How to Recover DCIM Folder from SD Card

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 | by Edwards

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Possible reasons for why and how DCIM folder lost
Can I recover DCIM folder from SD card?
How to recover DCIM folder from SD card?
Your Effective SD Card DCIM Folder Recovery Software
Step 1. Install SD card DCIM folder recovery program
Tips: how to keep DCIM folder safe?

If you're unable to find the DCIM folder on your SD card, try using a file recovery software like EaseUS MobiSaver or Disk Drill to scan the card for any deleted files. These tools can help you recover the DCIM folder and its contents, including photos and videos. Make sure to follow the software's instructions carefully to avoid overwriting any data on the card. Alternatively, you can also try using a card reader and connecting it to a computer to see if the folder appears there. If not, the software may be able to recover it for you.

If your DCIM folder on an SD card has disappeared, you can try using data recovery software to scan the SD card for deleted files, including those from the DCIM folder. This can help you recover your lost photos and videos. The process is similar on both Mac and Windows, and you can use software like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to scan the SD card and recover the files.

Possible reasons for why and how DCIM folder lost

When a pop-up asks you to format the SD card to fix the problem, you need to format it. This will cause the DCIM folder to disappear after formatting.
Accidental deletion of the DCIM folder on an SD card.
A virus infection can cause the DCIM folder to be quarantined by the security software, essentially isolating it from the rest of the system.
The SD card can become damaged or corrupted if it's removed abruptly from a phone, camera, or computer, leading to data loss. This can happen due to sudden power loss, physical shock, or software glitches. Additionally, accidental ejection of the SD card from a computer can also cause data loss.
I was in the middle of transferring a folder from my SD card to my computer when the system crashed, interrupting the process. This was frustrating because I didn't get to complete the transfer and now I have to start over.

Can I recover DCIM folder from SD card?

If you stop using the SD card and try to recover the DCIM folder quickly, you may be able to recover it. However, if you continue to use the card and miss the recovery opportunity, the data may be overwritten and lost permanently.

How to recover DCIM folder from SD card?

If the DCIM folder is lost from your SD card, you won't be able to see it, making manual recovery impossible. In this case, you'll need a professional DCIM data recovery software for SD card. You can search for such software online and I recommend trying Deep Data Recovery, which is specifically designed to recover data from SD cards, computers, and other external hard drives.

Your Effective SD Card DCIM Folder Recovery Software

(Trust Score 4.7 by 2693 Users)

This software is a professional yet affordable, easy-to-use tool that can undelete and unformat SD cards, allowing users to recover a wide range of data, including videos, pictures, documents, emails, audio files, and more.
The software supports recovering data lost due to various reasons such as formatting, deletion, virus attack, SD card removal, system crash, and more.
You can fully recover a DCIM folder from an SD card on both Windows and macOS systems.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

To recover the DCIM folder from an SD card using Deep Data Recovery, follow these steps. First, connect the SD card to your computer and launch the Deep Data Recovery software.

Step 1. Install SD card DCIM folder recovery program

Click the DOWNLOAD button to get the latest version of the DCIM folder recovery software. Install it on your Windows PC or Mac, depending on your computer's operating system. Once installed, connect the SD card to your computer, ensuring it's recognized as an external hard drive and displayed on your computer.

Step 2. Scan SD card

Launch the best SD card recovery software on your computer, select the SD card as the target hard drive, click "Scan", and let the software scan the content in your DCIM folder. The tool will only scan for files in the DCIM folder, not the DCIM itself.

Step 3. Recover DCIM folder from SD card

After initiating the software, it may take a bit longer for it to stop the SD card for the DCIM folder, especially if the file size is large. Be patient and you can even take a break to have a cup of coffee while the scanning process completes automatically. Once finished, you can filter files by extension and preview them on the right side. Once you've found the target files in the DCIM folder, select them and click "Recover" to save them on your computer, ideally in a new folder to avoid overwriting the original files on the SD card.

Tips: how to keep DCIM folder safe?

To avoid losing precious memories, it's essential to regularly back up the DCIM folder on your SD card, which contains many photos and videos. If you don't, you might lose them all in case of an accident. You can use software like Qiling Disk Master to schedule regular backups, ensuring your memories are safe and secure.