Retrieve Files from Formatted SanDisk microSD Card on Windows 11

Q: Is iCare Data Recovery safe to use?

Absolutely. iCare Data Recovery performs a read-only scan, meaning it does not write or modify data on your SD card. This ensures maximum safety and prevents accidental overwriting during the recovery process.

Q: What types of files can iCare recover?

iCare Data Recovery can recover photos, videos, documents, archives, and many other file types from formatted microSD cards and external storage devices.

Accidentally formatted your SanDisk microSD card on a Windows 11 PC? Don’t panic — your photos, videos, and documents may still be recoverable. When a storage device is formatted, the data isn’t immediately erased — it’s just marked as free space, meaning recovery is often possible if you act quickly. In this guide, we’ll show you how to retrieve files from a formatted microSD card with the help of iCare Recovery and other helpful methods.

1. Use iCare Data Recovery Software – Best Solution for Formatted microSD Cards

iCare Recovery is one of the most reliable tools to restore lost files from formatted SD cards, USB drives, and external storage devices on Windows 11. It supports all SanDisk microSD formats including FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS, and works even if your card shows as RAW or unreadable. select recovery mode

Why Choose iCare for SD Card Recovery?

Powerful Deep Scan: Finds lost data even after full formatting.
Wide File Support: Recovers photos, videos, documents, archives, and more.
Preview Before Restore: Lets you view recoverable files before saving.
Safe & Read-Only: Recovery doesn’t overwrite existing data on the card.

Step-by-Step: Recover Formatted SanDisk microSD Card Using iCare

Download and install iCare Recovery on your Windows 11 computer.
Insert the formatted SanDisk microSD card into your PC using a card reader.
Launch iCare and select the “Deep Scan” option.
Scan the microSD card. The tool will search for recoverable files.
Preview and select the files you want to restore.
Save the files to a different drive (not back to the same microSD card).

💡 Tip: Stop using the SD card immediately after formatting. Writing new data can overwrite the deleted files and make them unrecoverable.

2. Alternative Ways to Recover Data

Check Windows File History or Backup

If you previously enabled File History or used a cloud backup (like OneDrive), you might be able to restore deleted files without recovery software. Go to Settings › Update & Security › Backup and check for available backups.

Use Windows Command Prompt (Advanced)

Advanced users can attempt recovery using the chkdsk or attrib commands. However, these methods are less reliable and require technical knowledge — for best results, stick with a professional tool like iCare Data Recovery.

3. Tips to Improve Recovery Success

Stop using the card immediately after formatting to prevent overwriting.
Use a card reader instead of a phone connection for more accurate scanning.
Always save recovered files to a different storage device.
Perform a deep scan if the quick scan doesn’t find your data.

Also read: Sandisk sd card format recovery or how to recover formatted SD card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I recover files from a formatted SanDisk microSD card on Windows 11?

Yes. In most cases, the data is not immediately erased when a microSD card is formatted — it's just marked as free space. If you stop using the card and use a reliable recovery tool like iCare Data Recovery, you can often retrieve your files successfully.

2. Is iCare Data Recovery safe to use?

Absolutely. iCare Data Recovery performs a read-only scan, meaning it does not write or modify data on your SD card. This ensures maximum safety and prevents accidental overwriting during the recovery process.

3. Can I recover files if the SD card was formatted more than once?

Yes, but recovery success may be lower. Each formatting increases the risk of data being overwritten. However, iCare’s deep scan technology still offers a strong chance of retrieving data, even from repeatedly formatted cards.

4. What types of files can iCare recover?

iCare Data Recovery can recover photos, videos, documents, archives, and many other file types from formatted microSD cards and external storage devices.

5. How can I prevent accidental SD card formatting in the future?

Always double-check before formatting, keep regular backups in OneDrive or Google Drive, and enable File History on Windows 11 to reduce the risk of permanent data loss.

Conclusion

Accidentally formatting your SanDisk microSD card doesn’t mean your files are gone forever. With the help of iCare Data Recovery, you can often restore photos, videos, documents, and more — even after a full format — right on your Windows 11 computer. Just remember: act quickly, avoid using the card, and follow the step-by-step guide above to maximize your recovery success.