SD cards, or Secure Digital, are used to store and transfer information between digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs, and small computers. The SD card is inserted into the digital device and can contain pictures, ringtones, documents and contacts. There are a few different formats and sizes, including microSD, miniSD, and SDHC. In some cases, cards break or a user inadvertently deletes data. This article will show you how to recover deleted files from an SD card.
Steps
Step 1. Check your SD card's Recycle Bin
SD cards don't have a recycle bin, so when you delete files from the card, they don't end up in your computer's recycle bin. However, if the SD card is on a device such as a tablet, these have operating systems similar to those of computers and may have a recycle bin to store the files before permanent deletion.
- If it is difficult to do recycle bin operations on the small screen of the digital device, you can connect it to a computer, using the supplied USB cable. Open the device and read the SD card to check if the files are still in it or are stored in the Trash.
- You can find the SD card under "Computer" in a PC's operating system. On a Mac you can find it in the "Finder".
Step 2. When you realize that the files have been deleted from the SD card, stop using it right away
This is because all new files saved on the SD card may overwrite the space occupied by the deleted files, and make them unrecoverable.
Step 3. Download a data recovery program from the internet, if the data was not in the recycle bin
Read reviews to find a reputable program. You may have to pay for the best products.
Step 4. Install the data recovery program on the computer you will use for the operation
Step 5. Insert the SD card into your computer, or connect the device the card is in to your computer if you haven't done so already
Step 6. Run the data recovery program
Select the SD card as the disk to recover files from. The program will start scanning the card for deleted files.
Step 7. View recoverable files in a list or tree
Before restoring them, try to figure out what file you need.
A good recovery program will allow you to sort files by creation date, modification date, name and more. This is especially important if you want to recover deleted photos
Step 8. Select the files you want to restore
You can select multiple files by holding down the "Command" key on a Mac keyboard or the "Control" key on a PC.
Step 9. Click "Next" or "Continue" or "Enter" to recover the files
Step 10. View the recovered files
Save the file to your computer after recovering or write it to a CD or DVD to make sure you have more than 1 copy.
Warnings
- Never let the SD card come into contact with liquids.
- Do not remove the SD card from a powered-on device.
