How to Recover Deleted/Lost Files from GoPro

GoPro cameras are essential tools for adventurers, sports enthusiasts, and content creators who wish to capture their most thrilling moments. However, the dread of losing those captivating videos is an unfortunate reality, and if you're reading this article, it may have happened to you. Fear not; in the following sections, I will detail how you can recover GoPro videos and photos, ensuring you can constantly relive every jump, splash, and swoosh from your favorite action sports.

Understand the Source of the Loss

The first step in GoPro recovery is understanding how the video was lost. Each situation likely requires a different approach, so knowing the root cause can guide you toward the most effective solution.

• 🗑️ Accidental Deletion: You select the wrong file or press the delete button without a proper review, losing the video or photos.
• 🗞️ Formatting Error: Formatting the GoPro's SD card, whether intentional or accidental, erases all contents.
• ⚠️ Memory Card Corruption: This is the primary storage area for your GoPro camera. The file system corruption or other malfunctions due to improper handling, ejecting it while files are being written or read, or simply due to wear and tear over time. This will cause the GoPro file to become inaccessible or appear to have been deleted.
• ♻️ File Transfer Errors: Interruptions in the transfer process, such as the GoPro's disconnection, power failure, or software crash, can result in partial or complete loss of the images or videos.

No matter why your files were lost, there is always a way to restore your memories as long as you act quickly.

Preparation Before GoPro Data Recovery

Prevention is better than cure, but when prevention fails, preparation is everything. If you've realized you need to recover deleted files from GoPro, here's what you need to do:

• ⛔ Stop Using Your GoPro: You risk overwriting the lost files when you take new footage. Please turn off your GoPro, and don't use it until you've attempted recovery.
• ⏏️ Eject Your SD Card Safely: Remove the SD card from your GoPro properly to avoid damage and ensure it's handled correctly before recovery.

How to Recover GoPro Videos and Photos

When everything is in place, it's time to begin recovery. There are multiple ways for GoPro recover deleted files, from using specialized recovery software to advanced techniques using Command Prompt to a GoPro Plus account. Next, you can check them and choose a suitable one.

Method 1: Using Recovery Tool

One of the most reliable methods for GoPro recovery is using specialized tools. Here are two options that have proven to be effective:

A. iBeesoft Data Recovery

iBeesoft is user-friendly and powerful software, especially for photo video recovery with a high success rate. The following are its main features:

Here is a guide on how to recover GoPro videos:

1. Download, install, and launch iBeesoft on your computer.
2. Insert your GoPro's SD card into your computer.

3. Select the card as the target location for scanning.

4. After scanning, the software will display the recoverable files. You can preview them to determine the target file.

5. Select the GoPro videos you want and click "Recover" to store them.

B. PhotoRec

While its powerful features and cross-platform support make PhotoRec a solid option, it runs from the command line, making it unsuitable for all users. However, you can still follow the steps below to recover deleted files from GoPro.

1. Insert your GoPro's memory card into the computer or connect the GoPro itself if it allows data access.
2. After extracting the downloaded package, run PhotoRec. If you're on MacOS or Linux, you might need to launch it via Terminal with administrative privileges.

3. Select the storage device containing your missing GoPro files and select the partition. For most, it will be the primary partition.

4. Choose file system type; if unsure, opt for "Other."
5. Choose "Free" to recover files from free space or "Whole" to scan the entire device.
6. Choose a location to save recovered files.
7. After the setup, PhotoRec will start scanning. Depending on the storage size and the accidentally deleted GoPro video or picture, the process can take some time.

8. Once the scan is complete, PhotoRec will place the recovered GoPro files in your specified directory.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (For Advanced Users)

This method suits users who feel comfortable navigating their computer's operating system. It involves using Windows Command Prompt to recover GoPro files directly. Basic steps include:

1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type in "diskpart > list volume" and press Enter.
3. Select the GoPro SD card by typing select volume X, with "X" being the number of the drive.

4. Type "attributes disk clear readonly" and confirm.

Method 3: GoPro Plus Account

If you've subscribed to GoPro Plus, you are in luck. This subscription service offers automatic backup and lets you access your media files anywhere with the cloud storage solution. To undelete GoPro files, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your GoPro account from the GoPro website or mobile app.
2. Navigate to the cloud storage section of your account and look for the recently deleted footage.
3. Choose your lost GoPro files and follow the prompts.

Please note that the ability to recover deleted GoPro videos or photos from using a Plus Account is often time-dependent, as it is only available for a specified period.

How to Repair the Corrupted GoPro Card without Losing Files

Are you unable to access the files on your GoPro memory card due to corruption? If this is the reason you are looking for a GoPro SD card recovery solution, you can use the following methods to resolve this issue.

Method 1: Using Built-in System Tools

For Windows PC:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

2. Type "chkdsk *: /f" (replace "*" with the letter assigned to your card) and press Enter.

For macOS:

1. Navigate to "Applications > Utilities" and click Disk Utility.
2. Click on the corrupted SD card from the sidebar.

3. Click the "First Aid" button and follow the prompts to repair it.

Method 2: Format the Memory Card

Suppose the above method does not work, and you have backed up the data or retrieved files, such as GoPro-stored videos, using data recovery software for Mac or Windows. In that case, you can format them to solve the problem fundamentally.

• 🖥️ On Windows: Right-click on the memory card in "This PC" and select "Format." Choose "FAT32" as the file system for 32GB cards or smaller and 'exFAT' for larger cards. Uncheck the "Quick Format "option for a thorough format
• 💻 On Mac: Use Disk Utility, select the card, click "Erase," choose "MS-DOS (FAT)" for 32GB cards or smaller, and "ExFAT" for larger cards. Click "Erase."

Preventing Future GoPro Data Loss

Restoring GoPro files is a temporary relief from the panic of those memories seemingly being wiped out. To help you avoid this situation in the future, here are some best practices:

• 🎏 Backup Regularly: The 3-2-1 rule (three copies, two mediums, one offsite) is a gold standard for data backup.
• 🔏 Enable Write Protection: When you don't need GoPro to capture footage, use the SD card's write-protect switch to prevent accidental deletion.
• 🔎 Be Cautious with Format: If you must format the GoPro's SD card, ensure all the necessary videos are backed up and stored.
• ✅ Correctly remove GoPro: When you use it to transfer videos or pictures, ensure the process is complete and remove it correctly. This will effectively avoid GoPro memory card failure.
• 🏷️ Use Reliable SD Cards: Always opt for reputable SD cards with high capacities and read/write speeds suitable for video recording.

Conclusion

Losing GoPro videos or photos is a distressing experience, especially when they hold priceless memories and the adrenaline of captured exploits. By following the guidelines in this post, you can maximize your chances of GoPro recovery. Remember to act quickly, choose the right tools, and avoid worsening the situation with inappropriate actions. Lastly, prevention should always be prioritized through regular backups and safe storage practices. Your adventures deserve to be preserved, and with the right approach, they can be recovered.

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