How to Recover Data From Formatted SD Card Without a Backup?

Is it possible to recover data from formatted SD card?

SD cards are commonly used in devices like cameras, smartphones, and gaming consoles to store important data. However, they can sometimes be accidentally formatted, causing data loss. This can happen due to mistakes, choosing the wrong settings, virus infections, or removing the card while it’s still in use.

Is it possible to recover files from SD card after formatting? Recovering data from a formatted SD card depends on how it was formatted. If you delete files or perform a quick format, the data isn’t erased completely—it’s just hidden or marked as available space, and you can undo quick format to recover data. In these cases, recovery software can often help you get your files back. On the other hand, if the card goes through a full format, where the files are overwritten, it becomes much harder to recover anything.

In some situations, like virus attacks or sudden removal of the card, the data may still be recoverable as long as it hasn’t been overwritten. With the right tools, you can often restore your lost files and avoid permanent loss.

How to recover data from formatted SD card?

How to restore formatted SD card? If you have a backup for your files, photos, videos on the OneDrive, Google Drive, or System Backup, you can use this tools to easily restore lost data. However, what to do if you don't have the habit of a regular backup? At this time, you may need a reliable assistant.

Case 1. Perform formatted SD card recovery without backups

To retrieve formatted SD card without backups, it is recommended to use a professional data recovery tool like AOMEI FastRecovery to enhance the success rate, especially if in the complex data loss situations where the data has been overwritten or the drive was formatted due to a virus attack. 

 Here are more reasons that we recommend you to choose AOMEI FastRecovery to retrieve formatted SD card data:

• User-friendly interface: The software features an easy-to-use graphical interface, making it simple for users of all skill levels. It also provides 24/7 technical support.

• Versatile functionality: The tool boasts high-speed and reliable data recovery from external hard drives and various storage media, including HDD, SSD, USB drives, and SD cards. It supports over 1000 types of data with recovering unlimited data, covering texts, deleted photos, videos, audio, emails, and compressed files, among others.

• Wide compatibility: The software works with almost all Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server. It also supports various file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

• Performs well in complex cases: Recover data from formatted disks, encrypted hard drives, system crash, corrupted USB drives.

• Security assurance: You can download the software without worrying about unwanted programs or harmful ads, ensuring a safe and secure experience.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

Case 2. Recover files from SD card after formatting with backups

Way 1. Use Windows File Recovery to retrieve formatted SD card

Microsoft offers a handy tool called Windows File Recovery, designed to help you recover deleted photos or files no matter whether you have a backup or not. Whether they’re on SSDs, HDDs, SD cards, or USB drives, this tool can bring them back. It’s also compatible with various file systems like NTFS, exFAT, and FAT.

To use it, make sure your Windows version is 10 20H1 Build 19041 or later. If you meet the requirements, just follow a few simple steps to recover your lost photos and get them back where they belong.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store and install it with administrative privileges.

• Please type the command: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
• Two scanning modes can be chosen: Default and Extensive. You can select according to your specific situation.

The Extensive mode can be further classified as two modes, Signature and Segment:
• Signature mode: you can recover all lost files under the file system using file headers.
• Segment mode:you can restore lost files with file record staging specifically for NTFS.
• Here are some switches you can use to customize the recovery task.

•  Kindly please be careful when entering commands. Incorrect commands can result in serious data loss.

Step 2. Select the Default mode and input the command "winfr C: D: /n *.docx" to search for all DOCX files on the C drive and copy them to the D drive. Press "Y" to proceed. Please remember to replace "C:" with the source drive and "D:" with the destination drive as per your requirements.

Way 2. Recover formatted SD card files from Backups on Cloud Storage

There are several ways to recover lost files. If you already have a copy saved, you can use tools like Google Takeout, Google Vault, or another cloud storage service to restore your files.

For files synced to your computer, recovery is simple. Start the Backup and Sync tool to access the path C:\Users\Name\Google Drive, where all the synced copies are stored. You can either browse through the files or search for the one you need using the search bar. Once you find it, you can restore or fix it as needed.

Way 3. Retrieve formatted SD card from OneDrive

If you want to recover formatted SD card files with a backup, you can start by checking the OneDrive website, as your files are safely stored in the OneDrive cloud.

Simply log in to your Microsoft account, go to the Desktop folder, and look for the files you’re trying to recover. Once you find them, click the menu icon next to the file and select "Download" to save them back to your device.

Conclusion

There are 2 cases with totally 4 ways about how to recover data from formatted SD card. Whether you have a backup or not, this guide will be practical and helpful. AOMEI FastRecovery is an easy-to-use data recovery software for helping to perform formatted SD card recovery if you don't have a backup or encounter complex data loss scenarios. You can download it to have a try.