover deleted photos from GoPro specifically.
- Besides, you can recover files from a crashed computer with a Windows bootable media.
- You can recover unlimited files easily with MyRecover advanced plans, like MyRecover Professional, MyRecover Technician.
- Recover Deleted Files Easily with Simple Clicks
- 1000+ File Formats Supported
- Support HDD, SSD, External Hard Drive, USB Drive, SD Card, etc.
- Quickly Find Files Using File Types, Name, Size, etc.
- Preview Files Before Recovering
- Recover Unlimited Data
100% SecureCan I Recover Files from the GoPro Recently Deleted Folder?
In fact, you can check the photos and videos in the GoPro Recently Deleted folder. The GoPro "Recently Deleted" folder is a temporary holding place for media files that have been deleted from the camera or the GoPro cloud account, similar to a "Recycle Bin" on a computer. It allows you to restore files within 30 days for camera media and 60 days for cloud media, before they are permanently erased.
Here is how to recover deleted GoPro footage from the Recently Deleted folder:
1. Find the Recently Deleted folder:
- On the camera: Newer GoPro models have this feature built into the camera's interface, accessible through the on-camera menu.
- On the GoPro cloud account: Log in to your account on GoPro.com and look for the "Recently Deleted" or "Trash" folder in the Media Library section.
2. Recover files now. Find the "Recently Deleted" or "Trash" folder. Select the media you want to restore, and tap the "Restore" option to perform GoPro file recovery.
Prevent Future Data Loss of GoPro
Properly Ejecting Your GoPro and SD Card
Always use the "Safely Remove Hardware" option on your computer before unplugging your GoPro or card reader. On the camera itself, make sure it has fully shut down before removing the SD card. This ensures all data has been completely written and the file system is stable, preventing the vast majority of corruption issues.
Regular Backups
Get into the habit of backing up your footage immediately after an important shoot. Copy the files to at least two separate locations, like your computer's hard drive and an external drive or cloud storage.
Safely Formatting
Furthermore, format your SD card in the GoPro camera before every major new project. This clears out any minor file system errors and ensures the card is perfectly configured for your camera, giving you a clean slate to work with.
FAQs About GoPro File Recovery
Can I recover files after formatting my GoPro?
A: Yes, absolutely. Formatting doesn't erase data immediately—it just marks space as available. Using recovery software like MyRecover right after formatting gives you an excellent chance of full recovery, provided you haven't used the card since.
How can I retrieve deleted GoPro video without software?
A: There's no reliable built-in method. Unless you have a cloud backup through GoPro Plus, specialized recovery software is your only effective option. Computer operating systems lack the necessary tools for deep SD card scanning.
Why can't my computer read my GoPro SD card?
A: This typically indicates severe corruption or physical damage. Try different ports, readers, or computers first. If still undetected, professional data recovery services are your only option, as software requires the card to be readable.
Will recovery software work on any GoPro model?
A: Yes, completely. Recovery software works with the SD card, not the camera. All modern GoPros use standard card formats, so the recovery process is identical whether you have a Hero 4 or the latest model.
The End
Until now, you might have recovered files from GoPro. Please keep a good habit of backing up your photos and videos in GoPro in case of data loss. Or you have to use professional data recovery software to recover them. Moreover, you can recover files from an emptied recycle bin, a formatted hard drive, an unformatted partition, etc.