Data loss can happen to anyone. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, hardware failure, or corruption, losing important files and information can be devastating. For many, the first thought is whether data recovery is possible. If you use SanDisk storage devices, like SD cards or USB flash drives, you may wonder: does SanDisk offer data recovery services?
The Short Answer
No, SanDisk does not currently offer data recovery services directly. However, there are several reputable third-party companies that specialize in SanDisk data recovery.
About SanDisk
SanDisk is a technology company that specializes in flash memory products, including:
- SD cards
- USB flash drives
- SSDs
- Memory cards
They are a pioneer in the flash memory space and well-known for their secure, reliable, high-performance storage devices. SanDisk products are popular choices for consumer and business use.
Does SanDisk Offer Data Recovery Services?
Unfortunately, SanDisk does not currently offer any official data recovery services. Their customer support focuses on troubleshooting active devices, not recovering lost data.
However, this doesn’t mean recovery isn’t possible if you’ve lost data on a SanDisk product. There are professional data recovery companies that specialize in SanDisk devices.
Why Doesn’t SanDisk Offer Data Recovery?
There are a few reasons why SanDisk does not provide data recovery services:
- Specialized expertise required – Data recovery requires very specialized skills, tools and clean room facilities. SanDisk’s core expertise is in manufacturing flash memory, not providing data recovery services.
- Risk of device damage – Data recovery attempts, if not done properly, can sometimes further damage a device and make recovery impossible. SanDisk avoids this risk by not attempting recovery themselves.
- Time and cost – Recovering data from flash-based devices can be extremely time consuming and expensive. Providing these services would add significant overhead for SanDisk.
So while it would be convenient, data recovery is simply not part of SanDisk’s business model. They prefer to focus on making great storage products.
Third-Party SanDisk Data Recovery Options
If you need to recover lost data from a SanDisk product, there are reputable third-party recovery companies that offer specialized SanDisk file recovery services:
1. DriveSavers
DriveSavers is one of the most well-known and trusted data recovery companies. They have been in business for over 30 years and claim a greater than 92% recovery rate on all removable media, including SanDisk.
They are able to recover data from virtually any problem, including:
- Accidental deletion, format, or reformatting
- Corrupted partitions or operating systems
- Virus or malware attacks
- Physical damage
- Lost or broken device
DriveSavers provides free diagnostics to determine if your data is recoverable. Turnaround time is generally 5-7 business days for flash drives and SD cards. They have clean room facilities and engineers trained specifically for SanDisk data recovery.
2. Secure Data Recovery
Secure Data Recovery is another highly reputable company that performs SanDisk file recovery. They have been in business since 1985 with a 96% success rate.
They work on all SanDisk products and storage media, including:
- USB flash drives
- SD cards
- microSD cards
- CompactFlash cards
- SSDs
Secure Data Recovery performs free evaluation of your device and provides firm pricing upfront, with no hidden fees. They also offer emergency services if you need exceptionally fast turnaround.
3. CBL Data Recovery
CBL Data Recovery specializes in flash memory and SSD data recovery. They have over 25 years of experience and claim to rescue data other companies cannot.
They are able to recover lost or inaccessible data from practically any SanDisk device due to:
- Accidental formatting
- Deleted or missing files
- Corruption or bad sectors
- Mechanical failure
- Deleted or lost partitions
- Viruses
- Improper device removal
Free evaluations are provided with 24-48 hour turnaround. Emergency services are also available with promised recovery in just 6-12 hours. CBL Data Recovery provides competitive pricing and has a 96% success rate.
How Much Does SanDisk Data Recovery Cost?
The cost for SanDisk data recovery depends on a few factors:
- Type of device – The kind of SanDisk product (USB drive, SD card, etc) impacts price.
- Capacity – Higher capacity devices cost more to recover data from.
- Type of damage – Logical recoveries tend to cost less than physical recoveries.
- Urgency – Expedited services tend to cost extra.
However, on average for an SD card or USB flash drive, you can expect to pay:
| Device Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| SD Card (up to 32GB) | $300 – $500 |
| microSD Card (up to 32GB) | $300 – $600 |
| CF Card (up to 32GB) | $400 – $700 |
| USB Flash Drive (up to 32GB) | $300 – $700 |
Larger capacity devices will be at the higher end of these ranges. But in general for a lost 32GB SD card, expect to pay $300-$500 for data recovery.
How to Avoid Needing Data Recovery
While data recovery is often possible for SanDisk products, it’s still best to avoid data loss in the first place. Here are tips to help prevent issues leading to data recovery:
- Handle devices carefully – Don’t expose SanDisk products to moisture, heat, or physical shocks which could cause damage.
- Eject properly – Always eject flash drives safely before removal to avoid corruption.
- Back up data – Maintain backups so you aren’t fully reliant on the device.
- Check for errors – Scan devices periodically for bad sectors or errors.
- Avoid overfilling – Leave 10-20% free space to reduce risk of corruption.
- Update hardware/software – Keep devices and OS up-to-date to mitigate compatibility issues.
- Use antivirus – Scan for malware which could damage files.
- Handle sensitively – Flash memory can be damaged by some security screenings.
Practicing safe data management goes a long way towards avoiding recoveries.
Can You Recover Data Without Specialized Software?
When it comes to SanDisk data recovery, specialized data recovery software provides the best results. However, in some cases you may be able to recover deleted files or partitions without advanced tools.
Here are a few options:
Disk Utilities
Your operating system may have built-in disk utilities that can help recover deleted partitions or recently erased files. For example:
- Windows – Disk Management utility
- Mac – Disk Utility app
- Linux – TestDisk utility
These don’t always work if there is serious corruption, but may help with minor accidental deletes.
Undelete Software
Undelete utilities like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can sometimes recover recently deleted files. They scan the raw file system for traces of erased data.
However, they are limited compared to pro recovery tools. The free versions offer minimal capabilities.
File Carving
File carving uses data signatures to scour device images for specific file types like JPEGs or documents. It can uncover deleted files, but won’t help with a formatted partition.
Photorec is one of the most popular free carving utilities, but it’s very time consuming and you lose filenames/structures.
Unfortunately, when a SanDisk device starts showing serious signs of corruption or failure, your best shot is turning to the pros with advanced recovery capabilities.
Conclusion
SanDisk produces industry-leading storage devices, but does not offer official data recovery services. However, for deleted, lost or corrupted data, there are expert SanDisk file recovery companies available.
They have the specialized skills, equipment, clean rooms and proven processes to recover data from SanDisk products with a high success rate. Prices range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the device and type of recovery required.
While costly, reliable SanDisk data recovery services can provide invaluable help when critical files are inaccessible and backups aren’t available. With the right provider, there’s a good chance your important data can be rescued.
