How to Recover Data from an SDHC Card on Mac and Windows?

Since the SDHC card has relatively a lot of storage space, it is often used to store large files. Here may belong photos and videos, especially for saving images on digital cameras. 

You can almost see any camera carrying an SDHC card. It’s no exaggeration to say that SDHC cards hold many meaningful memories.

Are you facing a situation where the SDHC card is damaged, and all files are gone? Don’t panic! You still have a good chance of getting them back. 

This article will describe all the ways how to quickly recover deleted or lost files from SDHC cards. Of course, this cannot guarantee 100% recovery of all SDHC data. However, you may be sure to restore all your files in a bundle with specific recovering software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional.

What Is SDHC? 

SDHC, or Secure Digital High Capacity, is an extension of the SD standard, which has a large storage capacity of up to 32GB. SDHC is physically and electrically identical to all known standard-capacity SD cards (SDSC). It’s equipped with solid-state electronic memory chips for reading and writing data.

Nevertheless, compared to the traditional standard SD card, SDHC can provide more space and speed up reading and writing data. The SDHC family includes SDHC, mini SDHC, and micro SDHC. They offer storage space from 4GB to 32GB. 

You can use an SDHC card to store all types of files, such as pictures, videos, songs, and various documents. Due to its large storage capacity is widely used on digital cameras, camcorders, computers, etc. You can easily find an SDHC card slot on many portable devices.

Reasons for Data Loss Of Secure Digital High Capacity

Since SDHC cards have a large storage capacity, they offer unique file storage security features. This can influence many people not to back up their data elsewhere. However, SD cards are also vulnerable, so it’s recommended to be careful not to lose your files.

There are 4 main types of SD card damage:

• Mechanical failures: The most common issue is when the SD card is physically damaged. Restoring an SD memory card with such an issue is impossible.
• Bad sectors: It occurs when the card is used incorrectly (removed when working with files, connected to an incompatible card reader) or when the memory card is simply worn out unsafe. Also, the appearance of bad sectors may indicate the use of an incompatible file system.
• Software issues: Most often implies damage to the MFT. This happens when the device is removed incorrectly (when reading information).
• Malware: If the card has got any kind of virus. 

Signs Of SDHC Damage

Key signs of Secure Digital High Capacity damage are 

• Saved documents do not open or are displayed with defects.
• SDHC is recognized by the operating system but impossible to be opened.
• SD is recognized in the system as an “Unknown Device.”
• It is impossible to copy information to a USB flash drive (or move it to a hard drive).
• The speed of reading the SDHC is unstable. 
• The operating system does not recognize the card; no response when it is plugged into the card reader.
• The memory card is impossible to format. It’s also impossible to upload information, but the available data can be opened and read.

How to Recover Data From Damaged SDHC?

If you have any problems mentioned above with SD, there are two possible ways to retrieve data from your Secure Digital High Capacity.

• Fix the SD.
• Get files back using restoring software.

Let’s talk about each of them in more detail.

Fix Damaged SDHC Physically

If the memory card isn’t recognized by the computer or displayed as an Unknow device, you are referring to a typical case of hardware failure. Such cases are typical cases, and recovering files from an SD card is quite a feasible task for specialists. So what do they do with your card?

• SD is demounted into parts
• Memory chips are eliminated
• After that, they are read out via specific applications
• Then the specialist performs a controller operation emulation
• Burning an image with data.

How to Recover Files From Damaged SDHC using Stellar Data Recovery?

Different situations require distinct solutions and requirements for recovering data from damaged SDHC. The most straightforward and universal method is to use specific multiplatform data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional. Its benefits are evident. 

Here are a few examples:

• It can recover almost any file type, including documents and videos.
• It recovers data from a crashed Mac or Windows PC.
• It recovers data from damaged or unbootable USB devices, hard drives, or solid-state drives (SSDs).
• It works with the most recent macOS and Windows versions.
• It is compatible with Macs equipped with M1 processors.
• Let’s look at how Stellar Data Recovery Professional can help you recover lost files.

SDHC Card Recovery on Mac

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac.

2. Open Stellar Data Recovery Professional app > choose what files you want to recover > click Next.

3. Select where to recover from, (you need to connect the SD card to your Mac and select it).

4. When the scan is done, check the needed files to recover from the preview menu.

5. Click Recover.

SDHC Card Recovery on Windows

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows.

2. Select file types you want to recover. You may choose all files by the All Data option or check the boxes near the needed file types.

3. Choose the disk you want to recover files from (select the needed SD card).

4. After the scan is over, choose the needed files to recover from the preview menu.

5. Click Recover.

Wrapping Up

In this guide, we described data recovery from SDHC. Now you know why you may lose your files from Secure Digital High Capacity and how the problem may look.  We recommend easy-to-use and professional SDHC data recovery to help you recover deleted/lost files from your memory card.

Read more:

• Fast and Easy Ways to Fix “SD card won’t Mount or Recognized” Error
• How To Fix “Failed To Load Photo In SD Card” Error?
• SD Card/USB Drive/Pen Drive Shows 0 Bytes Error

Was this article helpful?

YES0

NO

About The Author

Ruslana Lishchuk

Ruslana is a tech content writer whose true passion is finding out about everything Mac-related. She specializes in creating macOS guides and tips & tricks. In her spare time, you’ll find her doing yoga or discovering local coffee shops in search of the best filter coffee.