This article covers how to recover deleted files from an SD card. SD cards are commonly used for additional storage in cameras, mobile phones, and other devices. However, files can be accidentally or intentionally deleted from SD cards, leading to data loss. Recovering deleted files from an SD card is possible in many cases if proper steps are taken.
This guide will walk through various methods to attempt to recover deleted files from an SD card. It will explain built-in recovery tools, data recovery software options, manual recovery techniques, and when to turn to a specialist. following the recommendations in this article can significantly increase the chances of successfully restoring deleted photos, documents, videos, and other file types from an SD card.
Understand How File Deletion Works on SD Cards
When you delete a file from an SD card, the reference to that file is removed from the file system index, but the actual data remains on the storage device. The space occupied by the deleted file is marked as available to be overwritten by new data.
A common misconception is that deleting a file removes it completely. In reality, deleting only removes the pathway to access the file. Until the deleted file’s data clusters are overwritten, the file can often be recovered with the right tools.
Another mistake is continuing to use the SD card after deleting important files. Any new data written to the card could overwrite deleted files making them harder or impossible to recover. For the best chance of recovery, you should stop using the SD card immediately after accidental deletion.
According to this source, deleted files keep coming back because the actual data remains on the storage device after deletion. Only the file reference is removed, not the content itself.
Stop Using the SD Card
It’s crucial to stop using the SD card immediately after realizing files have been deleted. Continuing to write new data to the card can overwrite the deleted files and make them unrecoverable, as explained on Quora: “if you continue to write data to the card, it may overwrite the deleted or lost files and make them unrecoverable.”[1] DiskGenius also recommends stopping card usage, noting: “To recover deleted photos from a memory card, you can follow these steps: Step 1. Stop using the memory card to avoid overwriting deleted photos and other files.”[2]
Once you realize files are deleted from the SD card, refrain from taking new photos, downloading files, or adding any data. Safely eject the card from your device and do not insert it into any other devices. This simple step maximizes the chances deleted files can be successfully recovered before permanent overwriting occurs.
Try Built-In Tools
Many operating systems like Windows and MacOS come with built-in data recovery tools that you can use to try recovering deleted files from an SD card before resorting to third party software.
For example, on Windows 10 and 11, you can use the Command Prompt to restore deleted files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type “chkdsk x: /f” without the quotes, where x is the letter of your SD card drive. This scans and attempts to recover readable files. You can also try using the Windows Previous Versions feature to restore earlier versions of files.
On MacOS, you can open Disk Utility and select your SD card drive. Click First Aid and then click Recover to attempt restoring deleted files. The Photos app may also have archived earlier versions of deleted photos you can restore.
Trying these built-in recovery tools first is a good option before resorting to paid third party software. They may be able to recover recently deleted files easily. Just avoid continuing to use the SD card to maximize chances of file recovery.
Use Data Recovery Software
One of the most effective methods for recovering deleted files from an SD card is to use data recovery software. There are many powerful software programs available that can scan your SD card and recover lost data. Some top options include:
Disk Drill (for Windows & Mac) – Disk Drill is an easy to use and feature-rich data recovery program. It offers a quick scan to find recently deleted files as well as a deep scan to recover files lost long ago. Disk Drill supports all file types and file systems.
Recoverit (for Windows & Mac) – Developed by Wondershare, Recoverit specializes in recovering lost data from storage devices. It has a 96% recovery rate and retrieves data due to deletion, system crash, virus attack, and more. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple to restore files.
These programs use advanced scanning algorithms to find recoverable data on your SD card. They often let you preview found files before choosing which ones to restore. The best software has high success rates in retrieving JPEG photos, DOC files, MP4 videos, and most file formats.
To use SD card recovery software, first stop using the card to prevent overwriting deleted data. Then connect the card to your computer. Install and open the recovery program. Select the SD card and scan it. The software will find recoverable files. You can then select which ones to restore and save them to another device.
Send to a Specialist
In more difficult cases where DIY solutions have failed, you may need to turn to professional data recovery services. These specialists have access to advanced tools and techniques that can retrieve data even from significantly damaged SD cards.
Professional SD card data recovery services typically charge several hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the case [1]. However, for irreplaceable or critical files, the high cost may be worthwhile if it means recovering your data.
Look for reputable companies that offer free evaluation and no data, no charge policies. This protects you from paying large sums if the data is unrecoverable. The process will likely involve shipping your SD card to a clean room data recovery facility.
Professional services can rescue data after:
- Accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption
- Physical damage from drops, water, or cracks
- Logical damage from malware, viruses, or OS issues
- Any failure of DIY recovery software
For high value SD cards where consumer solutions have not worked, professional data recovery services are your best chance for getting back lost files [2]. The specialists have cutting-edge tools, years of experience, and best practices to maximize your chances of successful data recovery.
Avoid Future Deletion
While recovering deleted files is possible in many cases, it’s always best to avoid accidental deletion in the first place. Here are some tips to help prevent files from being deleted from your SD card:
Regularly back up your SD card files to another storage device like an external hard drive or cloud storage. This ensures you have another copy if files do go missing from your card. Some backup software like EaseUS Todo Backup allows creating scheduled backups so it can be done automatically.
Enable the “trash can” feature if available on your device, which sends deleted files to a temporary trash folder instead of permanently erasing them right away. This gives you a safety net if you accidentally delete something.
Be careful when performing bulk actions like selecting multiple files to delete at once, as you may unintentionally target the wrong files. Delete cautiously one file at a time instead.
Avoid removing your SD card or powering down the device while files are still being written to it, as this can lead to corruption.
Check your device settings to see if there are options like “protect files” that can prevent accidental deletion of important files or folders.
Understanding what causes your SD card to delete files can help prevent it, like resolving file system errors using the steps outlined earlier in this guide.
Recover Different File Types
The process for recovering deleted files from an SD card can vary depending on the file type. Here’s an overview of some key differences when trying to recover common file types:
Photos: Digital photo files like JPG and RAW formats tend to be easier to recover than other file types. As long as the storage space hasn’t been overwritten, photo recovery software can often restore deleted photos.
Documents: Documents created in apps like Word, Excel, and PDF formats can also be recovered in many cases. However, complex documents with lots of layers and metadata may not be fully restored.
Videos: Due to their large size, video files can be trickier to recover from an SD card. The recovery process also takes longer. Look for video recovery software that can repair corrupted video files.
Music: Like photos, digital music formats like MP3 and WAV files have high recoverability as long as the SD card’s storage hasn’t been overwritten. But songs downloaded with DRM encryption may not be recoverable.
Archives: Files stored in ZIP, RAR, and other compressed archive formats have additional layers of complexity. The archive file itself may be recoverable but the contents inside could still be corrupted.
In general, simpler file formats with smaller file sizes tend to have better success rates for recovery from an SD card. But with the right recovery software, deleted files like photos, documents, and music can often be restored.
Success Rates
The success rate for recovering deleted files from an SD card can vary greatly depending on several factors. However, when using professional data recovery services, success rates can be quite high.
According to Provendata, they have a 97% success rate for SD card data recovery services. Similarly, Secure Data Recovery reports a 96% success rate across all types of SD card recoveries.
The main factors that affect SD card data recovery success rates are:
- How soon after deletion the recovery process starts – the quicker the better
- Whether the deleted files have been overwritten with new data
- The physical condition of the SD card
- The recovery method and tools used
As long as the deleted files have not been overwritten and the SD card is in good physical condition, data recovery services can often recover the files. However, the longer you wait, the more likely the deleted data will get overwritten.
Summary
If you accidentally deleted files from your SD card, don’t panic. There are several steps you can take to try to recover those lost files. The most important first step is to stop using the SD card immediately after deletion, as overwriting the space where deleted files were stored makes them less likely to be recovered.
Built-in recovery tools on your computer or device may be able to restore recently deleted files. If that doesn’t work, use reputable data recovery software designed for undeleting files. These programs can scan the SD card and often recover data that was erased. For best results, send the card to a professional data recovery service, especially if the files were extremely important.
Going forward, be very careful when deleting files. Have backups of important data, and confirm several times before permanently erasing anything. With some effort, there’s a good chance your deleted files can be recovered. Just act quickly and use the right tools.
