If you’ve accidentally deleted pictures from your Adata SD card or encountered a corrupted memory card, don’t panic. Adata SD card photo recovery is possible using powerful, free recovery tools. This guide explains how to recover deleted photos and which free software tools are best for the job.
Best Free Tools for Adata SD Card Photo Recovery
Below are three trusted, 100% free tools that can help you restore lost photos from your Adata SD or microSD card.
1. iCare Recovery Free
iCare Recovery Free is a user-friendly data recovery software designed for beginners and professionals alike. It's ideal for recovering deleted photos, videos, and documents from Adata SD cards, even after formatting or corruption.
Recuva is a lightweight and effective recovery tool from Piriform (the makers of CCleaner). It's known for its deep scan mode that can recover photos even after the card has been formatted.
Free and easy to use with a simple interface
Deep scan feature for tougher recoveries
Preview before recovery to ensure quality
Steps to recover photos using Recuva:
Install Recuva on your computer
Connect your Adata SD card
Select the SD card drive, choose “Pictures” as file type
Run scan and recover your lost images
3. PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an open-source tool that specializes in recovering lost files from memory cards, even if the file system is damaged. It’s especially powerful for advanced users.
Free and open source
Recovers photos from corrupted or unreadable cards
Works across platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux)
How to use PhotoRec for Adata SD card photo recovery:
Download PhotoRec and run it as administrator
Select your Adata SD card from the list
Choose the file type (e.g., JPG, PNG) to recover
Start the scan and restore recovered photos to a safe location
Common Causes of Photo Loss on Adata SD Cards
Before starting the recovery process, it's helpful to understand the common causes of data loss:
Accidental deletion of files or folders
Formatting the SD card without a backup
Card corruption due to improper use
Virus or malware infections
Physical damage or wear and tear
How to Avoid Future Photo Loss
To minimize the risk of losing photos again, consider these preventative tips:
Back up your Adata SD card regularly to a computer or cloud storage
Use antivirus software to protect against malware
Safely eject your SD card before removal
Avoid using the same card across multiple devices
Replace old or worn SD cards before failure
With the right recovery tool and a little patience, Adata SD card photo recovery can bring your lost memories back. iCare Recovery Free, Recuva, and PhotoRec are all excellent choices to help you get started without spending a dime.