SanDisk file recovery applies to the entire product line — Ultra SD cards, Extreme portable SSDs, Ultra USB flash drives, and iXpand iPhone drives. The recovery method varies by product type but the core principle is the same: stop using the device and scan before new data overwrites deleted files.
Part 1. SanDisk Product Types and Recovery Approach
| SanDisk Product | File System | Connection | Recovery Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD / microSD (Ultra, Extreme) | FAT32 / exFAT | Card reader | Photo recovery software |
| USB flash drive (Ultra, Cruzer) | FAT32 / exFAT / NTFS | USB | Recuva or Ritridata |
| Extreme Portable SSD | exFAT / NTFS | USB-C | Recovery software |
| iXpand (Lightning / USB-C) | exFAT | Lightning/USB | Recovery software via adapter |
⚠️ Important: Do not use RescuePRO (the SanDisk-bundled recovery tool) as your only option — it has a limited file type recovery list and a small free tier. Third-party tools like Recuva (free) and Ritridata recover a broader range of file types.
Part 2. SanDisk SD Card Recovery — Stop Shooting First
For SanDisk SD cards from cameras:
- Remove the SD card from the camera immediately
- Do not take any more photos
- Connect via a USB card reader to your computer
- Run recovery software in deep scan mode
💡 Tip: SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro SD cards are used in high-speed cameras that write large RAW files quickly. A single burst of 10 RAW files at 40 MB each = 400 MB of new data that could overwrite deleted images. Remove the card before you review any more shots.
Part 3. SanDisk USB Drive Recovery
For accidentally deleted files on a SanDisk USB flash drive:
Free — Recuva (Windows):
- Install on your PC (not the SanDisk drive)
- Select the SanDisk drive letter
- Quick scan for recent deletions, deep scan for formatted drives
For Mac — PhotoRec:
- Install via Homebrew:
brew install testdisk - Run
photorecand select the SanDisk drive
🗣️ r/datarecovery user: "SanDisk Ultra flash drive formatted by accident — had 5 years of documents on it. Recuva deep scan found 98% of files intact. The 2% lost were in the sectors used by the 3 new files I copied before realizing the mistake."
Part 4. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Recovery
The SanDisk Extreme SSD uses NVMe storage inside a USB enclosure. Recovery works the same as any USB-connected drive, but TRIM is active — deleted files may be cleared faster than on HDDs:
- Stop using the SSD immediately
- Connect via USB-C to computer
- Run deep scan recovery software promptly — TRIM may clear deleted sectors within hours
🗣️ r/techsupport warning: "SanDisk Extreme SSD recovery is time-sensitive — it's an NVMe SSD inside and TRIM runs aggressively. Get recovery software running within an hour of deletion for best results."
Part 5. Recover Files From SanDisk Devices With Ritridata
Ritridata recovers files from SanDisk SD cards (with camera-specific algorithms for Canon, Nikon, Sony, DJI), USB flash drives, and external SSDs on both Windows and Mac.
Step 1 — Connect the SanDisk device and select it from the list
Step 2 — Run a scan appropriate to your scenario (quick or deep)
Step 3 — Preview and recover files to a different drive
FAQ
Does SanDisk have its own recovery software? SanDisk bundles RescuePRO with some products — it's a basic recovery tool. For more comprehensive recovery (especially RAW photos), third-party tools recover more file types and formats.
Can I recover photos from a SanDisk SD card I already formatted? After quick format (the default in cameras), yes — the image data remains in sectors. Deep scan recovery software can find photos even after formatting. Act before taking new photos.
How long does SanDisk SD card recovery take? A 64 GB card takes 15–60 minutes to deep scan depending on card speed and software. SanDisk Extreme cards (fast UHS-I or UHS-II) scan faster than slower budget cards.
Is SanDisk file recovery different from other brands? No — SanDisk uses standard FAT32 and exFAT file systems. Recovery works identically to Lexar, Kingston, or Samsung cards. Brand doesn't affect recovery software compatibility.