Unformat SD Card: How to Recover Data After Formatting

Whether it’s an accidental click or a formatting prompt you didn’t fully understand, losing your important files to a formatted SD card can be a frustrating experience. But don’t worry—you can still recover your data. The process of an unformat SD card may sound technical, but with the right tools and guidance, it’s surprisingly doable.
This article breaks down the why, how, and what to do when you’ve accidentally formatted an SD card and need to recover your lost data quickly and safely.

What Does It Mean to Unformat an SD Card?

To “unformat” means to recover data from a storage device that has been formatted. When you format an SD card, you’re not necessarily wiping all the data clean. In most cases, especially with a quick format, the data remains physically present on the card—it’s just marked as free space, ready to be overwritten.
Unformatting involves using data recovery software to scan these sectors and reconstruct your lost files.

When Do You Need to Unformat an SD Card?

Here are some common situations that may require you to unformat your SD card:
You formatted your SD card by mistake.

A camera or phone displayed an error saying the card must be formatted.

You used the SD card in a new device, which prompted you to format it.

You formatted the card to remove viruses or malware but lost important data in the process.

Whatever the reason, if you’ve just formatted your SD card and haven’t saved new data on it, there’s a high chance your files are still recoverable.

The Science Behind File Recovery

SD cards work like any other storage medium: they use a file system (like FAT32 or exFAT) to organize and access data. When formatted, only the file allocation table is reset—not the actual contents. As long as the underlying sectors haven’t been overwritten, data recovery tools can access and reconstruct what was “deleted.”
This is why quick action is critical. The less you use your card after formatting, the higher the success rate of recovery.

How to Unformat SD Card: A Step-by-Step Process

Let’s walk through the process of unformatting your SD card using trusted recovery software:
🔹 Step 1: Stop Using the SD Card Immediately
Do not take more photos, move files, or use the card in any way. Even minimal usage can overwrite valuable data, making recovery impossible.
🔹 Step 2: Select a Reliable Data Recovery Tool
Several programs can help you unformat SD card, including:
iBeesoft Data Recovery – Specializes in formatted card recovery with high success rates.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Recuva

Disk Drill

Stellar Data Recovery

For the best results, we recommend starting with iBeesoft, especially if you're a beginner or recovering large volumes of multimedia files.
🔹 Step 3: Install the Software on Your Computer
Download and install the recovery tool on your PC or Mac. Be sure not to install it on the SD card—use your system’s hard drive to avoid data overwriting.
🔹 Step 4: Insert the SD Card
Use a card reader or built-in card slot to connect your SD card to the computer. The software should automatically recognize it as an external drive.
🔹 Step 5: Scan the SD Card
Launch the recovery software and select the SD card for scanning. Most tools offer both a Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Start with a deep scan for the most thorough results.
The scanning process may take several minutes, depending on the card’s size and how much data was on it.
🔹 Step 6: Preview and Recover Files
Once the scan is complete, the tool will display a list of recoverable files. Most tools allow you to preview photos, documents, and videos to confirm they’re intact.
Select the files you want to recover and save them to a different location—ideally your computer's internal storage or another external drive.

What Types of Files Can Be Recovered?

Depending on the tool you use and how soon you act, you can recover:
Photos: JPEG, PNG, RAW, HEIC, CR2, ARW, etc.

Videos: MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV

Audio: MP3, WAV, AAC

Documents: DOCX, XLSX, PDF, TXT

Archives: ZIP, RAR

Whether it’s personal photos, work presentations, or audio recordings, most of your files should be recoverable.

Why Choose iBeesoft to Unformat SD Card?

Among the many tools available, iBeesoft Data Recovery stands out for its:
Easy-to-use interface, even for non-tech-savvy users

Advanced deep scanning algorithm

Ability to recover data from corrupted or damaged SD cards

Preview feature before recovery

High compatibility with SD, microSD, SDHC, and SDXC cards

It’s a professional-grade tool trusted by thousands of users worldwide, particularly those who need to unformat SD cards used in cameras, drones, and mobile devices.

Preventing Future Formatting Mistakes

While it’s great that you can unformat SD cards, it’s even better to avoid the situation entirely. Here are some prevention tips:
Label your SD cards to avoid accidental formatting.

Back up regularly, especially before reformatting or switching devices.

Use write-protection switches if available.

Be cautious when clicking “OK” or “Format” prompts—double-check the drive name.

Safely eject your SD card before removing it from devices.

Final Thoughts

Accidentally formatting an SD card doesn’t mean your memories, documents, or videos are gone forever. Thanks to reliable data recovery tools like iBeesoft, it’s possible to unformat SD card and retrieve lost data with just a few clicks.
Just remember: time is of the essence. Act quickly, avoid overwriting data, and choose the right tool for the job. With the right steps, you can get back everything you thought was lost—easily and safely.