DJI SOS: repair an unreadable DJI video on Mac

A DJI recording will no longer open after a power loss or an interrupted recording? DJI SOS attempts to rebuild a playable MP4 using the video frames that are still present. Processing takes place on your Mac, and recovered video is copied without re-encoding.

The app is free, with no account or subscription required. Your video files are not uploaded to the Internet.

Download free for Mac

Apple Silicon Mac · macOS 15 or later

A tool to help recover your footage

DJI SOS supports H.264 and H.265/HEVC video. It checks the available headers and, where the file allows it, looks for a suitable recovery profile. A new MP4 is delivered only after the entire video passes a decoding check. Your original file is preserved.

A 4K recording from a first-generation DJI Avata has been successfully repaired and verified. Support for other devices and recording settings depends on the file structure and the parameters that can still be recovered. It is not guaranteed for every camera or recording mode.

How to use DJI SOS

1. Select the unreadable video. Drag an MP4, MOV or M4V file into the app.
2. Add a reference if you have one. A short, playable clip recorded with the same camera and settings can help rebuild the file.
3. Start the repair. DJI SOS attempts to recover the video, creates a new MP4 and checks the entire result before offering to open it.

A reference video is optional, but can help

Some damaged files contain enough information to be repaired on their own. Others may need a healthy reference clip. Whenever possible, use the same drone, codec, resolution and recording frame rate.

If essential parameters are missing or no profile produces an error-free decode, DJI SOS asks for a reference instead of delivering an unverified result.

Compatibility and recovery limits

• Apple Silicon Mac only — macOS 15 or later. This release does not provide a Windows download.
• Recovery depends on the file. Missing or overwritten data cannot be recreated. No recovery is guaranteed.
• Recovered video keeps its quality. It is copied without re-encoding, at its original resolution. An incomplete final frame may be discarded.
• Flight data is not recovered by the automatic method. Telemetry and other internal DJI metadata are not included in the delivered MP4.
• Audio may be missing. Depending on the condition of the file and the recovery method used, the result may not contain an audio track.

Download DJI SOS for Mac

DJI SOS 1.3 — build 8
Apple Silicon Mac · macOS 15 or later · free download

The interface offers 11 languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. It automatically follows the language of macOS.

Download DJI SOS 1.3 for Mac — DMG

Download DJI SOS 1.3 source code — ZIP

Repair is free. After a successful repair, the app offers an optional PayPal donation. You do not need to donate to use DJI SOS or retrieve your recovered video.

Frequently asked questions

Can DJI SOS repair every DJI video?

No. The result depends on the data still present, the codec, the recording settings and whether a suitable recovery profile is available. A reference video may improve the chances of recovery.

Do I always need a reference video?

No. Repair may work without one if the necessary information is available. A matching reference remains useful, and some files require one.

Does repair reduce image quality?

DJI SOS does not re-encode the recovered video. It rebuilds the MP4 container while preserving the video data. Missing or incomplete sections may still be unrecoverable.

Are my videos sent to an online service?

No. Analysis, repair and verification run locally on your Mac.

Do I have to pay for DJI SOS?

No. The app is free to use, with no account or subscription required. The donation offered after a successful result is entirely optional.

Open source, source code and credits

The original DJI SOS code is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later. Complete source code and rebuild instructions are included with the app and available in the ZIP above. Third-party components retain their own licences and attribution notices.

• djifix — Live Networks, Inc. The recovery profiles are derived from this project.
• untrunc — Federico Ponchio and contributors, including the fork maintained by anthwlock.
• FFmpeg and FFprobe — tools used for analysis, container reconstruction and video verification.

DJI SOS is an independent application created by Hansley. It is neither published nor endorsed by DJI.