Yes, in many cases it is possible to recover lost or deleted data from SD cards. There are a few different methods that may allow you to restore data that you thought was gone forever.
Why does data get lost on SD cards?
There are several common reasons why you may lose data from an SD card:
- Accidental deletion – Files may be deleted by mistake, without having backups
- Corruption – The file system or partition table on the card may become corrupt, making data inaccessible
- Physical damage – Dropping or bending the SD card can cause physical damage resulting in data loss
- Improper ejection – Removing the card from a device without properly ejecting can lead to data loss
- Formatting – Intentionally or accidentally formatting the card will wipe all data
- Malware/virus infection – Malicious software can sometimes corrupt or delete files
Can you recover data after formatting an SD card?
Yes, even after formatting an SD card, much of the original data usually remains intact until it is overwritten by new data. As long as you stop using the card after formatting, there is a good chance the data can be recovered.
Steps to recover lost SD card data
If you’ve lost data on an SD card, here are the steps you should take to have the best chance of getting it back:
- Stop using the SD card immediately – Any new data written to the card may overwrite deleted files making them unrecoverable
- Connect the SD card to a PC – Use a card reader if needed
- Download & install data recovery software – There are many options both free and paid
- Scan the card with the software – This finds recoverable files that may not be visible in your operating system
- Preview found files before recovery – Make sure they are intact
- Recover files to a new location – Don’t save recovered data back to the same SD card
Best free SD card recovery software
If you need to recover lost files from an SD card, here are some excellent free data recovery programs to try:
| Software | Supported OS | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Recuva | Windows | 1GB |
| PhotoRec | Windows, Mac, Linux | No limit |
| TestDisk | Windows, Mac, Linux | No limit |
These free tools perform well at undeleting files and recovering data due to accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption. They can retrieve photos, documents, videos, and other file types from SD cards.
Recuva
Recuva is one of the most popular free SD card recovery tools for Windows. It’s easy to use with a simple wizard-based interface. Recuva can recover files that were deleted from the recycle bin, camera cards, and other removable media.
PhotoRec
PhotoRec is free data recovery software with advanced capabilities for recovering lost photos, videos, documents, and archives from hard disks, CDs, and memory cards. It works very well for SD card file recovery.
TestDisk
TestDisk is primarily focused on partition recovery, but it also does an excellent job at recovering lost and deleted files. It’s more advanced than other free recovery tools but provides powerful data recovery features.
Best paid SD card recovery software
For more advanced SD card recovery capabilities, here are some top paid software options:
| Software | Supported OS | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellar | Windows, Mac | No limit | $79.99 |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | No limit | $79.99 |
| EaseUS | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | No limit | $69.95 |
Paid SD card recovery services provide some advantages over free solutions including:
- Recovery of more file types and from more scenarios
- Faster scan times and easier interfaces
- Recovery from physically damaged cards
- Advanced RAID recovery features
- Booting of unbootable drives
- Email and live chat technical support
Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery from Stellar Information Systems is a popular paid recovery program. It recovers lost files from hard drives, RAID arrays, SD cards, flash drives, and optical media.
R-Studio
R-Studio from R-Tools Tech offers comprehensive data recovery features for recovering files that were deleted, corrupted, or lost due to disk formatting or OS issues. It supports all common file systems and media.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Data Recovery Wizard from EaseUS is user-friendly data recovery software with advanced capabilities. It thoroughly scans storage media to find recoverable data and has useful previews of files before recovery.
DIY SD card data recovery techniques
Before turning to data recovery software, there are a few basic things you can try yourself to recover files from an SD card:
- Undelete – Your operating system may have an option to undelete recently deleted files, such as from the Recycle Bin in Windows
- Unformat – Some systems allow you to undo a quick format of a drive to recover deleted files
- Reinsert – Re-inserting the SD card may allow the OS to read it again after improper removal
- Chkdsk – Running disk repair utilities like chkdsk can fix file system issues
These basic techniques work in some cases. But for more complex SD card recovery situations, specialized data recovery software has the best chance of restoring your files.
Can you recover data from a dead SD card?
It is often possible to recover data even from a physically damaged or dead SD card that is not being recognized by your computer. Some signs of a dead SD card include:
- Not appearing in your computer
- Error messages when inserted
- Corrupted looking files
- Strange noises from the card
- Visible physical damage
Data recovery from a dead SD card is challenging and may require sending it to a professional recovery service. But specialized DIY data recovery software exists that can interface with some damaged cards. The best chance of success is if the controller chip remains intact.
SD card recovery services
For difficult SD card recovery cases beyond DIY software capabilities, you can enlist the services of a professional data recovery company. They use specialized techniques like:
- Repairing physically damaged cards
- Bypassing failed controller chips
- Transplanting flash memory chips
- Forensic-level data extraction
Professional SD card recovery services typically charge several hundred dollars. But they offer the highest chance of recovering data in challenging situations where DIY options have failed.
How to avoid needing data recovery
Recovering lost files from SD cards can be frustrating and time consuming. Here are some tips to avoid needing data recovery in the first place:
- Backup your data – Maintain multiple backups so deletion or corruption is not disastrous
- Eject properly – Always use “Safely Remove” before removing SD cards
- Handle carefully – Don’t bend cards or expose them to liquids or extreme heat
- Check for errors – Periodically scan your card for read/write errors
- Avoid overuse – The more you overwrite a card, the less recoverable older data becomes
Conclusion
Recovering lost or deleted files from an SD card is often possible using DIY data recovery software or professional recovery services. The key is to act quickly before new data overwrites your lost files. Follow best practices for ejecting and handling SD cards properly to avoid data loss. But even if disaster strikes, in many cases the data can still be recovered with the right tools and techniques.