How to Recover Deleted Photos From an SD Card

I’ve dealt with photo loss more times than I’d like to admit, just like most photographers. If this is new to you, I’ll show you how to recover deleted photos from SD card using the same practical methods I rely on myself.

Below, I explain what happens after deletion and demonstrate clear steps to handle this situation.

Common Reasons Photographers Lose Photos on SD Cards

Before I show the practical steps that help restore files, it’s important to understand why photos disappear in the first place. The exact cause often defines how careful you must be and what approach gives the best chance for SD card photo recovery. Below is a list of situations I see most often in real photo loss cases:

• Accidental deletion in the camera or on a computer. A single tap during photo review or a rushed cleanup after import can remove images instantly. In this case, the SD card usually remains intact, and recovery chances remain high if the card is not used afterward.
• Formatting the SD card by mistake. Cameras often suggest a format when a card moves between devices or after a minor error. Many users confirm this prompt too quickly. Most camera formats reset the file structure but leave photo data in place until new files overwrite it.
• Unsafe removal during file transfer. Pulling out a card while files are being copied, closing a laptop mid-transfer, or a sudden power loss can interrupt write operations. This often results in missing folders or photos that no longer appear, even though the data still exists.
• File system errors after camera or battery failure. A sudden shutdown during a shoot can damage the card’s structure. Photos may disappear, directories may appear empty, or the card may show error messages when opened on a computer.
• Faulty card readers or adapters. A damaged or low-quality reader can cause read errors that look like data loss. I’ve seen SD cards appear empty on one device and fully readable on another simply because the adapter caused the issue.
• Use of one SD card across multiple devices. Repeated card swaps between cameras, drones, and computers without proper handling can cause confusion in the file system. Over time, this increases the risk of missing photos and inconsistent results.

Once you identify which situation applies to your case, you can avoid actions that reduce recovery chances. 

What to Do Immediately After Photo Loss

Once I realize photos are gone, I know the next few minutes matter more than any tool choice. At this stage, my only goal is to avoid actions that reduce recovery chances.

These are the steps I follow every time:

• Stop all use of the SD card. I do not take new photos, copy files to the card, or place it back into the camera. Any write action can replace deleted photo data.
• Remove the SD card from the device. I take the card out of the camera, phone, or drone as soon as I notice the issue.
• Do not format the card. Even if the SD card not showing up and your computer suggests formatting it, do not proceed with it. It can reduce the chance of SD card photo recovery.
• Do not run repair or “fix” tools yet. System repair actions may change the card structure. At this point, my priority stays with photo recovery, not card repair.

These actions protect what still exists on the card, even when the situation looks worse than it is. Once the SD card stays untouched, I can move forward and explain how to recover deleted photos from the SD card in a controlled and safe way.

How to Recover Deleted Photos From an SD Card

Once the SD card stays untouched, I can demonstrate two effective ways to handle the situation. The right option depends on the card’s condition and data accessibility, but each method reads existing information without changes and copies recoverable photos to a safe location.

Method 1: Recover Files With Photo Recovery Software

When an SD card still appears in the system, software recovery is usually the first option to consider. There are several tools photographers commonly use in this situation, including Disk Drill, R-Studio, UFS Explorer, and PhotoRec. All of them fall into the category of dedicated photo recovery software. 

This approach makes it possible to recover SD card photos even after accidental deletion or a quick format, as long as the data has not been overwritten. What matters most with these tools is preview support, since a clear preview usually indicates that a photo remains intact.

I’ll demonstrate the recovery process using Disk Drill. I use it because it is easy to work with, provides clear photo previews, and runs reliably on both Windows and macOS.

How to recover deleted photos with Disk Drill:

1. Remove the SD card from the camera or device and insert it into a card reader connected to the computer. Direct access through a reader stays more stable than a camera USB connection. Make sure the card appears in the system drive list.
2. Launch Disk Drill and look at the list of available drives.
   
   
3. Select the SD card by name or storage size to avoid scanning the wrong device.
4. Click Search for lost data to start the scan. Disk Drill reads both file records and raw image data from the SD card.
5. When Disk Drill opens the scan options, select Universal Scan.
6. Open the Pictures category in the scan results and click individual files. When a file is selected, a preview opens on the right side of the window. Common formats like JPEG and PNG are supported, as well as many RAW formats such as CR2, NEF, NRW, RAF, and X3F. A clear preview usually means the photo remains intact.
   
   
7. Mark only the photos that matter.
8. Click Recover and choose a folder on the computer’s internal drive or an external storage device. Never select the same SD card as the recovery destination.
9. After recovery completes, open several restored photos to confirm image quality and resolution before any further action with the SD card.

This method works well after accidental deletion, quick format cases, and many situations where an SD card does not show up in folders, but still appears in disk utilities. When the card remains detectable, this process provides a controlled way to recover deleted photos from an SD card without extra risk.

Method 2: Check Existing Copies and Camera-Side Storage

I use this method before any advanced recovery. In practice, many photos often remain stored elsewhere, and a quick check can resolve the issue without any scan. In some cases, this step alone removes the need for full SD card photo recovery.

What to check first:

• Review previous imports on the computer. Photo folders, import directories, and external drives often contain copies created earlier. Many photographers discover that files still exist there, even after deletion on the SD card.
• Check the camera's internal storage or secondary slots. Some cameras store photos in internal memory or support dual card slots. In these cases, images may still exist on the device or on a second card.
• Review cloud or sync locations. Automatic import tools or cloud sync services may have saved copies during transfer. Even partial sync can preserve original image files.

This method does not restore deleted photos from the SD card itself, but it often reveals intact copies that remain available. When a clean copy exists, recovery scans become unnecessary. If nothing appears after these checks, the recovery methods described earlier remain the next step.

How to Fix SD Card Access Issues After Photo Recovery

After photo recovery, the files are usually already safe. In some cases, however, the SD card itself still shows problems. It may mount inconsistently, display system warnings, or disappear from Finder, which often looks like an SD card not working issue.

When this happens, Disk Utility on macOS can help. This SD card repair tool can help address basic file system issues that prevent stable access. 

This step does not involve photo recovery and should take place only after all recovered files are stored elsewhere.

Here is the exact sequence I follow:

1. Connect the SD card through a card reader and confirm its presence in Disk Utility.
2. Enable Show All Devices and select the SD card device, not the volume listed under it.
   
   
3. Run First Aid to fix file system errors. Avoid erase, format, or reset actions at this stage.
   
   
4. Eject the card safely, reconnect it, and confirm that it appears normally in Finder.
5. If access stays stable, the card may see further use or a later format. If issues persist, replacement is the safer option.

Extra Tips and Related Issues Worth Attention

As a final note, I want to share a few details that rarely appear in standard recovery steps.

• One common issue is the SD card’s physical lock switch. People sometimes forget about this small detail, especially after moving the card between a camera and a computer. If the switch sits between positions or moves loosely, the card may read inconsistently, which can look like an SD card not working issue at first glance. Set it firmly to the unlocked position, then reconnect the card.
• Be cautious with counterfeit or rebranded cards. Some report more capacity than they actually have. Photos saved beyond the real limit never really “existed” in memory, so recovery will fail for those files. If missing photos always come from the end of a shoot, this is a strong indicator. 
• Finally, real-world outcomes vary. In one Reddit discussion about deleted photos from an SD card, a photographer recovered only a small portion of files marked with high recovery chance, while most images remained in low or poor condition despite the use of several recovery tools. This real case helps set realistic expectations and clearly shows why factors such as partial overwrite or file fragmentation can limit recovery results.