SanDisk 1TB microSD card.
Flash memory isn’t as susceptible to physical damage as hard disk drives (HDDs). Even so, physical damage occurs — particularly for microSD, SD, and other media formats that are designed for portability.
If you’ve accidentally bent an SD card, the bad news is that you don’t have many options. Bending a card will sever the connections between the components needed to read and write data. SD and microSD cards have small form factors, and those essential components are packed tightly together; when they’re broken, data recovery usually requires the removal of the chip that stores your data.
The good news is that the actual storage chip is fairly resilient. Even if you’ve bent your SD card in half, there’s a good chance that the data is recoverable — but you’ll need assistance from a professional data recovery provider. SD card data recovery requires specialized equipment that you won’t find at your local computer repair shop.
To schedule an evaluation for your SD/microSD card, call 1-800-237-4200 or submit a case online.
What is “chip-off” data recovery for SD/microSD cards?
Chip-off data recovery is a destructive process in which the memory chips are removed from a flash storage device. It’s only considered as an option when the device’s controller or microcontroller unit (MCU) is no longer operational.
In some cases, bending an SD/microSD card will not necessitate chip-off data recovery. If the bend damages the card’s voltage regulator, card pinout, or other components, those components may be replaceable — and professional data recovery providers will usually prefer to start with those components, since chip-off data recovery is technically difficult.
For more information, read: What Is Chip-Off Data Recovery for Flash Media?
Is there any way that I can recover my own data from a bent SD card?
Probably not — if the device is not recognized by your computer, you don’t have many options. We do not recommend attempting to “bend the card back” into its original shape; this will almost certainly damage the card’s components, potentially including the storage chip.
You can safely try to read the card with another SD/microSD adapter, or by using another computer. If multiple machines are unable to recognize the card, you must either replace the card or contact a professional data recovery provider.
Can I recover the data by opening my SD card?
In rare cases, some cheap SD cards contain microSD cards connected to a controller. If that’s the case, you could remove the microSD card from the enclosure and use an appropriate adapter to read the data.
But this isn’t true for all SD card models, and if your device does not contain a microSD card, you risk permanent damage to the storage chip by opening the card. We would only recommend opening your SD card if you absolutely do not need data recovery (in other words, only attempt this if you’re curious about your card’s construction).
Trust the leader in SD card data recovery.
Datarecovery.com operates full laboratories at each location, and we provide extensive resources for all types of data storage devices. Whether you’ve physically damaged an SD card or reformatted a hard drive, we’re here to help.
Our services feature a no data, no charge guarantee, which ensures that you’re not charged for unsuccessful data recovery attempts. To learn more, call 1-800-237-4200 or submit a case online.
