How to Recover Data from Micro SD card FREE [3 Workable Ways]

Is it possible to recover data from a Micro SD card?

It’s easy to see that the Micro SD card could hold large volumes of data in smartphones and small cameras (action cameras) that benefit from its tiny size. But it also brings potential risk for data loss with great convenience. For instance, photographers could be in a data loss situation if they cannot view photos on their Micro SD card.

If you need, read and get 3 feasible solutions to recover data from Micro SD card below. In addition, you can learn about 3 common situations regarding Micro SD card and know how to fix the errors.

Part 1. 3 Ways to recover data from Micro SD card

How to recover data from Micro SD card? Select a suitable solution to perform Micro SD card data recovery among the attrib command, Windows File Recovery, and a third-party tool. Please stop using your Micro SD card or other electronic devices after data loss.

Option 1. Recover data from Micro SD card via MyRecover

To effectively recover data from Micro SD card, the best way is to use reliable SD card data recovery software MyRecover. It can recover deleted or lost data from various storage devices with a high success rate. In addition, it is very easy to use and has a simple interface.

Step 1. Launch MyRecover on your PC. Then connect the Micro SD card to the computer.

Step 2. After loading the disk, hover the mouse over the Micro SD card and click Scan.

Step 3. The tool will run Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically, then you’ll see all the deleted files and other lost files on your Micro SD card.

Step 4. Confirm the scanning results and select the files you want to retrieve. Then click “Recover x files” and save these retrieved files in a new location.

Option 2. Recover hidden data from Micro SD card

Some of you could fail to access files from the Micro SD card because these file attributes are hidden. That means your needed files are just invisible to you instead of missing.

In this situation, we’d prefer to recover hidden data from the Micro SD card using the attrib command because ATTRIB aims to display or modify the file attribute of a file or folder in Windows. And this method is also suitable for recovering hidden files from USB.

Step 1. Connect your Micro SD card to the computer. Then press the “Windows + X” keys, and select the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option.

Step 2. Enter “attrib –h –r –s /s /d G: \*.*” and press the “Enter” key. You can replace “G” with the drive letter of your Micro SD card.

After the process, you’ll find your desired data in the original location.

Option 3. Recover data from Micro SD card via Windows File Recovery

However, if the attrib command is not working, which suggests your files or folders are deleted instead of hidden. Likewise, if you can ensure you’ve suffered data loss because of deletion, formatting, or more, skip the first method and go to the last two solutions.

You can try to recover files from Micro SD card free with Windows File Recovery released by Microsoft. It interacts with users through a command-line interface because there is no accessible graphical user interface.

In other words, you need to use CMD to recover files. Nevertheless, the practice has proven this command-line software indeed is a powerful tool. To be more specific, you are allowed to recover the lost files from your local storage media (HDD/SSD/USB/SD card/Micro SD card), and you cannot find these files in the Recycle Bin.   

Notes:✎...

It allows you to recover Word, PPT, Excel, ZIP, PDF, PNG, MPEG, and JPEG.  

The destination drive (where to save your retrieved files) is different from the source drive (the Micro SD card saves your needed files before deletion/loss).

Two basic modes (Extensive and Regular) and two advanced modes (Segment and Signature) support NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

Click “This PC” > the source drive > “Properties” to figure out your file system.

Select a suitable mode according to your file system and data loss scenarios.

Resemble your needed command lines with the following form according to winfr source-drive: destination drive: [/mode] [/switches].

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store, then install it on your PC.

Step 2. Click “Open” after installation. Then put your adjusted command lines in the window. If the drive letter of your Micro SD card is “C,” and you’ve deleted the PDF files for a period, you need to enter “winfr C: D: /extensive /n *.pdf” in the command prompt window to retrieve it and save it in the D drive in Windows.

Step 3. Press the “y” key to continue. You can also press the “Ctrl + C” keys to stop the recovery process.

Part 2. How to fix your MicroSD card

Situation 1. MicroSD card not recognized?

If your computer or device doesn’t recognize your MicroSD card, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot:

• Check the Card Reader: Ensure the card reader is working by testing it with another device or computer.
• Clean the Card: Inspect your MicroSD card for dirt or damage. If dirty, clean it gently with a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol.
• Try a Different USB Port: If you’re using a card reader, try connecting it to another USB port to see if it resolves the issue.

Situation 2. MicroSD card detected, but not accessible?

If your MicroSD card is detected but you can’t access its contents, your computer might not have assigned it a drive letter. To fix this:

Step 1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click on your MicroSD card and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Step 3. Select “Add” to assign a new drive letter to your MicroSD card.

Step 4. Choose the “Assign the following drive letter” option. Please ensure your chosen drive letter is different from all the existing drive letters.

Situation 3. MicroSD card detected but showing errors?

If your MicroSD card is detected but shows errors (like "Insert Disk" or "File System Corrupted"), you can fix it using Windows' built-in tool CHKDSK:

Step 1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2. Type chkdsk G: /f, replacing G with your MicroSD card’s drive letter. Press Enter to run the scan and fix any errors.

Bonus tips: How to prevent data loss for Micro SD card?

Micro SD card saves data like photos on your mobile phones or digital cameras. Are you seeking ways to prevent data loss for the Micro SD card? Perhaps you can consider the following pertinent suggestions. 

Wrapping up

This guide lists 3 efficient solutions to recover data from Micro SD card. It’s undeniable that these complex command lines have discouraged non-tech users. If you’re not proficient in computers, you can utilize a handy data recovery software like MyRecover to perform Micro SD card data recovery. 

FAQs on MicroSD card data recovery

1. Is it possible to recover data from a Micro SD card?

Yes, you can recover data from a microSD card that’s corrupted or formatted. Just stop using the card right away to prevent new data from overwriting your lost files. Remove the card from your phone or camera, then connect it to a PC. Download a data recovery tool like MyRecover

2. Can you recover files deleted from an SD card?

Yes, you can recover deleted files from SD card for free. You have three options: using a data recovery tool, restoring from a backup, or getting help from a data recovery service. Choose the method that works best for your situation.

3. Can data be recovered from a formatted SD card?

Yes, if you did a quick format, you can easily recover files from a formatted SD card. But if you did a full format, recovery can be harder. You can try using the Command Prompt (CMD), but it’s a bit complicated. A better option is to use a professional tool like MyRecover, which is easy to use and works well for recovery.