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12 July 2024  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Lost photos from your SD card? Don't worry. This article will guide you on how to recover lost photos from an SD card. Learn the importance of SD card data recovery, select the right tools, back up your data, and prevent future data loss. Let's get started!



Table of contents

table iconFeasibility of SD card recovery
table iconRecommended SD Card Data Recovery Tool
table iconStep 1: Back up data in the SD card
table iconStep 2: Try various SD card data recovery software
table iconPreventing SD card data loss
table iconreach a verdict
Recently, you may have noticed that photos on your phone or camera’s SD card have suddenly disappeared. This can be very troubling as you lose not only precious photos but also important personal or work-related data .

So, why do photos on an SD card suddenly disappear? In this chapter, we will discuss the importance of SD card data recovery . We will explore the feasibility of SD card recovery and explain why it is possible to recover lost photos and files from an SD card.

As technology continues to advance, SD cards have become a popular choice for data storage, making it essential to understand the importance of SD card data recovery . Let’s explore the feasibility of SD card recovery together!

Feasibility of SD card recovery

With the widespread use of mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic devices, SD cards have become the go-to choice for storing photos. However, sometimes photos stored on SD cards may suddenly disappear. In such cases, SD card data recovery becomes crucial.
Feasibility of SD card recovery
Many believe that recovering photos lost due to unexpected events is impossible. However, SD card data recovery is entirely feasible with the right approach.
When a photo is deleted or lost, it isn’t truly erased from the SD card ; it’s merely marked as space available for overwriting. Therefore, as long as no new photos are written to the SD card , the original data remains and can be recovered using specialized data recovery software .
sd card photos disappeared
Why can it be restored?
SD cards retain an index table that records the location and status of all files. When photos are deleted or lost, their location information remains but their status changes to “overwritable.” If no new data is written, data recovery software can read this index table to retrieve the original photos.
Some data recovery software can retrieve photos marked as overwritten by the system through deep scanning . This explains why even long-deleted photos can sometimes be recovered.
In conclusion, understanding the importance of SD card data recovery can help us avoid panic or giving up easily when photos are lost. By using the correct methods, we still have a chance to retrieve valuable photos. Therefore, when using an SD card to store photos, it is crucial not only to back up the data but also to know how to perform data recovery to better protect our precious memories.

Recommended SD Card Data Recovery Tool

In our previous article, we discussed the recoverability of SD card data . As a storage medium, SD cards are susceptible to data loss due to viruses, user errors, or physical damage. Prompt recovery actions can minimize data loss.
Choose the Right SD Card Data Recovery Tool
When dealing with SD card data loss , choosing the right data recovery tool is crucial. Many tools are available to help recover data from SD cards, but not every tool is suitable for all situations. Therefore, it is important to assess your specific situation and needs to select the most appropriate tool for data recovery.
Recommended SD Card Data Recovery Tools
Below, we recommend some commonly used SD card data recovery tools and describe their features and applicability.
1. Renee Undeleter
2. Recuva
3. PhotoRec
4. Chkdsk
Consider the following factors when choosing a recovery tool :
1. Compatibility: Different tools may have different compatibility with different types of SD cards. First, make sure the tool is compatible with your SD card type to avoid the situation where data cannot be recovered.
2. Function: Choose a tool with corresponding functions according to the type of data you need to recover.
3. Ease of use: Choosing tools that are simple to operate and easy to use can reduce errors and learning costs.
4. Feedback: You can view other users’ feedback on the tool to understand its actual recovery effect.
When facing SD card data loss , stay calm and choose an appropriate data recovery tool . Select the most suitable tool based on your situation and needs. Also, remember to regularly back up important data on your SD card to prevent losses.

Step 1: Back up data in the SD card

To ensure data security, do not write data to the SD card anymore

When you notice photos or videos missing from your SD card , you might be tempted to continue using it or save new data on it. However, this can lead to more severe data loss .

When you continue writing data to the SD card, new data may overwrite the storage space of lost photos or videos . The storage space on an SD card is limited, and overwritten data is difficult to recover . Therefore, it’s best to stop writing any new data to the SD card before attempting data recovery .
Stopping data writes to the SD card preserves the integrity of the original data. When data is lost, the original data remains in specific locations on the SD card, but the corresponding records in the index table are deleted. Continuing to write new data may corrupt or overwrite the original data, making full recovery impossible.
In summary, when photos or videos are lost from an SD card, avoid writing any new data to it. This reduces the risk of data being overwritten , minimizes the chance of data rewriting , and protects the integrity of the original data, thereby increasing the success rate of data recovery .

Use an appropriate backup method

To prevent the loss of photos due to unexpected events, we strongly recommend backing up data on the SD card before making any changes.

First, choosing the right backup method is crucial. When backing up an SD card, we can use the computer’s built-in backup tools or third-party backup software. It’s advisable to use professional third-party backup software to ensure efficiency and stability.
Using the commonly used backup software Renee Undeleter as an example, here’s a detailed guide on how to perform an image backup of data.
Step 1: First, download and install Renee Undeleter software, then insert the SD card into the computer’s card reader.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Step 2: Open Renee Undeleter software and select the “Image Backup” option.
Renee Undeleter
Step 3: In the pop-up dialog box, click the “Choose File“ button, locate the drive letter of the SD card in the window that appears, select it, and click “OK.”
Renee Undeleter creates an image
Step 4: Select an empty hard disk partition as the backup destination.
Step 5: After confirming the settings, click Start and wait for the backup to complete. Do not interrupt the process.
By following these steps, you can easily create an image backup of the SD card . Once the backup is complete, store the data in a secure location for future use.
Backing up data on an SD card is crucial to ensure it isn’t lost during unexpected events. Using professional backup software like Renee Undeleter can make the process simpler and more efficient.

Step 2: Try various SD card data recovery software

Recover lost photos with Renee Undeleter

Previously, we discussed how to create image backups using Renee Undeleter . In this chapter, we will explain how to recover lost photos with this software.

Before recovering photos, it’s crucial to back up the existing data on the SD card to prevent further loss during the process. Ensure you have backed up the SD card data as per the previous steps before using Renee Undeleter for recovery.
TipsWhen installing the software, choose a disk that does not require data recovery to avoid overwriting existing data. If the quick scan mode does not find the needed files, try using the deep scan mode for a thorough search.
Next, we will outline the specific steps to recover lost photos using Renee Undeleter:
Step 1: Download, install, and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer, then select the “Fast Partition Scan” option on the main interface.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Note: Do not install the software on the disk where data needs to be recovered to avoid data overwriting. Also, do not save new data to the same disk partition after files are lost to prevent damage or permanent loss of the missing files.
Select Fast Partition Scan Option
Step 2: Select the partition where the data was lost, then click Next .
scan disk with Renee Undeleter
Step 3: Select the Quick Scan option and click the Next button to start scanning. The Quick Scan mode only scans the first 30GB of the remaining space on the selected disk. If the desired files are not found, try using the Deep Scan mode for a more comprehensive scan of the hard disk partition. Though it takes more time, it can retrieve more data.
Fast Partition Scan Quick Scan Option
Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete. You can double-click files to preview them, select the files you want to recover, and click the Recover button to restore them to another disk.
Fast Partition Scan Select the file to be restored
By following these simple steps, you can successfully recover lost photos using Renee Undeleter . However, note that the recovery success rate depends on the cause of photo loss; if it is due to hardware damage , the success rate may decrease.
Overall, if photos are lost from an SD card, Renee Undeleter can effectively help recover them, preventing important data loss.
Pros:
  • Can help recover lost photos
  • You can choose the file type to recover according to your personal needs
  • Provide preview function to confirm the photos that need to be recovered
  • Provides the option to save the restored file path

Cons:

  • Need to purchase a registration code

Recover files using free software PhotoRec

Previously, we discussed using Renee Undeleter to recover lost photos. If that method doesn’t work, you can try using PhotoRec to recover lost photos from your SD card.

photorec logo
Step 1: Download and install PhotoRec software from the official website, selecting the appropriate version for your operating system.
Step 2: After installation, connect the SD card to your computer. Open PhotoRec , select the SD card as the target disk, and click Search to start the scan.
PhotoRec
Step 3: The scanning process may take some time, depending on the SD card’s storage capacity. Once completed, you will see a list of all file types found on the SD card. You can choose to recover photo files individually or recover all files.
Step 4: After making your selection, click the “Restore” button and choose a new location to save the recovered files.
Step 5: Wait for the recovery process to complete. Once finished, you will see the recovered files at the selected location.
Overall, using PhotoRec to recover lost photos from an SD card is an effective method. It supports various file types and has a user-friendly interface. If you’ve lost photos on your SD card , consider using PhotoRec to help recover them.

Recover files with free Recuva

Here, we introduce a commonly used data recovery tool— Recuva . With this software, you may be able to recover lost photos from your SD card .

Recuva
First, download and install Recuva software. Insert the SD card into your computer, open Recuva , and select “Pictures” as the file type to recover. Click Next . On the next screen, choose “In a specific location” and click Browse . In the pop-up window, select the drive containing your SD card and click OK .
On the next screen, you can choose “Scan All Files” to search the entire SD card or “Scan Unallocated Clusters” to speed up the process. Then click Start to begin scanning. This may take some time depending on the capacity of your SD card.
After the scan is complete, Recuva will list all found files. If you know the name of the photo you want to recover, enter keywords in the search box to filter files. If you can’t find the desired photo, click the “Refresh” button to rescan. Once you find the photo you want to recover, select it and click the “Recover” button in the bottom right corner.
Additionally, you can click “Advanced Options” at the bottom of the window to further filter files by size, modification time, etc. If the photos you want to recover were accidentally deleted or formatted, try selecting “Scan Non-Deleted Files” and “Deep Scan” options to improve recovery chances.
Recuva is a convenient and user-friendly data recovery tool that can help retrieve lost photos. If the software mentioned in Step 2 doesn’t meet your needs, consider using Recuva . However, note that data recovery is not guaranteed and depends on the extent to which your SD card photos have been overwritten.

Try using the chkdsk command

To recover data from a damaged SD card, a common method is to use the CHKDSK command. CHKDSK is a command tool provided by Windows for checking and repairing disk errors.

Steps for data recovery using the CHKDSK command:
Step 1: Connect the SD card to your computer.
First, connect the damaged SD card to the computer using a card reader .
Step 2: Open Command Prompt
Click the Start menu , search for, and open Command Prompt (CMD) . In the opened Command Prompt window, enter the following command:

chkdsk G: /f

(Please replace G: to the volumn letter of your SD card)
For example, if the drive letter of the SD card is H , you can enter the following command:

 

diskpart

chkdsk H: /f

The CHKDSK command checks and repairs the SD card, which may take some time. The results will be displayed in the command prompt window .
If the command prompt shows “Windows has successfully repaired the file system,” congratulations! Your SD card has been successfully repaired, and you can try accessing your data.
TipsTo better protect your data, it is recommended to regularly use the CHKDSK command to check and repair disk errors.

Preventing SD card data loss

Back up your data regularly

To ensure data safety when using an SD card , consider the following methods:

1. Back up data regularly: Backing up data in your SD card regularly is one of the most effective ways to prevent data loss. You can copy data to a computer hard drive, cloud storage, or other external storage devices to ensure data security.
2. Use CrystalDiskInfo to check the life of your SD card: CrystalDiskInfo is a tool that can detect the health status of hard drives, solid-state drives, and SD cards. It can provide detailed information about SD cards, including temperature, health status, life, etc. You can use CrystalDiskInfo regularly to check the life of your SD card and whether there are any potential problems.
Use CrystalDiskInfo to check SSD health
By taking these precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of SD card data loss and protect important data. Remember, using reliable data recovery software and storage devices , following good usage practices, and regularly backing up data are key to safeguarding against data loss.
Please note that you can download and install Renee Becca data recovery software and CrystalDiskInfo tool from their official websites. Exercise caution during data recovery operations. If you encounter any issues, promptly contact the software’s technical support to avoid data damage.

Pay attention to the use and maintenance of SD cards

Avoid frequent plugging and unplugging

Frequent SD card removal increases the risk of damage, especially during data read or write operations , leading to data loss or corruption . To protect data integrity , avoid frequent SD card removal .

Remove the card safely and pay attention to the storage environment

To prevent data loss on an SD card, always safely eject it from the device rather than removing it directly. Additionally, store the SD card in a dry, cool place to extend its lifespan.

SD card storage box

reach a verdict

Understanding the importance of SD card data recovery is crucial, as data loss can significantly impact our lives and work. By using appropriate backup methods and recommended SD card data recovery tools, we can ensure data safety and timely recovery in case of data loss. To prevent SD card data loss, we should regularly back up data and take care of the SD card . This article aims to highlight the importance of SD card data recovery and provide practical recovery methods to protect our important data. Let’s work together to protect SD card data and ensure a smoother and more convenient digital life.