Yes — corrupted, unreadable and physically damaged memory cards are usually recoverable, including deleted photos and videos, cards that ask to be formatted, and snapped or water-damaged cards. For monolithic cards we read the NAND directly via chip-off. The most important thing: stop using the card immediately — every new photo or video can overwrite what we need.
Irreplaceable photos on a card that won't read? We can help.
Memory cards hold some of the hardest-to-replace files there are — a wedding shoot, a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a client project. When a card suddenly shows as empty, asks to be formatted, or won't mount, the panic is real. In most cases, though, your photos and videos are still on the NAND flash inside.
CBL recovers every card format — SD, microSD, CompactFlash, CFexpress and XQD — from logical corruption to physically damaged and monolithic cards. When a card can't be read normally, we read the raw NAND directly and rebuild your images and footage, including fragmented 4K video.
Don't take more photos, don't format it, and don't "repair" it. New writes can overwrite your recoverable files. Remove the card, keep it safe, and book a free diagnosis.
Memory cards & devices we recover
What NOT to do with a failing card
Our card recovery process
Free diagnosis
We identify the fault — logical, controller or physical — and confirm recoverability. No cost, no obligation.
Image or access
If the card still reads, we image it immediately; if not, we attempt controller access.
Chip-off (if needed)
For dead or monolithic cards we read the raw NAND directly and reconstruct the data with the card's wear-levelling/ECC scheme.
Rebuild photos & video
We reconstruct the file system and repair fragmented images and 4K video, then give you a list to verify.
Verify & return
Verified files returned on fresh media.
More on the lab: how professional data recovery works →
What we can recover — card scenarios
| Scenario | Method | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted photos/videos (card unused since) | File-system recovery | High |
| Corrupt / RAW / "format card" | Logical reconstruction | High |
| Not detected / controller failure | Access or chip-off | High |
| Snapped / water-damaged card | Chip-off / monolith | Case-by-case |
| Formatted & heavily overwritten | Assessed individually | Reduced |
Also recovering USB drives? See USB recovery, or deleted file recovery.
How much does card recovery cost?
| Case type | Examples | Indicative range (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Logical | Deleted, corrupt, RAW, "format card" | $150 – $500 |
| Controller / not detected | Card not recognised | $200 – $600 |
| Chip-off / monolith | Dead, snapped or water-damaged card | $200 – $600 |
Exact fixed price before work begins. Full detail: data recovery cost guide →
Card recovery case studies
Representative examples from typical laboratory cases. Anonymised.
CFexpress "card error" after a shoot
A CFexpress card corrupted mid-wedding. We imaged it, rebuilt the file system and repaired the fragmented RAW photos and 4K video.
✓ Full shoot recoveredmicroSD asking to format — holiday photos
A phone microSD showed as empty and asked to format. We reconstructed the file system without formatting and returned the holiday album.
✓ Photos recoveredSnapped monolithic microSD
A snapped microSD from a drone shoot. We performed monolith chip-off and rebuilt the footage.
✓ Footage recoveredFree diagnosis & a fixed written quote
Free Diagnosis
We assess your card — no cost, no obligation.
Fixed Written Quote
A firm price before any work — you approve before we start.
Fixed Quote First
A firm price before any work. No hidden fees.
Card recovery FAQ
Can you recover photos from a corrupted SD card?+
My card says "format" — should I?+
Can you recover deleted or formatted photos?+
Do you do chip-off for monolithic cards?+
Can you recover 4K video and RAW photos?+
How much does card recovery cost?+
Do I pay if the memory card turns out to be unrecoverable?+
The bottom line
A memory card that won't read rarely means your photos are gone — the NAND usually survives. Stop using the card, don't format it, and let CBL take a look. With chip-off capability, free diagnosis, your memories are worth the try.