Wondershare Recoverit

GoPro Files Recovery

  • Recovers deleted GoPro files on Mac effectively, safely and completely.
  • Supports data recovery from 500+ data loss scenarios, including physical damage, accidental deletion, SD card corruption, etc.
  • User-friendly interface
Free Download Free Download Free Download Learn More >
file recovery

Gopro File Recovery Guide for Mac

Have you recently lost some of your valuable GoPro files and are wondering how to get them back? Check out this detailed guide on GoPro file recovery on Mac.
Sue Wayne
Sue Wayne Originally published Jun 24, 24, updated Nov 26, 24

Have you recently noticed something weird happening with your GoPro camera? Are some of the files missing from your device? If so, you're in the right place. We dove deep into the GoPro file recovery process to provide a detailed guide to regain your precious files.

We'll discuss some of the most common causes of data loss and present everything you should do to have the most successful GoPro data recovery journey. We'll also present some tips to help you prevent such scenarios in the future and be worry-free on your adventures.

In this article
    1. Stop Using Your GoPro
    2. Disable SD Card Write Protection
    3. Connect Your GoPro to Your Mac
    4. Recover Your GoPro Files Using Software

Gopro Data Loss Causes

Losing your GoPro data can be stressful. Before the fixes, let's get to know the causes for your GoPro data loss .

  • 😭Accidental deletion – You may have accidentally deleted valuable memories from your GoPro device without meaning to do so.
  • 🚨Corrupted data/SD card – Corrupted data may act weirdly, and you may randomly lose your files.
  • 💻File system errors – You may not be using proper file systems for your SD card, leading to data loss.
  • 🧩Physical damage – Although GoPro cameras have robust bodies, they aren't protected from severe scenarios like fire, drops, and more. If the device has experienced physical damage recently, it may affect your data.
a gopro camera

Gopro File Recovery Steps on Mac

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recover your GoPro files on Mac devices.

Stop Using Your GoPro

When you notice something's wrong with your device and your files are missing, stop using it. That will prevent potential data overwriting and increase your chances of getting the missing files back to your library.

Moreover, if you stop using your device immediately, you'll prevent further corruption issues or file system errors, which are some of the most common causes of data loss on GoPro devices. If you take this step before proceeding, you'll surely get a better GoPro data recovery experience.

You can stop using your device by pressing the Mode button until you hear three beeps. That means your device is powered off, and you can jump into the next step.

turn off your gopro

Disable SD Card Write Protection

Disabling your SD card's write protection is crucial for GoPro file recovery on Mac. That will allow the recovery software solution to access the card and write new metadata during the recovery process to retrieve your valuables. Taking this step will ensure a successful retrieval journey.

Moreover, this step will help you resolve file system errors since you can format your card after recovery. You can also run full diagnostics, which is impossible without the write protection.

The easiest way to disable SD card write protection is via the physical switch. Take the card, look for a small switch on the side, and slide it to the unlocked option.

disable write protection

Connect Your GoPro to Your Mac

After you complete the abovementioned steps, it's time to connect your GoPro to the Mac device and start the recovery journey. The original GoPro cable is the most reliable method of connecting the two devices. Plug one end into the camera and one into the Mac, and wait for the computer to recognize your camera.

connect gopro to a mac

Now, all that's left to do is find a good recovery software solution to take your files back from all data loss scenarios.

Recover Your GoPro Files Using Software

The final step in the recovery process is using a designated software solution. Among so many GoPro recovery software for Mac on the market, you must discover a solution with powerful recovery algorithms and mechanisms to ensure the best journey.

One of the best tools available today is undoubtedly Wondershare Recoverit. This solution has a 20-year-long work history in the recovery field, with more than 35 patented technologies available.

The best part is that Wondershare Recoverit has video enhancement and professional photo recovery features that can enhance your GoPro data's quality, leading to even better results. These solutions can deal with corruption and damaged video files, making the recovery process as inclusive and versatile as possible.

Free Download
Free Download

Follow these steps to learn how to perform a successful GoPro data recovery:

  1. Open Wondershare Recoverit on your Mac and select the Hard Drives and Locations option from the main menu.
  2. Next, select your GoPro camera from the list of devices and locations.
    select a recovery location
  3. When you select the location, the program will start scanning for lost files. You can track the progress or pause the process in the next window.
    scan the location
  4. Filter your files according to their type and size for a better experience.
    filter the files
  5. You can also search for specific files by their names.
    search for files
  6. After the recovery process, preview the available files and select the ones to save. Click the Recover button.
    preview and recover
  7. Choose where to save the files.
    select the path

As you can see, Wondershare Recoverit is intuitive and easy to use, so you'll have no issues navigating the experience and getting your valuable memories back.

Free Download
Free Download

How to Prevent Gopro Data Loss in the Future

Now that you've recovered your precious files, you may wonder how to prevent such scenarios in the future and protect your GoPro data. We'll present some tips below to help you on this journey.

  • Use reliable SD cards – Opt for SD cards compatible with your GoPro device in terms of speed and capacity. Moreover, you should purchase cards from reliable brands to avoid potential corruption and damage.
  • Handle your devices carefully – Although GoPro cameras are designed for adventures, you should be too harsh. Avoid physical damage as much as possible to prevent data loss scenarios.
  • Back up your important files – Use a backup solution for all your files. You can access the backup if things go sideways and you lose your favorite memories. In this regard, you can give UBackit a try.
  • Clean your devices – Your GoPro and SD card will surely get dirty on your adventures, so you should clean them after every journey to prevent potential physical damage and data loss.

By implementing these tips into your GoPro routine, the chances of data loss will significantly decrease, and you can enjoy your adventures stress-free.

gopro adventures

Conclusion

GoPro cameras will capture all of your adventurous moments and help you remember some of your favorite journeys. However, these devices aren't resistant to damage, corruption, or errors, which may lead to data loss. Today, we've explained some of the most common data loss scenarios you can encounter on your GoPro camera and a step-by-step guide on retrieving your valuable files on Mac.

The best advice we can give you is to invest in a high-quality GoPro recovery software solution like Wondershare Recoverit and ensure you'll successfully get your data back from all loss scenarios.

Free Download
Free Download

FAQ

  • What SD cards does GoPro use?
    The SD card type you should use on your GoPro device will depend on the camera's make and model. All cameras use microSD cards, but you should check the requirements for your camera's type for the best experience. For instance, the minimum SD card speed class you should use is UHS-I or UHS-II, with at least 64GB of memory.
  • How do you get footage off GoPro onto Mac?
    You can use two methods to get footage off your GoPro onto a Mac device. The first one is using a card reader. All you have to do is insert your SD card into the reader and copy the files to your Mac device.
    If you don't have a reader, you can use the original GoPro USB cable. Connect the camera to your Mac, and copy the files from the external device.
  • How to recover corrupted GoPro files?
    The most powerful solution you can use is Wondershare Recoverit. Aside from powerful recovery features, you will access advanced video and image repair solutions to improve the quality of your data. When your files are corrupted, Wondershare Recoverit is here to save the day.
  • Why are my GoPro files missing?
    Numerous reasons may lead to data loss, such as SD file corruption, physical damage, file system errors, or accidental deletion. The best way to fix the issue is to use a powerful third-party GoPro data recovery solution like Wondershare Recoverit.
    It can retrieve all file types from all devices in any data loss scenario, so you can be worry-free on your journey and quickly get your valuables back.
Sue Wayne
Sue Wayne Nov 26, 24
Share article: