[warning]Skydio is not responsible for any loss, retention, or recovery of data resulting from the execution or non-execution of this Secure Data Erasure & Factory Reset procedure. The operator is solely responsible for ensuring that all required backups are completed and that each step of the checklist is properly performed and verified. Failure to follow the full procedure may result in residual data remaining on the aircraft, controller, or removable media.[/warning]

To render the X10 aircraft and its controller free of any sensitive or recoverable information the operator must execute the full data-sanitization procedure: format both the media and logs SD cards, perform a factory reset of the aircraft, or, battery-button recovery/reset sequence, to purge transient internal storage (eMMC/flightlog buffers), and remove passwords, pairing information, and local flight history. Confirm the controller password is known before initiating the controller wipe, retain copies of any required evidence or backups, and verify completion by powering the controller on and confirming a clean initial setup.

Required:

• Controller password
• Charge aircraft battery to 50–100% (battery required for button-sequence reset)
• If possible, pair the controller to the aircraft

Delete data using the controller:

Step 1 - Format the media SD card

☐ Flight Deck → Information → Your aircraft → Manage media → Format media SD card.

Step 2 - Format the SD card 

☐ Flight Deck → Manage media → Format logs SD card.

Step 3 - Factory-reset the aircraft 

☐ Flight Deck → Information → Your aircraft → Manage data → Factory reset. Wait ~1–2 minutes for the reset to complete

Step 4 - Power off aircraft → Forget aircraft on controller 

☐ After power-off: Flight Deck → Information → Your aircraft → Forget.

Step 5 - Factory-reset / Erase controller data 

☐ Controller → Information / About → Log Out and Erase All Controller Data (or About → Factory reset). Requires controller password.

Result: media, logs, aircraft internal transient storage, and controller data cleared.

Hardware (battery-button) factory reset

Use only if the Flight Deck is not available.

Power 

☐ Unplug the drone from the USB-C port and ensure the drone is off.

☐ Insert a charged battery (50–100%); do not turn on. Battery button sequences (HOLD = press for ~1 second; TAP = quick press) 

☐ Factory reset (whole drone): HOLD, HOLD, TAP, TAP, HOLD, HOLD, TAP, TAP → Battery lights turn Teal → Turn on the drone within 10 seconds to start the reset. Reset ≈ 1–2 minutes. 

☐ NVU recovery (if needed): HOLD, HOLD, HOLD, HOLD, TAP, TAP, TAP, TAP → battery lights Purple.

Verify 

☐ Complete when the gimbal initializes, and the lights flash.

Controller: Erase & (optional) radio/hard resets

Erase controller data 

☐ Controller → Info → About → Log Out and Erase All Controller Data. Enter the password when prompted. Do not proceed if the password is unknown.

Radio / hard reset (troubleshooting only) 

☐ Press and hold Power for 10 seconds → unplug/replug ☐ Press and hold C3 + Power for 10 seconds 

☐ Press and hold the small reset button (bezel above power) for 10 seconds

Verification

☐ Power off both aircraft and the controller
☐ Power on

• Confirm aircraft shows fresh setup (no prior flights), controller prompts to set up as new.
• If you plan to reuse the system, re-pair the controller to the aircraft and confirm normal operation.
• Do NOT run a factory reset as your first troubleshooting step — it is the most intrusive. Start with less intrusive steps.
• Controller password: the controller erase requires the password. If lost, the controller may be permanently unusable and must be replaced.
• Formatting SD cards removes card contents, but a full aircraft factory reset is required to clear internal transient storage (eMMC / flightlog buffers).

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Skydio X10D Manuals, Guides, and Resources

[note]If you need assistance, please reach out to: FedSupport@skydio.us[/note]

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