How do I access and manage my Skydio 2/2+ footage?

Published: Updated:

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio 2/2+
  3. Post-flight Skydio 2/2+

You can offload the video footage from your Skydio 2/2+ in one of three ways:

  • Clip creation: Instantly create and share a clip within the Skydio app after completing your flight.
  • Offload via USB-C cable: Transfer all your recorded video and audio to your computer for use with your favorite editing software.
  • Offload via microSD card: Transfer your media using your microSD card to a computer using an external third-party microSD card reader.

Here's a quick look at each method:

Clip creation using Skydio app

The Skydio app gives you the ability to wirelessly edit and create ready-to-share clips of your flights right on your phone. After your flight, select Media > your desired video > Create Clip. From there you can set the start and end points of your clip and save.

  • Creating a clip will sync any recorded audio into the new file. Use this method when you want to save videos with audio.
  • Skydio can record video in either AVC (H.264) or HEVC (H.265).
  • Different mobile devices and personal computers have different compatibility with these encoding standards.
  • Attempting to save a video or make a clip with an encoding that is not compatible with your mobile device may cause playback issues.

 

Connect Skydio 2/2+ to a computer via USB-C cable

Attaching Skydio 2/2+ to a computer via the included USB-C cable gives you access to your full flight recordings, which you can then edit in your favorite video editing app. This is a fast method to use when you want to access, edit, or backup your full-quality video footage.

Skydio2_USB-C.png

Instructions for PC/Windows machines:
  1. Turn on your Skydio 2/2+ by holding the power button down for about 3 seconds (located on the battery).
  2. Attach one end of the USB-C cable to your Skydio 2/2+ and the other end to your computer.
  3. Your drone will mount (just like a hard drive) to your desktop. You can also look for it under Devices.
  4. After the copy completes, you should eject Skydio 2/2+ from your computer like you would with any standard drive.
Instructions for macOS/Apple machines:
  1. Turn on your Skydio 2/2+ by holding the power button down for about 3 seconds (located on the battery).
  2. Attach one end of the USB-C cable to your Skydio 2/2+ and the other end to your Mac.
  3. Once connected, you can use the Photos app or the Image Capture app to transfer your footage to your desired location (both apps are included with any current Mac, or are available from the macOS App Store).
  4. After the copy completes, you should eject Skydio 2/2+ from your computer like you would with any standard drive.

[info]Apple supports file sizes up to 4.29 GB when transferring files from a device via USB cable. If transferring large videos, we recommend using an SD card reader or 3rd party file transfer app such as Android File transfer.[/info]
Skydio 2/2+ file structure

VIDEO & AUDIO FILES

Your flight videos (and related audio) are inside DCIM > 100SKYDIO. The file format is SXXXX###.MP4 (or SXXXX###.M4A for the audio files recorded from your phone, which are separate from the video files). ### is the flight number (the count continues to go up over time).

PHOTOS

When capturing photos in JPG+DNG mode, only the JPG files will be displayed in the Skydio 2 app. You can download the DNG image files directly from the computer or microSD card using one of the methods outlined here.

 

Offload via microSD card using your SD card reader

Another way to transfer all your media to a computer is to remove your microSD card from your Skydio 2/2+ and use a card reader. Some computers have a card reader built-in, but you may need to use an external card reader. We have had success with models similar to this one, but any standard card reader capable of reading a microSD card should work. Just plug your microSD card into the reader and then connect the card reader to your computer. Once attached, the card should mount like any external storage device on your PC or Mac, and from there, you can copy and transfer the contents.

SD_remove.png

Media management

[note] Skydio 2/2+ requires a UHS Speed Class 3 (U3/V30 or faster) microSD card. [/note]

To check your available recording space left:

  • From the Flight screen, tap on the Camera Settings icon in the top right of the screen. Based on your current video settings and available space on your microSD card, you will see your available record time:

cam_settings.png

To permanently delete flights from Skydio 2/2+ internal storage:

  • When your drone is connected to a computer via USB-C or via microSD, you may move video files from the attached internal storage to the trash, just like you would with an attached hard drive or camera.
  • While connected to your Skydio 2/2+ via WiFi on your mobile device, navigate to the Media tab within the Skydio app. Tap Select, then select the flights you wish to delete. Tap the trashcan icon to delete the selected flights.

Important note about video codecs:

  • Skydio 2/2+ can record video in two different video codecs: AVC - H.264 & HEVC - H.265.
  • The default video recording codec will be AVC/H.264 at 4K resolution and 30fps. H.265 is a more recent "high-efficiency" codec and may not work on some devices - it offers a higher compression rate without sacrificing quality. Attempting to save a video or make a clip with an encoding that is not compatible with your mobile device may result in an error.

 

Skydio Inc. A0376

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