To edit DJI drone footage on a Mac or PC, copy the DCIM folder from the microSD card (or the drone over USB-C) to your computer, back it up, and open the clips in an editor: iMovie (free, Mac), DaVinci Resolve (free, Mac and Windows), Final Cut Pro (Mac) or Premiere Pro (Mac and Windows). Cut to music, apply DJI's LUT if you shot D-Log M, and export an H.264 or H.265 MP4.
Copy the files
- Card reader: power off the drone, remove the microSD card, and copy the DCIM folder. Usually the fastest option.
- USB-C cable: connect the drone to the computer with a data cable. Some models, like the Air 3, also expose internal storage this way.
- Model-by-model steps: transfer photos from a DJI drone.
DJI drones save video as MP4 in H.264 or H.265 (HEVC). Photos are JPEG, plus DNG RAW on models that support it.
Pick an editor
On a Mac
- iMovie: free and simple. Fine for trimming, music and titles. No custom LUT support, so shoot Normal color.
- Final Cut Pro: $299.99 one-time on the Mac App Store, or part of Apple Creator Studio ($12.99 a month or $129 a year, with a 30-day free trial). Loads DJI LUTs with the Custom LUT effect.
- DaVinci Resolve: see below.
On Windows
- DaVinci Resolve: the most capable free option.
- Premiere Pro: Adobe subscription; see Premiere Pro for drone footage.
- Clipchamp: Microsoft's simple editor, included with Windows 11. Good for quick social cuts.
DaVinci Resolve (both): free, with editing, color, effects and audio in one app. Blackmagic says the free version works with 8-bit formats up to 60fps and Ultra HD, while Studio ($295) adds 10-bit support up to 120fps, AI noise reduction and more. If you shoot 10-bit D-Log M or 4K/100fps, check that your footage plays in the free version before you rely on it. Full walkthrough: DaVinci Resolve for drone footage.
H.265 playback problems
H.265 files are smaller but harder to decode. Recent Macs play them natively. On Windows, the built-in Photos and Media Player apps may need Microsoft's HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. If editing stutters:
- Use proxy or optimized media in your editor.
- Record H.264 instead of H.265 next time if your computer is older (Normal color only on many DJI drones; 10-bit modes use H.265).
- Close other apps and edit from a fast SSD.
More fixes in choppy drone footage.
A simple editing workflow
- Make a new project at the resolution and frame rate you shot (for example 4K, 30fps).
- Import clips and delete the bad takes.
- Cut 3 to 6 seconds of each good shot to music.
- Color: for D-Log M, fix exposure and white balance, then apply DJI's free LUT for your model from its downloads page. Our Air 3S LUT guide covers each editor.
- Slow down 100fps or 120fps clips in a 24 to 30fps timeline.
- Export H.264 MP4 for compatibility or H.265 for smaller files.
Editing drone photos
DJI DNG RAW files open in Lightroom, Photoshop, Apple Photos and most RAW editors. See how to edit drone photos in Lightroom.
Hardware tips
4K, 10-bit H.265 editing is demanding. A recent computer with hardware HEVC decoding, 16 GB of RAM or more, and an SSD makes it smooth. On older machines, work with proxies.
For the bigger picture, read how to edit drone footage. Shopping for a drone that records 10-bit D-Log M? See the DJI Mini 4 Pro or DJI Air 3S.
Related guides
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