Restoring data from an SD card on Android involves several steps and considerations.
Types of Data on an SD Card
Media Files: These include photos, videos, and music. Photos are usually stored in formats like JPEG or PNG. Videos can be in MP4. AVI, etc., and music in MP3. FLAC, and other formats.
Documents: Word documents, PDFs, and text files are also commonly stored on SD cards. For example, a user might save a work report in DOCX format on the SD card.
App Data: Some apps allow you to store data such as game progress, downloaded maps (in navigation apps), or offline content on the SD card.
Pre -requisites
Check SD Card Compatibility: Ensure that your Android device supports the SD card you are using. Some newer Android models have limited or no support for external SD cards.
SD Card Reader: If you need to access the data on a computer, you'll need an SD card reader. Most laptops have built - in card readers, but if yours doesn't, you can buy an external USB - based card reader.
Method 1: Restoring Data to the Original Android Device
Insert the SD Card: Make sure your Android device is turned off. Insert the SD card into the appropriate slot. On some devices, you may need to remove the back cover or use a tray - like mechanism (similar to a SIM card tray).
Power on the Device: Turn on your Android device. The device should automatically detect the SD card. If it doesn't, you may need to go to the device's settings.
Settings Configuration: Navigate to "Settings" > "Storage" (the exact path may vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer). Look for the option related to the SD card, such as "Mount SD Card" or "External Storage." Tap on it to mount the card.
Accessing the Data: Once the SD card is mounted, you can access the data through the appropriate apps. For example, to view photos, you can open the Gallery app. The Gallery should automatically scan and display the photos stored on the SD card. Similarly, for documents, you can use a file manager app (many Android devices come with a pre - installed file manager) to navigate to the SD card's folders and open the documents.
Method 2: Restoring Data to a New Android Device
Insert the SD Card: Just like with the original device, insert the SD card into the new Android device after it's turned off.
Formatting Considerations: If the SD card was previously used with another device and formatted in a way that's not recognized by the new device, you might need to reformat it. However, be careful, as reformatting will erase all the data on the card. So, it's best to first try to access the data without formatting.
Data Transfer: Some Android devices have a built - in data transfer or backup/restore feature. For example, during the initial setup of a new device, it may ask if you want to transfer data from an external source like an SD card. Follow the on - screen instructions to complete the transfer.
Manual Data Transfer: If there's no built - in transfer option, you can use a file manager app. Install a reliable file manager (such as ES File Explorer) on the new device. Open the file manager and navigate to the SD card's folders. Then, you can copy and paste the data to the appropriate folders on the new device's internal storage or other storage locations.
Recovering Deleted Data from an SD Card
Stop Using the SD Card Immediately: When you realize data has been deleted, the first step is to stop using the SD card. Every time you write new data to the card, there's a risk of overwriting the deleted data, making it more difficult or even impossible to recover.
Use Data Recovery Software: There are several data recovery apps available for Android. Some popular ones include DiskDigger and EaseUS MobiSaver.
Install and Run the Recovery App: Download and install the recovery app from the Google Play Store. Open the app and follow the on - screen instructions. The app will usually scan the SD card for deleted data. The scanning process may take some time, depending on the size of the SD card and the amount of data that was deleted.
Recover the Data: Once the scan is complete, the app will display a list of recoverable data. You can select the data you want to recover and follow the app's instructions to save it to a safe location, such as the device's internal storage or another external storage device.
Troubleshooting
SD Card Not Detected: If your Android device doesn't detect the SD card, try cleaning the card's contacts with a soft, dry cloth. Also, check if the card is inserted correctly. Another possibility is that the SD card is damaged. You can try inserting it into another device (such as a computer with an SD card reader) to see if it's recognized.
Corrupted Data: If the data on the SD card appears to be corrupted, you can try using a data repair tool. For media files, some photo and video editing apps have built - in repair functions. For documents, you may need to try opening them in a different app or using a document repair tool.
Slow Data Transfer: If the process of restoring or accessing data from the SD card is slow, it could be due to a slow SD card speed. Class 2 SD cards are slower than Class 10 cards. Also, if your device's SD card slot or the card reader (if you're using one on a computer) has a problem, it can affect the transfer speed.
