10 Best SD Card Recovery Tools for Mac in 2024

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10 Best SD Card Recovery Tools for Mac in 2024

All top 10 SD card recovery software applications for Mac listed below can recover lost data from any SD card (full-size, microSD, etc.), but they don’t all deliver the same level of performance. The higher an application ranks on our list, the more reliable and recommendation-worthy it is.

Disk Drill for Mac

Best for: We recommend Disk Drill to Mac users who want a dependable solution without risking data loss with less capable SD card recovery tools.

Recovery speed: Average | File formats: 400+ | File systems: NTFS, NTFS5, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, EXT3/EXT4, HFS, HFS+, APFS | Developer: Cleverfiles | Requirements: macOS 10.11.6+

Overview:

Based on our experience and extensive testing, Disk Drill is the best SD card recovery software for Mac for five reasons:

1. Easy to use: From the moment you first launch Disk Drill, it’s clear that a lot of effort has been made to make it as accessible as possible. All options are clearly labeled, and you never have to wonder where to click next. This turns the otherwise stressful process of SD card recovery into an effortless and user-friendly experience.

2. Support for all commonly used SD cards: Disk Drill offers extensive support for a wide range of SD card types, including standard SD cards, microSD cards, SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) cards.

3. Extensive file system and file format support: Disk Drill can recover over 400 file formats from all file systems most macOS users will ever encounter. Regardless of whether your SD card is formatted using FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+, APFS, or EXT3/EXT4, you can be sure that Disk Drill will be able to scan it.

4. Developed by a reputable company: Disk Drill’s developers, Cleverfiles, have been in the data recovery business for years, and they’ve established themselves as leaders in their industry, so you can trust them to provide ongoing customer support and stand behind their product.

5. Not just for SD card recovery: In addition to SD cards, Disk Drill also supports recovery from other types of memory cards and devices. This includes Compact Flash (CF) cards, MMC (MultiMediaCard), as well as recovery from digital cameras, GoPros, smartphones, and even dashcams.

The combination of these five key strengths makes Disk Drill a top choice for both experienced and beginner Mac users looking for reliable SD card recovery. Beyond data recovery, Disk Drill also offers a collection of additional disk tools that help organize and protect your data, reducing the risk of future data loss. This well-rounded approach to data management and recovery is why Disk Drill stands out as our top recommendation.

Key features:

• Impressive device support, that extends beyond SD cards to other memory cards, digital cameras, and even iOS/Android devices.

• Offers additional disk tools designed to help organize and protect data, preventing data loss before it happens.

• Reputable developer with years of experience in the data recovery sector.

Pros:

• Broad memory card and device support

• Accessible to seasoned and inexperienced users alike

• Can handle virtually all data loss situations

• Raw photo/video support

• Developed by a reputable company

• Regular updates

• Comes with extra free disk tools

• Cross-platform scan sessions

• Fully compatible with the latest version of macOS Sequoia

Cons:

• No phone support

• Average recovery speed

Pricing plans:

• Disk Drill Basic: Free (preview and additional features available)

• Disk Drill Pro: $89.00

• Disk Drill Enterprise: $499.00

Free Download

2. R-Studio for Mac

Best for

R-Studio for Mac is primarily suited for tech-savvy users and professionals who can navigate its complex interface and leverage its advanced recovery features.

Recovery speed: Fast | File formats: Around 450 | File systems: NTFS, NTFS5, ReFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, HFS/HFS+, APFS, plus several Linux and Unix file systems | Developer: R-Tools Technology Inc. | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 and newer

Overview:

R-Studio is a true powerhouse in the data recovery field, offering advanced features like custom file format support, a built-in hex editor, and forensic mode—making it especially valuable for professional data recovery specialists. The software also allows you to create a byte-to-byte backup of your SD card before starting the recovery process, helping minimize the risk of permanent data loss in case of unexpected issues.

However, its advanced capabilities come with a learning curve. The interface can feel like a maze due to its outdated design and complex navigation. While scanning is fast, the preview and recovery steps may be slow and test your patience.

Another consideration is file format support: not all raw photo and video formats are supported by default. It’s a good idea to check R-Studio’s official website to confirm compatibility with the formats stored on your SD card. Standard image and video formats, such as JPG and AVI, are generally well-supported.

Key features:

• Advanced data recovery features (a built-in hex editor and the ability to add custom file signatures, appealing to data recovery professionals.)

• Offers Forensic mode ideal for systematic and detailed data recovery tasks.

• Support for complex scenarios of severely damaged or corrupted files effectively.

Pros:

• Supports all file systems used to format SD cards

• Can create byte-by-byte backups of memory cards before recovery

• Many professional features, including a hex editor

• Option to add custom file signatures

• Compatibility with older Macs

• Forensic Mode

Cons:

• Too confusing for beginners

• Outdated user interface with a number of usability issues

• Many raw photo and video file formats are not supported

• File previews are handled in a cumbersome manner

• Files can’t be recovered during a scan

• Recovery sessions can’t be saved for later

Pricing plans:

• R-Studio for Mac – $79.99

• R-Studio Corporate for Mac – $179.99

• R-Studio Technician – $899.00

• R-Studio T80+ for Mac – $80.00

Free Download

3. PhotoRec

Best for

PhotoRec is ideal for users who prefer open-source software and don’t mind a steeper learning curve to use a Mac data recovery tool developed without a profit motive.

Recovery speed: Slow | File formats: Nearly 500 | File systems: FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, HFS+ | Developer: Christophe Grenier | Requirements: Supports all recent versions of macOS

Overview:

PhotoRec is widely regarded as the best open-source SD card recovery software for Mac. Created by Christophe Grenier with contributions from volunteers worldwide, this powerful tool can recover nearly 500 file formats completely free of charge.

PhotoRec may seem intimidating at first because it runs entirely in Terminal and does not have a native graphical user interface. While there is a Qt-based GUI version called QPhotoRec, it lacks certain features, such as the ability to pause and resume recovery.

The installation on macOS can also be a bit tricky, as it requires installing Homebrew, a free and open-source package management system. However, overcoming these initial hurdles gives you access to a highly flexible, cost-free solution for SD card data recovery.

Key features:

• Free and open source. Developed by a community.

• Wide format support (capable of recovering almost 500 file formats.)

• Runs in the Terminal, which might appeal to users comfortable with command-line interfaces.

Pros:

• Completely free and open source

• Supports all recent versions of macOS

• Can recover almost 500 file formats

• Low resource usage

Cons:

• Lacks a graphical user interface

• Difficult to install

• Signature-only recovery

• Lacks additional functionality

Pricing plans:

• PhotoRec is completely free & open source

Free Download

User Reviews:

PhotoRec is considered a reliable open-source solution for recovering lost files from SD cards on Mac. Users praise its high recovery success rate, broad file format support, and thorough scanning capabilities. Despite its text-based interface, which can be challenging for less tech-savvy users, it is relatively straightforward to use. A common limitation is that recovered files often lose their original names, requiring extra effort to organize them after recovery.

“I let PhotoRec run through the card in ‘whole disk’ mode and took a nap. Two hours later, I woke up to find two new folders on my external hard drive (recupdir.1 and recupdir.2). They contained nearly every photo or video deleted from the SD card over the past month, including recently deleted ones! Hurray!!!” – Daniel Zuckerman, AlternativeTo.

“Recovered thousands of photos from an SD card that Recuva failed to recover. So far no issues, and TestDisk works great as well!” – Erin Vierday, AlternativeTo.

4. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac

Best for

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is ideal for users who value 24/7 live chat and email support and are willing to pay extra for premium assistance.

Recovery speed: Fast | File formats: 200+ | File systems: APFS, HFS/HFS+, NTFS/NTFS5, FAT/FAT32/exFAT | Developer: EaseUS | Requirements: macOS 15.0 ~ OS X 10.9

Overview:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is an excellent SD card recovery tool for users who appreciate the reliability and customer support that come with established software companies.

Purchasing EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and access to 24/7 live chat and email support. Note that lifetime upgrades require an additional purchase.

In terms of recovery performance, the software delivers on its promises, handling everything from a few lost photos to thousands of files with consistent results.

Key features:

• Offers 24/7 customer support (live chat and email support.)

• Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee with every purchase.

• Performs well in both minor and major data loss scenarios.

Pros:

• Developed by an established company

• Around-the-clock chat and email customer support

• The trial version can recover up to 2 GB of data

• Great data recovery results

• Supports the latest macOS Sequoia

Cons:

• Expensive paid version due to the subscription-based model

• Unlimited upgrades require a separate purchase

• Inaccurate time estimates

• No preview for large files

Pricing plans:

• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Trial: recover up to 2 GB of data for free

• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro: $89.95/month or $119.95/year

• Optional lifetime upgrades: $169.95

Free Download

Best for

Data Rescue for Mac is best suited for the few Mac users who primarily need to recover SD cards formatted with the HFS+ file system, as support for other file systems is limited.

Recovery speed: Moderate | Supported file systems: HFS, HFS+, APFS, NTFS, exFAT | File signatures: Around 150 | Developer: Prosoft Engineering, Inc. | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.12 or later

Overview:

Data Rescue for Mac is a long-standing data recovery solution capable of handling various data loss scenarios, including recovering files from SD cards on a Mac. The first version was released in 2002, and the company now operates its own data recovery service center in Livermore, California.

The software includes a built-in hex editor, allowing advanced users to analyze individual files—particularly useful when dealing with SD card corruption. It can also provide progress updates during recovery and alert you to bad sectors or other issues without requiring constant monitoring.

However, Data Rescue for Mac does not always live up to its professional-grade pricing. Its quick scan performance on FAT, FAT32, and exFAT partitions—common formats for SD cards—can be disappointing, limiting its effectiveness in some recovery scenarios.

Key features:

• Allows advanced users to analyze files at a binary level with a built-in hex editor.

• Keeps users informed about the recovery process with real-time recovery updates.

• A long-standing product with a history of reliability and legacy software support.

Pros:

• A hex editor for detailed file analysis

• Email notifications for scan progress

• Intuitive user interface with dark mode support

• Can specify the start point for targeted scanning

Cons:

• Poor support for commonly used file systems

• Requires constant internet connection for license validation

• The user interface might be considered outdated by some

• Higher price point with a subscription-based license model

• Doesn’t provide an estimated time for scans

• Infrequent updates

• Requires you to install a helper tool on your Mac

Pricing plans:

• Free trial available with up to 1GB data recovery (new users only)

• Standard License: $79 for 30 days of unlimited access

• Professional License: $399 for 1 year of unlimited access

Free Download

Best for

iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac is ideal for Mac users who don’t mind paying a premium for software that integrates seamlessly with their operating system.

Recovery speed: Average | File formats: 1,000+ | File systems: APFS, HFSX, HFS, HFS+, exFAT, FAT32 | Developer: iBoysoft | Requirements: OS X 10.7 or later

Overview:

iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac was among the first SD card recovery tools for Mac to achieve full compatibility with macOS Big Sur and Macs with the T2 security chip. Although many other Mac data recovery applications now support the latest systems, iBoysoft remains one of the top choices.

In addition to seamless macOS Big Sur compatibility, iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac can recover data from drives formatted with Disk Utility, as well as from storage devices corrupted by damaged partition tables, file system errors, or bad sectors.

The latest version supports recovery of over 1,000 file formats from a wide range of Mac-based storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, CF cards, digital cameras, USB flash drives, and SD cards.

Key features:

• Supports the latest macOS versions and Macs with the T2 security chip.

• Claims to recover over 1,000 file formats.

• Tailored for macOS with smoother operation and compatibility.

Pros:

• Compatibility with macOS Sequoia

• Polished user interface

• Takes up minimal space on your hard drive

• Effective scanners for common file systems

• Enables you to save scan sessions

Cons:

• Rather expensive

• No support for NTFS drives

• Limited preview options

• Overstated file type support

Pricing plans:

• Free trial: recover up to 1 GB for free

• 1-month: $89.95

• 1-year: $99.95

• Lifetime: $169.95

Free Download

Best for

FonePaw Data Recovery for Mac is ideal for Mac users who don’t primarily rely on Mac-specific file systems like APFS.

Recovery speed: Average | File formats: 500+ | File systems: NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, EXT | Developer: FonePaw | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.10 and above

Overview:

FonePaw Data Recovery for Mac is an affordable data recovery solution for Mac users, offering a recovery rate of around 90 percent.

It supports recovery of over 500 file formats, including images, videos, audio files, documents, archives, and emails, from NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT file systems. All storage devices recognized by macOS are supported, such as SD cards, hard drives, USB flash drives, and digital cameras.

The software provides two scanning modes: Quick Scan for fast, simple recoveries, and Deep Scan for more complex recovery tasks, such as permanently deleted files.

Key features:

• Supports the latest Mac device models after macOS 10.12.

• Claims to recover 1000+ file types like photos, emails, and videos.

• Features quick and deep scan options to suit different recovery needs.

Pros:

• Straightforward to use

• Responsive technical support

• Multi-Platform Support

Cons:

• Doesn’t support native Mac file systems

• Inaccurate time estimates

Pricing plans:

• Trial: free for 30 days

• One-Month License: $53.96 (on 1 Mac)

• One-Year License: 63.95 (on 1 Mac)

• Single-User License: $83.97 (on 1 Mac)

Free Download

Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery

Best for

Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is ideal for Mac users who want to recover a small number of files from an SD card while spending as little as possible.

Recovery speed: Slow | File formats: 50+ | File systems: HFS/HFS+, FAT, FAT32, NTFS, exFAT | Developer: Lazesoft | Requirements: Mac OS X 10.5 or later

Overview:

Who says the best SD card recovery software for Mac has to be expensive? Certainly not the developers of Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery, because this application is completely free and unlimited.

With Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery, you can recover an unlimited number of files from SD cards, internal and external hard drives, USB flash drives, and other storage devices.

Of course, you shouldn’t expect top-tier performance or a polished user interface at the unbeatable price of $0. Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery supports fewer than 100 file formats and has a dated design reminiscent of the early 2000s. But as the saying goes, you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Key features:

• Completely free to use without any data recovery limits.

• Versatile file system support: HFS, HFS+, HFSX, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5, EXFAT.

• Despite an outdated interface, it remains easy to use for non-tech-savvy users.

Pros:

• Completely free and unlimited

• Supports many file systems

• Accurate recovery chances estimation

Cons:

• Complicated source selection

• Can recover only around 50 file formats

• Doesn’t support the APFS file system

• Doesn’t support the newest macOS versions

• Outdated user interface

Pricing plans:

• Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is completely free and unlimited

Free Download

Best for

Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac is ideal for users who prefer simplicity over advanced features, even if it means sacrificing some functionality.

Recovery speed: Average | File formats: Around 200 | File systems: APFS, HFS, HFS+, exFAT, NTFS | Developer: Stellar | Requirements: macOS 10.11 and above

Overview:

Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac is frequently recommended as one of the best SD card recovery software solutions for Mac, and it’s not difficult to see why.

The application can recover deleted documents, photos, videos, audio, and other file formats from all kinds of storage devices with a few simple clicks, and it even features handy disk imaging, drive health monitoring, and cloning tools.

The more expensive editions of Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac can repair corrupted photos and videos, so you should definitely consider them if photo or video recovery is the reason why you’re reading this article.

Key features:

• Can repair corrupted photos and videos, adding value beyond simple recovery.

• Includes extra tools (disk imaging, drive health monitoring, and cloning tools.)

• Designed for easy use, which makes complex data recovery more accessible.

Pros:

• Photo and video repair capabilities

• Tried-and-tested solution

• Comes with extra disk tools

• ​​Can learn and recognize new file signatures

• Free Technical Support 24×5

• macOS Sequoia & M1, M2, M3 Compatible

Cons:

• Can be used only on a single system

• Slow previews

Pricing plans:

• Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac Trial: recover up to 1 GB of data for free

• Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac: $89.99 for 1 year or $149 for a lifetime license

• Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac Premium: $99.99 for 1 year or $199 for a lifetime license

• Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac Technician: $199 for 1 year or $399 for a lifetime license

Free Download

Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac

Best for

Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac is highly recommended for videographers who have lost important videos and want to recover them efficiently.

Recovery speed: Fast | File formats: 1,000+ | File systems: APFS, exFAT, FAT16, FAT32, HFS+, Encrypted HFS, HFSX, NTFS, ReFS, RAID, RAW, JFS, ext2, ext3, ext4 | Developer: Wondershare | Requirements: macOS 11 and older

Overview:

Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac is hands down our favorite video recovery software for macOS. That’s because it features Wondershare’s exclusive advanced video recovery technology with support for most commonly used file formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, M4A, ASF, MPEG, and MXF.

Unlike many other SD card recovery software applications for Mac, Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac can handle even video files that are heavily fragmented, partially damaged, and otherwise corrupted.

All this and more makes Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac perfect for avid videographers who are looking for the best way to recover lost video files from an SD card.

Key features:

• Specializes in recovering fragmented, damaged video files.

• Supports over 1,000 file formats, including popular and less common ones.

• User-centric design provides a straightforward and efficient recovery process.

Pros:

• Exclusive advanced video recovery technology

• Free trial to scan and preview lost data

• Modern interface

• High scanning speed

• Three-step video recovery process

• Supports macOS 15.0 Sequoia

Cons:

• Limited customization options

• Lost partitions are not labeled

• Exaggerated file format support claims

Pricing plans:

• Trial: recover up to 100 MB for free

• 1-month license: $75.99 (for 2 Macs)

• 1-year license: $79.99 (for 2 Macs)

• Perpetual License: $139.99 (for 2 Macs)

• For SMBs: $159.99/year (for 1 device)

Free Download