Recover SD Card After Format is crucial when uptime and data reliability matter, making RAID 5 recovery essential. When an SD card is formatted, the data is not permanently deleted but merely made invisible, as the system removes the file directory but not the data itself.
This guide will explain various methods to recover your files from a formatted SD card, including using data recovery software, Windows command line, and Mac Terminal.
These tools can help uncover and restore your files before they’re permanently overwritten, offering a lifeline for your valuable data.
Can a Formatted SD Card Help You Recover Files?
Absolutely! When you format an SD card using the Quick format option in Windows, it doesn’t delete the data. It just marks the space as free to use, so while the card looks empty, the files are still there until new data replaces them.
To recover your files, the best first step is to use SD card recovery software. This tool is designed to retrieve data from formatted SD cards and is often the most effective way to get your files back.
What Causes an SD Card to Be Formatted?
SD cards can be formatted for various reasons, and often it’s due to a simple mistake. Here are some common scenarios where your SD card might become formatted:
Accidental Formatting: It’s not unusual to format the wrong SD card by mistake, especially when juggling multiple cards. Always double-check which card you are about to format.
Incompatible File Systems: SD cards need to be formatted with a file system compatible with your device (like FAT32, exFAT, NTFS). Using an incompatible file system can lead your device to prompt for reformatting the card.
Improper Ejection: Removing an SD card while it is still being read or written can corrupt the data, causing the system to treat it as formatted.
Virus Attacks: Malware can attack SD cards, leading to corruption or direct formatting.
Camera Auto-Formatting: Some digital cameras or camcorders might automatically format an SD card upon insertion, or they may have simple controls that lead to accidental formatting.
Ways to Retrieve Files from a Formatted SD Card
Have you recently discovered your SD card formatted, perhaps from your smartphone filled with important photos, or a camera brimming with memorable vacation snaps? If so, it’s time to act swiftly to recover your lost data. Below, we outline three effective strategies to help you recover files from your formatted SD card.
Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software is the top method for retrieving files from a formatted SD card. It works by restoring the logical connections that formatting removes, making the data readable once more to your operating system and other programs.
One highly recommended tool is Disk Drill, known for its user-friendly interface and robust recovery features. Disk Drill is compatible with both Windows and macOS. Here are some platform-specific benefits:
Windows: Offers a free trial that lets you recover up to 500MB of data.
macOS: Allows you to scan the SD card directly into your device without removing it.
Steps to Recover Files on a Windows PC
Here’s how you can use Disk Drill data recovery software to restore files on a Windows computer. Take advantage of the free recovery limit of 500 MB to regain important files without any cost.
Install Disk Drill: Begin by downloading and installing Disk Drill for Windows. You can safely install it on your computer’s primary hard drive since you’ll be recovering from an SD card.
Connect the SD Card: Insert the SD card into your computer using an internal or external card reader.
Open Disk Drill: Start the Disk Drill application and select your SD card from the list of drives displayed.
Launch the Scan: To begin looking for files that can be recovered, click the “Search for lost data” button.
Review Files: After the scan, browse through the found files, which are organized into categories like Pictures, Videos, Audio, Documents, Archives, and Others. This makes it easier to find the specific type of file you need.
Choose Files to Recover: Pick the files you’d like to restore and select a secure location on your computer to save them make sure it’s not on the compromised SD card to avoid any risk of data being overwritten.
Recover Your Files: Hit the ‘Recover’ button to begin transferring the selected files to your chosen location.
Methods for File Recovery on a Mac
Using Disk Drill on a Mac, you can recover data directly from the SD card in your smartphone without removing it. Here’s a guide on how to do this:
Install Disk Drill: First, download and install Disk Drill for Mac on your computer’s primary drive, as you’ll be retrieving data from an external device.
Connect Your Smartphone: Link your smartphone, containing the SD card with the lost data, to your Mac using a compatible USB cable.
Open Disk Drill: Start Disk Drill and go to the ‘Android Devices’ section.
Enable USB Debugging: Turn on USB debugging on your Android phone to allow your Mac to access it. Disk Drill may require you to root your device to fully access the SD card’s data.
Scan and Recover: Once your device is prepared, perform a scan. After the scan, choose the files you want to recover and save them to a secure location on your Mac.
Method 2: Recover SD Card Data Using Windows Command Line
You can try using the command line to recover data from a formatted SD card if you’re a Windows user. The steps to follow are as follows:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt: Type cmd in the Windows search box.
Step 2: Utilize the Administrator role: ‘Run as administrator’ can be chosen by right-clicking on Command Prompt.
Step 3: Enter Command: Type the following command: chkdsk F: /r /x (make sure to replace F with the actual drive letter of your SD card).
Step 4: Get Recovery Started: Wait for the process to be completed after pressing ENTER.
Method 3: Recover SD Card Data Using Mac Terminal
Here’s how to use the Terminal application on a Mac to recover data from a formatted SD card:
Step 1: Open Terminal: Look for the Terminal application in the Utilities folder on your Mac.
Step 2: Access the SD Card: Use the cd command to change directories to your SD card in Terminal.
Step 3: Recover the File: Type mv filename…/ (replace ‘filename’ with the actual file name you want to recover), then press RETURN.
Step 4: Exit Terminal: Type Quit closing Terminal.
Step 5: Check for the File: Navigate to the previous directory to see if your file has been restored.
Conclusion
You can get back data from a formatted SD card using different tools and methods. You can use recovery software like Disk Drill, Windows command line tools, or the Terminal app on a Mac to restore your lost files.
It’s crucial to act quickly to prevent new data from overwriting the existing files. By following the outlined steps carefully, you can maximize your chances of retrieving your valuable data from a formatted SD card.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I Restore Files After Formatting an SD Card?
It is feasible to retrieve data from an SD card even after it has been formatted.
Is it Possible to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card using a Mac?
Yes, Mac users can recover data from a formatted SD card using the Terminal app or data recovery software like Disk Drill, which allows direct scanning of SD cards without removing them from the device.
How Can I Prevent Overwriting Data on a Formatted SD Card?
Stop using the SD card right away after formatting to prevent data overwriting. Do not save new files or install software on the card, as this can overwrite the data you are trying to recover.
What are the Chances of Successfully Recovering Data from a Formatted SD Card?
The success rate for data recovery depends on how quickly you act and the quality of the recovery software used. Recovery chances are higher if you attempt to retrieve the data before any new files are saved that could overwrite the original data.
