How to restore deleted data from sd card​？

I. SD cards

SD cards are widely used in various devices such as cameras, smartphones, and tablets to store important data, including photos, videos, documents, and more. However, data loss from SD cards can occur due to various reasons, such as accidental deletion, formatting, card corruption, or device malfunctions. Fortunately, there are several methods and tools available to restore deleted data from SD cards. This article will explore these methods in detail to help you recover your precious data.

II. Common Reasons for Data Deletion on SD Cards

Accidental Deletion: This is one of the most common reasons. Users may accidentally delete files while managing the data on the SD card, such as when deleting unwanted photos from a camera or deleting files from a computer when the SD card is inserted.

Formatting the SD Card: Formatting is sometimes done to clean the card or to fix file system errors. However, it erases all the data on the card. This can happen accidentally or when the user believes that the card is corrupted and hopes that formatting will solve the problem.

Card Corruption: SD cards can become corrupted due to various factors, such as improper ejection from a device, power outages while data is being written to the card, or exposure to physical damage like water or heat. Corruption can lead to data loss or make the data inaccessible.

Virus or Malware Attacks: If a device with an SD card inserted is infected with a virus or malware, it can cause data to be deleted, encrypted, or damaged. The malicious software may target the files on the SD card directly or affect the file system, making the data unreadable.

III. Precautions Before Data Recovery

Stop Using the SD Card Immediately: As soon as you realize that data has been deleted or lost from the SD card, stop using it right away. Continuing to use the card, such as taking more photos or saving new files, increases the chances of overwriting the deleted data. Overwritten data is extremely difficult or impossible to recover.

Handle the SD Card with Care: Avoid physical damage to the SD card. Do not bend, scratch, or expose it to water, heat, or magnetic fields. Keep it in a safe and dry place until you have completed the data recovery process.

Backup the Recovered Data: Once you have successfully recovered the data from the SD card, it is crucial to back up the recovered files immediately to another storage device, such as a hard drive, cloud storage, or an external USB drive. This protects against any future data loss from the SD card or potential issues with the recovery process.

IV. Methods to Restore Deleted Data from SD Card

Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a reliable tool for restoring deleted data from an SD card, making it an excellent solution for users who have accidentally lost important files. Whether you have lost photos, videos, or documents from your SD card due to accidental deletion, corruption, or formatting, Panda Assistant offers an efficient and straightforward recovery process.

Download and Install Panda Assistant: Start by downloading and installing Panda Assistant on your computer. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.

Connect Your SD Card: Insert your SD card into your computer using a card reader. Ensure the SD card is properly connected, as the software needs access to it in order to scan and recover deleted files.

Launch Panda Assistant: Once the software is installed, launch Panda Assistant and navigate to the “Data Recovery” section. The interface is user-friendly, with simple options to choose from.

Method 2: Using the Recycle Bin or Trash (for Windows and Mac)

Check the Recycle Bin on Windows: If you deleted files from the SD card while it was connected to a Windows computer, check the Recycle Bin. Sometimes, deleted files from removable drives like SD cards are still sent to the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin and look for the deleted files. If you find them, right – click on the files and select “Restore” to move them back to their original location on the SD card.

Check the Trash on Mac: On a Mac, when you delete files from an SD card, they may be moved to the Trash. Open the Trash and search for the deleted files. If you locate them, you can right – click on the files and choose “Put Back” to restore them to their original location on the SD card.

Method 3: Using System Restore Points (for Windows)

Enable System Restore: If you are using a Windows computer and have System Restore enabled, it may be possible to restore the SD card data to a previous state. To check if System Restore is enabled, right – click on “This PC” and select “Properties”. Then, click on “System Protection” in the left sidebar. Make sure that the drive where the SD card is mounted (usually a removable drive letter) has System Restore enabled.

Restore from a System Restore Point: If System Restore is enabled, open the Control Panel and search for “System Restore”. Select “System Restore” from the results and choose a restore point that was created before the data was deleted from the SD card. Follow the on – screen instructions to restore the system and, hopefully, the SD card data to the previous state. Note that this method may not always work perfectly, and it depends on the availability of relevant restore points.

Method 4: Contacting Professional Data Recovery Services

When to Consider Professional Services: If the above methods do not work or if you are dealing with extremely important data and do not want to risk further damage to the SD card, it may be time to contact a professional data recovery service. Professional services have specialized equipment and expertise to handle complex data recovery situations, such as physically damaged SD cards or those with severe file system corruption.

Choosing a Reputable Service: Do some research to find a reputable data recovery service. Look for companies with a good track record, positive customer reviews, and proper certifications. Get quotes from multiple services and ask about their data recovery process, the success rate for recovering data from SD cards, and the confidentiality and security measures they take to protect your data.

The Data Recovery Process: Once you send your SD card to a professional data recovery service, they will first assess the condition of the card. They may use specialized tools to read the card’s internal components and attempt to recover the data. The process can be time – consuming and expensive, depending on the complexity of the problem. However, they have a higher chance of successfully recovering data in cases where other methods have failed.

V. Troubleshooting and Tips

SD Card Not Detected: If the SD card is not detected by the computer or the data recovery software, try using a different card reader. The problem may be with the card reader rather than the SD card itself. Also, make sure that the SD card is properly inserted into the reader and that the reader is connected correctly to the computer. If the issue persists, check if the SD card is recognized in the device’s disk management utility. If it is shown as unallocated or raw, you may need to initialize or format the card, but this should be a last resort as it will erase any remaining data on the card.

Incomplete Recovery: Sometimes, the data recovery software may not be able to recover all the deleted files or the recovered files may be corrupted. This can happen if the SD card has bad sectors or if the data has been overwritten. In such cases, you can try running the recovery software again with different settings, such as a deeper scan. If the problem persists, consider using a different data recovery software or contacting a professional service.

File Format Issues: After recovering the data, you may find that some files have the wrong file extensions or cannot be opened. This can happen if the file system information on the SD card was damaged. Try renaming the files to the correct file extensions based on their content. For example, if a photo file is recovered with a wrong extension, try changing it to a common photo file format like JPEG or PNG. If the file still cannot be opened, you may need to use specialized software to repair the file.