Before you can use an SD card in your GoPro HERO10 Black, you’ll need to format it. This wipes the card, resets the filesystem type, and prepares the folders/directories that the camera needs for saving data. And by deleting all of the existing data, it also frees up space for the next shoot.
GoPro Deals
- âž™ HERO11 Black: $399 @ GoPro.com
- âž™ HERO11 Black + Accessories Bundle: $449 @ GoPro.com
- âž™ HERO11 Black Creator Edition: $579 @ GoPro.com
You can format the card in the camera. Or you can format it using a computer. Of those options, formatting the card in the camera is the best and most reliable option, and it’s the one I’m focusing on here.1
There are two methods for formatting an SD card in the HERO10 camera.
- One uses the camera’s on-screen menu system.
- The other uses the GoPro Quik mobile app.
Both methods work equally well, and one method isn’t better than the other. I’ve got information on how to do both methods below.
But first: a reminder that formatting the card is going to wipe all the data from the SD card. So be sure to have downloaded any photos or videos you want to keep. (If you accidentally format the SD card, it still might be possible to recover the photos and videos from it.
Method 1: Using the HERO10’s On-Screen Menu System
Preferences > Reset > Format SD CardOn the camera’s back screen menu, swipe down to show the dashboard. Then swipe from right to left to bring up the panel that has a choice between Connections and Preferences. Choose Preferences.
Then scroll down to Reset and choose the option to Format SD Card.
Method 2: Using the GoPro Quik Mobile App
- Power on your HERO10 and connect the Quik app.
- Tap on the wrench icon at the top right of screen to open the settings.
- Scroll down to
Delete All Files from SD Card.
Things Worth Knowing
I have a more general post on how to format SD cards in GoPro cameras that includes some extra troubleshooting tips as well as information on how to do it in other models.
Notes:
- If you choose to format the SD card using a computer, I recommend using the free SD Card Formatter app provided by the SD Association. It sets the card up according to the official SD card specs and reduces the risk of problems. ↩
Related Posts
The Latest Model: GoPro HERO11 Black
Released in the fall of 2022, the HERO11 is GoPro's current model. Well, actually two models.
First, there's the flagship Black that has all the bells and whistles and sets the standard for action cameras.
- Shoot 5.3K60 & 4K120 video at up to 120Mbps bitrate
- Take 27MP photos
- Waterproof to 33ft / 10m without a separate housing
- Built-in mount point
- HyperSmooth 5.0 In-camera Video Stabilization creates smooth video without a gimbal
- Shoot up to 8x slow motion
A couple of months later, they released Black Mini. It's smaller and shares many of the flagship models capabilities, but it's also stripped-down in important ways. For instance, it doesn't have a touchscreen, its battery isn't removable, and it shoots video only (so no photo mode).
- Shoot 5.3K60 & 4K120 video at up to 120Mbps bitrate
- Compact form factor
- Waterproof to 33ft / 10m without a separate housing
- 2x built-in mount point
- HyperSmooth 5.0 in-camera video stabilization
- Shoot up to 8x slow motion @ 2.7K
- Built-in battery
