Memory Card Recovery

How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card

12.09.2025 Comments Off on How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
Formatting an SD card is a common action, but it often comes with an unexpected consequence—losing access to all your photos and videos. Many users wonder if formatted SD card recovery is possible, and the answer depends on how the SD card stores its data. In this article, we’ll explain what happens during formatting, explore a manual recovery method and an easier tool for recovery.

Table of Contents

Download Magic Data Recovery

Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server

What Happens When You Format an SD Card

When you format an SD card, the file system structure undergoes significant changes:
How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
  • The FAT table is cleared. This table normally stores the location of every file on the card.
  • The root directory entries are deleted. This means the operating system no longer knows what files exist on the root folder.

As a result, although most files in subfolders can be recovered correctly, root directory data cannot be directly recovered, because the essential “map” that points to the files has been erased. But as long as there is no files written to the SD card after formatting, we can still manage to recover the root directory data by file types. They just don’t have original names.

SD card formatted recovery with WinHex (Manual Method)

For advanced users, one approach is to use a hex editor such as WinHex. This method requires technical expertise and is not beginner-friendly, but here’s how it works:

1.Open the SD Card in WinHex: Connect your SD card with a card reader and select it as a physical drive in WinHex.

How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
2.Search for Directory Entries: Manually locate the erased root directory entries within the raw hex data.
How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
3.Wait till the scan completes: It will analyze the whole SD card and list all the directory entries it can find.
How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
4.Save the to another drive: You recover all the files to another drive and check the file contents.
How to Recover Data from a Formatted SD Card
⚠️ Caution: This process is risky and can easily lead to further corruption if there is any misoperation.

Easier formatted SD card recovery with Magic Data Recovery

While manual methods like WinHex exist, they are impractical for most users. A safer and more efficient solution is using Magic Data Recovery.

  • User-Friendly: No technical knowledge required—just scan and recover.
  • File Type Recovery: Even if the root directory is erased, Magic Data Recovery can restore files by analyzing file signatures (photos, videos, documents, etc.).
  • Wide Compatibility: Works with SD cards, USB drives, and other storage devices.
  • Safe Process: Unlike manual editing, it minimizes risks of further damage.

With Magic Data Recovery, you can achieve SD card formatted recovery without dealing with raw hex data.

Why File Type Recovery Matters in SD card formatted recovery

Since the FAT table and root directory are erased during formatting, direct file path recovery is not possible. However, tools like Magic Data Recovery rely on file type recognition—scanning raw data blocks and identifying file signatures (JPEG, MP4, DOCX, etc.).

This approach allows you to recover your files even when directory entries are completely gone, making it one of the most reliable methods for formatted SD card recovery.

How to Use Magic Data Recovery for formatted SD card recovery

Performing SD card recovery with Magic Data Recovery is straightforward. Here are the simple steps:

1.Download and Install: Get Magic Data Recovery downloaded and installed on your computer.

Download Magic Data Recovery

Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server

2.Connect Your SD Card and start a scan: Insert the formatted SD card into your computer using a card reader.
Connect the initialized SD card to PC before running the SD card recovery program
3.Wait till the scan completes. It will show all the data it can find after the scan.
Previewing recovered files with the SD card recovery program
4.Preview Recoverable Files: Check and locate what files you need
Preview files on the SD card recovery program
5.Select and Recover: Choose the files you want and save them to another storage device (not the same SD card).
Save recovered files using the SD card recovery program
With these steps, anyone, even without technical expertise, can successfully perform formatted SD card recovery quickly and safely.
You can also check the video tutorial here

Conclusion

Formatting an SD card erases the FAT table and root directory, making traditional recovery extremely difficult. Manual methods with hex tools can sometimes restore files, but they are complex and risky. For most users, the simplest and safest way to perform formatted SD card recovery is by using Magic Data Recovery, which restores files by type even when the root directory is lost.
Download Magic Data Recovery

Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server

People also like to read:

FAQ

1. Is SD card formatted recovery possible after quick format?

Yes, but since the FAT table and root directory are erased, you'll need specialized recovery software to detect file types directly.

2. Why is the root directory data not recoverable after formatting SD card?

Formatting erases the FAT table and root directory, meaning the system no longer has the "map" to locate files. Only file signature scanning can bypass this.

3. What is the safest way to perform SD card formatted recovery?

Using professional tools like Magic Data Recovery, which can recover by file type, is the safest and most reliable method to recover the lost data including the data located on the foot directory.

Vasilii is a data recovery specialist with around 10 years of hands-on experience in the field. Throughout his career, he has successfully solved thousands of complex cases involving deleted files, formatted drives, lost partitions, and RAW file systems. His expertise covers both manual recovery methods using professional tools like hex editors and advanced automated solutions with recovery software. Vasilii's mission is to make reliable data recovery knowledge accessible to both IT professionals and everyday users, helping them safeguard their valuable digital assets.

Related posts

写真、業務ファイル、動画などの大切なデータを突然失ってしまったとき、「すぐに復旧したい！」と焦る一方で、他人に中身を見られるのではないかというプライバシーの不安を感じる方も多いでしょう。実際、専門業者に依頼する際にはデータ内容を第三者が確認する可能性もあり、「恥ずかしい」「知られたくない」と悩むユーザーも少なくありません。 このように、スピードとプライバシー保護の両方を重視したい場合、自分で安全に「特急データ復旧」ができる方法を知っておくことが重要です。本記事では、業者依頼とソフトウェアによる即日復旧を比較し、専門知識がなくても安心して使える「Magic Data Recovery」を紹介します。
Hard Drive Recovery

Emergency Data Recovery: Local Service or Software?

19.11.2025 Comments Off on Emergency Data Recovery: Local Service or Software?

When important data, such as photos, work files, and videos, is suddenly lost, many people feel the urgency to “recover it immediately!” At the same time, there is often a sense of privacy concern, fearing that others might view their data. In fact, when requesting recovery from a professional service, there is a possibility that […]

データ 復旧 サービス ドコモに依頼する前に知っておくべきこと
Hard Drive Recovery

Things You Should Know Before Requesting Data Recovery Services from Docomo

19.11.2025 Comments Off on Things You Should Know Before Requesting Data Recovery Services from Docomo

Docomo’s “Data Recovery Service” mainly deals with physical failures (such as circuit board damage, water damage, or power supply issues). In these cases, it is optimal to request Docomo’s data recovery service, as specialized cleanroom environments and component replacements or chip-level analysis are required. However, for logical issues such as accidental deletion, formatted drives, or […]

データ復旧は恥ずかしいと感じたときに取るべき行動とは
Hard Drive Recovery

What if you feel embarrassed about data recovery?

19.11.2025 2 comments

Why You Might Feel “Embarrassed” About Data Recovery Globally, awareness about personal information and privacy is increasing year by year. For example, according to the United Nations survey, 66% of countries worldwide have enacted laws related to data and privacy. This includes 96% of European countries, 69% in the Americas, 57% in the Asia-Pacific region, […]