author avatar
28 July 2023  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
Last update by William Davis at 1 April 2024

Summary
Discover the straightforward methods for retrieving lost files from your SD card using a Mac in our thorough tutorial. Additionally, gain insight into the vital precautions to take when handling SD cards to avoid data loss.



Table of contents

table iconI. Common reasons for SD card data loss
table iconII. How to recover lost files from SD card on Mac computer?
table iconIII. How to fix corrupted SD card on Mac computer?
table iconIV. Precautions for using SD card
sd card recovery mac

I. Common reasons for SD card data loss

An SD card is a widely-used portable storage device found in computers, mobile phones, cameras, and more, primarily used for storing files and photos. However, data loss can occur for various reasons during its use:
· When deleting files in the SD card,  accidentally deleted important files.
· Accidentally formatted the SD card, resulting in the loss of all data in the SD card.
· The SD card is damaged or inaccessible, data cannot be accessed or data is lost.
· The SD card is attacked by a virus, and the data inside is damaged or lost.
· Power failure or sudden pull out of the SD card that is reading and writing data.
· Changing the file system to allow the SD card to be used in both Windows and MacOS requires formatting. If the data is not backed up in advance, the data will be lost.

II. How to recover lost files from SD card on Mac computer?

Upon discovering that files on an SD card are missing, immediately cease using the card to prevent new data from being written and overwriting the deleted/lost file data. Next, utilize data recovery software to scan and recover the files. A highly effective tool for this purpose is Renee Undeleter, compatible with both Mac and Windows systems.

1. What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is a software tailored for system data file restoration. It comes in handy when you accidentally delete files, empty the recycle bin, or format your disk/storage. Featuring four key modules—Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and Image creation—it delivers a robust suite of tools to tackle various data loss scenarios.
Hot Topic Renee Undeleter – Simple & Powerful Software for Data Recovery

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan;

Supported file types Image, video, audio, text, email and so on;

Image creation Create a partition image to read and back up data;

Supported devices SD card, SDHC, SDXC, USB flash drive, hard disk and computer.

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition/whole partition/whole disk scan;

Supported devices SD card/USB/hard disk.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial 800 people have downloaded!

2. How to quickly recover lost files from SD card with Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter not only has comprehensive functions, but also has a very simple operation process. The specific operation steps are as follows:
Step 1: Connect the SD card to the Mac computer through a card reader, download, install and run Renee Undeleter on the Mac computer, and select the (Whole Partition Scan) option on the main interface.
Note: Do not install on the disk that needs to restore data, so as not to cause data overwriting.
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter on mac
Data Recovery Function Overview:

  • Fast Partition Scan: Rapidly recover files from accidental deletions or after emptying the recycle bin.
  • Whole Partition Scan: Restore files from inaccessible or formatted partitions efficiently.
  • Whole Disk Scan: Perform a comprehensive scan for partition information and full recovery across the entire disk.
  • Create Mirror: Generate a mirrored image of a partition for current state backup.
Step 2: Next select the SD card partition. After the selection is complete, click (Next).
click to select a target drive in whole partition scan in renee undeleter on mac
Step 3: Wait for the scan to complete; duration varies based on SD card size. You can preview files mid-scan by double-clicking. If you locate the desired file, select it and press Recover to halt the scan and initiate recovery. Alternatively, let the scan finish, select files from the results, and then click Recover.
Note: It is recommended to save the recovered files in other partitions instead of the original SD card to avoid data overwriting.
click to run sd card or usb data recovery on mac
Should the data remain unrecoverable after attempting the aforementioned procedures, it is likely that the lost data has been superseded by new data, significantly diminishing the chances of successful restoration. In cases where file loss is attributable to a damaged SD card, refer to the subsequent SD card repair instructions to address the issue.
TipsIf the SD card cannot be displayed or used normally on the Mac computer, it may also be that its file system is not compatible with the Mac computer, please check File Systems Supported by Mac Computers .

III. How to fix corrupted SD card on Mac computer?

Mac computer users can try to use Disk Utility to repair a damaged SD card, the specific steps are as follows:
Step 1: Find and click (Disk Utility) in the launchpad; you can also click (Finder) > (Applications) > (Utilities) to find and open (Disk Utility).
Encrypt USB Drive in Mac OS open disk utility in macos
Step 2: Select your SD card in the list on the left, and then select the (First Aid) function above.
Mac Disk Utility select disk
Step 3: Click First Aid to prompt a confirmation window. This indicates that First Aid will check and repair volume errors. Click Run to begin the SD card repair process.
find first aid in disk utility

IV. Precautions for using SD card

1. When the power of the device connected to the SD card is low, try to avoid storing or deleting files, so as to avoid data loss due to sudden interruption of the reading and writing process.
2. To optimize SD card performance and enhance device speed, avoid overfilling it; keep some space free. Regularly back up the contents to a computer or external drive for easy recovery in case of data loss.
3. To ensure the longevity of your SD card, it’s crucial to store it properly when not in use. Improper storage can result in oxidation, staining, breakage, or moisture damage of the metal contacts, which might render the card non-functional. It is highly recommended to keep your SD card in a dedicated SD card case to provide optimal protection.
SD card box
4. To prevent data loss, do not directly edit or modify files on the SD card when it’s connected to your computer. Instead, batch export the files from the SD card before performing any operations.