Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)

Recover Deleted SD Card Files from Android Devices

Retrieve data from Android devices or Google Drive.
Support to recover contacts, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.
Support 6000+ Android devices, like Samsung, etc.
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Best SD Card Recovery Tools to Restore Lost Files in 2025

James Davis

Nov 21, 2025 • Filed to: Data Recovery Solutions • Proven solutions

You plug in your SD card expecting a folder full of photos, videos, or work files, and nothing shows up. Maybe the files open halfway, maybe the card doesn’t even appear. At that moment, you can’t help but wonder whether everything’s gone for good.

A quick removal or accidental format can corrupt the partition, which can result in data loss. But that doesn’t mean recovery is impossible. With the right SD card recovery software, there’s still a strong chance you can recover deleted files from your SD card safely as long as you act fast and avoid overwriting new data.

This guide brings together the most reliable SD card recovery tools in 2025, tested for both Mac and Windows, that can help you restore deleted, formatted, or lost files safely.

sd recovery tools banner image

Part 1: Why SD Card Files Go Missing (and What You Can Still Do)
Part 2: Top SD Card Recovery Tools (2025 Edition)

1. Disk Drill (CleverFiles)
2. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
4. Recoverit by Wondershare
5. R‑Studio for Mac & Windows
6. PhotoRec (Open-source)
7. Ontrack EasyRecovery for Mac

Bonus Part: Recover Deleted SD Card Files from Android Devices
FAQs

Part 1: Why SD Card Files Go Missing (and What You Can Still Do)

For something that holds thousands of photos or videos in a tiny chip, SD cards are surprisingly fragile, not just physically, but digitally. Files often don’t vanish because they’re deleted; in most cases, the data is still there, just temporarily inaccessible until you use a reliable SD card recovery tool to bring it back.

Here’s what typically causes it:

1. Accidental Formatting

The most common culprit. Cameras and phones often prompt you to “format” when they can’t read the card. A single tap erases file visibility but not the data itself, at least not immediately, which means a free SD card recovery program can often rebuild it if you act quickly.

2. Corrupted File System

Removing the SD card while transferring files, or a sudden power cut, can damage the file index. Your photos might still exist, but the system no longer knows where to find them.

3. Physical or Water Damage

A scratched or cracked card can prevent devices from reading data at all. In these cases, only partial recovery is possible, depending on how much of the card remains readable.

4. Malware and Bad Sectors

Connecting your card to public or infected computers may corrupt file headers. You’ll see “The file or directory is corrupted” or “This drive needs to be formatted,” which are the signs that the card’s sectors need scanning.

5. Device Compatibility Errors

Some devices use proprietary formats (like exFAT vs FAT32). The card still contains your files, but you’ll need a micro SD card recovery software that supports multiple file systems to extract them.

What You Can Still Do:

If your SD card isn’t physically broken, chances are the data still exists. Avoid saving new files to it, and never format it repeatedly. Modern SD card recovery software can scan deep sectors, rebuild lost directories, and recover deleted files from your SD card, including photos, videos, and app data, without further damage.

Part 2: Top SD Card Recovery Tools (2025 Edition)

These are some of the most reliable and user-approved SD card recovery tools available today. Each program here has been tested for performance, ease of use, and compatibility with common SD, microSD, and camera cards. Whether you’re on Mac or Windows, these SD card data recovery software options give you the best shot at restoring what was lost.

1. Disk Drill (CleverFiles)

Disk Drill remains one of the most widely trusted SD card recovery software tools, especially for Mac users. It supports SDHC, SDXC, microSD, and CF cards and works with corrupted or formatted media.

Key Features

Deep scan across all types of memory cards
Byte-to-byte backup (image) to prevent further damage
Preview found files before recovery

👍🏼Pros

User-friendly interface even for non-tech users
The free version allows scanning and previewing to check recoverability

👎🏼Cons

Full recovery requires an upgrade to PRO or a paid version
If files are heavily overwritten, success isn’t guaranteed (as users note)

Why We Recommend It: Disk Drill hits the sweet spot for many users: easy enough to operate, capable enough to handle serious SD card damage, and good value for what it offers.

drill disk interface

2. Stellar Data Recovery for Mac

Stellar is a long-standing name in SD card data recovery software, built specifically for Mac users handling photo and video files.

Key Features

Simple wizard interface (select file types, device, scan)
Broad file-system support (HFS+, APFS, exFAT etc)

👍🏼Pros

Good brand reputation and support
Particularly strong for multimedia formats (photos/videos) from SD cards

👎🏼Cons

Deeper features are locked behind higher tiers
Scan speeds on large cards may be slower than some competitors

Why We Recommend It: If you want something reliable with fewer surprises and good support, Stellar is a strong choice.

stellar data recovery interface

3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS provides a straightforward tool for Mac, known especially for the quick recovery of recently deleted files and formatted SD cards.

Key Features

Quick scan for recent deletions
Supports SD cards and external storage devices

👍🏼Pros

Intuitive UI, good for less-experienced users
Free tier lets you try before you buy

👎🏼Cons

Paid upgrade needed for large volume recovery
Deep scan may take longer, and results may be less detailed than specialist tools

Why We Recommend It: Great for typical “Oops, I deleted something” scenarios rather than forensic-level recovery.

easeusdata recovery interface

4. Recoverit by Wondershare

Recoverit is designed with photographers, drone pilots, and video creators in mind. It’s one of the few micro SD card recovery software options optimized for 4K and high-definition footage.

Key Features

“External Devices Recovery” mode targeting memory cards
Large file (4K/HD video) recovery capability

👍🏼Pros

Good for creators with large media files
The Mac version keeps up with newer macOS updates

👎🏼Cons

Heavier install; may feel slower than minimal tools
The free version has significant restrictions on the amount recovered

Why We Recommend It: If your SD card holds large video files (GoPro, drone), Recoverit is tailored for that situation.

recoverit recovery interface

5. R‑Studio for Mac & Windows

R-Studio is a professional-grade SD card recovery program offering low-level access and forensic-style recovery options.

Key Features

Low-level disk scan, hex viewer, forensic features
Can image the entire card & then scan the image

👍🏼Pros

Excellent when the file system is badly damaged or RAW
Supports many less common file types & signatures

👎🏼Cons

Steep learning curve
Overkill for simple deletion cases

Why We Recommend It: When simpler tools fail, e.g., a card appears as RAW or a partition vanished, R-Studio is one of the best salvage options you have.

rstudio recovery interface

6. PhotoRec (Open-source)

PhotoRec remains the best freeware SD card recovery software for anyone comfortable with a text-based interface.

Key Features

Works even when the card is unreadable or the filesystem is destroyed
Supports a very wide range of file formats

👍🏼Pros

Completely free
Lightweight, portable

👎🏼Cons

Text-based interface (less user-friendly)
File names/folder structure are often lost, but recovered files may have generic names

Why We Recommend It: If you’re on a budget, comfortable with a bit of tech, and other tools have failed, PhotoRec is your fallback.

photorec recovery interface

7. Ontrack EasyRecovery for Mac

Ontrack is a trusted enterprise-level solution for SD card data recovery software and external drive repair.

Key Features

External media recovery preset (covers SD cards)
Simple UI with backup/clone options

👍🏼Pros

Trusted vendor; good for business use
Clear-cut user workflow

👎🏼Cons

Pricier than some consumer tools
Less “flashy” in advanced control compared to R-Studio

Why We Recommend It: If you’re recovering business-critical data and want a stable vendor with support, Ontrack is worth considering.

ontrac recovery interface

Bonus Part: Recover Deleted SD Card Files from Android Devices

Sometimes, your SD card doesn’t just connect to your laptop; it lives inside your Android phone. If that’s where your lost photos or videos were stored, desktop recovery tools may not detect the card properly. In such cases, using a mobile-focused recovery tool is a cleaner and safer route.

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android) can help with that. It lets you retrieve deleted data directly from your phone’s internal memory or SD card, without complex setups or rooting.

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)

Recover Deleted SD Card Files from Android Devices

Recover Android data by scanning your Android phone & tablet directly.
Preview and selectively recover what you want from your Android phone & tablet.
Supports various file types, including WhatsApp, Messages & Contacts & Photos & Videos & Audio & Document.
Supports 6000+ Android Device Models & Various Android OS.

Available on: Windows

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Here’s how you can recover data from an Android SD card using Dr.Fone’s official method:

Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone and Open the Data Recovery Tool

Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer. Open it, then select Toolbox → Data Recovery from the main interface.

opening data recovery on dr fone

Step 2: Choose “Recover Data from Android”

You’ll see several options. Pick Recover Data from Android, since you’re retrieving files from an Android device or its SD card.

recovering data from android

Step 3: Connect Your Android Device

Plug in your phone using a USB cable. Once connected, enable USB debugging from the phone’s Developer Options when prompted.

This allows Dr.Fone to safely access your phone’s SD card data without altering anything.

connecting the device

Step 4: Select What You Want to Recover

Once the device is recognized, you’ll see a list of data types, photos, videos, contacts, messages, documents, and more.

Check the ones you want to restore and click Next.

selecting the files to recover

Step 5: Scan Your SD Card or Device

Dr.Fone begins scanning your SD card for deleted files. The process might take a few minutes depending on card size and data volume.

You’ll see a real-time preview of recoverable items as the scan proceeds.

recovering the files

Step 6: Preview and Recover Files

After scanning, you can preview your data, filter by type, or check “only deleted items.” Then click Recover to Computer to safely save the selected files back to your Mac or PC.

For direct restoration to the device, you can select Restore to Device instead.

recovering on the destination

Conclusion

Data loss from an SD card can feel like everything’s gone until you realize it’s not. Whether you use a Mac SD card recovery tool, a Windows SD data recovery software, or Dr.Fone’s Android SD card recovery module, most missing files aren’t truly gone; they’re just hidden beneath the surface.

For photo-heavy cards or mobile SDs, Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android) offers a calm, direct way to bring them back without complicated setups. In the end, the sooner you scan, the higher your chances, and that small act of patience often brings your files right back to life.

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