How to Unformat an SD Card on Mac?

Steven
Written byStevenUpdated on Feb 05, 2025
Gerhard Chou
Approved byGerhard Chou

Table of Contents

Before we start: Donemax Data Recovery for Mac offers advanced data recovery technology for SD card recovery. It can help you unformat SD card on Mac to recover deleted/formatted and lost files from the formatted SD card.

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Accidentally formatting an SD card can be a frustrating experience, especially if it contained important files, photos, or documents. However, all hope is not lost. The file system designates the area as open for new data when an SD card is formatted, rather than erasing the data right away. This means that until new files are written over the old ones, there's a chance to recover them.

If you've formatted your SD card on a Mac and need to recover your data, acting quickly increases your chances of success. In this guide, we'll explore different ways to unformat an SD card using macOS tools, data recovery software, and advanced terminal commands.

unformat an SD card using macOS tools

Understand SD Card Formatting: Can Formatted Data Be Recovered?

There are two main types of formatting:

Quick Format vs. Full Format

  • Quick Format: This is the most common type of formatting, especially when using macOS's Disk Utility. It simply removes the file system's reference to the data, making it appear as if the card is empty, but the actual data remains intact until overwritten.
  • Full Format: This method erases the SD card more thoroughly and may even overwrite the existing data, making recovery much harder or impossible. However, most standard formatting operations on Mac use a quick format.

Since macOS primarily performs quick formatting, there's a high chance of recovering your data if you act fast.

💡 Note: If the SD card is wiped by disk wipe software - such as Donemax Data Eraser for Mac, all data stored on the SD card is lost for good, can't be recovered by any method.

Methods to Unformat an SD Card on Mac

1. Use macOS Trash (If Files Were Deleted Before Formatting)

If you manually deleted files from the SD card before formatting, macOS might have moved them to the Trash instead of permanently deleting them. This only works if you haven't emptied the Trash.

Steps to Check and Restore from Trash:

  1. Connect your SD card to your Mac.
  2. Open the Trash from the Dock.
  3. Look for your missing files.
  4. To return the files to their original position, right-click on them and choose Put Back.

    unformat an SD card using macOS tools

While this method won't work if the card was fully formatted, it's worth checking before moving on to more advanced recovery steps.

2. Use Time Machine (If a Backup Exists) to Restore SD Card Files

If your SD card contained files that were previously backed up using Time Machine, you might be able to restore them. However, Time Machine doesn't automatically back up external drives unless explicitly set to do so.

Steps to Recover from Time Machine:

  1. Open Time Machine from the menu bar or System Settings > Time Machine.
  2. Look through earlier backups to find the deleted files.
  3. To restore the files to their original place, select them and click Restore.

    unformat an SD card using macOS tools

This method is only effective if you have been backing up your SD card regularly with Time Machine. If not, you'll need to use data recovery software.

3. Use Data Recovery Software to Unformat SD Card on Mac

If your files are not in the Trash and you don't have a Time Machine backup, your best option is to use specialized data recovery software. These tools can scan your formatted SD card and attempt to restore lost files. Because macOS typically performs a quick format, there's a high chance that the data is still present and recoverable, provided you haven't written new files to the card.

How Data Recovery Software Works:

The operating system deletes the file's reference from the file system but does not immediately destroy the data when a file is erased or an SD card is formatted.

Data recovery software works by:

  1. Scanning the SD card for file remnants that are still present but no longer indexed by the file system.
  2. Reconstructing lost files by piecing together fragmented data.
  3. Allowing file previews so you can verify recoverable files before restoring them.

The success of recovery depends on:

  • Has the SD card been updated with new data?
  • The type of files lost (some files, like large videos, can become fragmented and harder to recover).
  • The recovery software used - some tools are more powerful than others.

Recommended Data Recovery Software for Mac:

  1. Donemax Data Recovery for mac – A top-rated tool that offers a deep scan and file preview before recovery.
  2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Easy to use with a high recovery success rate.
  3. PhotoRec – A free, open-source recovery tool, but it lacks a graphical interface.
  4. R-Studio – Designed for professionals, offering extensive file recovery options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Data Using Donemax Data Recovery for Mac:

It is one of the best data recovery tools for macOS due to its intuitive interface and high success rate.

Step 1. Download and Install Donemax Data Recovery for Mac: Click on Download below to download Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, then install it on your Mac.

(Install the software by dragging it into the Applications folder.)

Step 2. Connect Your SD Card to Your Mac: Connect your SD card to your Mac by inserting it into a card reader.

Ensure your Mac recognizes the SD card by opening Disk Utility (Command + Space > search "Disk Utility").

Step 3. Launch Donemax Data Recovery and Select Your SD Card: Open Donemax Data Recovery for Mac and allow the necessary permissions. Locate your SD card in the list of available drives, select it to start data recovery.

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Step 4. Start Scanning for Lost Data: Click on Scan button to initiate a deep scan of the SD card. The scanning process may take several minutes to hours, depending on the card size and data complexity.

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Step 5. Preview Recoverable Files: Donemax Data Recovery for Mac will show a list of recoverable files after the scan is finished. You can preview images, documents, and videos to ensure they are intact.

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Step 6. Recover Your Files: Select the files you want to recover. Click Recover, and save them to a different location (not back onto the SD card, as this could overwrite lost data).

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Step 7. Safely Eject Your SD Card: Once recovery is complete, eject your SD card safely from Finder to avoid corruption.

What to Do If Recovery Software Fails?

  • Try a different tool like EaseUS or R-Studio.
  • Use PhotoRec if you prefer a free, command-line-based recovery method.
  • If your SD card is physically damaged, consider professional data recovery services, as software cannot fix hardware issues.

Using data recovery software is one of the most effective ways to restore lost files after formatting an SD card on Mac. However, to maximize your chances of success, avoid using the SD card immediately after formatting and recover files as soon as possible.

Preventative Measures for the Future: Avoid SD Card Data Loss

To avoid losing important data due to accidental formatting, consider these best practices:

1. Regular Backups

  • Use Time Machine or cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox) to back up critical files.
  • Copy important files to your Mac's internal storage before formatting an SD card.

2. Use Write Protection on SD Cards

  • Many SD cards have a lock switch that prevents data from being written or erased.
  • If you frequently use SD cards for important files, keeping them locked when not in use prevents accidental formatting.

3. Safely Format SD Cards

  • Instead of formatting directly from Finder, use Disk Utility and choose the correct file system (exFAT for larger files, FAT32 for compatibility).
  • Double-check that you have transferred all necessary files before formatting.

4. Use a Reliable SD Card

  • Some cheap or counterfeit SD cards can fail suddenly, leading to data loss.
  • Always buy SD cards from reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar.

Conclusion

Accidentally formatting an SD card on Mac doesn't necessarily mean all hope is lost. By acting quickly and using the right recovery methods, you can increase the chances of retrieving lost data. First, check macOS Trash and Time Machine backups if available. If that fails, data recovery software like Donemax Data Recovery for Mac offers a powerful way to scan and recover lost files. For those comfortable with macOS's Terminal, commands like diskutil and fsck can also help diagnose and possibly repair the card.

To avoid future issues, always back up important files, enable write protection, and format SD cards carefully. If all else fails, professional data recovery services may be your last resort. By following these steps, you can ensure your files are safe and recoverable even in the worst-case scenario.

FAQs About Unformatting SD Card on Mac

1. Is it possible to recover lost data after formatting an SD card on Mac?

Yes, the formatted data is not lost for good. With data recovery software, you can securely and completely recover lost data from an SD card even it is erased by Disk Utility.

2. How to unformat an SD card on Mac?

Follow these steps to unformat your SD card on Mac:

  • Download and install the SD card recovery software - Donemax Data Recovery for Mac.
  • Open Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, select the SD card to start data recovery.
  • Click on Scan button to deeply scan the formatted or erased SD card.
  • Preview and recover lost files after scanning.

3. What is the best data recovery software for SD card recovery on Mac?

There are many tools can help you unformat SD card on Mac, such as:

  • Donemax Data Recovery for Mac
  • PhotoRec
  • Do Your Data Recovery for Mac
  • Stellar Data Recovery for Mac
  • EaseUS Data Recovery for Mac
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Donemax Data Recovery for Mac

Donemax Data Recovery for Mac is one of the best Mac data recovery software. It is easy-to-use and can help in recovering deleted, formatted, inaccessible or lost data from Mac HDD/SSD, external disk, USB drive, SD card, camera or other storage devices.

Steven
Contributing Writer

Steven

Steven has been a senior writer & editor of Donemax software since 2020. He's a super nerd and can't imagine the life without a computer. Over 6 years of experience of writing technical solutions and software tesing, he is passionate about providing solutions and tips for Windows and Mac users.

Gerhard Chou
Editor in chief

Gerhard Chou

In order to effectively solve the problems for our customers, every article and troubleshooting solution published on our website has been strictly tested and practiced. Our editors love researching and using computers and testing software, and are willing to help computer users with their problems