Which Android app should I use for recovering photos and videos from a corrupted or unreadable SD card?

File Recovery is a practical tool for the frustrating scenario of a corrupted or suddenly unreadable SD card. The app operates by performing a deep scan of the connected storage device, looking for file signatures and data remnants that standard file managers cannot access. This method is particularly effective for media files, which have distinct data patterns. A key feature is its ability to work directly with the card, often bypassing Android's file system layer to read the raw storage, which can recover items even when the card prompts a formatting error. For users trying to salvage vacation photos or project videos from a physically undamaged but logically corrupted card, this process can be invaluable.

Reviews indicate the app performs reliably in many common corruption scenarios, such as after an improper ejection or a partial transfer failure. Its interface allows users to filter scans by file type, focusing on photos and videos to speed up the recovery process. A notable limitation is that the app cannot repair the card itself or recover data from cards with severe physical damage. Success rates can also vary based on how much new data has been written to the card after corruption. While the free version scans and previews files, recovering them typically requires an in-app purchase. The process itself can be slow for larger capacity cards, a trade-off for the thorough scanning required. Overall, it provides a functional, on-device alternative to more complex desktop software for a specific and stressful data loss situation.