How to Recover Pictures from SD Card

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Accidentally deleted some files from your SD card, or lost files to a corrupted card? If you act quickly and stop using the card, you may be able to recovery the files using data recovery software. There are free options available on every operating system, as well as paid programs that may be easier to use.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using PhotoRec (Any Operating System)

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    If the files has been deleted, there's still a chance that the data is still there, but has just been set to be overwritten by new data. By not accessing the SD card, you increase the chances that the data will not be overwritten.
    • Until you're ready to try recovering files, it's best to remove the SD card from any device.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    PhotoRec is a free, open-source file recovery software that works for Windows, OS X, and Linux.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    PhotoRec does not need to be installed. Simply extract the photorec_ os program from the ZIP file. The os will be replaced with your operating system. For example, the Windows version is photorec_win
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Insert your SD card into your computer using an SD card reader, or by putting it in your camera and connecting the camera via USB.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    PhotoRec starts in a command line interface. You will be using your arrow keys to navigate the program.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Select your SD card from the list of available drives and press ↵ Enter .
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Chances are your SD card only has one partition. Select it with the arrow keys.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This menu option is along the bottom of the window.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-9.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can speed up the search significantly by only searching for a few file types. If you are trying to recover images, deselect everything except JPG, JPEG, RAW, CR2, PNG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, SR2, and DNG.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-10.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the file system menu.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-11.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you are recovering files from an SD card, select Other .
  12. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-12.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you are trying to recover deleted files, select Free . If you are trying to recover files from a corrupt card, select Whole .
  13. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-13.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Create a new location if you need an easy to access folder.
  14. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-14.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This process may take a significant amount of time. You will see the number of recovered files updating in real time.
  15. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-15.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    File names will be corrupted, so you will need to manually search through the recovered files to find the ones you're looking for. If you don't find the images you need, you can try a different data recovery option. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using ZAR (Windows)

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-16.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the files has been deleted, there's still a chance that the data is still there, but has just been set to be overwritten by new data. By not accessing the SD card, you increase the chances that the data will not be overwritten.
    • Until you're ready to try recovering files, it's best to remove the SD card from any device.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-17.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The full version of ZAR requires a purchase, but the demo version allows you to recover image files only. Only download ZAR from the developer's website.
    • On the ZAR website, click the "image recovery" link towards the bottom of the page. This will allow you to install the free demo that can recover images.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-18.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Insert your SD card into your computer using an SD card reader, or by putting it in your camera and connecting the camera via USB.
    • Your computer may prompt you to format your card or say that it's not readable. Do not format your card according to this prompt, as this can write over where your pictures are saved on the card.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-19.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Start ZAR and click Image Recovery (Free) . In other programs, look for a similar button. Some programs may skip this step altogether.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-20.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In the "Disks and partitions", select your SD card. It should be labeled as an SD card. Click Next to start the recovery scan.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You will see a list of images that the software found on your SD card. Select the images that you want to recover, or select all to restore all the lost images. You may not be able to preview them, and the filenames will most likely be lost.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-22.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-22.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-22.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-22.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your SD card has been damaged, don't save them to the card. Instead, choose or create a folder on your computer to save the pictures to. This will keep your pictures safe if anything happens to your SD card again.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-23.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-23.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-23.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-23.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click Start copying the selected files to restore the pictures. The files selected file will be saved to the location you specified.
    • Some pictures may not be able to be fully restored. Even if the thumbnail looks okay, the picture itself may be partially or fully damaged.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Data Rescue 3 (Mac)

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-24.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-24.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-24.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-24.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the files has been deleted, there's still a chance that the data is still there, but has just been set to be overwritten by new data. By not accessing the SD card, you increase the chances that the data will not be overwritten.
    • Until you're ready to try recovering files, it's best to remove the SD card from any device.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-25.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-25.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-25.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-25.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Data Rescue 3 costs money, but is one of the more powerful data recovery programs available for OS X. You can purchase Data Recovery 3 from the website or through the Mac App Store.
    • If you prefer a free option, try PhotoRec.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-26.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-26.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-26.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-26.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Insert the SD card into your Mac. If you don't have an SD card slot, you can get an external USB card reader or insert the card into a camera and connect the camera to the computer.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-27.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-27.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-27.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-27.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find it in your "Applications" folder. Select "Start New Scan" from the main menu.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-28.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-28.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-28.jpg\/aid3728068-v4-728px-Recover-Pictures-from-SD-Card-Step-28.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list of drives will appear in the Data Rescue window. Select your SD card from the list.
    • You may also be prompted to select the volume. Most SD cards will only have one volume, but if there are multiple volumes, just select the entire SD card.
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    For your first try, select "Deleted Files Scan". This will look through the free space to find files deleted from the SD card. If this method does not produce any results, you can come back and try a "Quick Scan" followed by a "Deep Scan". Click Start once you have selected your scan type.
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    The scan process may take a while, especially if you are running a Deep Scan. If you need to pause the scan, you can click the Suspend button.
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    After the scan has completed, you will be presented with a list of possible files to recover. Check the box next to each file or folder you want to recover.
    • If you performed a Quick or Deep Scan, files will be located in the "Found Files" section of the results.
    • If you performed a Deleted Files or Deep Scan, files will be located in the "Reconstructed Files" section of the results. File names will typically be lost.
    • You can preview files by selecting them on the list and clicking "Preview". Not all file types can be previewed.
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    After you are finished selecting files, click Recover and select a location on your computer to save the files to. Click Open once you have found a suitable location.
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    How do you restore lost data from an Android phone's SD disk without a computer?
    Community Answer
    Go to Cybre Cafe and try one of their methods, or watch YouTube videos and go step by step.
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      Warnings

      • Not all lost pictures can be restored. If your memory card has been badly damaged or reformatted, or if the deleted images have been overwritten with new pictures, you may not be able to recover your lost photos.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To recover photos from an SD card, it’s very important to stop trying to access the card until you’re ready to recover the files. If you have Windows, download ZAR, a recovery program. If you have a Mac, download Data Rescue 3. PhotoRec is another recovery program, which can work on either operating system. Install the program, insert your card, then run the program. Choose where you’d like any files saved, then wait while the program attempts to recover them. If you want to learn how to use each of the programs in detail, keep reading the article!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Fariha Shah

        Sep 5, 2017

        "I lost some data on my SD card, some photos, and then I cried. Next, I searched and I found this article. THANK YOU ..." more
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