"Memory Card Unlocker: How to Unlock an SD Card Without Losing Data"

Memory cards are commonly used to expand the storage capacity of Android phones, digital cameras, or handheld game consoles. However, you may find that you can't save files to the card like normal because it's locked.

When does a memory card lock? Generally, there are two scenarios:

1. The memory card's lock switch is turned on, so it's write-protected. 2. You set a password lock for the memory card but have forgotten the password.

What is "Memory Card Unlocker"?

"Memory card unlocker" sounds like an application on a mobile phone or a program on a computer, such as "SD Card Unlocker Master.exe" or "Memory Password Unlocker.apk". This unlocking tool claims to encrypt storage devices and manage passwords for high-level security. It functions more like a password manager rather than a dedicated password unlocker, and most such tools usually come with a considerable cost for usage.

There are online memory card unlocking tools that can unlock passwords and remove read/write protection, but they can be expensive. If your (micro)SD card is locked due to write protection or a forgotten password, try the methods outlined here to clear the lock instead. Do not search for activation codes for memory card unlocking software from unknown sources – this is illegal and risky, and could potentially damage the data on the card.

How to Unlock a Memory Card

Second, you should check the memory card's lock switch. Most SD, SDHC/SDXC, and Eye-Fi cards have a small plastic slider on one of its edges that “locks” or “write protects” the card. Once the lock switch is flipped on, it prevents you from deleting, copying, transferring, or saving files. The first thing you need to do is check if the lock switch is turned on.

Method 1: Toggle the Lock Switch

As shown with my 32 GB Sony SD card, it has a sliding lock switch on the left edge. Make sure the lock switch is slid upward (the unlocked position).

If the lock switch moves easily between the locked and unlocked positions, it may be damaged, and you will need to replace your memory card with a new one.

Method 2: Remove Write Protection

If your phone or camera issues a warning that the disk is write protected, then the reason for the locked memory card is clearer. The issue is almost resolved. You need to execute the attrib cmd on your computer. Insert the infected memory card into a reader and connect it to your PC. Proceed with the steps below to open an elevated Command Prompt and remove the protection.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X keys and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Step 2: Enter each of the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

1. `diskpart` 2. `list disk` 3. `select disk #` (Replace # with the number of your SD card) 4. `attributes disk clear readonly`

Step 3: Type exit to close the Command Prompt.

If you don't consider yourself very computer-savvy or comfortable with command lines, don't worry. There are graphical solutions that can help you unprotect your hard drive, USB drive, or even an SD card.

CleanGenius is one such tool that can help you fix these issues with your disk without having to resort to the command line.

This is a simple and easy-to-understand guide on how to use this tool to solve your problem:

Step 1: Download and install CleanGenius (a free program) on your computer.

Step 2: Run CleanGenius on your computer, choose Optimize, and then select Write Protection mode.

Step 3: Select the write-protected device and click on “Disable” to remove the protection.

Method 3: Force Wipe SD Card Without Password (UTF-8)

The most common solution you'll find online for how to unlock a memory card is to install the ES File Explorer on your Android device. However, due to policy violations, the app has been removed from the Play Store.

If you forget the password, code, or PIN for your memory card, it can be extremely difficult to recover. As a last resort, you can send the card to the manufacturer, who may have a master key to unlock it.

How to Recover Deleted Data from a Memory Card

Forcing an SD card to unlock might erase data, and you may have a lot of precious memories, audio recordings, videos, or documents stored on it. Is there any way to get them back? Yes, by using a third-party free SD card recovery app.

The tool Data Recovery Wizard Free is designed to recover over 250 types of files from formatted partitions or lost due to virus infections and other causes on various disk storage devices. Once your memory card is locked, attempting to unlock the card itself can be a challenging operation. Your data could be at risk unless you regularly back up your entire SD card elsewhere. In any case, you can install the free tool Data Recovery Wizard to see how many files it finds after scanning. You don't need to purchase the tool until you find what you're looking for.

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