How to Recover Deleted Data from an SD Card on Mac (Free Methods)

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Do you need to recover deleted data from an SD card on your Mac but don’t know how? Data loss on portable storage like SD cards is common due to their extensive use in cameras or smartphones.

In this guide, we offer a clear solution with free methods adapted for SD card data recovery on a Mac. 

How to Improve the Chances of Successful Data Recovery From SD Card

Although it is possible to recover deleted files on a Mac, several important steps must be followed to increase the likelihood of successful recovery. We recommend reviewing these recommendations before you begin the recovery process.

  • It’s important to stop adding new data, such as photos or videos, to the SD card when you realize you deleted the necessary files. When you delete files from an SD card, the system does not immediately remove the data; it only marks the space as available for new files. Continuing to use the SD card leads to new data overwriting the deleted files and makes recovery impossible. 
  • Do not format SD cards in your camera, especially when you need to recover deleted files. Many digital cameras, including models from Canon and Nikon, use an SD_ERASE function during formatting. This function manages space and permanently erases files by deleting their references, which makes the data irretrievable. Therefore, to recover deleted photos from an SD card on a Mac, you must avoid formatting and start the recovery process immediately to prevent these functions from running.
  • If your SD card shows signs of physical or logical damage, back it up immediately. You can use specialized software tools to create an image of the entire SD card or create it manually. To prevent further damage and increase the likelihood of a successful recovery, scan and recover data from this image instead of the original SD card.
  • Professional recovery services are advisable in severe physical damage, water damage, or exposure to extreme temperatures. They have the tools and cleanroom environments to recover data from physically damaged media safely. Using DIY methods to recover data from a severely corrupted SD card can lead to permanent data loss.

How to Recover Deleted Files from an SD Card on a Mac for Free

Now that you understand the factors that can increase the likelihood that you will recover your SD card on a Mac, we will show you the methods that can help you get them back. You may apply these methods individually, based on your specific situation, or use them sequentially for a complete recovery solution. 

Method 1: Recover Files from the Trash Bin on a Mac

If you delete files from your SD card while it is connected to your Mac and notice the deletion immediately, the first place to look for them is the Trash. Files remain in the Trash until you empty them manually or reach their capacity limit, which triggers the automatic deletion of older items to make space for new ones. 

Once you locate your files, you can restore them. Right-click on the file or select it and use the “Put Back” option. This command returns the file to its original location on your SD card.

Use the search function within the Trash to quickly find the specific files you are looking for. Type the file name or part of it into the search bar at the top of the window.

Click on the Trash icon in your Dock. This action opens the Trash folder and displays all deleted files.

Note: Alternatively, you can drag the file from the Trash to your desktop or another Mac folder.

Important! If you imported photos to your computer before deleting them from your SD card but then deleted them, you can restore them from Time Machine backups if you have it set up.

Method 2: Use Free SD Card Recovery Software for Mac

If you didn’t import photos from your SD card before deleting them, or if they’re permanently deleted from the Trash, your best option is to use data recovery software. The availability of free software for Mac is limited, so we recommend PhotoRec. It scans storage devices for file signatures, which enables it to recover various file types, including documents, archives, videos, and photos. PhotoRec can also recover data from quick formatted SD cards.

PhotoRec’s interface is command-line based, which may seem difficult if this is your first encounter with such an environment. However, following the steps below will allow you to use this software successfully.

  1. Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal to launch the Terminal app.

If Homebrew is not already installed on your Mac, use the command /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)"  in the Terminal. Then, install PhotoRec by typing brew install test disk.

Note: When you download PhotoRec, it includes TestDisk, a tool that can fix missing or corrupted partitions and make non-booting disks work again. Use TestDisk if your SD card has structural problems that need to be fixed before recovering files.

  1. Before you start the recovery process with PhotoRec, connect your SD card to your Mac with an appropriate SD card reader. 

Once PhotoRec finishes the scan, it will save the recovered files in a folder named “recup_dir” or similar to your chosen destination.

Choose a destination on your Mac where you will save the recoverable files. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the desired directory, and press ‘C’ to confirm and start the recovery process.

Choose “Other” from the filesystem options and proceed.

Highlight “Search” and press Enter.

Choose the partition that holds your data. Highlight “File Opt” and press Enter. Confirm the file types you wish to recover have been selected, then return to the main menu.

Use your arrow keys to navigate through the list of available drives. Select your SD card. In Disk Utility, you can usually identify it by its size.

In the Terminal, type sudo photorec and press Enter. Enter your password if prompted.

Conclusion

In this article, we presented several methods to recover deleted data from SD cards on a Mac. It is important to note that success in data recovery is not guaranteed. Data overwrites lower the chances of a successful recovery because you cannot retrieve the lost files once new data replaces the old. Therefore, you should handle your SD cards properly and act quickly to improve the likelihood that you recover your valuable data from an SD card on a Mac.

FAQ

Can I recover data from an SD card not recognized by my Mac?

If your Mac does not recognize your SD card, check the card on another computer or device to verify that it isn’t a hardware failure. If other devices also do not recognize the SD card, professional data recovery services might be necessary. Sometimes, a different card reader or port on your Mac can also help detect the card.

How do I handle an SD card that continues to delete files automatically?

If your SD card automatically deletes files, it may be due to corruption or a malfunction. Stop using the card immediately to prevent further data loss. Use Disk Utility tools to check the card’s health and attempt repairs if possible. If these steps do not resolve the issue, data recovery software might still recover the files but avoid further use of the card for storage.

Is it possible to recover encrypted files from an SD card on a Mac?

Recovering encrypted files from an SD card proves difficult and depends on the encryption type. If you recover the encrypted files physically, you will still need the encryption key to decrypt them. Without the key, even if you recover the encrypted files successfully, they remain inaccessible. You must keep backup copies of encryption keys in a secure location separate from the data they protect.