How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files from an SD Card

Accidentally deleting files from an SD card can be a frustrating experience, especially when you need those files urgently. However, with the right tools, you can still recover your lost data. Here, we will explore two popular methods: PhotoRec for Mac and Windows users, and Recuva for Windows users.

Using PhotoRec for Mac and Windows

PhotoRec is a powerful data recovery tool that can help you recover deleted files from an SD card. It supports a wide range of file formats and is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use PhotoRec:

Navigate to the PhotoRec Wiki or click here.

Locate the download link, typically in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Scroll down and download the zip file to your desktop.

Double-click the zip file to extract it.

Insert your SD card into your computer.

Click on the extracted photorec folder and double-click on the photorec file to run the program.

An Open a terminal window with the PhotoRec 7.0 program. If prompted, grant permission to run the program.

Select your SD Card or drive and press Enter.

Since your mouse will not work in the terminal, use your keyboard’s up and down arrow keys to navigate.

Select the partition type and press Enter. Mac users should choose Misc.

Select the file system type and press Enter. Note that you only need to choose one format that is compatible with your SD card.

Select the options for advanced settings. Only choose RAW if necessary. Avoid checking FAT or NTFS.

Use the arrow keys to choose a location to store the recovered files. You might create a folder at this time for the recovered files. Do not save the files to the SD card.

Press C once the location is correct to start the recovery process.

Wait for the recovery process to finish.

Navigate to the location you selected to view your recovered files. This is typically within the same folder where you specified for the recovery process.

Using Recuva for Windows

Recuva is another popular data recovery tool that is designed specifically for Windows. Here are the steps to use Recuva:

Visit the Recuva download page and the download will start automatically.

Locate and click on the downloaded file at the base of the webpage to open it.

Select the New Scan option. Then click Next.

Select the type of files you would like to recover, such as images, videos, documents, and click Next.

Select your SD Card as the file location and choose New Scan from the dropdown menu.

Click Start Scan. As the program recovers files, they will appear on the screen. Check the box beneath each file you would like to recover and click Next.

Select a location to save the files and click Recue. The files will be restored to the location you selected.

Click Finish. Then navigate to the location you selected to view your recovered files.

The methods outlined here are effective for recovering files from an accidentally deleted SD card. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of successfully retrieving your critical data. Remember to act quickly and avoid writing new data to the SD card to prevent overwriting the deleted files.