Five Options to Recover Deleted Files From SD Card on Mac for Free
Whether you erased crucial files from your memory card by mistake or they got removed because of a glitch, either of these situations is pretty stressful. “Can I recover deleted files from SD card Mac for free or need to pay for it,” you ask yourself desperately while seeking a solution. But there’s no need to stress out, as we’ll explain whether you can reclaim removed memory card files and if yes under what constraints. We will also share practical steps to boost your chances of success at SD card recovery.
Part 1: Can You Recover Deleted Files From SD card on Mac?
You absolutely can recover SD card on Mac including its erased files. However, the answer is not a plain yes, as it relies on several constraints. When your memory card is plugged into your computer and you remove files from it they shift to “Trash” on your Mac. From where you can restore them whenever you want.
But if you erase files from an SD card while it’s inside a camera or another device, like say a Windows PC, they won’t shift to “Trash.” Instead, the files will be visibly erased from your memory card. But at the backend, it will be marked for removal but remain on card until you overwrite them. In such a case, SD card recovery on Mac is viable with specialized software or if you possess a backup.
Part 2: How to Recover Files From SD Card on Mac With Software?
When you’ve emptied Trash or don’t own a backup, specialized software is a good option to reclaim removed files from an SD card. 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery can be that option because it can extract files from various internal/external storage devices and data loss scenarios. Here’s what this Mac data recovery software can do:
- It can reclaim 2000+ SD card file types lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, etc.
- It supports a wide range of SD card formats, including SDHC, SDXC, microSD, and more.
- It supports all T2 and M series chips and macOS Sequoia.
- It allows you to choose file types to scan and recover.
- It provides a free preview of recovered SD card files.
- High success rate and user-friendly interface.
Following are steps on how to preform SD card recovery on Mac with the help of 4DDiG:
Step 1: Execute this SD card recovery tool on your computer. Then, plug in your SD card to same Mac. Then, select your SD card from tool’s interface.
Step 2: Choose specific file types such as photos or videos. Next, hit “Scan.” The tool will scan your SD card. You can pause or stop scan early on if you find files you need.
Step 3: Afterward, check file quality, and if satisfied, press “Recover” to transfer them to a different yet secure drive.
Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Files From SD Card on Mac for Free?
If you don’t want to use software to recover files from SD card on Mac, there are certain conditions under which you can do the same. Here are 5 free options to undelete SD card on Mac:
Option A: Check Your Trash Bin
As mentioned earlier, when you erase files from an SD card while it is connected to your Mac, they’ll transfer to your computer’s “Trash.” If you haven’t emptied it yet, they might still be there. Here’s how to recover deleted files from SD card on Mac for free by restoring from “Trash:”
Step 1: Open “Trash” from “Dock.” Then, look for erased files by name, type, or date.
Step 2: Next, right-click file which you wish to restore. Then, choose “Put Back” to shift it back to your SD card, or drag it to your desktop or another folder.
Option B: Check SD Card’s Trash Folder
In case you’ve erased files from your memory card when it wasn’t plugged into your Mac, check “.Trashes” folder inside card. You’ll need to plug your memory card into your computer, and then, look into this hidden folder to recover files from SD card on Mac. To do so:
Step 1: As “.Trashes” is a hidden folder on your memory card, it won’t show on “Finder.” You’ll need to reveal it. Here’s how to do that on various macOS versions:
- macOS Ventura or newer – Use a third-party file manager like Commander One, to reveal “.Trashes” folder.
- macOS Sierra to Monterey – Open Finder. Then, press together “Shift + CMD + . (period)” keys. This will reveal hidden files.
- Older macOS X versions – Open “Terminal. Then, execute following commands:
- defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
- killall Finder
Step 3: Once “.Trashes” folder is revealed on your SD card in Finder, copy and paste it to a secure place.
Option C: Recover Deleted Files from a Cloud Backup
Inspect your cloud backup to recover SD card on Mac . You might have synced your memory card with a backup service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. If that’s the case, your files will be automatically saved to the cloud. Therefore, check your cloud storage to undelete SD card on Mac. Here’s how to do that:
Examine “Recently Deleted” folder in your cloud service. Erased files are often stored there temporarily and can be recovered easily.
Option D: Use a Time Machine Backup
Your Mac’s built-in Time Machine backup tool can help recover SD card on Mac if you’ve particularly included your memory card in backup settings. It can save multiple versions of your files, so you can restore them from a particular timeline.
However, Time Machine can only reclaim files from card if they were included last backup. Also, it won’t restore memory card files if they’re created and overwritten between backups. Follow steps below to undelete SD card on Mac using Time Machine:
Step 1: Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac. Then, open “Finder.” Choose your SD card.
Step 2: Click “Time Machine” icon in “Dock.” Next, pick “Browse Time Machine Backups.” Use timeline to find files you want. Hit “Restore.”
Option E: Utilize RescuePro to Recover SD Card on Mac
In the event, you’re using a memory card from SanDisk, the company offers their proprietary software for SD card recovery on Mac. After you purchase a SanDisk card you can get its license free of cost for one year. Here’s how to use RescuePro to retrieve erased files from your memory card:
Step 1: Open SanDisk RescuePro Deluxe tool on your Mac. Then, plug in your SD card to same Mac.
Step 2: Execute tool. Next, select an option for recovery e.g. “Recover All Files.”
Step 3: Pick SD card. Then, hit “Start” to scan. Preview and save reclaimed files to your Mac.
Part 4: Tips for Mac SD Card Recovery
Now that you know SD card recovery on Mac is possible, there are certain steps you must take and avoid some things to reclaim files successfully. Here they are:
- Avoid formatting – Formatting may fix issues but makes file recovery harder, so first try above mentioned methods.
- Create a backup – Make a byte-to-byte backup of your SD card to have an exact copy in case something goes wrong during recovery.
- Stop using the SD card – Erased files remain recoverable until overwritten, so stop using card immediately to avoid losing them permanently.
- Hold off on professional help – Data recovery services can be effective but costly. Use them only as a last resort after trying other recovery options.
Conclusion
The only way you can recover deleted files from SD card on Mac for free is under certain constraints. You can either get them back from Trash Bin or card’s hidden Trash folder or through a backup. SanDisk card users might benefit from free RescuePro software. However, If these options don’t suit your situation, a tool like 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery can get back your memory card files if they’re not overwritten. It can recover files from various data loss scenarios and allows you to pick file types to reclaim and inspect recovered files.
