Did you accidentally delete some files on your SD card, or did you lose access to your files due to a faulty memory card? If you act quickly and stop accessing the memory card, you can recover the lost files by using a data recovery program. No matter what operating system you use, there are various data recovery programs to choose from including paid data recovery programs which are certainly easier to use.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using PhotoRec (All Operating Systems)
Step 1. Stop accessing the associated SD card
When a file is deleted, it's possible that it's still there. This is because when data is deleted, it is designed to be overwritten by new data. By stopping accessing the SD card, it is very likely that deleted data will not be overwritten by new and lost data.
Until you are ready to try to recover data, it is a good idea to remove the SD card from the device
Step 2. Download PhotoRec
PhotoRec is a free and free to use data recovery program. PhotoRec can work on Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Step 3. Extract PhotoRec
PhotoRec does not need to be installed. You just need to extract the photorec_os program from the ZIP file. The word os will be replaced with the operating system you are using. For example, if you are using Windows it will be photorec_win
Step 4. Connect the SD card to the computer using an SD card reader, or by attaching it to the camera and connecting the camera to the computer using a USB cable
Step 5. Run PhotoRec
The PhotoRec view consists of command lines. You use the arrow keys on the keyboard to access the program.
Step 6. Select the drive
Select the SD card in the list of available drives and press Enter.
Step 7. Select the partition
Usually, the SD card consists of only one partition. Select the partition using the arrow keys.
Step 8. Select the File Opt menu
This menu is at the bottom of the program window.
Step 9. Do not select a file format that you are not looking for
You can significantly speed up your search by only searching for a few file formats. If you are trying to recover a photo file, choose the following formats: JPG, JPEG, RAW, CR2, PNG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, SR2, and DNG.
Step 10. Select the Search menu to continue
This menu will open the file system menu.
Step 11. Select the file system type
If you're recovering files from an SD card, select Other.
Step 12. Choose which parts need to be analyzed
If you are trying to recover deleted files, choose Free. If you're trying to recover files on the problematic SD card, choose Whole.
Step 13. Select the directory where the recovered files will be saved
Create a new location to make it easier for you to access the folder.
Step 14. Wait for the files to finish restoring
The recovery process can take quite a while. You can see the number of files that were successfully recovered in real time.
Step 15. Find the file you want from the files that were successfully recovered
The file names will be different, so you'll have to find the file you want manually. If you don't find it, you can try another data recovery program.
Method 2 of 3: Using ZAR (Windows)
Step 1. Stop accessing the associated SD card
When a file is deleted, it's possible that it's still there. This is because when data is deleted, it is designed to be overwritten by new data. By stopping accessing the SD card, it is very likely that deleted data will not be overwritten by new and lost data.
Until you are ready to try to recover data, it is a good idea to remove the SD card from the device
Step 2. Download and install ZAR (Zero Assumption Recovery)
You'll need to purchase ZAR to fully use it, but you can use the trial version to recover photo files. Download ZAR from the official website.
Visit the ZAR site, and click the "image recovery" link at the bottom of the page. This will install a free trial version which can be used to recover photos
Step 3. Connect the SD card to the computer using an SD card reader, or by attaching it to the camera and connecting the camera to the computer using a USB cable
Your computer may find the SD card unreadable and ask you to format the SD card. Do not format the SD Card as this process may overwrite your photo files
Step 4. Select the “Image Recovery” button in ZAR
Run ZAR and click Image Recovery (Free). If you are using another data recovery program, look for a button for the same purpose or maybe you don't need to do this step.
Step 5. Select the SD card in question
In the "Disks and partitions" section, select the SD card. Click Next to start scanning the file.
Step 6. Select the files you want to recover
You will see a list of photos found on the SD card. Select the photos you want to recover, or select all of them to restore all deleted photos. You cannot preview the files found, and the file names are usually different.
Step 7. Choose where the recovered photos will be saved
If your SD Card is corrupted, don't save it on SD card. Create a folder on your computer where the recovered files are stored. This option will secure your photos in case the SD card has problems again.
Step 8. Copy the desired files
Click Start copying the selected files to recover photos. The photos will be saved in the folder you specified.
Some photos may not be fully recovered. Even though the thumbnail looks fine, the associated photo could be corrupted
Method 3 of 3: Using Data Rescue 3 (Mac)
Step 1. Stop accessing the associated SD card
When a file is deleted, it is possible that the file is still there. This is because when data is deleted, it is designed to be overwritten by new data. By stopping accessing the SD card, it is very likely that deleted data will not be overwritten by new and lost data.
Until you are ready to try to recover data, it is a good idea to remove the SD card from the device
Step 2. Download and install Data Rescue 3
You have to pay to use Data Rescue 3, but this is the best data recovery program for OS X. You can buy Data Recovery 3 through the official website or through the Mac App Store.
If you want a free program, use PhotoRec
Step 3. Connect the SD card to your Mac computer
If there is no slot for an SD card, you can purchase a memory card reader or insert the associated SD card into the camera and connect the camera to a computer using a USB cable.
Step 4. Run Data Rescue 3
You can find it in the "Applications" folder. Select "Start New Scan" in the program's main menu.
Step 5. Select SD card
A list of drives will appear in the Data Rescue window. Select the SD card in question.
You must also select a partition. Most SD cards consist of only one partition, but if there are multiple partitions, choose the entire SD card
Step 6. Choose a scanning method
For the first time, select "Deleted Files Scan". This scan will search the empty part of the card to find any deleted files. If this scanning method doesn't work, you can select the scanning method again. You can try scanning "Quick Scan" or "Deep Scan". Click Start after you have selected the scanning method.
Step 7. Wait for the scanning process to complete
This process can take a long time, especially if the method chosen is the “Deep Scan” method. If you need to pause the scan, you can click the Suspend button.
Step 8. Select the files you want to recover
Once the scan is complete, you will get a list of files that can be recovered. Place a check mark next to each file or folder that you want to recover.
- If you run a “Quick Scan” or “Deep Scan” scan, the files will be in the "Found Files" section of the results.
- If you run “Deleted Files” or “Deep Scan”, the files will be in the "Reconstructed Files" section of the discovery results. File names are usually different.
- You can preview the files found by selecting the desired file and clicking "Preview". Not all file formats support this feature.
Step 9. Recover the files you want
When finished selecting files, click Recover and select a location to save the recovered files on your computer. Click Open once you find a suitable location.
