Unformat SD Card to Restore Photos and Videos with Software/CMD
If a memory card has been formatted on a digital camera or mobile phone by mistake or intentionally, or when an SD card warns that you need to format it, can you reverse a formatted SD card? This article covers everything about formatting and unformatting SD cards with/without software.
Recovering a formatted SD card on Mac? Follow this guide -> Unformat SD card on Mac
Table of Contents
Unformat SD Card Software in Windows (100% safe, no data overwritten)
Restoring data from the SD card and saving them on the same SD card is definitely forbidden as it would cause data overwriting.
The safest way to unformat an SD card is on a Windows computer, saving SD card files onto another storage drive such as the computer's hard drive or a USB drive to avoid data being overwritten on the SD card.
Step 1. Connect the memory card to Windows OS. Download iCare Data Recovery Free, install and run the software to choose a scan mode for formatted memory card file recovery.
Step 2. Let the software scan the memory card and wait patiently.
Step 3. Preview some data and then save what you need to a different place.
Video Tutorial on How to Recover Lost Files from SD Card
Also read: formatted SD card recovery
iCare Data Recovery can unformat memory cards like SD, mini SD, micro SD, Compact Flash (CF), or XD-picture cards with its "Deep Scan Recovery" module.
Unformat SD Card in Windows 10 Using CMD
Is it possible to unformat an SD memory card in Windows 10/8/7 using the CMD command prompt?
CMD #1 - Unformat SD card using the CMD command: recover + file name (including the file type: .jpg/.png or .doc/.docx)
- Open CMD by clicking Start -> Run -> type 'cmd'
- Type your memory card volume number + : (for example, "h:" if h is your SD card drive)
- Type the command line 'recover + file name' (You need to know the exact file name and file type)
CMD #2 - Unformat SD card using CMD command: attrib -h -r -s /s /d when files were hidden by a virus or unknown causes.
A list of CMD commands available for memory cards in Windows (Windows 2000, XP, to the latest Windows 10 supported):
- chkdsk to repair damaged SD cards
- convert CMD to change memory card file system format
- repair bad blocks on memory cards
- remove/attribute SD card write protection readonly...
Unfortunately, unformat SD card CMD is available only when you remember the file names and file types. Need to unformat more SD card files or recover files in bulk?
Solution => Download iCare Recovery Free, the free unformat tool for your SD card from small to large capacities.
Unformat SD Card on Windows/Mac for Free Using PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an excellent choice for free SD card unformatting on Windows or Mac. This open-source data recovery program is highly effective for retrieving lost data from a formatted SD card. Here are the steps for using this free tool.
- Insert the formatted SD card into your Win/Mac.
- Open and run PhotoRec on your computer, following the prompts to enter your password.
- Choose the formatted SD card from the disk list and press Return.
- Select the partition and press Return to proceed.
- Choose the file system and press Return.
- Select a destination to save the recovered files and press the C key to initiate the recovery process.
By following these steps, you can efficiently unformat your SD card and recover lost data using PhotoRec.
How to Unformat SD Card without a Computer for Free
Unformat an SD card using an Android phone when you do not have a computer available. A free SD card unformat app such as 'Restore Image' or 'Disk Digger' can help you recover data. (Note: Disk Digger has free and paid editions, while Restore Image is completely free.)
Download URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=alpacasoft.restoreimage&hl=en&gl=US
Unformat SD card on Android phone without computer
Note: Please save images and videos from the SD card onto the phone's internal memory or a flash drive using OTG instead of the SD card to avoid overwriting data.
If Restore Image did not recover every formatted image/video as you wanted, you might try a professional SD card unformat tool on Windows.
Also read:
How to Avoid Accidental Formatting of SD Cards
Losing important data due to accidental formatting can be avoided with these simple tips:
✅ Double-check Before Formatting: Always verify the SD card's content before formatting and ensure you have backed up all critical data.
🗃️ Daily Backups: Regularly back up your important data to another device or cloud storage. This ensures you have a copy if your SD card gets formatted by mistake.
⚡ Regular Updates and Checks: Keep your antivirus software updated to prevent malware. Use error-checking tools periodically to catch potential SD card issues early.
🔒 Use the Write-protect Switch: Some SD cards have a write-protect switch. Turn it on when not saving new data to prevent accidental formatting or deletion.
⭐ Handle with Care: Be careful when inserting or removing your SD card from devices. Avoid touching the contacts to reduce the risk of static electricity damage.
What Does Formatting a Memory Card Do?
Formatting can erase everything stored on a memory card and prepare it for new data storage. Usually, you format a memory card to free up space. More importantly, you can format a memory card when it requires formatting and changes to the RAW file system.
You may mistakenly format a card in an Android phone, digital camera, or PC. To avoid losing precious photos from a formatted memory card, it's best to regularly back up important data.
FAQs
Unformat FujiFilm XD Card
"Can I unformat my FujiFilm XD picture card and get back lost videos off the card? I accidentally formatted the XD card in my digital camera. The card contains lots of pictures and videos. The pictures are not so important to me, but the videos are quite important. Please tell me how to recover videos after formatting FujiFilm XD card. Thanks!"
If you have ever formatted your FujiFilm XD card by accident, you can use read-only data recovery software to recover the data. Before downloading the software, avoid writing new files to the formatted XD card to prevent overwriting the lost data. The software allows you to recover files that have not been overwritten.
As long as you don't write any new data to the formatted XD card, you have a good chance to unformat it and retrieve lost files. This software can recover lost images, videos, music, and other types of data.
Unformat Corrupted Memory Card
Can you unformat a corrupted memory card? Sometimes, a memory card may be considered corrupted if it is not accessible or shows an error message. You can format a corrupted memory card to repair its issues or unformat it to recover lost files using iCare Data Recovery.
Unformat SD Card in Nikon
If your SD card was formatted in a Nikon camera by mistake, you can unformat it using the methods mentioned on this page.
How to Unformat an SD Card on a Nikon/Canon Camera
Is it possible to unformat a memory card on a camera without a computer or Android device? Unfortunately, there is no way to unformat an SD card using the camera itself, regardless of the brand (Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Pentax, etc.).
The solution: Remove the memory card (CF/SD) from the camera and connect it to a Windows/Mac computer for recovery.
Can you undo formatting an SD card?
Undoing the format of an SD card is possible with professional SD card unformat utilities for Windows and Mac. You can use iCare Pro Free on Windows 11/10/8/7 and Restore Image on Mac.
Undo formatting an SD card on Android
Restore Image is the app you need for unformatting an SD card on an Android mobile device, and it is completely free.
See more details here: Free Android data recovery
Last updated on July 18, 2024
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