Repair and Recover Damaged SD Card on Mac

Nowadays, as the memory of tablets and cellphones is getting larger and larger, digital cameras are probably the most common portable devices that still use an SD card for storage. Besides accidental deletion or formatting, another common reason for SD card data loss is SD card damage. Compared to accidental deletion or formatting, it's more difficult to recover data from a damaged SD card, because your computer may not recognize the SD card, let alone recovering data from it. But you should still try your best. In this article, we'll show you how to recover data from a damaged SD card – your camera photos or videos.

What can damage an SD card?

Normally, an SD card gets corrupted due to some abnormal operations. If your SD card is not working properly and you are unsure whether it's damaged or not, check the following common situations to see if you have done any of these wrongdoings. If so, unfortunately, your SD card has become corrupted. You'd better do nothing but try the recommended methods immediately to recover your data.

• Removing the SD card during data transfer
• Malware installed on your computer
• Accumulation of bad sectors
• Manufacturing defects
• Physical damage

How to recover damaged SD card on Mac?

The best way to recover data from external devices like an SD card is by using a data recovery software. As long as your computer can detect the SD card, these programs can scan your device deeply and retrieve all the data that hasn't been overwritten.

Here, we recommend using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool. It's specifically designed for Mac data recovery and enjoys high popularity among users. Compared with similar software, it boasts the fastest scanning speed, allowing you to complete the scan in the shortest time, even if your SD card holds a large amount of data. Furthermore, Data Recovery Wizard lets you preview files before recovery, making the entire process clearer and more straightforward.

Now, you can download the software from the below button and follow the detailed guide on how to use Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

Step 1: Choose the SD card

Connect the memory card to your Mac correctly. Launch Disk Drill for Mac data recovery software. Choose "SD Card Recovery", find your Canon/Nikon/GoPro/DJI/Sony SD card, and click "Search for lost files".

Note: Before you recover data, it is recommended that you click “Disk Backup” from the left pane to create a backup of your SD card to prevent further data loss. After backing up the SD card, the software can restore data from the SD card backup, and you can then remove the SD card and use it again.

Select the location to scan for lost SD card data:

Step 2: Filter out Lost Data from the SD Card

When the scan is finished, all the files will be displayed in the left pane of the scan results. Look for the photos, videos, and other files you need.

Step 3: Preview and recover the data

Preview the SD card data and select the files you need, then click on the “Recover” button. To prevent overwriting of data, do not save the recoverable files to the SD card itself.

How to Recover Deleted Files from an SD Card on Mac

Nowadays, the most common use of an SD card is to store photos and videos taken with a camera. Any incorrect operation can lead to card damage or data loss. In this article, we'll introduce the best ways for Mac users to recover lost photos and videos from an SD card.

Extra Tip: How to Fix a Damaged SD Card Using Mac Tools?

On a Mac, there's a built-in utility called “First Aid” that can be used to repair damaged external storage devices. After you've successfully recovered your photos and videos from the SD card, you can try using this tool to fix the card so it's usable again. Here's how.

Step 1. Open Disk Utility on your Mac, and then choose View > Show All Devices.

In the sidebar, select your SD card, and then click the “First Aid” button.

Step 3: Click "Run," and then follow the on-screen instructions to begin the repair process.

Step 4: When the First Aid process is complete, click Done.

Conclusions

Given that SD cards hold many of your memories and joys, we feel responsible for providing every user with an effective way to recover and protect their SD card data. We hope the methods introduced in this article have helped you.