A quick format does not erase your files — it just resets the index, leaving the data in place until something overwrites it. Stop using the device, and we can often recover formatted hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks and memory cards, in-house.
$ bdr diagnose /dev/sdb → Device: SanDisk SD card (256 GB) · camera → Status: FORMATTED — file system reset, data intact → Client: Newton, R. · Redland BS6 $ bdr engineer-working → Forensic image: taken · originals untouched → Previous file system: rebuilt → Found: 3,180 / 3,210 files (99.1%) $ bdr verify → ✓ photos — 2,940 files → ✓ video — 240 clips → ✓ formatted card — recovered
After a quick format your files are still there, but only until new data overwrites them. Don't reinstall the operating system, copy files onto the device, or save new photos to a formatted card — each of these can destroy what is still recoverable. The less you write to it, the more we get back. Set it aside and talk to us.
Most formats are quick formats, which leave your data recoverable — but a few situations can wipe it for good. These are the cases we recover from most often.
We recover formatted data from every kind of storage and every major brand. If it holds your files, we can almost certainly help.
Hard drives · SSDs · USB sticks · SD, microSD and CF cards · external and portable drives · the drives inside laptops, PCs and Macs.
Recovering formatted media is a careful, copy-first process. We never work on your original device — we image it, rebuild the old file system, then recover your files from that copy.
Tell us what was formatted and how. We assess whether the data is still recoverable and send a written quote — usually within 48 hours.
We take a forensic image of your device and work only on that copy, so nothing on your original is changed or overwritten.
We scan for the previous file system to restore your original folders and file names wherever possible.
For anything that cannot be rebuilt from the old file system, we carve files out of the raw data by their signatures.
We check that the recovered files open correctly and are intact before anything is returned to you.
We return your recovered files on fresh media, organised and ready to use.
We backup your data to either an external drive and ship it back to you, or we also offer a free download service for your data up to 75GB.
We recover formatted hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, memory cards and external drives — rebuilding the old file system and carving back documents, photos, video and more, always from a forensic copy.
Tell us what was formatted and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
We will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
No hidden fees and no pressure — just a free diagnostic and a written quote before any work starts.
A snapshot of recent formatted-media recoveries across different devices. Names redacted, results verified.
A camera quick format, so the data was intact. We imaged the card, rebuilt the previous file system, and recovered almost every photo and clip.
The file index had been reset but the data remained. We rebuilt the file system and recovered every document fully intact.
Imaged the drive, rebuilt the old file system and carved the remainder, recovering the bulk of the data before it could be overwritten.
Reviews from real clients whose formatted drives, cards and sticks we brought back.
I formatted my camera's SD card by accident and thought I had lost a whole holiday. They got every photo back. Absolutely amazing service.
I formatted the wrong USB stick and lost important work. They recovered all of it the very next day. Quick, friendly and brilliant.
I accidentally formatted my external drive while reinstalling Windows. They rebuilt it and recovered almost everything. Cannot recommend them enough.
Send us your device for a free diagnostic, and tell us a little about what happened — an engineer will review it and confirm your exact quote in writing before any work begins.
Recovering your data starts with getting the device to us. Pack it safely, add your contact details, and send it over — after we run a free diagnostic, we’ll confirm your exact price in writing before any work begins.
Posting it in? We recommend a tracked, insured service. Prefer to drop it off? You’re welcome Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm — please still package the device as above.
If you need more information on our data recovery service, fill out the form with more detail about your issue and an engineer will review it and give you a custom quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
The questions we are asked most about recovering formatted drives, cards and sticks.
Usually, yes — if it was a quick format. A quick format only resets the file index, so your data stays on the device until it is overwritten. A full format on modern Windows is different, because it writes zeros across the whole drive, which usually makes recovery impossible.
A quick format just clears the file-system index, leaving your data in place and recoverable. A full format on modern Windows writes zeros across the entire drive, which usually erases the data for good. Almost all everyday formats — in Windows, on a Mac, or in a camera — are quick formats.
Stop using it immediately. Do not reinstall the operating system, copy files onto it, or save anything new — each of these overwrites the formatted data. Then get in touch with us. The sooner you stop, the more we can recover.
Yes — formatted camera and phone cards are one of the most common things we recover, because cameras use a quick format. As long as the card has not been reused since, we can usually rebuild the photos and videos.
No — do not format it. That message usually means a corrupt file system rather than a blank drive, and your data is still there. Formatting can make recovery harder. We can rebuild the file system and recover your files instead.
Sometimes, but it is less likely than a hard drive, USB stick or card. Most SSDs use TRIM, which can permanently erase the data when the drive is formatted. We will always tell you honestly at the diagnostic stage what is realistically recoverable.
Hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, SD, microSD and CF cards, external and portable drives, and the drives inside laptops, PCs and Macs. If it can be formatted, we can usually help.
Formatted media recovery is £250 + VAT for memory cards and USB sticks, and £300 + VAT for hard drives, with a free diagnostic first and no fix, no fee on most jobs. It is a logical recovery, so it is usually one of our lower-cost services — and we always confirm the exact price in writing before any work begins.
Most formatted recoveries are completed within 1 to 3 working days, and often sooner. The initial diagnostic is usually finished within 48 hours. Urgent cases can often be prioritised — just let us know.
You can drop it off at our Bristol location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, or post it to us fully insured. Ensure the device is packaged and sealed, include your full contact details inside the package including Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address so we can fully book it in. Once we have it, we will run the free diagnostic and send you a written quote before any work begins.
Free diagnostic, no fix no fee on most jobs, and formatted-media recovery from any drive, stick or card. The sooner you stop, the more we get back. Start today.