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Deleted Photo Recovery: Getting Images Back from Your SD Card

The accidental deletion of photos from an SD card creates significant stress because it includes precious memories. The deletion of photos doesn’t necessarily means permanent loss as recovery option exists. Users with basic computer knowledge can easily recover deleted photos from an SD card using various methods available on Windows and Mac devices.

Common Reasons Your Photos Vanish from an SD Card

The process of photo recovery becomes easier when you understand why photos tend to disappear. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

1. Deletion by accident

You can press a wrong key, or format the card, not realizing something important was still on it, all the stored photos gets deleted. 

2. File system errors

SD card develop errors when the writing process is interrupted or when they aren’t ejected properly. The photos remains there on the card but they become invisible or corrupted.

3. Corruption or physical damage

With time, SD cards wear out. Moreover, photos stored in the card become inaccessible after a card failure, physical damage to the card or sudden power cut.

4. Virus or Malware

The SD card can become infected due to malware which results in hiding or erasing the photo files stored on it.

First Steps to Take Just After You Accidentally Delete Something

Here are the few thing you should do first after the discovery of deleting photos from the SD card:

• Stop using the SD card immediately as new data written to the card will increase risk of deleted files become overwritten making the recovery process challenging.
• Check the Trash/ Recycle Bin folder after you accidentally delete photos from SD card as deleted files move to this folder on Windows or Mac respectively. 
• Don’t format the SD card or save new files on the card.

Window’s Built-In Tools That Might Save Your Photos

You should attempt the built-in features of your Windows system before installing additional software program for recovering lost photos.

Check the Recycle Bin

The photos deleted from an SD card connected to your Windows system goes to the Recycle Bin instead of disappearing immediately. Check the Recycle Bin folder to search for the lost photos then right-click on the needed photo and select Restore option to put the file backs to its original location.

Restore from Windows File History

File History automatically backs up your Windows data so one can easily restore it if something goes wrong. 

• Open Control Panel >> System and Security >> File History >> Restore personal files >> choose the deleted photo(s).
• Click the green Restore button.

Mac’s Built-In Tools That Might Save Your SD Card Photos

Photos become easily recoverable when you know exactly where to search for them on Mac. 

Check the Trash

The process of deleting photos from an SD card connected to the Mac ends up in the Trash instead of instant disappearance. Click on the Bin icon on the Dock to search for your files, right-click on it and select Put back option. The photo will return to its original location once the operation competes.

Check the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder in Photos

The Photos app in the Mac has a Recently Deleted folder where removed images and videos are stored for thirty days. To get the images back, simply select the ones you need and tap Recover.

Restore from Time Machine Backup

Apples’ Time Machine backup system allows you to restore deleted photos from the data backed on the external drive.

• Connect your backup drive to the Mac.
• Open Time Machine, navigate through the timeline until you find a point before the photo was deleted.
• Click Restore to recover the photos when you find it.

How to Bring Back Lost Photos with SD Card Recovery Software?

The built-in tools of Windows and Mac failed to work, but there is no need to panic. There are numerous recovery software that can scan your SD cards to retrieve deleted photos. Choose the software, which is secure and supports your photo file format.

Use Stellar Photo Recovery to scan the SD card for the deleted photos to restore them. This photo recovery software helps get back the lost photos, videos and audio of all popular file format from the memory card, digital camera, HDDS, SSDs, etc.

• Follow the setup instruction on the official website to install Stellar Photo Recovery software after you download it.
• Use a card reader or insert your card directly to Windows or Mac for the recovery program to detect it.

• Begin the recovery process by running the software while selecting the file type and your SD card from the drive list and initiate the scanning process by clicking Scan button.

• You will get a list of files that can be recovered and pick the photos you want back before saving them to a protected location on your Windows or Mac.

Smart Habits to Keep Your SD Card Photos Safe in the Future

• Ensure the SD card has enough unoccupied space to maintain it performance and prevent card errors from occurring.
• Invest in well-known brand SD card.
• Replace the SD card before it breaks down if you are using the same one for multiple years.
• Regular backup should be done to copy your SD card data either to your Windows/Mac or external drive or Cloud storage as a protective measure to safeguard your data.

Conclusion

SD card photo loss creates panic, but most photo files remain recoverable. The solution to this problem becomes quick when you check the Recycle Bon, Trash and or implement backup methods like File History or Time Machine backup. If everything failed to work, Stellar Photo Recovery software provides the most effective solution to retrieve your photo files.