An SD card is a convenient tool for camera users, typically used to store photos and videos. When you insert the SD card into a reader and connect it to your Mac, you can find it in Finder or Disk Utility under External Devices > SD Card.

However, many users report that their video files are not showing up on the SD card on Mac.

I have a Lumix DMC-G3 camera that for the most part works fine shooting video and it reads it on my Mac. Every once in a while though, the settings may get switched and it doesn't shoot in MOV format. When I try to import the videos, the Mac doesn't recognize them... It recognizes all photo files, just not the video files. When looking at the folder in Finder, the video files don't even show up. From the Apple Community

If you are encountering the " Videos not showing up on SD card on Mac " error, then this article is your solution. Read on to learn how to fix the issue of videos not appearing on an SD card on your Mac:

?Use Software This is usually the easiest and most effective method.
?️Show Hidden Videos The video files are hidden, but other files on the SD card can be read.
?Unlock the SD Card The SD card is locked and all data stored on it is inaccessible.
?Check Compatibility The video file format is not compatible with macOS, resulting in missing or corrupted files.
?Repair the SD Card The SD card is damaged, causing videos to not show up on your Mac.

Why Can't Mac Read Video Files from an SD Card?

Losing important video data stored on an SD card can be a nightmare for many. But worry not; just because your SD card is not showing video files doesn't mean that the video files are lost forever. Here are possible reasons why video files may have vanished from your SD card:

    • ⚠️Video files on the SD card are hidden.
    • ?Some sectors on the SD card are locked.
    • ?️Video data on the SD card is lost or deleted.
    • ❌The SD card is damaged.

Sometimes, an accumulation of errors like com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error can also lead to inaccessibility of files on an unmountable SD card. Most often, the methods discussed below will restore normal visibility and usability of your video files. Read on to know the steps in detail.

How to Fix Undeletable Videos on SD Card on Mac

There are 5 solutions; we focus on the first one, also the most effective one, using a data recovery tool, which works for most data recovery scenarios, even when your SD card is corrupted and the video files become invisible.

Fix 1: Recover Videos from SD Card with Software

Whether the videos on the SD card are hidden, lost, or accidentally deleted, you can resolve the issue by using a professional and reliable video recovery tool such as the Mac Data Recovery Wizard.

 

Rely on Tool Data Recovery Software

With a broad technical foundation since 2005, Tool Data Recovery Wizard has earned the trust of billions of users in the data recovery field. You can check reviews on Trustpilot.

With a Mac Data Recovery tool, you can fix issues like SD card not showing up on Mac or files not showing on the SD card. It's a powerful Mac SD card recovery utility, and here are its main features:

A video recovery tool can handle most cases of lost or corrupted videos on an SD card. Here are the steps for SD card recovery on a Mac:

Step 1: Choose an SD card

  • Connect your memory card to your Mac correctly. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool.
  • Select "SD Card Recovery", locate your Canon/Nikon/GoPro/DJI/Sony SD card, and click "Search for Lost Files".

Note: Before data recovery, it is better to click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar and create a backup for 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 then you can remove the SD card and use it again.

Select the location to scan lost SD card data

Step 2: Filter Lost SD Card Data

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 want.

Scan for lost data on the SD card

Step 3: Preview and recover the data

Preview the SD card data, select the files you want, and then click the “Recover” button. To avoid overwriting your data, do not save the recoverable files back to the SD card itself.

Recover Data from SD Card on Mac

Solution 2: Unhide Video Files on the SD Card

If you can see photos or other files on the SD card but not the videos, then the videos might be hidden. Access them by following these steps:

Step 1 Browse to the SD card using Finder, or type private in a Spotlight search to find the “Private” folder on the SD card.

Step 2: Double-click the “Private” folder to open it, and then do both of these:

    - Right-click on the "ACHD" file and select "Show Package Contents" - Right-click on the "BDMV" file and select "Show Package Contents"

You'll find a folder called "STREAM."

Step 3: Open the "STREAM" folder, and all of your video files should be displayed.

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Solution 3: Unlock a Locked SD Card on Mac

If the SD card is locked, you won't be able to modify or delete any content on the card, including videos. In this case, unlock your SD card and check if the video files can be played normally. There's a lock switch on the left side of the SD card – slide it upward (to the unlocked position).

Manually unlock SD card

Caution: If the lock switch on the SD card is loose and easily moved, it might slide into the locked position as you insert the card into the console. In this case, we recommend that you replace the SD card.

Fix 4: Check Video File Compatibility

If the video file plays fine on other devices, like a camera or phone, but isn't accessible on your Mac, it might be due to the video file format not being compatible with macOS. Try changing the video file format.

For example, you can use the Finder on your Mac to locate files with the MTS file extension, copy or cut and paste files on Mac, and then open them in QuickTime Player and save them as MOV video files.

Repair a Damaged SD Card

Damaged SD card or bad sectors on it, SD card becomes RAW format, file system corruption, etc. can also lead to the videos stored on it become inaccessible or disappear.

Aside from data loss due to physical damage to the SD card, filesystem corruption and damage are the leading causes of unreadable files on an SD card. All of the above can be rectified by formatting the SD card.

However, as we all know, formatting an SD card on Mac will delete all the data on it. So, if you have important files on the corrupted SD card, you can back them up first and then recover with the above-mentioned professional data recovery software. Follow the steps below to back up your SD card before formatting:

Step 1: Click “Disk Backup” > “Create Backup” > “Next.” This will create an image file of your hard drive in case data gets overwritten.

Create disk backup with the tool

Step 2: Select the internal drive you want to back up, then click “Create Backup.” If you're creating a backup from or restoring data to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card, make sure it's connected to your Mac first.

Select Backup Disk

Step 3: Choose a location to save the backup file, give it a name, then click “Save.” It is not recommended that you save the backup file on the same storage device from which you plan to recover data.

Choose a location to save the disk backup.

Then, you can use the Mac Data Recovery Wizard to restore SD card data from the backup.

Conclusions

Multiple reasons why videos on an SD card are not showing on a Mac: the video files are hidden, the SD card is locked, the file format is incompatible with macOS, or there are bad sectors on the SD card. This article will introduce 5 practical methods to address all non-physical damage scenarios.

The most powerful and effective way is to use the professional video recovery software – Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which can quickly and safely recover data from SD card!

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Fix Videos Not Showing Up on SD Card on Mac

Here are some questions people often ask when searching for how to fix unseen SD card video files on their Mac:

**1. Why Can't I See Videos on SD Card on Mac?**

If you see other types of files on the SD card when it's connected to your Mac, or if the video plays on the camera or phone, the video might be hidden, or its format isn't compatible with macOS. In that case, you need to unhide the video file or change the video file format to MOV.

2. How to Access Videos on an SD Card on a Mac?

You should connect the SD card to your Mac with a reader, or insert it into the SD card slot on select models of Mac computers. Find the SD card in Disk Utility, mount it, and then you'll be able to access the videos on the SD card.

3. Why does my SD card show full on Mac but has nothing on it?

A “SD card says it's full but it's empty” issue could be due to hidden files on the card, either manually hidden or hidden by a virus. In either case, you can get your computer to show hidden items and see if that retrieves your missing files.

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