Top 5 Methods to Recover Data from SD Card

Can you recover deleted data from SD card?

An SD card, also known as a Secure Digital Card, is a potable flash memory card widely used to store data in cameras, phones, and other mobile electronic devices. They are connected to devices through high-speed interfaces, providing users with a reliable solution for data storage. To meet different usage needs, SD cards are classified into various types, including standard SD cards, SDHC cards, SDXC cards, etc.

However, there are some potential issues when using them. One of the most frequent scenarios we may encounter is the loss of essential data. How can I recover data from SD cards? If you have the same question, continue reading this post to learn five easy and effective recovery methods.

How to recover data from SD card?

When it comes to data loss from SD cards, it is important to understand how the data was lost. Your crucial files can disappear from the cards due to accidental deletion, unexpected formatting, or other operational errors. To address various data loss scenarios, this section presents five different solutions to recover data from SD cards. You can choose the most suitable one to resolve your issue.

Recover SD Card Data with Software

If you are fed up with the tedious recovery procedures and looking for the easiest way to fix data loss on SD cards, using reliable recovery software is an excellent option for you. Whether your data got lost on account of deletion or corruption, this method can help you retrieve them with ease.

I’d like to recommend AOMEI FastRecovery to you, a professional recovery tool designed to recover any file types from multiple devices on Windows PCs and servers.

Key Features of AOMEI FastRecovery:

Handles diverse data loss scenarios, recovering your data quickly and efficiently.

Supports previewing files before recovery, avoiding making the wrong choice.

Supports recovering files during the scan if they appear on the interface, which helps users save much time.

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Here’s how to use AOMEI FastRecovery to recover data from an SD card:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery first, and then choose the exact partition or drive where your data are located. Here, you can connect the SD card to your PC, and then choose the respective drive.

Step 2: Scan your drive to find the desired data. It will execute the Quick Scan first to find your data fast, and then execute the Deep Scan for searching lost content comprehensively.

Step 3: After scanning, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the specific files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the file and wait for the process to complete.

Recover Data via CHKDSK

Recovering data from SD cards using CHKDSK also works in some scenarios. CHKDSK is a built-in command-line tool in Windows, often used for checking the file system integrity of a storage device and fixing system errors. However, it is important to note that this method cannot recover fully deleted files. If your files on the SD cards are lost due to corruption, CHKDSK might help you recover them.

Follow these steps to recover data from SD cards using CHKDSK:

Step 1: Connect your SD card to your computer first.

Step 2: Type cmd in the search bar at the screen bottom and then press Enter.

Step 3: Type chkdsk X: /f in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. Here replace X with the drive letter of your SD card.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

With this command, CHKDSK will scan your SD card to find the file system errors and attempt to repair them. The process may take several minutes. Please wait patiently until it completes.

Use Backups to Recover Data from SD Cards

Wondering how to recover deleted data from SD cards? In addition to using recovery software, recovering files through backups is also available, provided you have the good habit of regular backup. Windows offers a built-in feature called Backup and Restore (available for Windows 7 and later versions). This tool allows you to back up essential data in case of accidental loss, corruption, or crashes. When you change your mind or realize that you have made a mistake while handling tasks, you can easily restore the files you have backed up before.

Here’s how to recover deleted data from an SD card via this feature:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore my files.

Step 3: Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.

Step 4: Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

Manually Recover Lost Data

In addition to the method mentioned above, you can also manually check for missing files through the following ways.

►Check the Recycle Bin

Generally, it is difficult to recover SD cards’ data from the Recycle Bin, because it is specifically designed to store deleted files from internal drives. But if you have saved your files on a local drive and then deleted them, they might be stored in the Recycle Bin temporarily.

Here are the detailed steps for recovering deleted files through the Recycle Bin:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin first.

Step 2: Search for the missing files within the search bar.

Step 3: Right-click on the search result and select Restore to return it to its original location.

►View Hidden Items

Sometimes, we cannot find files on SD cards because they are hidden for improper operations. Additionally, some viruses can hide data on SD cars, making it inaccessible to us. These hidden files are usually invisible in the regular file browsing activities due to certain system settings or file attributes.

But you can follow these steps to show them again:

Step 1: Open the File Explorer.

Step 2: Click the View tab at the top toolbar.

Step 3: Check if the Hidden items option is selected in the Show/Hide group.

Seek Help from Professional Data Recovery Services

If the above solutions cannot help you recover data from SD cards, it is highly recommended to turn to professional data recovery services. This method is also applied to the situation where your SD cards are physically damaged.

Although these services can be costly, they greatly increase the possibility of recovering missing data. Choose a trusted data recovery service with rich experience in data recovery.

Final Words

SD cards are widely used during routine tasks. But it is easy to lose important data from them due to various reasons, such as accidental deletion, formatting issues, or card corruptions. When data loss occurs, it can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when your valuable data is at stake. Fortunately, there are several available methods we can choose. This post outlines five easy and effective solutions to recover data from SD cards. ranging from built-in system tools to specialized recovery software. Follow the detailed steps outlined in these methods to get your lost data back.