Accidentally formatting your memory card, when you are on a trip, can feel like a disaster.
When you format your SD card, everything stored on it – like travel photos, wildlife shots, and precious memories – gets deleted.
But all is not lost. You can recover your photos with photo recovery software.
I lost most of my photos from Georgia, Southeastern Turkey and Syria in 2010. Absolutely gutted.
I just wish that this technology had been available back then.
Your lost data may appear permanently deleted, but the good news is that formatting does not always permanently erase your data.
In some cases, your deleted photos and videos are still recoverable unless they have been overwritten by new files or the card is physically damaged.
This guide explains different methods on what to do when you accidentally format your memory card during a trip and how to recover your lost photos and videos using safe techniques. Let’s get started!
What Happens When You Format a Memory Card?
Before jumping to adequate recovery workarounds, it’s important to understand what formatting a Memory card actually does. When a memory card is formatted, the operating system removes existing file references and creates a new storage structure, making the card appear empty and ready for new data.
Although it seems like your files and folders are permanently lost, in most cases, the actual data remains on the card until new files overwrite it – especially if it was a quick format. That’s why recovery is somehow possible even after formatting.
Formatting is mainly done in two ways, namely:
- Quick Format: It deletes only the file index or directory structure. When your SD card is formatted using quick formatting, actual photos, videos, and files remain stored in memory blocks.
- Deep/Full Format: It erases the file directory and overwrites storage blocks. Data recovery takes longer than quick formatting.
Prerequisites for Data Recovery from Formatted Memory Card
When you find your memory card is formatted during a trip and you need to restore its stored photos and videos, it’s important to consider the steps below:
1. Avoid Saving New Files on the Card
Immediately stop recording, saving new photos/videos, or copying anything on your memory card. Every newly saved photo or video creates new data blocks that can overwrite the hidden existing files and make the recovery of deleted files complex. So:
- Don’t save any pictures or videos on your memory card.
- Remove the memory card from your device and store it safely.
This can significantly increase the success rate of your lost file recovery
2. Avoid Performing Further Formatting
Some of you must think to retry formatting or attempt to “fix” the card using random settings. Repeated formatting makes recovery complex. If you get the “Memory card must be formatted before use” message, remove the card and continue recovery attempts later on your device.
Quick Methods to Recover Photos From an Accidentally Formatted Memory Card
Now that you’ve completed the necessary prerequisites for smooth data recovery from your accidentally formatted memory card, it’s time to move forward with the recovery process.
Follow the methods below one by one to restore your deleted photos
Method 01: Try Professional Photo Recovery Software
Let’s begin with the simplest approach. If you find your memory card is formatted during a trip and you need a direct shortcut to recover your deleted photos, professional photo recovery software like Stellar Photo Recovery can be the best method. This all-in-one photo recovery software allows you to restore deleted photos, videos, and audio files of various file formats.
Along with formatting, the Stellar Photo Recovery software allows you to recover files deleted due to accidental deletion, system error, corruption, virus attack, and other reasons. It also allows you to recover lost RAW image files of popular camera brands. The preview functionality of this software lets you preview the recoverable files before saving them on your PC.
Here’s how to recover deleted photos from your formatted memory card using the Stellar Photo Recovery software:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Photo Recovery software on your Windows or macOS computer. Also, connect your memory card to that device.
Step 2: Launch the software and from the homepage, select Photos (or the type of file you need to restore) and click Next to continue.
Step 3: Now, choose the storage media, i.e., your formatted memory card where the deleted photo was earlier stored. Tap Scan and wait till the scanning process finishes.
Step 4: Once done, preview the recoverable photos and select everything you want to restore and click Recover to save them back to your device.
Note: Avoid saving the recovered files back to the same memory card, as it may overwrite remaining recoverable data and reduce future recovery chances.
Method 02: Recover Photos Using Cloud Backups
If you are good at maintaining regular backups of your important files, data recovery is often possible from there. Before trying advanced recovery methods, check whether your data exists in cloud backups like Google Photos, Google Drive, iCloud Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox.
Let’s check how to recover photos from an accidentally formatted memory card using Google Photos:
- Launch the Google Photos app on your device or visit the web version.
- Browse through your albums, timeline, or use the search bar to look for the deleted photos.
- If your deleted photos are not in the main gallery, go to the Trash/Bin section.
- Select the photos you want back and click Restore. This will save the restored images in your main gallery, synced folders, or backup devices.
Method 03: Check File History Backups
Along with cloud backups, you can check Windows’ in-built File History backup utility to restore your lost photos. If your memory card files were included in those backup folders (e.g., Pictures, Documents, or a manually added external drive), follow the below steps to restore them:
- Launch the Control Panel on your Windows PC, go to System and Security > File History.
- Click Restore personal files to preview backed-up folders
- Browse through folders such as Pictures to find your deleted photos.
- Find the photos you want and click the Restore button to save them to your device.
FAQs Travellers Ask After Formatting Cards
Can I recover deleted photos without backups?
Yes, third-party photo recovery software tools like Stellar Photo Recovery can help you recover deleted photos, videos and audio files even without any backup.
How long does it take to recover photos using Stellar Photo Recovery software?
The exact duration to restore your lost photos depends on the card size and data volume. The sooner you act, the easier it will be for you to restore your photos.
Is it safe to use the memory card after formatting?
No. Using it can overwrite the deleted photos, reducing or eliminating recovery chances. Avoid taking new pictures until recovery is completed.
Wrapping Up
Losing photos due to an accidentally formatted memory card during a trip not only destroys your mood but also deletes priceless memories you might not recreate, like my trip to Syria. Or imagine now, since I am a professional travel blogger. I simply can’t afford to lose my photos
If you ever find your photos missing, don’t worry. Go with the aforementioned photo recovery methods, such as checking in-built backup tools, cloud backups, etc., to recover deleted photos. If you don’t have any backup, try third-party photo recovery software such as Stellar Photo Recovery.
Moreover, consider preventive measures such as maintaining cloud backups, carrying extra memory cards, labelling them, and enabling auto-sync wherever possible to avoid such terrible instances on your trip.