"I mistakenly formatted my SDHC card containing irreplaceable vacation photos; how can I recover them on my MacBook Pro and need to recover these precious memories. Is there any way to recover photos on SD card on Mac? Please help!"
Losing important data from your SDHC card can be a distressing experience, whether it's precious photos, crucial documents, or valuable videos. However, there's good news - with the right tools and methods, SDHC card data recovery on Mac is possible in most cases. This SDHC card recovery Mac guide will walk you through various methods to recover files, ensuring you have the best chance of retrieving your lost data.
Whether you're a professional photographer, casual user, or someone who just needs to undelete photos from SDHC card on Mac, this guide covers everything you need to know about SDHC card recovery.
In this article
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- Method 1: Use Recoverit for SDHC card data recovery Mac
- Method 2: Recover files from SDHC card on Mac via Trash Bin
- Method 3: Recover SDHC card Data From Time Machine
- Method 4: Recover Lost SDHC Files By Fixing File System Issues
- Method 5: Use the Data Rescue tool to retrieve deleted photos from SDHC card on Mac
Part 1: Getting Started: Initial Steps for SDHC Card Recovery Mac
Before diving into recovery methods, it's crucial to understand the preliminary steps and precautions for successful SDHC card data recovery Mac:
Immediate Actions
- Stop using the SDHC card immediately to prevent overwriting deleted data
- Remove the card from your camera or device carefully
- Avoid taking new photos or saving any new data to the card
- Keep the card in a safe, dry place until recovery
Technical Preparation
- Connect your SDHC card to your Mac using a compatible card reader
- Ensure your card reader is working properly
- Check if the card is physically damaged (look for bent pins, cracks, or water damage)
- Verify if the card is detected by your Mac in Disk Utility
- Make sure you have enough storage space on your Mac for recovered files (at least equal to card capacity)
Preparation for Recovery
- Check available storage space on your Mac
- Shut down unused apps to release system resources and enhance productivity.
- Ensure your Mac is connected to power to prevent interruption
- Update your macOS to ensure compatibility with recovery tools
Discover what is the best data recovery software for Mac.
Part 2: Best Methods for SDHC Card Recovery On Mac
Method 1: Use Recoverit for SDHC card data recovery Mac
Recoverit stands out as a leading solution for SDHC card recovery on Mac, offering a powerful and user-friendly platform to retrieve lost files. This advanced software supports recovery of various file types, including photos, videos, documents, and audio files, from SDHC cards and other storage devices.
With Recoverit, Mac users can overcome common data loss scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, and more. Its intuitive interface and advanced scanning algorithms ensure a seamless recovery process.
By choosing Recoverit, Mac users can confidently recover valuable files from their SDHC cards, minimizing data loss and ensuring peace of mind.
Here's a detailed guide to use it:
Step 1. Download Recoverit on your Mac.
Launch Recoverit and select "SD Card". Choose your SDHC card from the list of available devices. Click "Start”.

Step 2. Hit the “Scan” button.

Step 3. Wait for the scanning process.

Step 4. Preview recoverable files. Select desired files and click "Recover".

Advanced Features:
- File preview before recovery
- Multiple file format support
- Raw photo recovery capability
- Corrupted file repair
- Advanced filtering options
- Recovery quality assessment
Recoverit's key features make it an ideal choice for SDHC card recovery on Mac:
- - Supports SDHC, SDXC, micro SD, CF, and other SD card formats
- - Recovers data from corrupted, formatted, or damaged cards
- - Compatible with macOS and older versions Sequoia
- - Free trial version available
Learn more »: Which is the best SD card data recovery software?
Method 2: Recover files from SDHC card on Mac via Trash Bin
If you accidentally deleted files while the card was connected to your Mac:
Step 1: Open the Trash Bin from your Dock. Look for your deleted files. Use the search function if needed. Sort by date or type to locate files.

Step 2: Select the desired files. Right-click and choose "Put Back". Confirm the restoration
Method 3: Recover SDHC card Data From Time Machine
Time Machine backup recovery process:
Step 1: On the top menu bar of Mac, click the Time Machine icon. Navigate to the date when files were present. Use the timeline to find specific versions. Locate your SDHC card files. Preview files before recovery. Select multiple files if needed.

Step 2: Click "Restore" to recover. Choose a destination location. Verify recovered files.
Method 4: Recover Lost SDHC Files By Fixing File System Issues
Step-by-Step Guide to Using First Aid:
Follow these easy steps to repair your SDHC card:
Step 1: Connect the SDHC card to your Mac using a card reader or adapter. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility). Select the SD card.

Step 2: Click the First Aid button in the toolbar. Click Run to proceed with the SD card scan and repair, and allow the process to complete.

Method 5: Use the Data Rescue tool to retrieve deleted photos from SDHC card on Mac
Data Rescue offers professional-grade recovery capabilities:
Step 1: Download Data Rescue. Install on your Mac. Register the software. Verify system compatibility. Select your SDHC card
Step 2: Choose scan type:
Quick Scan (15-30 minutes)
Deep Scan (several hours)

Step 3: Configure scan settings. Start the scanning process. Preview recoverable items. Select recovery location. Begin recovery process
Part 3: Tips to recover files from SDHC card on Mac
Recover lost memories and data with ease! Follow our expert tips to restore files from your SDHC card on Mac.
- Stop Using the Card Immediately: Prevent overwriting lost files by avoiding further use of the SDHC card.
- Use Recoverit (Free): Download Recoverit on your Mac, a popular data recovery software, and scan the SDHC card for lost files.
- Try Preview in Disk Utility: Open Disk Utility, select the SDHC card, and click "Preview" to check for recoverable files.
- Use Time Machine Backup (If Available): Restore files from a previous Time Machine backup, if configured.
- Always eject the SDHC card safely to prevent data corruption.
- Regularly back up files to prevent data loss.
- Use a reliable data recovery software to avoid further damage.
Conclusion
Successfully recovering files from SDHC card on Mac requires a combination of quick action, proper tools, and the right approach. This comprehensive guide has covered multiple methods for SDHC card data recovery Mac, from simple solutions like checking the Trash Bin to using professional recovery software. The success of recovery largely depends on acting quickly and choosing the appropriate method based on your specific situation. By implementing proper backup strategies, handling SDHC cards with care, and following best practices for data management, you can minimize the risk of losing important files.
However, if data loss does occur, the methods and tools outlined in this guide provide a solid framework for recovering your valuable data, whether you need to retrieve deleted photos from SDHC card on Mac or recover other important files.
Try Wondershare Recoverit to Recover Lost Data
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FAQ
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Can I recover files from a physically damaged SDHC card?
Physical damage to SDHC cards can make recovery challenging but not impossible. If your card shows signs of physical damage like cracks, water exposure, or bent contacts, it's best to seek professional data recovery services. These specialists have clean-room facilities and specialized equipment to recover data from damaged media. Attempting DIY recovery on physically damaged cards might cause further damage and permanent data loss. Professional services, while more expensive, offer the best chance of successful recovery for physically damaged cards. -
How long does SDHC card recovery take on Mac?
The time required for SDHC card data recovery Mac varies significantly depending on several factors: card capacity, amount of data to recover, recovery method used, and your Mac's processing power. Quick scans typically take 30 minutes to an hour, while deep scans can run for several hours or even days for large capacity cards. Professional recovery software usually provides time estimates during the scanning process. The actual recovery time after scanning is usually faster, typically taking minutes to hours depending on the amount of data being recovered. -
Is it possible to recover overwritten files from an SDHC card?
Once files are overwritten on an SDHC card, recovery becomes extremely difficult or impossible. When new data is written to the card, it physically replaces the old data at the storage level. This is why it's crucial to stop using the card immediately after data loss and avoid saving new files until recovery is complete. Some professional recovery software might be able to recover fragments of overwritten files, but complete recovery of overwritten data is generally not possible due to the physical nature of data storage on SDHC cards.