Can you recover data from SD card after format? This article offers you to rescue files from formatted SD card with reliable data recovery software and other 2 other workable ways.
The other day I was looking at photos from my SD card on my laptop, and somehow my card was formatted and all the pictures on it are gone now. I don't know why this would happen. Can I recover data from a formatted SD card, and how can I avoid this in the future?
Do you accidentally format your SD card and lose all your photos and other important data? Can you recover data from SD card after format? Here, we will explain 3 SD card recovery methods for you to recover formatted data from PC.
What does SD card formatting mean? Formatting an SD card refers to deleting all the data stored on the SD card and restoring the SD card to its original state. This process can quickly erase data to free its storage space up. When your SD card is infected with a virus, formatting it can remove the virus and bring it back to normal.
There are many reasons why an SD card would be formatted such as accidentally deleting all the data on the SD, a virus or malware attack causing the SD card to be formatted. Direct removal of the memory card without shutting down the device can result in the file system being corrupted and the data unreadable as well.
When you find that your memory card has been formatted, please stop using the SD card immediately in case the data is overwritten and cannot be repaired. If you are ready to recover data from formatted SD card free, please start with the method below!
Can you retrieve data from formatted SD card? We cover three ways to rescue data from a formatted SD card. Hope they can be helpful.
The easiest way to recover data from SD card after format is to use SD card data recovery software. We are here to introduce a professional data recovery service called MyRecover to you.
Follow the tutorial below to learn how to recover files from formatted SD card.
Step 1. Run Window Data Recovery for Windows on computer. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.
Step 2. It will inspect all lost files on this disk and you can recover files during the scan process.
To find certain files quickly, you can use Filter to select a specific file type, like Documents, Images, Videos, etc.
Step 3. Choose files you intend to take back, and then Recover x files to start data retrieve.
Another way to recover data from a formatted SD card is to turn to a free Microsoft utility - Windows File History, a command-line application that runs on Windows 10 version 2004 and higher. It works with NTFS, ReFS, FAT, and exFAT file systems.
Since the tool runs through the command prompt, novice users may use it with incorrect command input resulting in Windows file recovery not working and data not being able to recover correctly. You can solve the "can you recover files after formatting SD card" problem using Windows File History by referring to the following steps.
The command used to recover data from some disk on Windows File Recovery goes like winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches], such as winfr: F: D: /signature.
There are different scenarios for file loss on SD card as shown in the table below.You can right-click on the SD card disk and choose Properties to check your File System.
File system |
Circumstances |
Recommended mode |
NTFS |
Deleted recently |
Regular |
NTFS |
Deleted a while ago |
Extensive |
NTFS |
After formatting a disk |
Extensive |
NTFS |
A corrupted disk |
Extensive |
FAT and exFAT |
Any |
Extensive |
Step 1. Open Microsoft Store in Windows, search for Windows File Recovery in the search box, and click on Get to download it on your computer.
Step 2. Click Yes to run Windows File Recovery and input the command line.
Step 3. After data recovery is finished, it will create a new folder named "Recovery_date and time" on your destination drive.
There is alsoa free Windows File Recovery alternative tool - WinfrGUI, which supports data recovery via clickable icons instead of complicated command lines. You can easily restore files from formatted hard drives, SD cards, and corrupted disks on Windows 10/11 with this tool.
If you have backed up data on the SD card before, you can get back files by restoring the backup. Whether you have used Backup and Restore or File History to create a backup of your SD card files, the following guide is about how to recover formatted SD card without software but with backup files.
β Restore backups from Backup and Restore
Step 1. Tap on Start > Settings > Update and Security > Backup in turn, and click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2. Choose Restore my files and select the right backup version to recover data.
β Restore backups from File History
Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
Step 2. Click on the Restore personal files button on the left panel and select files you want to recover.
Step 3. Finally, hit the Restore position.
To avoid data loss due to device formatting, we strongly recommend you get into the habit of backing up important data. If you don't know what file backup tool you should use, AOMEI Backupperis a good option. This software lets you automatically back up SD cards and local drives to external hard disks, cloud storage services, local drives, etc. to prevent data loss.
Dealing with an unexpected SD card format can be a vexing experience, requiring time-consuming data recovery, error checks, and reformatting. To avoid this inconvenience, take proactive steps to safeguard your precious data.
Can you recover data from SD card after format? As mentioned above, you can use different methods to rescue data from your formatted SD card. You can choose the appropriate option according to your situation.