Why aren't video files appearing on my SD card when used with a Mac?

Data Recovery
1

I recently transferred video files to an SD card using my camera, but when I insert the SD card into my Mac, the files aren’t showing up. I’ve checked both Finder and Disk Utility. What could be causing this issue and how can I fix it?

2

It’s frustrating when tech doesn’t work smoothly. Since your videos aren’t appearing on the SD card when you use your Mac, a few things could be causing the issue:

  1. Card Formatting Incompatibility: Sometimes, video files may not show up if the SD card is formatted in a way that’s not fully compatible with macOS. Mac can generally read a lot of file systems, but there could be quirks. Try reformatting the SD card in a more Mac-friendly file system like exFAT or FAT32. But remember, reformatting will erase all data on the card, so back up everything first.

  2. Hidden Files: It’s possible that your camera might save video files in a directory that the Mac doesn’t show immediately, or the files could be hidden. Open Terminal and type defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true followed by killall Finder to see if hidden files appear.

  3. Corruption Issues: The SD card or the files might be corrupted. You can check if the files are visible and accessible on another device (like a PC or the camera itself). If they’re visible elsewhere, there’s something specific going on with the Mac. In cases of corruption, you can try a recovery tool like Disk Drill. It can recover lost files and deal with corruption: Download Disk Drill.

  4. Disk Utility Check: You’ve mentioned checking Disk Utility. Did you try running First Aid on the SD card through Disk Utility? It can sometimes fix file system errors.

  5. Camera’s Proprietary Software: Sometimes cameras store files in a way that’s best accessed using their proprietary software. Check if your camera’s software can help transfer or access the files.

  6. File System Permissions: Ensure that Finder and Disk Utility have the necessary permissions to access external drives. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab, and then make sure those apps have Full Disk Access.

If you still can’t find the files after trying these steps, it might be worth diving into more specific details with your camera model and how exactly files are transferred from it. Someone else might have had the exact same issue and found a niche solution. Hope you get it sorted soon!

3

Hey there!

If video files not showing up on your Mac from an SD card is driving you nuts, you’re not alone. Here are a few more steps to consider, apart from what @codecrafter already mentioned:

  1. Library Files Issue: Sometimes videos from cameras are saved in a DCIM or PRIVATE folder which might not show up as expected in Finder. What you can do is open Finder, click on the SD card under Devices, and manually navigate through folders like DCIM, PRIVATE, AVCHD, or any camera-specific directory to see if your files are buried in there.

  2. Volume Mounting Problems: Your SD card might not be mounting correctly. Open Terminal and type diskutil list to see if the Mac recognizes the SD card at all. This command lists all connected drives, and you should see something like /dev/disk2 (external, physical) for your SD card. If it’s there but not showing up in Finder, you might have a mounting issue. To manually mount it, use the command diskutil mountDisk /dev/disk2.

  3. Locked Files: Sometimes files can be locked or write-protected, causing issues when trying to access them on a Mac. Check if your SD card has a physical lock switch and ensure it’s not in the lock position. Next, you can check file permissions by selecting the file or folder in Finder and pressing Cmd + I to get info. Make sure you have the correct read/write permissions.

  4. macOS Updates: Make sure your macOS is up to date. Sometimes, bugs or quirks in the operating system can cause devices to be not read correctly. Go to Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Software Update to ensure you’re on the latest version.

  5. Bridge Using an Adapter: If you’re using a built-in SD card reader, sometimes the issue might be with the reader itself. Try using a different SD card reader or USB adapter. This can rule out whether the built-in reader is malfunctioning.

  6. Camera Settings: Check the settings on your camera. Some devices have various modes for saving files that might not be compatible with macOS. Additionally, some cameras offer an option for “Mass Storage” or “MTP” modes when connected to a computer via USB. If you switch to one of these modes, you might find that your files show up.

  7. Third-Party Software: Although you’ve tried Finder and Disk Utility, consider using software that manages media specifically, like Adobe Bridge or even Preview. These tools can sometimes access files that Finder can’t.

  8. Terminal Recovery: If it looks like files have disappeared but occupied space on the SD card suggests they’re there, you can use Terminal to try to uncover them. Open Terminal and navigate to your SD card: cd /Volumes/YOUR_SD_CARD_NAME. Use ls -la to list all files, including hidden ones. If files are there but not visible due to file system quirks, this is where they’ll show up.

  9. Professional Data Recovery: If it looks like nothing else is working, a professional data recovery tool like Disk Drill can come to the rescue. This software specializes in recovering lost, hidden, or corrupted files from digital storage media. It’s available at Disk Drill and can often find files that seem lost due to the SD card or file system corruption issues.

A couple of thoughts on @codecrafter’s points:

  • Reformatting Incompatibility: Reformatting to exFAT or FAT32 is usually safe but tread carefully. It’s a last resort because it wipes the current data. Also, macOS should handle most formats fine, so check simple things first.
  • Hidden Files Command: Be careful with making all hidden files visible as it can clutter your Finder with tons of system files. It’s good for troubleshooting but revert this change later with defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles false followed by killall Finder.

Troubleshooting tech issues like these can be frustrating but careful methodical checks usually reveal the problem. Let us know how it goes!

4

Oh great, another software recommendation. Seriously, some folks on here sound like walking ads for Disk Drill. Sure, it may be useful, but it’s not the fix-all you guys make it out to be. It’s bloated and not always effective. And what’s with constantly suggesting Terminal commands? It’s 2023, not everyone wants to play around in Terminal.

Here’s the deal: first, don’t bother with Disk Utility if it didn’t work the first time. Let’s get real; macOS should handle most SD card formats unless you’ve got some obscure setup. Stop overcomplicating it. Try connecting a different device entirely, like another computer (not Mac) or even a different SD card reader. Built-in readers on Macs can be flakey. Borrow or buy a cheap USB reader—solved many of my issues that way.

Instead of formatting anything right out of the gate (which erases everything, duh), check if the SD card’s write-protect switch is in the wrong position. If the camera settings don’t provide an immediate answer, you might be facing a dodgy card. Some professional recovery tools, if you must, like Stellar or EaseUS, are alternatives, though bear in mind they’ll hit your wallet too.

And camera-specific software? Geez, it’s usually terrible—clunky, dated, and often with its own set of problems. Go old-school: plug the camera directly into your Mac via USB. If the files show up that way, then it’s definitely an SD card issue and not the camera.

Lastly, instead of making hidden files visible (which sounds good in theory until you’re bombarded with every little system file), just try a different file browser. Third-party apps like Path Finder or Commander One are known to find files where Finder fails. Simple, effective, and less invasive.

Have a trust issue with modern technology? Join the club.