How to Recover Deleted Files From an SD Card
SD cards are frequently used to increase the storage capacity of digital cameras and mobile devices, and they may contain priceless photos that are quite sentimental to the owner. However, if crucial data was lost, these pictures or files could vanish or be mistakenly wiped from the SD card, creating a great deal of worry and despair. The purpose of this post is to investigate the best ways to retrieve deleted files from an SD card.
How to Recover Files from SD Cards on a Windows 10 / 11
Use SD Card Recovery Software
Uneraser is a professional data recovery solution that works to help you get back files from a corrupt SD card that still appears on File Explorer. It comes with different recovery modes and can recover multiple file formats. The Uneraser software also supports all known Windows file systems and features a built-in Recovery Wizard that guides you every step of the way to recover your files.
1. Download and install DiskInternals Uneraser
- 1. Navigate to the Uneraser page From the main menu, click on the "Data Recovery" tab, and then click on "Uneraser" from the dropdown menu.
- 2. Choose the version of Uneraser you want to download There are two versions of DiskInternals Uneraser: the free trial version and the paid version with additional features. Choose the version you want to download and click on the appropriate button.
- 3. Download the Uneraser installer After clicking the download button, the Uneraser installer will begin to download. The size of the download and the time it takes to complete will depend on the speed of your internet connection.
- 4. Run the Uneraser installer Once the download is complete, navigate to the location where the installer was downloaded and double-click on it to run the installer.
- 5. Follow the installation wizard The Uneraser installation wizard will guide you through the installation process. Follow the prompts to select the installation location, accept the license agreement, and choose any additional options you want to install.
- 6. Complete the installation After completing the installation wizard, DiskInternals Uneraser will be installed on your computer. You can launch the program by searching for it in the Start menu or by double-clicking on the desktop icon, if one was created during the installation process.
2. Select the file formats you want to recover
After launching DiskInternals SD Card Recovery, the main window will appear. Here, you will need to select the file formats that you want to recover from your SD card.
To do this, click on the "File Types" button in the lower left-hand corner of the window. A new window will appear, displaying a list of file types. Check the box next to the file formats that you want to recover, or select "All" to recover all file formats.
Once you have selected the file types, click "OK" to return to the main window.
Note that you can also use the "Advanced Recovery" option to perform a deeper scan of your SD card and recover more types of files. However, this may take longer than a quick scan and may not be necessary for all data loss situations.
3. Wait for the scan to run completely
After selecting the file formats you want to recover, click on the "Next" button to start the scanning process. The scanning time will depend on the size of your SD card and the number of files it contains.
During the scanning process, DiskInternals SD Card Recovery will display the progress of the scan and the estimated time remaining. You can also pause or stop the scan at any time if necessary.
It is important to wait for the scan to complete fully before attempting to recover any files. Once the scan is complete, DiskInternals SD Card Recovery will display a list of all the recoverable files found on the SD card.
Note that if the quick scan does not find the files you are looking for, you can also try running an advanced scan, which may take longer but can find more recoverable files.
Try to Find Lost Files on SD Card
The files or folders you are seeking may still exist on your memory card and could have been overlooked for various reasons. Below are some common issues that may make it appear as if the files were deleted:
To start with, use the search function on the device to which the memory card was connected when the files went missing. Every digital device, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, or digital camera, is capable of scanning its storage data. Carefully review the files stored on your device, as it's possible you missed the file before or searched for it under a different name. If you're fortunate, you'll find the missing data and won't have to go any further.
Another option is to display hidden files in your operating system. Sometimes, when you connect an SD card to your computer, the operating system may not be able to detect the files. Perhaps they were hidden by a virus and need to be made visible again. The specific instructions for revealing hidden files depend on your device and operating system.
Can Permanently Deleted Files be Recovered from an SD Card?
Although not always, it is often possible to recover permanently deleted files from the SD card they were saved on, even files that are no longer in the Trash or have been formatted.
When a file is permanently deleted, such as when you empty the Trash folder, it does not disappear immediately from the storage device. The operating system merely updates the file system to mark it as permanently deleted, but the actual data remains on the SD card physically until new data is written over the same location on the flash memory chip.
To recover permanently deleted files, you can use an SD card recovery software to scan the SD card and retrieve the lost data before it gets overwritten. However, it is impossible to predict when overwriting will occur, making it essential to begin data recovery as soon as possible.
Recover Deleted Files from an SD Card Trash
If you accidentally delete files on your Mac, don't worry because they are first moved to the Trash folder and can be easily recovered until you empty the Trash. Here's how:
1. Click on the Trash icon located on the right side of the Dock.
2. Select the files you want to recover.
3. Right-click on any of the selected files and select "Put Back."
If you cannot find your deleted files in the Trash, you can unhide the actual Trash folder located on your SD card:
1. Launch Finder and go to the root directory of your SD card.
2. Press Command + Shift + .
3. Open the .Trashes folder and access the Bin folder.
The Bin folder should contain all files that have been deleted from the SD card. You can recover them by moving them to any location.
Alternatively, you can use a Terminal command to display the contents of the .Trashes folder:
/Volumes/nameofSDcard/.Trashes
Please note that the Terminal.app must have Full Disk Access in the security settings to manipulate the content of the .Trashes folder.
Remember that deleted files remain in the .Trashes folder until you empty the main system Trash, format the SD card, or eject it safely. Once deleted files are permanently deleted, you can only recover them using SD card recovery software.
FAQ
What are the most common reasons for SD card damage?
There are several common reasons for SD card damage, including:
1. Physical damage: Dropping or mishandling the SD card can cause physical damage to the card, resulting in data loss or corruption.
2. File system errors: If the file system on the SD card becomes corrupt, files may become inaccessible or get deleted. This can happen due to improper ejection of the SD card or virus/malware infections.
3. Electrical or magnetic interference: Exposure to strong electrical or magnetic fields can cause SD card damage or data loss.
4. Overuse or wear and tear: Frequent use or wear and tear can cause SD card failure or corruption, especially with lower-quality cards.
5. Excessive heat or cold: Extreme temperatures can cause SD card damage or data loss.
6. Incompatibility: Sometimes, using an SD card on an incompatible device can lead to damage or data loss.
It is important to handle and store SD cards carefully and avoid exposing them to extreme conditions to prevent damage or loss of data. Regular backups of important data can also help minimize the impact of SD card damage.
How can I recover data from corrupted SD card?
You can recover data from a corrupted SD card by following these steps:
1. Stop using the SD card immediately to prevent further damage or data loss.
2. Connect the SD card to your computer using a card reader.
3. Download and install reliable data recovery software such as Uneraser.
4. Launch the software and select the corrupted SD card as the target drive.
5. Start the scanning process to search for lost or deleted files.
6. Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to recover.
7. Choose a location to save the recovered files to avoid overwriting any existing data on the SD card.
8. After the recovery process is complete, safely eject the SD card and format it if necessary.
It is important to note that if the SD card is severely damaged, recovery may not be possible using data recovery software. In this case, it may be necessary to seek professional data recovery services. It is also recommended to regularly back up important data to minimize the impact of SD card corruption or failure.
Where do deleted files from an SD card go?
When files are deleted from an SD card, they are not immediately removed from the storage device. Instead, the operating system marks the space previously occupied by the deleted files as available for new data to be written. The deleted files are still present on the SD card until new data overwrites that space.
In the case of an SD card used in a mobile device or camera, deleted files are typically moved to a "trash" or "recycle bin" folder on the SD card. These files can often be restored from the folder if they have not been permanently deleted.
On a computer, deleted files from an SD card are typically moved to the system's trash or recycle bin folder. If the folder is not emptied, the deleted files can be restored from the folder. However, if the folder is emptied or the files are permanently deleted, they can only be recovered using data recovery software, assuming the space they occupied has not yet been overwritten.
Can I recover deleted files from a CF card?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files from a CF (CompactFlash) card using data recovery software. When files are deleted from a CF card, they are not immediately removed from the storage device. Instead, the operating system marks the space previously occupied by the deleted files as available for new data to be written. The deleted files are still present on the CF card until new data overwrites that space.
How to Recover Deleted Files from an SD Card With Uneraser?
1. Download and Install DiskInternals Uneraser
2. Choose the SD card and recovery method you need
3. Start scanning for lost data
4. Select the files which you want to recover on your SD Card
5. Recover the deleted data from your SD card
How do I fix an unreadable SD card?
1. Connect your SD card to your computer
2. Type cmd in the Windows search bar and click Command Prompt. If asked, click Run as Administrator
3. Type in chkdsk F: /f /r /x (replace F with the drive letter of the SD card) and hit Enter on your keyboard
4. Once the process is finished, type exit
What is the Best Free SD Card Recovery Software?
DiskInternals Uneraser is a professional data recovery solution that works to help you get back files from a corrupt SD card that still appears on File Explorer. It comes with different recovery modes and can recover multiple file formats. The Uneraser software also supports all known Windows file systems and features a built-in Recovery Wizard that guides you every step of the way to recover your files.
How much does SD card recovery cost?
DiskInternals Uneraser is only $39.95