SD Card Format Recovery APP for PC or APK for Android Phone
Background: Accidentally formatted your SD card? Don’t panic. Whether you're using a Windows PC or an Android phone,
there are powerful tools that can help you recover lost files. With the right software or app, you can
retrieve deleted photos, videos, documents, and more.
When looking for an SD card format recovery app or APK, an SD card recovery app or Android data recovery app offers the same functions with more options.
Why You Can Recover Formatted SD Card Data
When an SD card is formatted, files aren’t deleted instantly—they’re marked as free space. As long as the
data hasn’t been overwritten, recovery tools can scan the card and restore files. That’s why it’s essential
to stop using the SD card immediately after formatting.
Any changes made to a formatted SD card may result in a high risk of data being overwritten, and deleted files may become permanently corrupted.
Note: For the highest recovery success rate, connect the SD card to a PC and use SD card format recovery tools to retrieve data and save it to a different storage drive.
Also read: SD card format recovery, SD card recovery app
Why Recovering Files from SD Card on a PC Scores Over Mobile Phone
While mobile recovery apps are convenient, using a PC for SD card recovery often delivers better results. Here's why:
- Deeper Scanning: PC software can perform sector-level deep scans that mobile apps usually can't match.
- Higher Recovery Rate: Desktop recovery tools typically recover more file types and more data compared to mobile apps.
- No Root Required: Many Android recovery apps need root access, while PC tools work without modifying your device.
- More Free Tool Options: Computers offer more free recovery tools, whereas free SD card recovery apps for Android are limited. (There are many free tools developed by software companies on Windows computers)
- Better File Management: PCs allow you to preview, organize, and selectively recover files with greater control.
- Advanced Algorithms: PC tools often use professional-grade algorithms optimized for formatted or corrupted SD cards.
Conclusion: If maximum recovery success is your goal, using a computer-based SD card recovery tool is usually the smarter, safer option.
Best SD Card Format Recovery Apps for PC
1. iCare Recovery Free
- Platform: Windows
- Features: Recover from formatted, corrupted, or RAW SD cards, USB drives, and hard disks.
- Pros: 100% free, quick undelete, offers free deep-in-scan file recovery too, supports photo, video, document recovery.
- Cons: Interface feels outdated.
- Download: iCare Recovery Free
How to Use iCare Recovery Free to Recover a Formatted SD Card on Windows 10
Follow these simple steps to recover files from a formatted SD card using iCare Recovery Free on your Windows 10 computer:
- Step 1:
Download and install iCare Recovery Free on your PC.
- Step 2: Connect your formatted SD card to the computer using a card reader.
- Step 3: Launch iCare Recovery Free and select the option "Deep Scan Recovery" for formatted drives.

- Step 4: Choose your SD card from the list of available drives and click "Next" to begin scanning.
- Step 5: After the scan, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore.

- Step 6: Click "Recover" and save the files to a different drive (not the same SD card) to prevent overwriting.
Using iCare Recovery Free is a reliable and simple way to retrieve lost data from a formatted SD card on Windows 10. For best results, perform the recovery as soon as possible after formatting.
Also read: Unformat software and unformat SD card
2. Recuva
- Platform: Windows
- Features: Quick scan, file preview, recovery from SD cards, USBs, hard drives.
- Pros: Free version available, easy to use.
- Cons: Limited for severely damaged cards.
- Download: Recuva
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Features: Recover data from formatted, corrupted, or raw SD cards.
- Pros: High recovery rate, intuitive UI.
- Cons: Commercial, limited recovery in free version.
4. Disk Drill
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Features: Recover over 400 file types from SD cards.
- Pros: Clean UI, quick scan mode.
- Cons: Commercial, limited free version features.
Best SD Card Format Recovery APKs for Android
1. DiskDigger Photo Recovery
- Root Required: No (basic scan); Yes (deep scan)
- Features: Recover deleted photos from SD cards and internal memory.
- Pros: Easy to use, works well for photos.
- Cons: Limited for other file types.
- Download APK: DiskDigger APK
2. Dumpster – Recycle Bin
- Root Required: No
- Features: Works as a recycling bin; recover recently deleted files.
- Pros: Prevents future loss.
- Cons: Doesn’t help after full format.
- Download APK: Dumpster APK
3. Dr.Fone – Data Recovery for Android
- Root Required: Yes
- Features: Recover messages, photos, videos, and more.
- Pros: Advanced recovery tool.
- Cons: Limited free functionality.
Also read: 6 SD card recovery apk for Android
Tips for Successful Recovery
- Stop using the SD card immediately after formatting to avoid overwriting files.
- Use a card reader for better compatibility with PC recovery tools.
- Root access may be required for deep recovery on Android.
- Backup regularly to prevent future data loss.
Conclusion
Accidental formatting doesn’t have to be the end. With the help of the right PC software or Android APK,
you can often restore your lost files. Choose the right tool for your device, stop using the SD card
immediately, and act fast to improve your recovery chances.
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