How to Recover Data From a Formatted SD Card?

TL;DR:

Data recovery from a formatted SD card is strictly possible if you performed a "Quick Format" on Windows or a standard "Erase" on Mac, but a "Full" or "Most Secure" format permanently overwrites the files and makes retrieval highly unlikely.
    ● Built-in recovery solutions like Windows Backup (compatible with Windows 7, 10, and 11), File History, Mac Time Machine, and iCloud Drive only work if you actively enabled and synced these backups prior to formatting the card.
    ● Native OS utilities cannot directly extract formatted files; Windows CHKDSK only repairs bad sectors or corruption, while Mac's Terminal requires installing a free third-party application called Photorec to execute file recovery commands.
    ● Users without pre-existing backups must rely on third-party software like Wondershare Recoverit for both Windows and Mac, though successful extraction remains entirely dependent on the drive not being fully overwritten.

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Formatted an SD card and suddenly lost photos, videos, documents, or camera files? Stop using the card immediately. In many cases, data can still be recovered after a quick format because the file entries are removed or reset, but the actual file data may remain on the card until new data overwrites it.

Recovery success depends on the formatting method, the file system, and whether the SD card has been reused after formatting. This guide explains how to recover data from a formatted SD card on Windows and Mac with Recoverit, PhotoRec, Windows File Recovery, backups, Time Machine, and iCloud.

Note: Do not take new photos, copy new files, run another format, or save recovered files back to the formatted SD card. These actions can overwrite recoverable data.

Can I Recover Data From a Formatted SD Card?

Yes, but recovery depends on how the SD card was formatted and whether new data has been written to it. A quick format usually rebuilds or resets file system records, so the files may disappear from normal view while the underlying data remains recoverable. A full format, overwrite format, or secure erase is much harder because it may write over the user data area.

Note: The SD Association explains that Quick format initializes file and directory entries, while Overwrite format erases the user data area by overwriting it. This is why quick-formatted SD cards are usually more recoverable.

Which Recovery Method Should You Try First?

As you can see, the recovery index depends on the type of recovery solution you use for your experience, which is why we advise you to use universal solutions and watch your experience transform.

How to Recover Files From a Formatted SD Card on Win

Below are the best methods you can try to recover data from a formatted SD card on a Windows device.

1. Recover Formatted SD Card Files Using Windows Backup

Windows Backup can help only if the SD card files were copied or backed up before formatting. It does not scan the formatted SD card directly, but it can restore files that already existed in a backup location.

1. Open Settings: On Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Settings and go to backup options available on your device.
2. Sign in if needed: Use the Microsoft account associated with your Windows backup.
3. Find backed-up files: Look for documents, photos, videos, or folders that were copied from the SD card before formatting.
4. Restore or download: Restore the files to your computer or another safe storage location.

Note: If the SD card files were never backed up to Windows Backup, this method cannot recover them. Use SD card recovery software instead.

Note: Backup and Restore (Windows 7) works on Windows 10 and 11 devices.

2. Use CHKDSK Only After Recovering Data

chkdsk checks a Windows volume for file system and metadata errors. It can fix logical disk errors with parameters such as /f, but it is not designed to recover files from a formatted SD card. Run recovery software before using CHKDSK if the formatted files are important.

How to Check the SD Card After Recovery

1. Recover important files first: Save recovered files to another drive.
2. Open Command Prompt as administrator: Search for Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator.

   

3. Run CHKDSK: Enter chkdsk X: /f and replace X: with the SD card drive letter.

   

4. Check the result: If Windows reports repaired errors, copy any remaining accessible files before reusing the card.

Note: Do not run chkdsk /f as the first recovery step on a formatted SD card. Repair operations can change the file system and may reduce recovery options.

3. Recover Formatted SD Card Files Using File History

File History can restore files only if they were saved in a backed-up Windows folder or copied from the SD card before formatting. It is useful for documents, photos, or videos that were already included in your File History backup.

1. Open File History: Open Control Panel and search for File History, or open the backup restore option available on your Windows version.

   

2. Choose Restore personal files: Browse available backup dates.
3. Select files: Choose the SD card files or copied folders you want to restore.
4. Restore safely: Click the green Restore button, or restore to a new location if you want to avoid overwriting current files.

   

4. Recover a Formatted SD Card Using Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is Microsoft's command-line recovery app for Windows. It can recover files from local storage devices, including external drives and USB devices, when the files cannot be restored from Recycle Bin or backup.

1. Install Windows File Recovery: Get it from the Microsoft Store if it is not already installed.
2. Prepare another destination drive: The source SD card and recovery destination must be different drives.
3. Check the SD card drive letter: In File Explorer, note the drive letter of the formatted SD card, such as E:.
4. Run Extensive mode: For FAT, exFAT, formatted disks, or corrupted disks, use Extensive mode. For example, enter winfr E: D: /extensive /n *.jpg /n *.mp4 /n *.docx.
5. Confirm recovery: Type Y when prompted and wait for the scan to finish.
6. Check the recovery folder: Windows File Recovery creates a folder such as Recovery_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS on the destination drive.

How to Recover Files From a Formatted SD Card on Mac

If you're a Mac user, follow these guides to recover data from a formatted SD card on your desktop device.

1. Recover Formatted SD Card Files Using Time Machine

Time Machine can restore SD card files only if they were copied to your Mac or included in a Time Machine backup before the card was formatted. It cannot recover files that only existed on the SD card and were never backed up.

1. Connect the backup drive: Make sure your Time Machine backup disk is available.
2. Open the original folder: Open the folder where the SD card files were previously copied, such as Pictures, Movies, Documents, or a project folder.
3. Enter Time Machine: Use Spotlight or the Time Machine menu to open Time Machine.

   

4. Choose a backup date: Use the timeline to find a version before the SD card was formatted.
5. Restore files: Select the files or folders and click Restore.

   

Note: If Time Machine does not contain the SD card files, scan the formatted SD card with recovery software instead.

2. Recover Formatted SD Card Files on Mac Using PhotoRec in Terminal

PhotoRec is a free open-source recovery tool from CGSecurity. It ignores the file system and searches for file signatures, so it can recover files even when an SD card was formatted or the file system is damaged. It is best for technical users because the workflow is not as beginner-friendly as a visual recovery app.

1. Download PhotoRec: Download PhotoRec from CGSecurity and extract the package.
2. Open Terminal: Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

   

3. Launch PhotoRec: Navigate to the extracted folder and run sudo ./photorec.

   

4. Select the SD card: Choose the formatted SD card from the device list and select Proceed.

   

5. Choose the partition: Select the partition that contained the lost files.
6. Choose scan scope: Select Whole for a formatted SD card.

   

7. Select a destination: Choose a folder on your Mac or another external drive, not the SD card.

   

8. Review recovered files: Check the recovered folders after the scan finishes.

   

Note: PhotoRec may recover files without their original names or folder structure. Sort the recovered files by type, size, and date after recovery.

3. Recover Formatted SD Card Files Using iCloud

iCloud can help if your SD card files were uploaded, imported, or synced before formatting. It does not scan the SD card itself, but it can restore cloud copies of documents, photos, and videos.

1. Open iCloud Drive: Go to iCloud.com, sign in, and open iCloud Drive.
2. Select files: Choose the files or folders you want to download.
3. Download copies: Click the Download button to save files to your computer.

   

4. Check iCloud Photos: If the lost files are photos or videos, open Photos on iCloud.com and download the items you need.
5. Check Recently Deleted: If files were deleted from iCloud too, check Recently Deleted before the retention period expires.

How to Recover Files From Formatted SD Cards on Windows and Mac?

For most users, a dedicated recovery tool is the most direct way to recover files from a formatted SD card. Wondershare Recoverit supports SD card recovery on Windows and Mac and can scan for photos, videos, documents, audio files, archives, and other file types after formatting, deletion, corruption, or device errors.

Related Video >>: How to Recover Deleted or Corrupted Files from an SD Card

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Recover a Formatted SD Card with Recoverit

1. Connect the SD card: Insert the formatted SD card into a reliable card reader and connect it to your Windows PC or Mac.
2. Open Recoverit: Launch Recoverit and choose SD Card Recovery or select the card under external devices.

   

3. Select the formatted card: Choose the SD card you want to recover from and click Scan.

   

4. Let the scan finish: Use deep scan if the quick scan does not find the files you need.
5. Filter files: Narrow results by file type, name, size, date, or extensions such as .jpg, .mov, .mp4, .docx, and .pdf.

   

6. Preview recoverable files: Open found files in preview to check whether they are usable.

   

7. Recover to another drive: Click Recover and save files to your computer or a different external drive.

   

Note: Recoverit cannot recover files that were overwritten by new data or recover data from physically damaged storage devices. For physical damage, use a professional recovery service.

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Bonus: How to Format an SD Card Safely After Recovery

Format the SD card only after important files have been recovered and backed up. Formatting can fix compatibility issues, remove file system errors, prepare the card for a camera or device, or clear malware after the data is safe.

• Use the target device when possible: For cameras and drones, formatting inside the original device often gives the best compatibility.
• Use SD Memory Card Formatter: The SD Association recommends its formatter for SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC cards because general operating system tools may not be optimized for SD cards.
• Back up first: Copy recovered files to another drive before formatting.
• Choose Quick format for normal reuse: Use overwrite format only when you intentionally want to erase data more thoroughly.

1. How to Format an SD Card on Windows

1. Insert the SD card: Connect it with a reliable card reader.
2. Open File Explorer: Right-click the SD card and choose Format.

   

3. Choose a file system: Select exFAT for larger SDXC cards or the format required by your device.

   

4. Select format type: Keep Quick Format selected for normal reuse, or use overwrite options only when you do not need recovery later.

   

5. Start formatting: Click Start and wait until the process finishes.

   

2. How to Format an SD Card on Mac

1. Connect the SD card: Insert it through a card reader.
2. Open Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.

   

3. Show all devices: Choose View > Show All Devices.
4. Select the SD card: Choose the physical SD card or target volume from the sidebar.
5. Erase the card: Click Erase, choose a compatible file system, and click Erase again.

   

Note: Do not use formatting as a recovery step. Format the SD card only after the data is recovered or confirmed unnecessary.

Conclusion

You can often recover data from a formatted SD card if it was quick formatted and has not been overwritten. The safest first step is to stop using the card and scan it with a recovery tool such as Recoverit, PhotoRec, or Windows File Recovery. Save recovered files to another drive, not to the SD card.

If the files were backed up before formatting, restore them from Windows Backup, File History, Time Machine, iCloud, or another backup. Use CHKDSK, Disk Utility First Aid, or formatting tools only after recovery, because repair and formatting operations can change the card structure.

If the SD card was overwrite formatted, securely erased, physically damaged, or not detected by any device, software recovery may not work. In that case, check backups or contact a professional data recovery service.