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.
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, if you 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 perform easy GoPro file recovery and get your files back. Let’s find out.
It’s necessary to learn why your GoPro files get lost before recovery, and here are the main reasons for that:
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.
So, stopping the use of the SD card immediately after deleting increases GoPro's recovery rate for deleted files. GoPro cameras do not come with proprietary data recovery software. If you have deleted or lost files, you must use third-party GoPro file recovery software to recover files from a GoPro SD card easily.
Thus, can you recover deleted files from a GoPro SD card? Yes, they can be recovered as long as they are not overwritten by new footage.
Deleted GoPro files are usually located in the Recently Deleted folder on GoPro.com (cloud media, kept for 60 days) or in the Recycle Bin/Trash on a computer if moved from the SD card. If deleted directly from the SD card, they are in unallocated space on the card and require data recovery software.
Here is where to look based on where the file was deleted:
MyRecover stands out for its ability to recover files from any device, compared with other GoPro data recovery tools. Why choose MyRecover? You can find the answer below:
Alright, it's action time.
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.
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:
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.
GoPro cameras primarily record in MP4 (.mp4) using H.264 or HEVC (.mov/.mp4) via H.265, depending on the model and resolution. Lower-resolution files (.LRV) and thumbnails (.THM) are also generated for previews.
When you download footage, you may notice extra files:
By the way, because GoPro cameras use FAT32 or exFAT file systems on SD cards, they cap video files at approximately 4GB. When a recording exceeds this size, the camera will automatically split the video into multiple files without skipping a frame.
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.
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.
Until now, you might have recovered files from GoPro. It's easy to recover deleted files in a GoPro camera. 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.