If you need to recover data from a dashcam, you’ve probably got a very good reason (and we’re guessing that it involves an insurance claim).
The good news is that dash cams aren’t magic boxes; they’re standard digital devices. They record video onto solid-state media — usually, internal memory or an SD card, though we’ve seen some units that can write to consumer-grade SSDs (solid-state drives).
Flash media data recovery has well-established techniques, and in many cases, reputable data recovery providers can use those techniques to restore your video files from your damaged dashcam. Datarecovery.com even provides a no data, no charge guarantee: If a data recovery attempt isn’t successful, there’s no charge for the attempt.
Now, the bad news: In some situations, dashcam data recovery is impossible. Below, we’ll discuss those scenarios. However, it’s important to note that every situation is different; even if you’ve lost data for one of the reasons outlined below, we encourage you to call 1-800-237-4200 to discuss your case with an expert.
If the flash device is physically damaged, data recovery may be possible depending on the extent of the damage.
If the solid-state storage is directly damaged, the footage is probably permanently lost — but this isn’t common.
Flash memory uses electric circuits to store data. There’s also point-to-point signal traces that enable the storage device to communicate with computers (in this case, the computer in your dashcam).
When a dashcam or its memory card sustains physical damage, it usually impacts those signal traces — not the semiconductor that stores your video files. Engineers may need to perform chip-off data recovery, which can be difficult and labor intensive — but if the data is important, it’s recoverable.
Related: I Snapped My USB Drive in Half. Is It Recoverable?
If files are deleted, data recovery depends on several factors.
The most important of those factors is the process used by the dashcam when the “delete” command is triggered. If the device deletes the video file’s entry in the directory table — or deletes the entire directory table — data should be recoverable.
However, for the best chances of data recovery, you must turn off the dashcam and keep it powered off. As the dashcam runs, it will overwrite data and render it permanently unrecoverable. This can happen quickly, especially if you’re storing data on a smaller memory card or if your video quality settings are high.
In this scenario, we recommend working with a professional data recovery provider (and not just because we are a professional data recovery provider). The reason: In most cases, you only get one chance to recover your videos; a failed attempt could cause permanent data loss.
Reputable data recovery companies will create a clone of your storage media — either the dashcam’s internal storage, its memory card, or both — then restore the data from the clone. This prevents permanent data loss during the recovery attempt.
Related: How Can I Make Sure My Data Is Unrecoverable?
For a successful data recovery, keep your dashcam powered off
To recap:
- Don’t run the dashcam after you’ve noticed symptoms of data loss.
- Do not run data recovery software (and if you do so, make sure you research your options carefully).
- Contact a professional data recovery provider that has extensive experience with solid-state storage.
- Follow the provider’s shipping instructions (if shipping your device).
Datarecovery.com provides expert data recovery services for all brands of dashcam and all solid-state storage devices. To get started, set up a case online or call 1-800-237-4200 to speak with an expert.
