Unformat SD Card: Recover Lost Data in 4 Simple Steps

Can I Unformat SD Card for Data Recovery?

About Unformat SD Card

In some situations, you might have formatted your SD card by accident. When you find the wrong operation, the format has been done. What should you do? The first thing that occurs in your mind should be how to unformat the SD card. However, unformatting an SD card can’t be finished literally; you can only recover files from the formatted SD card using professional data recovery software or other tools.

Therefore, you will learn how to unformat SD card for free with multiple ways, check them one by one now.

What Happens After Formatting an SD Card?

In fact, formatting doesn't actually erase the data; it just marks the space as available. Your precious files are still there, sitting ducks, until new data overwrites them. Every new photo you take or file you save is another nail in the coffin for your lost data. So, take a deep breath, set the card aside, and carefully consider the recovery paths available to you, which we will explore in detail below.

Actions Before Data Recovery

Before you dive headfirst into any recovery process, there’s one golden rule you must follow:

• Stop using the SD card immediately once you realize you need to perform an SDCard unformat.
• Don't Save Anything New: Do not take more photos or videos. Do not copy new files to the card.
• Please safely eject the card from your computer.

Take these actions before finding a reliable data recovery tool.

Unformat SD Card in Windows 10/11 | 4 Ways

Way 1. Best Way to Unformat SD Card on Windows 10/11 (GUI)

There are so many Windows data recovery programs to unformat your SD card. Here, we will show you the best Windows data recovery software MyRecover for the following benefits:

Highest recovery rate. MyRecover provides the highest recovery rate, 99%, in the market.

Recover data from any device. You can recover files from a corrupted USB flash drive, SSD, HDD, SD card, camera, PS4/5, music player, video player, and so on.

Preview files before recovery. You can preview photos, videos, documents, and other files before previewing, which is essential for precise recovery.

Recover unlimited data. MyRecover Professional allows you to recover unlimited files in bulk.

AI search. MyRecover deploys AI search technologies and algorithms in the process of scanning and analyzing storage devices, file signatures, or headers, which maximizes the recovery rate.

So, how to unformat SD card in a Windows 10 computer with MyRecover? Check the following simple guide:

1. Please connect your formatted SD card to the computer and make sure it can be detected. Now, download and install MyRecover, then launch it.

2. Tap Format Recovery on the left, then point to your SD card, and hit Scan.

3. Hit OK after scanning. Choose all the files and folders you need to recover, and hit Recover.

4. Select another safe location to save these recovered files, and hit Select Folder to unformat the SD card.

Tips:✎...

In step 3, you can preview these files first and recover the right files.

Besides, you can also upgrade to MyRecover Technician to recover data from unlimited computers.

Way 2. Recover Command to Retrieve Data from SD Card (CMD)

Unformat SD card using the CMD command in Windows 10, 11, Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025: recover + file name. Here is how to use it:

1. Open Run by clicking Windows + R, then type "cmd" and hit OK.

2. Input your SD card drive letter with a colon:

G: (for example, "G:" if G is your SD card drive letter)

3. Type the command line, for example:

recover G:/hh.docx (You need to know the exact file name and file type)

Way 3. Recover Files from SD Card Using Windows File Recovery (CMD)

Additionally, Windows File Recovery enables you to easily recover formatted files on an SD card, which is a command-line utility that can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store for use. You can recover files from an NTFS computer hard drive, external hard drive, or USB flash drive, and a FAT or exFAT SD card.

Here is how to use Windows File Recovery to recover files from SD card:

1. Please download and install Windows File Recovery.

2. Launch the program, then input the following command to recover files from SD card (H:) to E drive using extensive mode.:

winfr H: E: /extensive

Way 4. Restore SD Card files from Backup (Manual Recovery)

This is, without a doubt, the simplest and most stress-free solution—if you have backup for the SD card files.

If you have copied files from an SD card to another safe location, you can directly drag and drop them to the formatted SD card to recover files.

Or if you have uploaded these SD card files to an online service, like Google Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox, simply log in to your account online or via the desktop app to download them.

What If Your SD Card is Unformattable?

Sometimes, the problem isn't accidentally formatting a card; it's that the card refuses to be formatted at all. You might get errors like "Windows was unable to complete the format" or "The disk is write-protected". This can be more alarming than a simple format, as it often points to physical failure or severe logical damage.

Reasons Behind the Problem:

• Physical Damage: The card is physically broken. Exposure to water, extreme heat, or if it's been bent, can break its internal parts.
• Write Protection: The tiny lock switch on the side of the card is slid into the "Lock" position. This makes the card read-only and stops anything, including formatting, from changing it.
• Bad Sectors: Parts of the card's memory have worn out from use. If important information gets stored in these damaged areas, the card can become too corrupted to format normally.
• Controller Failure: The card's internal "brain" has failed. If this chip stops working, your computer can't detect the card at all, so it won't even be recognized.

Practical Solutions:

1. Check the Lock Switch: Take the card out and find the tiny switch on the side. Make sure it's slid up to the unlock position.

2. Format via Disk Management:

• Press the Windows + X keys and click "Disk Management".
• Find your SD card in the list, right-click on it, and choose "Format".
• Select a file system (use exFAT for cards 64GB or larger) and click "OK".

3. Try a Special Format Tool: Download a free tool like the "SD Memory Card Formatter". This can often fix cards that Windows can't.

4. Test in Another Device: Try using a different card reader, USB port, or even a camera. If it works there, your original reader is the problem.

5. Call the Pros (Last Resort): If the data is extremely valuable and nothing else works, you must send it to a professional data recovery lab. This is a very costly option.

FAQs about SD Card Unformat

Can you really unformat an SD card?

Yes. Formatting doesn't immediately erase data—it just marks space as available. Using recovery software like MyRecover can successfully restore your files if you act quickly.

How can I unformat my SD card without software?

No. While some try using Command Prompt, these methods are unreliable and can cause more harm. Professional software is the only safe option.

Why can't my computer read my SD card after formatting?

Common reasons include: the card was formatted for a different system (like Mac), there's a connection issue, or the card has physical damage.

How long does it take to recover data from a formatted SD card?

It depends on the card's size and scan type. A deep scan on a 32GB card takes 30-60 minutes; larger cards (256GB+) can take several hours.

Can I recover photos from a formatted SD card?

Yes. Photos are often the easiest files to recover because they have distinct data signatures. Just avoid using the card immediately after formatting.

The End

Until now, you have mastered how to unformat SD card easily and recover files from the formatted SD card. Please regularly back up files on any device in case of data loss. Or you have to use data recovery software to recover files from a corrupted SD card, formatted USB flash drive, emptied trash bin, and more with MyRecover.