How to Recover Lost Photos/Videos from DJI Camera?

PAGE CONTENT:

DJI drones and cameras are popular for capturing high-quality aerial and handheld footage, but losing photos or videos from them can be a nightmare. Whether it's an accidental deletion, a corrupted SD card, or a power failure during recording, your precious memories can disappear in seconds. Fortunately, there are effective ways to recover lost DJI photos and videos. This article provides a step-by-step guide, covering native DJI recovery methods, professional software solutions, and best practices to prevent future data loss.

Common Causes of Data Loss on DJI Cameras

Understanding why your files are missing is the first step toward recovery. Here are the most common reasons:

1. Accidental Deletion

It's easy to mistakenly delete files while reviewing them on your drone or through the DJI app. Once deleted, photos and videos may disappear from your SD card but could still be recoverable using proper tools.

2. SD Card Issues

SD cards are the most common culprit for data loss. They can become corrupted due to sudden removal, formatting errors, physical damage, or using cards that are incompatible with your DJI device.

3. Power Failures or Crashes

Turning off the drone or camera mid-recording, or experiencing a sudden power loss, can corrupt files. In many cases, video files become partially saved, making them unreadable until repaired.

4. Firmware or Software Errors

Occasionally, DJI firmware glitches or app errors can cause files to disappear. Keeping firmware and apps updated reduces this risk.

5. File System Incompatibility

If your SD card is not formatted in a DJI-compatible format (usually FAT32 or exFAT), files may not save correctly or may be inaccessible when transferred to your computer.

Precautionary Steps Before Attempting Recovery

Before attempting to recover lost files, it's crucial to take steps that prevent further damage:

1. Stop Using the SD Card or Camera

   Any new files written to the SD card can overwrite the deleted data, reducing the chance of recovery.

2. Use a Reliable Card Reader

   Avoid connecting your drone directly to the computer. A good-quality card reader ensures stable data transfer during recovery.

3. Backup Remaining Data

   Before starting recovery, back up all accessible files on the SD card to a separate storage device to avoid accidental loss.

Methods to Recover Lost DJI Photos and Videos

There are multiple ways to recover lost DJI footage, ranging from built-in DJI features to specialized data recovery software.

A. Using DJI's Native Recovery Features

1. DJI Fly, DJI Mimo, or DJI GO 4 Apps

DJI apps often store recently deleted files in a cache or internal album. Steps to recover:

• Open your DJI app and go to the "Album" or "Media" section.
• Check the "Recently Deleted" folder.
• Select the files you want to restore and tap "Recover."

This method is simple but only works if the files are within the app's cache window, usually 30 days.

2. DJI Cloud Backup

If you enabled DJI cloud backup, your media might be automatically stored online. To restore:

• Log in to your DJI account on the app or DJI Cloud web portal.
• Access the "Cloud Storage" or "My Media" section.
• Select the lost photos or videos and download them to your device.

Cloud backup is a lifesaver when your SD card is corrupted or your drone is damaged.

B. Using Data Recovery Software

When native methods fail, professional recovery software is your best option. These programs scan your SD card or drone storage for deleted files and can recover both photos and videos.

Recommended Recovery Software

Donemax Data Recovery – User-friendly, supports video and RAW photo recovery. Deep scan for formatted or corrupted cards. Supports Windows and Mac, excellent for drone footage.

Step-by-Step Recovery Process

1. Remove the SD card from your DJI camera or drone.
2. Connect it to your computer using a card reader.
3. Open your recovery software and select the SD card as the target.

4. Start a scan (quick scan first; deep scan automatically after quick scan).

5. Preview recoverable files before restoring them.

6. Save the recovered photos/videos to a different storage location—never back them onto the same SD card.

💡 Pro Tip: For large 4K videos, deep scan is often necessary as these files may not appear in a quick scan.

C. Recovering Corrupted or Formatted SD Cards

SD cards are the most common storage medium for DJI drones and cameras, and unfortunately, they are also prone to corruption. Corruption can result in your files becoming invisible, unreadable, or inaccessible. Understanding the causes and the right recovery methods is critical to retrieving your lost photos and videos.

Signs Your SD Card Is Corrupted

• The drone or computer cannot recognize the SD card.
• Files appear as "0 bytes" or cannot be opened.
• Error messages such as "SD card not formatted," "Card read error," or "File system not recognized."
• Videos are partially recorded or show playback errors.

Step 1: Diagnose the Card

Before recovery, identify whether the issue is physical or logical:

• Physical damage: Broken card, water damage, or bent pins usually require professional data recovery services.
• Logical corruption: File system errors caused by improper ejection, sudden power loss, or interrupted recording can often be fixed with software solutions.

Step 2: Attempt Basic Repairs

Sometimes a minor repair can make the card readable without deep recovery:

For Windows:

1. Insert the SD card into a card reader.
2. Open Command Prompt and type:

   chkdsk X: /f

   Replace X with your SD card drive letter. This checks for file system errors and attempts to fix them.

For Mac:

1. Insert the SD card and open Disk Utility.
2. Select the SD card and click First Aid.
3. Run the repair function to correct minor errors.

Step 3: Use Data Recovery Software

For corrupted or formatted SD cards, deep scan recovery software is essential. Recommended software includes:

• Donemax Data Recovery – Good for formatted cards and large video files.
• Stellar Photo Recovery – Handles RAW, JPEG, and 4K video files efficiently.
• Wondershare Recoverit – Offers a "Deep Scan" mode specifically for damaged or inaccessible storage.

Step-by-step guide for deep scan recovery:

1. Insert the SD card into a reliable card reader connected to your computer.
2. Open your chosen recovery software and select the SD card as the target.
3. Choose the "Deep Scan" or "Advanced Recovery" mode. This may take time depending on card size and damage level.
4. Preview the recoverable files. Look for thumbnails or file names to ensure media integrity.
5. Save recovered files to a separate storage location—never save them back to the same SD card.

Step 4: Repair Partially Corrupted Videos

Sometimes recovered videos play with glitches or do not open at all. In such cases:

• Use Stellar Repair for Video or Wondershare Repairit Video Repair to restore the file structure.
• Ensure you have at least two copies of the recovered video before attempting repair to avoid further damage.

Step 5: Prevent Future Corruption

After recovery, prevent future loss by:

• Using high-quality SD cards rated for UHS-I or UHS-II speeds, compatible with DJI cameras.
• Formatting cards in the drone itself rather than on a computer to ensure proper file system alignment.
• Avoiding abrupt ejection or powering off the drone mid-recording.
• Regularly backing up footage to DJI Cloud or an external hard drive.

💡 Pro Tip: If your SD card shows repeated errors after repair, it's best to replace it. Continuous use of a failing card increases the risk of permanent data loss.

D. Recovering Files from Internal Drone Storage

Some DJI drones, like the Osmo Pocket or Action cameras, have built-in storage. Recovery is similar to SD cards:

1. Connect the drone or camera to a computer via USB.
2. Use recovery software to scan internal memory.
3. Restore files to a separate folder or external drive.

Even partially lost footage can often be recovered using this method.

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss

Prevention is always better than recovery. Follow these tips to protect your DJI media:

• Use high-quality SD cards compatible with DJI cameras (UHS-I/UHS-II recommended).
• Format SD cards in the drone before first use to ensure proper file system compatibility.
• Backup regularly to DJI Cloud or an external hard drive.
• Avoid abrupt power-offs during recording or media transfer.
• Enable auto-backup in DJI apps if available.
• Keep firmware and apps updated to prevent file corruption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I recover DJI footage from a formatted SD card?

Yes, deep scan recovery software can often retrieve files from formatted cards, as long as new data hasn't overwritten the old files.

Q2: Which recovery software works best for DJI 4K videos?

Donemax Data Recovery and Wondershare Recoverit are recommended for large 4K files due to their deep scan capabilities and support for multiple formats.

Q3: Does DJI Cloud store all deleted files?

Only if you enabled cloud backup before deletion. DJI Cloud typically stores recent uploads and deleted files for a limited period.

Conclusion

Losing photos or videos from a DJI camera can be stressful, but with the right approach, most files can be recovered. Start with DJI's native app and cloud recovery features for convenience. If those fail, professional recovery software is your most reliable solution. Always remember to take precautionary steps before recovery, such as stopping use of the SD card and backing up existing files.

Prevent future loss by using high-quality SD cards, regularly backing up to cloud or local storage, and keeping firmware up to date. By combining recovery methods and preventive measures, you can enjoy capturing stunning DJI footage without worrying about losing it.

Whether it's a family vacation, professional drone shoot, or cinematic project, your memories and work deserve to be recovered and preserved.