How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card on Mac?

Memory Cards
1

I have an SD card that got corrupted after an interrupted file transfer on my Mac. I really need the files back. How can I fix it? Any help or software recommendations would be appreciated.

2

I had a similar issue with my SD card on Mac, and I managed to fix it without losing any data. Here’s what you can try:

  1. Use Disk Utility: Open Disk Utility on your Mac. Select your corrupted SD card from the sidebar, then click on ‘First Aid.’ This function checks the disk for errors and attempts to repair it. It might take a bit of time, but it’s often effective.

  2. If Disk Utility doesn’t solve the problem, try a recovery tool like Disk Drill for Mac. It’s designed to recover lost files from corrupted storage devices. I’ve found it incredibly user-friendly and effective in rescuing data that seemed lost forever. Here’s a quick guide:

    • Download and install Disk Drill for Mac.
    • Insert your SD card and open the software.
    • Select the SD card from the list of available drives.
    • Click ‘Recover’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Disk Drill has a high success rate for recovering files from corrupted SD cards, and the best part is you can preview the files before actually recovering them, which ensures you’re getting the right data back.

  1. Terminal Commands: If you’re comfortable using Terminal, you can try out some commands to repair the SD card. Here’s a simple one:

    sudo diskutil repairDisk /dev/disk2

    Replace /dev/disk2 with the actual path of your SD card, which you can find in Disk Utility under the ‘Info’ tab.

  2. Professional Help: If these methods don’t work, consider consulting a professional data recovery service. It’s a bit more expensive, but you should rely on them for critical data.

For more detailed steps on using Disk Utility’s First Aid, you can refer to the official guide here: ‘First Aid guide’.

Hope these solutions help! Let us know how it goes, and feel free to ask more questions if you run into issues.

3

Hey @codecrafter, some great tips there! However, I have had a slightly different experience and found a few other methods useful that might save your data without getting too technical or reliant on a single software. Here’s what worked for me in the past:

  1. Reformat with ExFAT: Before jumping on recovery tools, sometimes a simple reformat solves the issue and then you can attempt data recovery. Use Disk Utility to reformat the SD card to ExFAT (make sure you’ve tried backing up what you can first). After reformatting, use recovery tools like Disk Drill for Mac to get your files back. You’d be surprised how many files it can recover even after reformatting.

  2. Check for Physical Damage: Sometimes, the problem might be a hardware issue rather than software corruption. Try using a different card reader or inserting the SD card into another device to rule out a faulty card reader on your Mac.

  3. File Salvage Tools: Besides Disk Drill, another solid tool is PhotoRec. It’s free and open-source, which can be a great alternative if you want to keep costs down. Although its interface is not as polished as Disk Drill, it’s effective in many cases.

  4. Using FSCK command in Terminal: For those who are more comfortable with Terminal (and if Disk Utility fails), the FSCK command can sometimes do wonders. Here’s a command you can run, make sure your SD card is unmounted first.

    sudo fsck_hfs -r -d /dev/disk2

    Again, replace /dev/disk2 with your actual disk identifier.

  5. Recovery Specialists: If none of these methods work, seeking help from professional recovery services like DriveSavers might be necessary. Yes, it’s expensive, but worth it for irreplaceable data.

Lastly, prevention is key. Always ensure you safely eject your SD card before removing it and consider regular backups to avoid such heart-stopping moments in the future.

For a more detailed walkthrough, you can check this article. It offers comprehensive steps on tackling these issues on a Mac.

Good luck, and I hope you get your data back soon! Feel free to reach out if you hit any other roadblocks.

4

Hey folks, been through the SF valley of corrupted SD cards myself numerous times. While @nachtdromer and @codecrafter shared some stellar tips, especially about Disk Drill for Mac, I’d like to toss in some additional suggestions and alternate approaches.

  • Try a Different Mac or Reader: Before diving into software solutions, test your SD card on a different Mac or an entirely different card reader. Tech quirks can sometimes be device-specific, and this simple step might save you loads of time and effort.

  • Backup Before Recovery: Guess this is the standard, but many users overlook it – try to create an image or backup of your corrupted SD card before attempting any repairs. Apple’s dd command in the Terminal is great for this:

    sudo dd if=/dev/[SOURCE_DISK] of=~/Desktop/sdcard_backup.img

  • DiskWarrior: I’ve found that besides Disk Drill for Mac, DiskWarrior can be quite the knight in shining armor for Mac users. However, it’s on the pricey side and might not be for everyone, but it’s worth a shot if other methods fail.

  • Reformatting: While @nachtdromer mentioned reformatting with ExFAT as a precursor, I have to stress: Always attempt data recovery first before reformatting. Reformatting, even to ExFAT, can sometimes lead to irreversible data loss for certain files, especially if the corruption is severe.

  • PhotoRec: While it’s not as polished and user-friendly as Disk Drill for Mac, its open-source nature and cost-free benefit (if you’re budget-conscious) can be a lifesaver. Just be prepared for a less streamlined experience.

Pros of Disk Drill for Mac:

  • Great User Interface: Easy to navigate.
  • Preview Feature: Allows you to see files before recovery.
  • High Success Rate: Reliable in many use cases.

Cons of Disk Drill for Mac:

  • Costly: Can be a bit expensive, especially for those on a tight budget.
  • Requires Installation: Some users prefer no-download solutions for quick fixes.

Remember, multiple tools can cover different needs. However, if you are to go with Disk Drill, @codecrafter’s guide is a solid starting point. On the more technical side, if both Disk Utility and fsck_hfs fail, creating a disk image and working from there can sometimes yield better outcomes than working directly on the corrupted SD card.

Stay cool and good luck with your recovery journey!