How to Unformat SD Card and Recover Data？

TL;DR:

You can unformat an SD card and recover temporarily inaccessible files because formatting only resets the file system, provided you stop using the card immediately to prevent permanent data overwriting.
    ● Windows users can recover files for free using the built-in CMD chkdsk and attrib commands, while Mac users can deploy the open-source PhotoRec software.
    ● Third-party tools like Recoverit provide a visual interface and file previews for non-technical users, but complex data loss cases or physical damage require sending the card to professional recovery services.
    ● After successful data retrieval, you can reformat unstable SD cards to NTFS for Windows-only usage or FAT32/MS-DOS (FAT) for cross-device compatibility via Disk Management or Mac Disk Utility.

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"I accidentally formatted my SD card and lost all my important files. Is there any way to recover the data or unformat the SD card? Please help!"

Have you ever accidentally formatted your drone SD cards or other device SD cards which contain lost important data? Don't worry, it's not the end of the world. There are simple ways to unformat an SD card and recover files from drones.

In this article, we'll show you how to unformat SD card. We'll also explain how to recover data from a formatted memory card. You'll learn about different methods and see which one works best for you. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to recover data from your memory card with ease.

Part 1: Why Unformat SD Card?

Formatting an SD card can happen accidentally or out of necessity, but it often results in the loss of crucial files. It's important to understand why you might need to unformat an SD card and recover that data.

This section highlights common scenarios where unformatting is the key to retrieving important information.

• Accidental Formatting: Sometimes, you may accidentally format the SD card and lose important data.
• Data Corruption: SD cards can get unreadable or corrupted due to errors or malware, making it essential to retrieve lost files.
• Loss of Important Files: Photos, documents, and personal files can be lost, requiring unformatting to restore them.
• Device Errors: Devices sometimes prompt formatting, which might happen mistakenly.
• Avoid New Costs: Recovering data by unformatting can prevent extra costs of replacement and services.
• Recover Data without Quality Loss: Unformatting helps in recovering data while maintaining its original quality.
• Time-Sensitive Recovery: Quick recovery might be crucial for important projects or work.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing you can unformat and recover data brings a sense of safety.

With these reasons in mind, let's move on to understand if you can unformat an SD card.

Part 2: Can You Unformat an SD Card?

Absolutely, you can format an SD card. When an SD card is formatted, the data isn't immediately erased. Instead, the card's file system is reset, making the data temporarily inaccessible. This allows you to still recover your files with the right tools and methods.

To unformat a memory card, you need to use specialized tools and techniques. These tools can help you recover data from a formatted memory card by scanning the card for lost files. It's important to stop using the SD card immediately after formatting to avoid overwriting the data.

Unformatting an SD card is possible, but it requires patience and the right methods. Let's explore four simple ways to recover data from a formatted memory card.

📊 SD Card Data Recovery Confidence Matrix

Before spending time on deep system scans, check this triage matrix to see the recovery probability based on how your SD card was handled or formatted:

Part 3: How To Unformat SD Memory Card?

If you have mistakenly formatted your storage media, follow these five methods ranked by processing speed, safety, and technical success rate.

Method 1: Deploy Professional Data Recovery Software (Recoverit)

Dedicated data recovery software bypasses the damaged or reset file system structures of your SD card to extract raw signature files directly from the storage sectors.

The Recoverit tool is easy-to-use software for recovering data from formatted memory cards. It scans your SD card and retrieves lost files. This tool is user-friendly, ideal for individuals who aren't very tech-savvy and want a straightforward solution.

Here’s how to unformat SD memory card using Recoverit:

1. Click the download link above to install and launch the Recoverit tool on your computer. Connect the formatted SD card to your computer using a card reader. Select the SD card from the list of drives shown on the Recoverit interface.

   

2. Click on the Scan button.

   

3. The software will start scanning for lost files.

   

4. Once the scan is complete, you can preview the recovered files to check their quality. Select the files you want to recover and click on the Recover button to save them to a new location on your computer.

   

Related Video >>: How to Retrieve Files from SD Card?

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Method 2: Restore Files Using Native System Backups

If your drone or camera card files were automatically synced to a localized system backup layout before the formatting error occurred, you can pull them from your operating system storage history.

Steps:

1. Connect your primary backup storage drive to your Windows computer.
2. Open the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security, and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

   

3. Click the Restore my files execution button.
4. Click Browse for files or Browse for folders to look inside your historical image directory. Select the desired records, specify a destination path, and confirm the extraction.

   

By using the Control Panel Backup and Restore feature, you can easily recover your data from a backup, ensuring your important files are back in place.

Method 3: Recover Hidden Attributes via Command Prompt (CMD)

This method helps when a quick format or corruption has altered directory index parameters, turning files invisible without deleting them.

How to use CMD to unformat SD card:

1. Insert your formatted storage card into your system and open This PC to identify its designated drive letter (e.g., E:, G:, etc.).
2. Type cmd into your Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.

   

3. Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your exact SD card drive letter) and hit Enter to repair logic bugs.

   

4. Type attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.* (again, swap X with your card's drive letter) and press Enter. This command strips hidden, read-only, and system flags from any orphaned files on the partition.

Method 4: Unformat SD Cards on Mac Using PhotoRec

For macOS environments where command-line utilities are preferred, PhotoRec functions as an open-source data carving platform that ignores file system layers to parse raw block boundaries.

1. Slot your formatted SD card into your Mac. Launch the Terminal app, open the unzipped PhotoRec directory, and run the utility as root (sudo ./photorec).
2. Type your macOS administrator password when prompted.

   

3. Choose your SD card disk name from the terminal media map layout and press Return.

   

4. Highlight the primary partition block, select the underlying file architecture format type (usually Other for FAT32/exFAT arrays), and confirm.
5. Choose a destination folder on your Mac's internal drive to cache the extracted files, then press C to begin data extraction.

   

Method 5: Escalate to a Professional Data Recovery Lab

If your SD card is completely unresponsive, fails to mount in Disk Management, or has suffered physical structural damage from a crash, software tools cannot read the flash blocks. You must send the physical card to an authorized data recovery laboratory equipped with specialized NAND flash reader arrays to bypass the memory controller chip directly.

1. Find a reliable data recovery service provider. You can search online or get recommendations from friends and family. Contact them and explain your situation. They will guide you on the next steps.

   

2. Send the formatted SD card to their facility. Make sure to safely package the card to prevent any physical damage during transit.

Wait for them to recover your data. The recovery process might take some time, depending on the complexity of the data loss. Receive your recovered files. They will usually provide you with a report and deliver the recovered data on a new storage device.

Part 4: Pro Tips to Unformat Memory Card

Here are some useful tips to help you unformat your memory card effectively:

• Stop using the SD card immediately after formatting to avoid overwriting the lost data.
• Keep regular backups of your important files. This practice ensures you can recover data easily if anything goes wrong.
• Use reliable data recovery software to unformat an SD card, like the ones we discussed earlier.
• Seek professional help if you are unsure about the recovery process. Professionals have the tools and expertise to retrieve lost data safely.
• Avoid frequent formatting of your SD card as it increases the risk of data loss over time.
• Regularly check your SD card for errors and fix them promptly to ensure it operates smoothly.
• Label your SD cards to avoid accidental formatting. Knowing which card contains what data can prevent mistakes.
• Handle your SD cards with care to prevent physical damage that can make data recovery difficult.

By following these tips, you can increase the chances of recovering your data and prevent future data loss.

Part 5: How to Reformat your SD Card | 4 Ways

If the SD card doens't work well after being unformatted, you may still want to reformat it. It is possible. Here we will show you the most effective ways to reformat SD card on Windows, Mac, and Android phone after unformatting the SD card. For more information, read the full guide on formatting SD card to FAT32 we prepared for you.

Method 1. Reformat SD Card on Windows Using File Explorer

One of the most effective ways to format your SD Card is to use File Explorer. The process can be completed simply on this way:

1. Connect the SD card to your computer via the SD card slot or an external reader.
2. Open Windows File Explorer and go to “This PC”.
3. Locate the SD card and right-click it. Select Format.
4. In the pop-up windows, click the File system dropdown arrow and select the Format as you need. If you only use the card on Windows systems, you can choose NTFS. If you will use it on different types of devices, then, choose FAT32.

Method 2. Reformat SD Card on Windows Using Disk Management

Another effective way to reformat the unformatted sd card on Windows is by Disk Management. Just follow this way:

1. Right click the Start icon and choose Disk Management.
2. Select the SD card from the list of drives or partitions.
3. Right-click the SD card -> Format.
4. Select a file system from the dropdown, and confirm the allocation unit size.
5. Check the “Perform a quick format” box, then click OK.

   

6. After that, one warning pop-up will appear. Press OK again to get the formatting process started.

Method 3. Reformat SD Card on Mac Using Disk Utility

With the Disk Utility tool on Mac, it is super easy to reformat SD card on Mac. Follow this way:

1. Open Disk Utility.
2. Click the SD card in the external section and click Erase.

   

3. Click the Format dropdown and select one file system. You can select MS-DOS(FAT), which works the same as the FAT32 option on Windows.

   

4. Click Erase, then it will start to format the SD card.

Method 4. Reformat SD Card on Android

There are still Android phones working with external microSD card. And it is also supported to reformat the SD card on the phone. Though you can’t choose a specific file system in this case, you can backup the files before starting the reformat process.

1. Go to Settings ->Device care.
2. Tap Storage->Advanced.
3. Find and select the SD card under the Portable storage.
4. Tap Format->Format SD card.

Conclusion

Accidentally formatting an SD card doesn't mean your data is gone forever. There are effective ways to unformat SD card and recover your important files. Whether you use data recovery software, restore from a backup, use CMD, or seek professional help, you can recover data from a formatted memory card.

It's crucial to stop using the SD card immediately after formatting to avoid overwriting the data. With the right tools and methods, you can retrieve your lost files and regain access to your valuable information.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be able to unformat your memory card and get back your precious data. Don't forget to keep backups and handle your SD cards with care to prevent future data loss.