How to Recover Deleted Videos from DJI | 4 Free Ways

Accidentally losing your videos from a DJI drone can be incredibly frustrating, especially after capturing breathtaking footage. Whether it’s due to an unexpected error, accidental deletion, or a corrupted file, the feeling of losing valuable content is universal among drone enthusiasts.

But don’t worry—there are effective ways to recover  deleted videos from DJI drones. This guide will walk you through 4 reliable methods to help you get your precious footage back.

Things You Need to Know About Deleted Files on DJI Drones

Even though DJI drones don’t come with built-in security features for DJI file recovery, it’s still possible to recover lost videos and photos using the right tools. Deleted files may still be recoverable as long as new data hasn’t overwritten the original data blocks. Before diving into recovery methods, here are two crucial aspects to understand:

1. Video and Photo Formats Used by DJI

DJI drones typically save videos in H.264 encoding and photos in JPEG or DNG RAW formats. The videos are stored in MP4 or MOV formats, which are common across most digital platforms. However, the difference in encoding formats can affect how easily files can be recovered.

2. Memory Cards in DJI Drones

DJI drones use external memory cards in addition to an internal 8GB storage. Memory cards under 32GB generally use the FAT32 file system, while those above 32GB use ExFat. Understanding the type of memory card is crucial for recovering erased files, as most DJI recordings are stored on these cards.

3. Importance of Acting Quickly

The sooner you attempt to recover your videos, the better your chances of success. Once a file is deleted, it remains on the storage medium until new data overwrites it. Therefore, avoid using the drone or the SD card until the recovery process is complete.

How to Recover Deleted Videos from DJI (4 Step-by-Step Ways)

Now that you understand the basics, let's explore 4 methods to recover your deleted DJI videos. Each method is designed to cater to different scenarios, so you can choose the one that best fits your situation.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from DJI’s SD Card with MyRecover

One of the most effective ways to recover deleted videos from  DJI drone is by using professional data recovery software like MyRecover. DJI drones primarily store footage on SD cards.  MyRecover can retrieve lost or deleted files from various storage devices, including SD cards used in DJI drones.

MyRecover

Powerful DJI Video Recovery Software

• Comprehensive Support: MyRecover supports all brands of DJI SD card (including ), and recover deleted files from USB, HDDs, SSDs, external hard drives, microSD cards, CF cards, XD cards, and other storage devices.
• Wide Range of File Recovery: You can recover various video formats such as MP4, MOV, M2T, AVI, and MPG. It also supports photo recovery (JPG/JPEG, PNG) and documents (DOC, DOCX, TXT, XLS), along with over 200 different file types.
• Filterand Preview Features: These options help you quickly locate your videos. You can preview files before recovery and even recover them during the scanning process.
• Advanced Scanning Ways: MyRecover can identify all recoverable files, ensuring you can restore deleted or lost videos from your DJI SD card, regardless of the data loss situation.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7& Windows Server

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You can perform DJI video recovery for free for up to 500MB. Don’t hesitate—download it now to effortlessly recover deleted videos from DJI!

Step 1. Run MyRecover and start scanning

Launch MyRecover and connect your DJI SD card to your Windows computer. Hover over the SD card and click "Scan" to begin the process.

Step 2. Filter or preview videos

MyRecover will automatically conduct a Quick & Deep Scan of your SD card, listing all recoverable videos. Navigate to the "Other missing files" folder and then to the "Videos" section to find your lost files.

Step 3. Recover videos

Select the videos you wish to recover and click "Recover X Files" to start the SD card video recovery. Make sure to choose a new location for the recovered files to prevent potential data overwriting.

Method 2: Recover Deleted Videos from DJI Using DJI Go App

The DJI Go app automatically syncs your drone’s photos and videos with your mobile device. If you lose files due to a crash, you might use DJI Go app.  Here's how to recover deleted videos from Dji Go app.

Steps to Recover Videos Using DJI Go App:

Step 1. Open the DJI Go app and go to "Settings" then select "Video Cache".

Step 2. Tap on the “Editor” option at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of recently captured videos.

Step 3. Select the videos you want to recover and save them to your device.

Method 3: Recover Deleted Photos and Videos from DJI Using CHKDSK

If your DJI drone’s SD card is corrupted, you can try using the CHKDSK command on Windows to fix issues with your SD card and recover deleted photos from DJI.

Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer using an SD card reader.

Step 2. Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.

Step 3. In the Command Prompt, type“CHKDSK H: /f /r”. "H" (replace “H” with the drive letter of your DJI's SD card) and press Enter. This command will check the SD card for errors and attempt to fix them.

Method 4: Recover Deleted DJI Videos in Device Manager

Sometimes, your PC may not recognize your DJI's SD card due to a problem with the SD driver. To recover deleted or lost DJI videos, try uninstalling and then reinstalling the driver.

Step 1. Type Device Manager in the search bar and open it.

Step 2. Find and right-click on your SD card, then choose Update driver/Uninstall device. Then restart your PC and connect the SD card again. You may now be able to access the stored files. 

Common Causes of Video Loss & How to Prevent Them

Why Do DJI Videos Get Lost?

DJI drone cameras, like other devices using SD cards, can lose video files due to various reasons. Here are some common causes:

• Improper operation: When connecting or disconnecting an SD card on your drone, always eject the SD card properly. Improper operation may corrupt files or cause data loss.
• Formatting the SD card: Formatting the SD card (whether accidentally or intentionally) will delete all stored data, including videos.
• System crashes: Turning the drone on and off too frequently or operating it improperly may cause a system crash, which can lead to loss or corruption of video files.
• Virus infection: Viruses can enter the drone system through the SD card, causing loss or corruption of files.
• Physical damage: If your drone crashes due to technical problems, it may damage the camera's software or hardware, resulting in loss of video files. Some damage can be repaired, but some damage may be permanent.

3 Important Tips to Prevent Video Loss

To minimize the risk of losing files from your DJI drone, consider these precautions:

1️⃣ Copy Files Instead of Cutting Them: Always copy files from your SD card to your computer, rather than cutting them. This ensures you have a backup in case one of the devices fails.

2️⃣ Use the DJI Go App for Backup: Record your flight logs and media files using the DJI Go app for an additional layer of security.

3️⃣ Regularly Backup Your SD Card: Try to using this reliable and free Windows backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to back up your SD card automatically. This allows you to reset and format the card without fear of losing data.

Closing Words

In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of DJI file recovery, along with specific methods to recover deleted videos from DJI. Among the various solutions,MyRecover stands out as a reliable and effective tool to recover files from DJI drones. Why wait? Download now and recover 500MB of deleted videos from your DJI drone for free! 

FAQs About DJI Video Recovery

1. Where Are DJI Videos Stored?

DJI videos can be stored in various locations, including internal drone storage, external hard drives, SD cards, and cloud-based storage.

2. How to Repair Corrupted DJI Video Files?

You can repair corrupted DJI video files using tools like Command Prompt (CHKDSK), DJI’s repair software, or third-party video repair tools.

3. How Do I Recover My lost DJI Videos?

If you’ve saved the footage on your computer, recovering it is relatively simple. If not, tools like MyRecover can help retrieve the lost data.

4. How Do I Recover Deleted Videos from My DJI App?

• For Android users, connect your device to your computer via USB and transfer the flight logs.
• For iOS users, connect your device to iTunes, select File Sharing > DJI Go, and download the flight logs.