If your GoPro videos live on your SD card, you’ll quickly run out of space. So, once you’ve saved your videos, how do you delete files from your GoPro? Or, perhaps the shot you just took was less than perfect, and you want to delete it and try again — what then?
You can delete your GoPro videos with your GoPro camera, the GoPro Quik mobile app, or your computer. Using your GoPro camera to delete photos and videos is the fastest option.
Hi, my name is Larry. I’m an experienced and passionate GoPro fanatic with nearly 10 years of experience using GoPro cameras. I’ve filled up dozens of SD cards and have deleted hundreds of videos using all three methods outlined in this guide.
In today’s comprehensive tutorial, you’ll learn how to delete GoPro videos and how to clear your GoPro SD card.
How Do I Delete Videos from My GoPro?
If your GoPro videos live on your SD card, you’ll quickly run out of space. So, once you’ve saved your videos, how do you delete files from your GoPro?
Or, perhaps the shot you just took was less than perfect, and you want to delete it and try again — what then?
There are a few different methods to delete photos and videos — they’re all pretty simple but can sometimes be hard to find on your own, especially when using a GoPro without a screen.
Here are three different techniques you can use, no matter what GoPro model you own, and all you need is your GoPro and (possibly) a computer and a USB cord or smartphone with the GoPro Quik app.
Note: Before you delete your GoPro videos, make sure to save the videos you don’t want to lose on your computer or phone. This way, you won’t permanently delete any important videos you want to save.
Method 1: Delete GoPro Files Directly from Your GoPro
You can easily delete GoPro videos If you have a newer GoPro model such as the HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, HERO8, HERO7, HERO6, or HERO5.
This is done by formatting your SD card. Formatting your SD card deletes all of your files, so you can start with a brand new slate. Because of this, make sure to save all of your videos on your computer or phone before following the steps on how to format your GoPro SD card.
Here’s how to clear your GoPro SD card using your GoPro itself:
Step 1: Insert your SD card into your GoPro and power on your camera.
Step 2: Swipe down and press Preferences. Then, scroll down and tap Reset.
Step 3: Select Format SD Card and confirm the selection. You may need to tap Format or Delete, depending on which GoPro model you own.
Congratulations! You have successfully cleared your SD card. Wasn’t that quick and easy? You now have a new canvas to go out and shoot all the videos your heart desires.
However, if you have an older GoPro like the GoPro HERO4, you won’t be able to follow the steps above.
So here’s how to format your GoPro if you have an older GoPro camera model:
Step 1: Access the settings menu by pressing the front mode button until you see the gear or tool icon — this is the settings mode. Select the settings mode by pressing the top button.
Step 2: Navigate down through the options by hitting the front mode button again until you see the trashcan icon. Tap the top button to select this option.
Step 3: Next, you’ll see the options cancel, last, and all. Use the front button to navigate the option you’d like and press the top button to select. The “last” option will delete only the last photo or video you took, while the “all” will clear the entire SD card and delete all your files. Hit “cancel” if you would like to go back without deleting anything.
Step 4: Finally, confirm that you’d like to delete (this helps prevent accidentally deleting your files) by using the front button to navigate to “Yes” and press the top button to confirm.
Method 2: Delete Videos with GoPro Quik Mobile App
Similar to the previous method, GoPro Quik lets you quickly delete all of your GoPro videos and photos.
Here’s how to delete videos with the GoPro Quik mobile app:
Step 1: Download GoPro Quik on your mobile device.
Step 2: Open GoPro Quik, turn on your GoPro and pair the app with your camera, following the instructions on your phone.
Step 3: Once your GoPro is paired with GoPro Quik, tap on the wrench icon to enter the settings menu.
Step 4: Scroll down to Delete. Choose Delete All Files from SD card. Confirm your selection by pressing Delete All Files.
This removes all the photos and videos on your GoPro’s SD card.
Method 3: Delete GoPro Videos with Your Computer
Lastly, you can delete GoPro videos with your computer. There are two ways to connect your GoPro to your computer. The first way is to use a USB cable and the second way is to use an SD card reader. Since you probably already have a compatible USB cable, I recommend using the USB cable method.
Step 1: Connect your GoPro to your computer via USB or SD card reader.
Step 2: Open your computer’s File Explorer and open This PC on the left-hand sidebar. Then, your SD card will appear under Devices and drives.
Step 3: Open your SD card’s DCIM folder.
Step 4: Now, you can delete individual files or all files at once. You can press Ctrl + A (Command + A on Mac) to select all files.
How Do I Clear My GoPro SD Card?
As I covered in this guide, you can completely clear your GoPro SD card using any of the three methods outlined above.
- Format your SD card in the settings menu of your GoPro camera
- Clear your SD card with the GoPro Quik mobile app
- Delete all your GoPro files with your computer
FAQs
Let’s talk about a few questions you may still have about how to delete GoPro videos.
What do I do when my GoPro says SD card is full?
If your SD card is full, you can either delete your files or purchase an additional SD card. I recommend uploading the videos you want to save to your computer. Then, you should format your SD card by following the steps above. This way, you’ll have a blank canvas and an empty SD card.
How do I delete pictures from my GoPro HERO9?
You can delete pictures from your GoPro HERO9 or HERO10 by pressing the trashcan icon on the selected picture. However, you can delete all your pictures by formatting your GoPro SD card.
Does formatting a GoPro SD card delete everything?
Yes, formatting a GoPro SD card deletes everything saved on the SD card. Therefore, you’ll lose all of your pictures and videos. Make sure to save your files on your computer before clearing your GoPro SD card.
Final Thoughts
Deleting photos from your GoPro is relatively simple, but there’s more than one way to do it. Using the GoPro is the most convenient method to use when out recording, or the GoPro app gives you the same mobility with the flexibility to choose single files instead of just all files or the last file only.
Or, if you’re connecting the GoPro to your computer anyways, dragging and dropping the files in the trashcan is another quick method for deleting files.
But now I’d love to hear from you! Which method from today’s guide did you follow? Do you have any more questions about GoPro cameras?
Drop a quick comment below, and I’ll respond as soon as possible!
