Can I recover SD card data online? It is the first reaction of most people when their precious photos, videos, or other files are accidentally lost from their memory card. However, in this era of the artificial intelligence explosion, is there such a service? In this article, we will analyze it in depth and provide an effective and free solution that can help you retrieve your seemingly lost data even if your SD card is corrupted.
It should be a service based on the web for recovering lost or deleted files from SD cards and have the following features:
🆓 Like most online image conversion or document repair services, it's free and works on all operating systems (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
🛜 Like we browse the web, data recovery can be easily done without downloading and installing any software.
🌍 We can access this service anytime as long as there is an internet connection.
Does Such the Service Really Exist?
At first glance, it seems perfect! If it did exist, I don't think anyone could resist it, right? Unfortunately, there is no such service currently for the following reasons.
Technical Constraints
Other online tools are based on the provider's servers to handle virtual digital files. Although transferring these files is as simple as sending an e-mail, it is obviously impossible with memory cards that have physical characteristics.
Risk of Permanent Data Loss
Since transferring an SD card directly is impossible, is it possible to implant a specific program to access the hardware device and realize online data recovery? For this point, it is currently possible. However, this may also corrupt the lost data, causing you to lose them forever.
Why?
When file is deleted or formatted, the data itself is not removed from the memory card. Still it references in the directory structure are deleted, and the sector where the data is located is marked as blank for other files. If the items associated with the online service happen to be saved in this area, then your lost data will be overwritten and cannot be recovered.
Possibility of Privacy Leakage
The data in the memory card may be related to personal privacy or trade secrets. If you try for SD card recovery online free, the recoverable files will be transferred over the network, which will likely be intercepted by hackers or unauthorized access.
Aren't you a little disappointed when you learn about these reasons? Don't worry; here are the alternatives you can try.
Best SD Card Recovery Online Free Alternatives for Windows and Mac to Recover Your Data
There are many free software alternatives to such online solutions for mainstream desktop systems. However, finding an easy-to-use and powerful one is not so easy. To help you find deleted or lost files as soon as possible, we recommend you use iBeesoft Free Data Recovery. Why is it? Here are the reasons:
Best Windows and Mac SD Memory Card Recovery Tool
★★★★★ (Score 4.7 by 1695 Users)
Multiple scanning algorithms for different digital devices, such as Canon, Nikon, Leica, GoPro, DJI, etc., to get the best recovery results.
Applies to almost all file loss scenarios, even if your SD card is corrupted.
Built-in a user interface similar to File Explorer or Finder to complete data recovery in just a few clicks.
Even if corruption occurs during file loss, it can repair these errors.
How to Restore Deleted or Lost Files from a Memory Card Online in Windows 12/11/10:
Use a card reader to connect it to a Windows PC.
Download and install iBeesoft Data Recovery. It provides more than twenty languages; you can choose the corresponding one in the first interface.
After launching it, please click "Settings" at the bottom of the page to cancel the file types you don't need to recover to speed up the scanning process.
Select your card in the external device list and click "Scan."
Click the "Deleted Files" or "Other Lost Folders" folder on the left side of the page to view the recoverable files. Here, you can click the "Preview" button on the right side of the page to view the complete contents.
Select the needed files, then click the "Recover" button on the bottom right of the page to save them.
How to Recover Data from an SD Card Online on Mac:
Connect the memory card to the Mac after installing iBeesoft Data Recovery.
On the main page, select your SD card and click "Search Lost Files" at the bottom right of the page.
After finishing the scanning, find your lost files by "Path" and "Type" on the left side of the page. Double-click it; you can also preview it.
Click the checkboxes in front of the files to select the ones you want to restore, then click "Recover" to choose a location to save them in the dialog box.
Best SD Card Recovery Online Alternatives for Android to Retrieve Lost Files
For Android users, DiskDigger is the best free alternative. It is highly compatible and offers two scanning modes for many data loss scenarios. Most importantly, it does not require Root to complete the process. Here are the detailed steps to use DiskDigger.
How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos from SD Card Online on Android:
Open Google Play and type "DiskDigger" in the search.
Once you find it, click Download and install it on your Android phone.
Launch it and click "Basic Scan." To retrieve videos, follow the prompts to grant DiskDigger root access rights.
Select the type of lost files and click "OK."
When the scan is finished, please select the data you want to restore and save them in a safe place.
Other Five Alternatives for Online Memory Card Recovery
Even the best tools are not sure to be 100% effective. Use the following five fallback options when our recommended alternatives don't help you.
#1 Disk Drill (Windows and Mac)
It is a comprehensive data recovery solution and integrates multiple useful tools, such as data protection and backup. Despite the limitations of the free version of Disk Drill, it was able to handle most cases of file loss efficiently in our tests.
Advantages and disadvantages:
The operation method is simple and requires no technical experience.
It also works on other storage devices in addition to memory cards.
No deep scanning option.
Only 500M data can be recovered from the SD card for free.
#2. All Recovery (Only Android)
Are you unfamiliar with All Recovery? The AI Photo Team developed it. As the second "SD Card Recovery Online Free" alternative on Android, it is very easy to use and effective, as officially advertised.
Advantages and disadvantages:
It can also remove duplicates of photos, videos, and music.
Separate recovery modules for different file types.
Network support is required for some functions.
Advertisements appear while using it.
#3 Recuva (Only Windows)
It is one of our favorite recovery tools. With its built-in wizard mode, you can find lost files with just a few clicks. The only regret is that Recuva is only available for Windows.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Recover data from the memory card completely free of charge.
Marking the status of files to help us quickly verify validity.
Lack of advanced features.
No automatic update.
# 4 TestDisk (Windows, Mac, and Linux)
As an open-source tool, TestDisk not only deals with data loss files but also repairs damaged memory cards. Although its interface is not as friendly as similar programs, you can consider TestDisk as an alternative for online SD card recovery if you have some computer skills.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Consumes very few system resources.
Fast scanning speed.
No preview option.
Can't selectively recover files.
#5 FreeUndelete (Only Windows)
Although this is the last alternative solution in this list, please don't question its effectiveness. As the name suggests, it has a very high success rate in recovering deleted data on the memory card.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Easy to use.
Real-time file filtering.
Configuration is a bit difficult for some users who need to scan for specific file types.
EXPAND: How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card Without Losing Data or Formatting It
Memory card malfunctioning can equally result in us being unable to access the files in it. If you are thus looking for SD card recovery online free solutions for this reason, the following methods can troubleshoot the SD card without losing data or formatting it.
For Windows PC:
#1. Using the Error Checking Option
Find the corrupted memory card in File Explorer, right-click, and choose "Properties."
Switch to the "Tools" tab, then click "Check" under the "Error Checking" option.
Click on "Scan and Repair Drive" and select "Repair Now" or "Repair on Next Reboot," depending on your need.
#2 Using CMD Commands
Type "CMD" in the search box at the bottom of the screen and click on Command Prompt in the result list.
Type "chkdsk #:/f" (replace # with the drive letter of your SD card).
Open the Finder and click Applications on the left.
Open the Utilities folder and select Disk Utilities.
Select the malfunctioning SD card in the sidebar and click "First Aid."
Click "Run" in the dialog box to fix the error.
Tips on How to Avoid Memory Card Failure and File Loss
📤 To prevent a recurrence of the disaster, periodically back up pictures, videos, or other files to another storage device or cloud storage.
⏏️ When you need to remove the memory card, make sure the file transfer is complete, and then use the Eject option.
🔍 Before formatting the card, check if you have transferred or backed up valuable files.
⛔ When you realize that the data in the memory card is lost, stop using it immediately to avoid overwriting it.
Conclusion
Although no service like "SD Card Recovery Online Free" is available now, you can still get back your lost files by using our alternatives. In addition, you can follow our tips to prevent this situation from happening again.
Finally, with the continuous development of technology, we look forward to the emergence of such online services that will bring convenience to our lives and work.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is feasible when you have a backup. In addition, you can use a tool like iBeesoft Data Recovery or a professional human service.
Error messages when accessing the SD card or files, slow reading and writing speeds, not being recognized by the computer, and more. When these symptoms appear, stop using it immediately to prevent further damage. Before attempting to repair it, use data recovery software for Windows or Mac to extract files from it.
When you are in such a situation, and the files are critical, trying to contact a data recovery service will be your last option. To do so, you may have to pay a high fee.
Honestly, it depends on your data loss scenario. Here is a list of SD card recovery tools for Mac and Windows. You can check their pros, cons, and limitations to choose the right one.