Top 10 SD Card Data Recovery Software Mac (Fast, Safe, & Tested)

Losing files from an SD card can feel scary, but it is rarely the end of the story. I deal with SD card recovery on Mac all the time, and the real challenge is choosing the right tool when the internet is filled with hundreds of options.

I have tested and compared hundreds of SD card data recovery software for Mac, so you don’t have to waste time guessing or downloading random apps from online forums.

Whether your card was formatted, corrupted, or you accidentally deleted files. Let’s see what actually works, and I promise to help you recover all the important files from your SD card.

Quick Glance (If You’re in a Hurry)

• Best all-round choice: Disk Drill
• Best free SD card recovery for Mac: PhotoRec
• Best for Advanced or professional recoveries: R-Studio and UFS Explorer
• Beginner-friendly options: EaseUS, Disk Drill, and Recoverit

Top SD Card Recovery Software for Mac – Quick Comparison

Here is a simplified comparison of the 10 best recovery software for Mac, so you can quickly shortlist based on your budget:

Tool	Developer	Pricing	Free Version
Disk Drill	CleverFiles	$89	Yes (only scan and preview)
Stellar Data Recovery for Mac	Stellar	$59.99/yr (Standard), $89.99 (Professional), $99.99 (Premium)	1 GB free
R-Studio	R-Tools Technology Inc.	Starting at $79.99	Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard	EaseUS	$89.95/month, $119.95/year, and $169.95 for a lifetime	Yes (2 GB free)
PhotoRec	CGSecurity (open-source)	Free	Yes (unlimited)
UFS Explorer Professional Recovery	SysDev Laboratories	Starts at $679.95	Yes
Wondershare Recoverit	Wondershare	$84.99/month, $114.99/year, and $144.99 for a lifetime	Yes (100 MB)
DiskWarrior	Alsoft	$119.95 new; $59.95 upgrade	No
DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Recovery)	DMDE Software	Starts at $20/year	Yes
Data Rescue 6	Prosoft Engineering	$79 (Standard), $399 (Professional)	Yes

Best SD Card Data Recovery Software for Mac (Free & Paid)

After testing multiple paid and free SD Card Data Recovery Mac tools across real-world scenarios, my team and I shortlisted the 10 most reliable software. 

These options work for everything, from recovering deleted photos from SD cards to fixing corrupted or formatted SD cards. So, just go through them (the list is in no particular order) and pick the one that suits your requirements and budget.

Disk Drill is my personal favorite; I use it for most of my data recoveries. It is one of the most recommended SD card data recovery software for MacBook and Windows as well. It balances powerful scanning with a clean and beginner-friendly interface. 

Disk Drill works with all the common SD card file systems (APFS, HFS+, exFAT, FAT32) and can recover almost every file type, like photos, videos, documents, RAW images, and even large projects.

It also offers you ‘Byte-to-Byte Backup’, which creates a full copy of your SD card before scanning. This keeps your original card safe while the app works on the clone. Additionally, it comes with numerous useful extras, including disk health tracking, duplicate file finder, and cleanup tools, making it more than just a recovery tool.

Stellar is known for its powerful deep scans and ability to recover hundreds of file formats. It can restore documents, emails, photos, videos, and more from cards and USBs.

The standout feature of Stellar SD File Recovery Mac is that it can recover data from a non-booting Mac as well, which is not offered by most tools in the market. You can even create a full disk image if your SD card or drive is failing.

Next on the list is R-Studio, one of the most powerful SD card recovery software for Mac. It is made for advanced users and professionals. If you are a photographer, IT technician, or someone who deals with damaged or complex SD cards, this tool gives you full control.

R-Studio supports targeted scans, custom file types, RAID recovery, and even remote network recovery. The only downside is that if you are a beginner, this may feel a bit overwhelming due to its text-heavy interface.

EaseUS is another popular choice for Mac users who want a simple recovery tool that works quickly. You get up to 2 GB of free recovery, which is enough for light use, like retrieving documents or a small number of photos.

The interface is clean and designed for non-technical users. EaseUS also works with formatted cards and supports Time Machine data backup, which is helpful if macOS backup files get corrupted. While testing, I found that one underrated advantage is that it allows file recovery while the scan is still running, which can save you a lot of time.

Looking for a reliable SD Card Recovery Mac Freeware? PhotoRec is completely free, open-source, and surprisingly powerful. If you are comfortable with technical tools or don’t mind a learning curve, this app can recover a lot, even from formatted cards.  

It does not rely on the file system structure. Instead, it detects file signatures directly, making it great for RAW media recovery. Although improvement is required in the outdated interface and generic file names.

UFS Explorer is designed with business and IT teams in mind. It supports fast recovery, encrypted disks, and complex file systems. So, if you are dealing with professional workflows, this software offers more control than most tools in the market.

Recoverit can be a great macOS SD card recovery option if you want to recover photos or videos, especially corrupted ones. It has a dedicated video recovery and repair module that works surprisingly well for damaged clips.

You can run a quick scan, a deep scan, or save recovered files directly to NAS or cloud storage. And, the interface is also very clean and straightforward. However, creating a bootable USB drive was not that smooth for me.

DiskWarrior is a unique tool in this list. It focuses on repairing damaged directories instead of just file-level recovery. If your SD card on a Mac suddenly becomes unreadable, it can help you rebuild the directory structure and make the drive accessible again. It is trusted by many experts, and one of the standout features of the software is that it warns you about potential disk failure.

DMDE is another good tool with deeper controls for Mac recovery. It has a disk editor, partition manager, and RAID recovery options. It allows you to recover almost all types of files, and you can even clone the entire disk. So, if you want something technical and hands-on, it is a solid option.

Data Rescue 6 is built for everyday users who want something easy and stress-free. It offers quick and deep scans, allows you to clone weak drives, and supports Time Machine backups. And the layout is pretty clean and simple. What’s even better is that you can easily switch between internal and external drives.

How to Use SD Card Data Recovery Software on macOS?

Now you know your options for paid and free SD card recovery software for Mac. To give you some idea, I will walk you through a general process, since the steps are similar across most Mac recovery tools.

1. Start by downloading the software of your choice from its official site and installing it like any normal app.

2. Now, connect your SD, microSD, or any other memory card to the Mac.

3. Launch the data recovery software and select your SD card from the list of storage devices.

   

4. Next, look for the option to start scanning. Most tools will show you real-time progress and the estimated time remaining.

5. After the scan, you can filter and sort the results to quickly find what you need.

6. Click on any file to preview and make sure it is recoverable.

7. Finally, just select the files, click on the Recover button, and choose a safe location on your Mac.

   

And that’s it, your deleted files are back. As a friend (and also as a professional), I would advise you to avoid saving restored files back to the same SD card.

What are the Key Features to Look for in an SD Card Recovery Tool for Mac?

I have worked with numerous recovery tools for different operating systems. Not all recovery tools are equal. I have tried to include 10 software that can cater to a diverse range of needs and people. 

But how would you know which is the best Mac SD card data recovery software for you? Here’s a quick and expert-backed checklist to help you choose the right software:

1. Performance: A good software should be able to handle different data loss scenarios while maintaining high recovery success rates. Look for something that can offer fast and efficient scanning.
   
2. Compatibility: Make sure the software supports your macOS version, SD card formats (like exFAT, FAT32, APFS, HFS+, etc.), and common photo/video formats.
   
3. Value for Money: The ideal Mac SD Card Recovery tool is the one where the features justify the price. In my experience, not all cheap tools are reliable, and expensive ones are not always necessary.
   
4. Interface and User Experience: Data recovery can be technical, so a clean user interface can make a big difference. It is crucial to choose according to your skill level.
   
5. Extra Features: Useful add-ons can significantly improve the recovery process and outcomes. Backup tools, disk cloning, preview options, and disk health monitoring are some useful extras.

If you can’t choose among a few options, take a quick look at user reviews. It might help you learn about the real-world strengths and weaknesses of the software.

How to Do Mac SD Card Recovery with Built-in Tools?

If you prefer not to use third-party apps, native macOS recovery tools may help you recover deleted files from your SD card. In most cases, you have 4 options:

1. Recover from the Trash

   Start by checking your Trash folder on Mac. When you delete files from an SD card connected to a Mac, they often move to the Trash instead of being permanently deleted.

   

   So, just open the Trash from the Dock and look for the deleted files. If you are able to locate them, right-click on the files and choose Put Back.

2. Recover SD Card Files Using Terminal

   Another SD card recovery software on Mac is Terminal. You can try searching for the lost data by using commands.

   

   Launch Terminal on your Mac, type ‘cd.Trash’, and press Enter. If you can see the file, you can restore the file by typing ‘mv filename ../’. Replace filename with the exact name of your deleted files, and your file will reappear in its original destination.

3. Restore from iCloud

   If iCloud Drive syncing was enabled on your device, your deleted SD card files may still be available online. So, go to iCloud.com, access your iCloud drive, and see if you can find the file you want. And, don’t forget to check the Recently Deleted folder.

4. Recover with Time Machine Backup

   If you regularly back up your Mac with Time Machine, first of all, you have my respect, and another good news is that you might find an older copy of your SD card files.

   Launch Time Machine, select the Browse Time Machine Backups option, and search for your deleted files. If available, just click on Restore and you won’t have to stress anymore.

However, if you are too late for the recovery using the built-in Mac tools, you will have to take the route of advanced third-party software.

Tips to Maximize SD Card Recovery on Mac and Prevent Data Loss

Okay, before I conclude things here, I want to emphasise the importance of good habits. When it comes to SD card recovery on Mac, timing and careful handling can make a huge difference.

So, here are the most effective tips to protect your data and improve your recovery success rate:

• Stop using the SD card immediately after you notice missing files or accidental formatting. Otherwise, you can overwrite your deleted data and make recovery impossible.

• Always eject the card properly to avoid sudden corruption.
  
• Start the recovery process as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of permanent data loss.
  
• If your card is showing errors or symptoms of corruption, create a full disk image first. This allows you to work on the copy while keeping your original data safe.
  
• Avoid using low-quality cards and readers. Poor hardware is one of the biggest causes of SD card damage.
  
• Use a protective case and keep the card away from water, heat, dust, and pressure.
  
• Always keep some free space on your card. Keeping 10-15% free helps in maintaining performance and reduces the chance of file system errors.
  
• Never remove your card or switch off your device while files are being transferred or copied.
  
• If you see any signs of a failing drive, like slow performance, missing thumbnails, or save errors, back up everything immediately.

If you follow these small but impactful practices, you will rarely face permanent data loss.

Final Thoughts

I have tried to share everything from my experience in a simple and precise form. And, I can confidently say that retrieving SD card files will be seamless if you sincerely follow the information provided in this guide.

With the right SD card data recovery software for Mac and a bit of caution, most files can be recovered easily. My personal favorites are Disk Drill, R-Studio, and PhotoRec. Choosing the one that fits your needs and acting fast is the key to successful recovery.