There are a few different ways to potentially force an SD card to unlock if you’ve forgotten the password or the card has become unresponsive. While there’s no guarantee these methods will work, they provide possible solutions to regain access to your locked SD card and data.
Try the Default Passwords
Many SD card manufacturers set default passwords that you can try to unlock the card. Common default passwords include:
- 0000
- 1234
- 12345678
- password
Insert your locked SD card into your computer or device card reader and try entering these common default passwords to see if one works to unlock the card. This bypass the security entirely if the default password was never changed.
Use Software to Hack the Password
If trying the default passwords doesn’t work, you may need software designed to hack, bypass or reset an SD card password. Some options to try include:
- SD Card Password Unlocker – Windows software that claims in many cases it can reset SD card passwords without even knowing the original password. It tries automatic password combinations and brute force attacks.
- Find My SD Card – Android app that can crack SD card passwords by trying different password combinations. Works on devices with Android 5.0+.
- Kodomo SD Card Password Remover -Another Windows software dedicated to unlocking lost SD card passwords through brute force attacks. Claims over 98% success rate.
The effectiveness of these software solutions can vary greatly based on the strength of the original password. But they provide automated ways to try cracking the password instead of manually entering combinations.
Erase the Card Using Hardware Methods
If the above software solutions don’t successfully unlock the card, you may need to use more advanced hardware methods to reset the SD card and erase its contents and security settings. This will let you start fresh with the card, but means losing all current data.
Two common hardware methods for erasing an SD card include:
- Using Another Device – Insert the locked SD card into a camera or other device it wasn’t originally formatted on. In some cases, this device may prompt you to reformat the card, which will erase it.
- SD Card Formatter Software – Dedicated software like SD Card Formatter for Windows, SD Formatter for Mac and Minitool for Linux can be used to quickly reformat SD cards, wiping data and resetting passwords.
These methods carry some risk of making the SD card permanently unusable if there are deep underlying issues. But they provide a reasonably safe way to erase your SD card entirely so you can start fresh.
Send to Data Recovery Service
If all else fails, there are professional SD card data recovery services that may be able to unlock your card. They have advanced tools and methods beyond what consumer software provides. Costs vary widely, but they can retrieve lost passwords and data in cases where you’ve exhausted other options.
Some top services to consider include:
- Secure Data Recovery
- SALVAT DATA RECOVERY
- Ace Data Recovery
- Datarecover.com
Keep in mind this option means handing your SD card over to a third-party, so you need to thoroughly vet the company and confirm they are reputable before proceeding.
Avoid Locking Yourself Out in the First Place
Prevention is always better than trying to recover a locked SD card after the fact. To avoid locking yourself out, keep the following tips in mind:
- Don’t enable SD card password encryption unless absolutely necessary. This introduces security risks if you lose the password.
- Record your password in a safe but accessible place in case you forget it later. Never store it only in your own memory.
- Use strong but memorable passwords. Don’t use simple or default passwords that are easy to crack.
- Create password reset tools in advance, like taking a full image backup of your SD card when you first set the password, in case you need to reset it later.
- Keep your software and card readers up to date. Old incompatibilities can sometimes cause lock outs.
Following best practices like these will minimize your risk of a locked SD card occurring, though it can’t prevent it completely. But it does give you a much better chance of avoiding issues.
Conclusion
Here are some key takeaways on how to deal with a locked SD card:
- Try using default manufacturer passwords or software cracking solutions first.
- Use hardware methods like device reformatting or SD card formatter tools if software fails.
- Turn to professional recovery services if you’ve exhausted other options.
- Avoid future lock outs by using strong memorable passwords and password backups.
With a combination of responsible password practices, recovery software tools and professional help if needed, you have an excellent chance of regaining access to a locked SD card and the valuable photos, videos, documents and other data stored on it.