How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Photos from Micro SD Card?

TL;DR:

Accidentally deleted photos on a micro SD card remain recoverable until overwritten by new data, meaning you must immediately stop using the device and extract the files using native OS features, cloud backups, or specialized recovery software like Recoverit.
    ● Never save the recovered photos back to the same micro SD card during the extraction process, as writing new data will permanently destroy the remaining invisible files.
    ● Before running third-party software, check if the files were temporarily moved to the computer's Recycle Bin during a PC transfer, or press the Windows key + E to enable "Hidden items" in File Explorer to reveal files concealed by system errors.
    ● Data recovery is still possible on formatted SD cards if attempted within 24 hours without adding new files, though partially overwritten photos may be recovered with visual artifacts or fail to open completely.

---

Ask AI for a summary

ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini Claude Grok Free Download Free Download Free Download

Accidentally deleted photos from a microSD card? Stop using the card immediately. In many cases, deleted pictures are not erased from the card right away. The storage space is marked as available, and the original photo data may remain recoverable until new photos, videos, downloads, or formatting operations overwrite it.

microSD cards are commonly used in cameras, Android phones, drones, GoPro cameras, dashcams, tablets, and other portable devices. Photo loss can happen during file transfer, camera review, batch deletion, formatting, card corruption, or unsafe removal. This guide explains how to recover accidentally deleted photos from a microSD card with recovery software, Recycle Bin or Trash, hidden file checks, cloud backups, another device, and professional recovery services.

Note: Remove the microSD card from the camera or phone as soon as you notice photo loss. Do not take new photos or save recovered files back to the same card.

Part 1: Common Causes: Photos Deleted From microSD Card

Photos can disappear from a microSD card for several reasons. Knowing the cause helps you choose the safest recovery method.

Part 2: What to Do First Before microSD Photo Recovery

Part 3: How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Photos From a microSD Card

When photos are deleted from a microSD card, recovery success depends mainly on whether the old data has been overwritten. Start with the safest methods first: stop using the card, check built-in trash folders and backups, then scan the card with recovery software. Use professional recovery services when the card is physically damaged or not detected anywhere.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Photos From microSD Card With Recoverit

Recoverit is a practical option when photos are deleted, formatted, missing after corruption, or no longer visible through normal browsing. It can scan the microSD card as an external storage device, preview recoverable images, and restore selected files to your computer.

• Supports photo formats such as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff, .bmp, and camera RAW formats.
• Works with memory cards, SD cards, microSD cards, camera cards, USB drives, and external drives.
• Provides scan, filter, search, preview, and selective recovery features.
• Can help with deletion, formatting, RAW file system, corruption, and inaccessible card scenarios.

How to Recover Deleted Photos From a microSD Card Using Recoverit

1. Remove the microSD card: Take it out of the camera, phone, drone, or tablet to prevent overwriting.
2. Connect it to a computer: Insert the microSD card into an SD adapter or USB card reader, then connect it to your Windows PC or Mac.
3. Open Recoverit: Launch Recoverit and select the microSD card from the device list or SD Card Recovery area.

   

4. Start scanning: Click Scan and wait while the software searches for deleted and lost photos.

   

5. Filter photo results: Use file type, date, size, and name filters to find images faster.
6. Preview before recovery: Open the found photos in preview to confirm image quality.

   

7. Recover to another drive: Select the photos and click Recover. Save them to your computer or another external drive, not to the same microSD card.

   

Note: If the microSD card came from an Android phone, remove the card and scan it through a card reader. Do not rely on scanning the phone itself for microSD card recovery.

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Deleted or Corrupted Files from an SD Card

Recent Videos from Recoverit

View More >

Method 2: Check Recycle Bin, Mac Trash, or Recently Deleted

If the photos were deleted through a computer or photo app, they may still be in a temporary recovery location. Check these places before running a deep scan.

On Windows

1. Open Recycle Bin: Double-click Recycle Bin on the desktop.

   

2. Search for photos: Look for deleted images from the microSD card.
3. Restore selected files: Right-click the photos and choose Restore.
4. Copy them safely: Move important photos to a folder on your computer after restoration.

On Mac

1. Open Trash: Click the Trash icon in the Dock.
2. Look for deleted photos: Search for the missing images.
3. Restore files: Drag useful files out of Trash or choose Put Back if available.

In Photos Apps

• Apple Photos: Open Recently Deleted and recover photos that are still within the retention period.
• Google Photos: Open Trash. Backed-up items may stay for up to 60 days, while items that were not backed up may stay for up to 30 days.
• Phone Gallery apps: Check Trash, Recycle Bin, or Recently Deleted inside the gallery app.

Note: If you used Shift + Delete, emptied Recycle Bin or Trash, formatted the card, or deleted photos inside a camera, this method may not work. Use recovery software next.

Method 3: Show Hidden Photos and Hidden Files

Sometimes photos are not deleted. They may be hidden by file attributes, malware, a camera folder structure, or the operating system. This method is worth trying when the card still shows used space but the photo folders look empty.

Show Hidden Files on Windows

1. Open File Explorer: Press Windows + E.
2. Open the microSD card: Select the card from the drive list.
3. Show hidden items: Choose View > Show > Hidden items.

   

4. Copy visible photos: If missing images appear, copy them to your computer immediately.
5. Remove hidden attribute if needed: Right-click a photo or folder, choose Properties, and uncheck Hidden.

Show Hidden Files on Mac

1. Open Finder: Select the microSD card from the sidebar.
2. Reveal hidden files: Press Command + Shift + Period.
3. Copy useful photos: Move important files to your Mac or another external drive.
4. Hide hidden files again: Press Command + Shift + Period again when finished.

Note: Showing hidden files does not recover overwritten photos. If the files still do not appear, scan the card with recovery software.

Method 4: Restore Photos From Cloud Backups

If the microSD card was used in a phone, tablet, or camera workflow that syncs photos online, your deleted pictures may still be available in a cloud backup. This method works even if the card is damaged, as long as the photos were uploaded or synced before deletion.

1. Check Google Photos: Go to Google Photos > Trash. Restore photos that are still available. Backed-up items may remain for up to 60 days, while items not backed up may remain for up to 30 days.

   

2. Check iCloud Photos: Open Photos or iCloud Photos and look in Recently Deleted.
3. Check Dropbox or OneDrive: Open Deleted files, Recycle bin, or version history if available.
4. Check device gallery apps: Samsung Gallery, Xiaomi Gallery, OnePlus Gallery, and other apps may have their own trash folders.
5. Download recovered photos: Save restored images to your computer or another safe storage location.

Note: Cloud backup only helps if backup or sync was enabled before the photos were deleted from the microSD card.

Method 5: Try Another Card Reader, Device, or Computer

Sometimes the microSD card is fine, but the adapter, card reader, USB port, camera, phone, or computer cannot read it correctly. Before assuming the photos are deleted, test the card with another device.

1. Try another adapter: Use a different microSD-to-SD adapter if you have one.
2. Try another card reader: Connect the card through a reliable USB card reader.
3. Try another USB port: Use a different port and avoid loose hubs during recovery.

   

4. Try another computer: Check the card on both Windows and Mac if possible.
5. Try the original device: If the card came from a camera or drone, check whether the original device can still display the photos.
6. Copy files immediately: If any device can read the photos, copy them to your computer before continuing.

Method 6: Seek Professional microSD Card Recovery Services

If the microSD card is physically damaged, not detected by multiple devices, or repeatedly disconnects during scans, stop home recovery attempts. Professional recovery services can inspect damaged storage media with specialized tools and clean environments.

Use a Professional Service When:

• The card is cracked, bent, burned, wet, or physically broken.
• No computer, camera, phone, or card reader can detect the card.
• The card freezes the computer or disconnects repeatedly.
• The photos are business-critical, client-critical, or irreplaceable.
• You already tried safe software recovery and the card became less stable.

Note: Do not keep plugging in a failing microSD card. Repeated attempts can make physical or electrical damage worse.

Part 4: Method Comparison Table

Part 5: Tips to Restore Data From an Accidentally Erased SD Card

• Stop using the card immediately: New photos or videos can overwrite deleted image data.
• Remove the card safely: Power off the camera, phone, or device before removing the card if possible.
• Do not format again: If the card was formatted by mistake, do not run another format before recovery.
• Recover before repair: If photos matter, recover them before fixing file system errors or reformatting the card.
• Use trusted software: Download recovery tools from official websites and avoid unknown installers.
• Save recovered photos elsewhere: Use your computer, external drive, or cloud storage instead of the same microSD card.
• Check recovered image quality: Open several recovered photos before deleting scan results or reusing the card.
• Back up before future formatting: Copy important photos to at least one other location before erasing or reusing the card.
• Format correctly after recovery: After the data is safe, format SD, SDHC, SDXC, or SDUC cards with the camera/device or the official SD Memory Card Formatter.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleted photos from a microSD card can often be recovered if you act quickly and avoid writing new data to the card. Start with simple options such as Recycle Bin, Mac Trash, Recently Deleted, and cloud backups. If the photos are not there, connect the card to a computer and scan it with reliable recovery software such as Recoverit.

If the microSD card is formatted, corrupted, or unreadable, recover photos before formatting or repairing it. If the card is physically damaged or not detected anywhere, stop DIY attempts and contact a professional recovery service.

After recovery, build a backup habit. Keep important photos in at least two places, such as your computer and cloud storage, before reusing or formatting the microSD card.