Your GoPro automatically splits videos as a safety precaution in case the video file gets corrupted. This way, you only lose a segment of the video instead of the entire video. You can stitch your videos back together using GoPro Quik or any other video editor.
Hi, my name is Larry. I was once in the same position as you and was very confused about why my GoPro videos were split up. However, I’ve now been using GoPro cameras for over 8 years and understand all the ins and outs these cameras have.
So in today’s guide, I will explain why GoPro splits up your videos and the best way to stitch them back together.
Keep reading to find out more!
Contents
Why Are My GoPro Videos Split Up?
You may have noticed that your longer GoPro videos are split into smaller sections. This is because GoPro cameras have a built-in feature called chaptering that automatically divides longer videos into smaller ones.
As I mentioned in the introduction, this is a safety mechanism that helps you avoid losing your entire video if the file gets corrupted. Rather than losing the entire video, the chaptering feature makes it so you only lose one section of the video.
Chaptering is an intentional feature, and split-up GoPro videos do not mean something is wrong with your camera. So, don’t worry if your GoPro videos are split up because this is completely normal.
Furthermore, different GoPro cameras have different chapter lengths:
- 4 GB Chapter Size: HERO10 Black, HERO9 Black, HERO8 Black, MAX, HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, Fusion, HERO5 Black & HERO5 Session, HERO4 Black & Silver, HERO (2018)
- 2.2 GB Chapter Size: HERO7 Silver, HERO7 White, HERO+, HERO+ LCD, HERO Session / HERO4 Session
- 3.9 GB Chapter Size: HERO3+
- 3.78 GB Chapter Size: HERO3 Black
- 1.99 GB Chapter Size: HERO3 Silver & White, HD HERO2
For example, a GoPro HERO10 Black can only record up to 4 GB of video before splitting the video into a new file.
GoPro Chaptering File-Naming System
Since your video is split up into different files, it can be confusing to distinguish which file is the first, second, or third section of the video.
Fortunately, GoPro uses an easy naming convention to separate each video.
The first section of the video will be labeled similarly to GOPR5555.
Then, the second part of the video will be labeled GP015555. The 01 indicates that this video is the first chapter, or second section, of the original video.
The third section of the video will be labeled GP025555. The 02 indicates that this video is the second chapter, or third section, of the original video.
If your video has more than three parts, the files additionals files will use 03, 04, 05, and so forth.
How Do You Stitch GoPro Videos?
I understand it may be bothersome dealing with split-up GoPro videos. Luckily, stitching together GoPro videos is quick and easy.
Once you combine your GoPro videos, you won’t be able to notice any transitions in the video. Instead, the video will run seamlessly as if the video wasn’t split up, to begin with.
To combine your GoPro videos, you can use any video editing software such as:
- Apple iMovie
- Windows Movie Maker
- DaVinci Resolve
- Lightworks
- Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Premiere Pro
If you simply want to combine your GoPro videos without using advanced editing features, I recommend using Windows Movie Maker or Apple iMovie. Both of these programs are completely free.
However, DaVinci Resolve is also free and offers a lot of the same premium editing features seen in paid editing software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. So if you want to add creative transitions and other effects to your GoPro video for free, I recommend using DaVinci Resolve.
Simply open up your video editing program and import your GoPro video files. Once your GoPro chapters are imported, you can drag them onto your video editor’s timeline in consecutive order.
Then, you can either edit the video using the editing features or export the video in one file to combine them into a single viewable .MP4 video.
If you don’t have access to a computer or don’t want to use a desktop video editor, you can also combine GoPro videos using your phone through the GoPro Quik mobile app.
Let’s discuss how.
How Do I Combine Videos With Quik?
GoPro Quik is a mobile app created by GoPro. This mobile lets you wirelessly transfer videos from your GoPro camera to your phone. You can also edit videos and share them with others inside GoPro Quik.
If you haven’t used GoPro Quik before, check out my guide on how to connect GoPro to a phone, first.
After you transfer your GoPro videos from your camera to GoPro Quik on your phone, you can easily stitch them together using the built-in editing tools.
First, click on the video file that’s the first section of the video. Then, click the Pencil icon to open GoPro Quik’s editing dashboard.
Then, click the Plus icon to add each chapter of the original video to the editing dashboard. If the clips aren’t uploaded in sequential order of the video, you can press and hold a clip to drag it to a different section of the timeline.
Once your entire video is uploaded to the editor, you can either export the video as a single file or edit the video first.
That’s it!
Combining split GoPro videos is super quick and easy because of GoPro Quik. In fact, I used GoPro Quik to stitch together a surfing video just before I wrote this guide.
How Do I Stop My GoPro Videos From Chaptering (Splitting)?
At this point, you should understand that GoPro chaptering, or splitting, is a built-in safety precaution on all GoPro cameras.
For this reason, you may be wondering how to turn it off. Unfortunately, you can’t turn off the chaptering feature on your GoPro. Therefore, it’s not possible to stop your GoPro videos from chaptering.
FAQs
Before you go, let’s discuss a few common questions I receive about split GoPro videos and how to stitch them together.
Why does GoPro only record 17 minutes?
Your GoPro only records for 17 minutes because of the chaptering feature built-in on every GoPro camera. The chaptering function automatically starts a new video clip if your recording is too long. Check out the section above on why are my GoPro videos split up to learn more.
Why does my GoPro only record for 8 minutes?
Your specific GoPro camera only records for 8 minutes because of the chaptering function seen on all GoPro cameras. Even though your camera is still recording, GoPro will save the additional footage into a new file. Luckily, you can combine your split GoPro videos using the GoPro Quik mobile app.
How to stitch GoPro Max footage?
You can stitch GoPro Max footage using the GoPro Quik mobile app. Download GoPro Quik from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Then, connect your GoPro Max to GoPro Quik. After, upload your split GoPro videos to GoPro Quik. You can combine your GoPro Max footage by adding all the clips into a single timeline and exporting the video.
Closing Thoughts
Well, there you have it! A complete guide on why does GoPro split videos and how to stitch them together.
At this point, I’d love to hear from you: Do you have any further questions about split GoPro videos and how to stitch them together? Were you able to successfully merge your GoPro videos with the help of my guide?
I’d love to answer any questions you have, so let me know by dropping a quick comment below.
