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Independent forensic analysis of Android web activity — Chrome History, Cookies, Login Data, Web Data, and Cache; Samsung Internet; Firefox; and in-app WebView surfaces — with cross-device sync analysis and deleted-history recovery.
Quick Answer. Chrome on Android stores per-profile browsing data under /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/. Key files are History (SQLite: urls, visits, downloads, keyword_search_terms), Cookies, Login Data, Web Data, and the disk cache. Samsung Internet uses com.sec.android.app.sbrowser with a similar Chromium base. In-app browsers use WebView instances under each host app. Sync to the Google account preserves history across devices and can be retrieved via Google Takeout with authorization.
| File | Contents | Forensic value |
|---|---|---|
| History | urls (id, url, title, visit_count, typed_count, last_visit_time), visits (id, url, visit_time, from_visit, transition), downloads, keyword_search_terms | Complete visit graph with transition types (typed, link, redirect, form-submit) |
| Cookies | creation_utc, host_key, name, value, expires_utc, secure, httponly, samesite | Session authentication cookies proving logged-in state |
| Login Data | origin_url, username_value, password_value (encrypted via os_crypt/AndroidKeystore), date_created | Saved credentials |
| Web Data | autofill entries, credit cards (encrypted), addresses, keywords (search engines) | Autofill history and preferences |
| Bookmarks | JSON of bookmark tree with created / date_added / last_used_time | Bookmarks and folders |
| Cache/Cache_Data | Simple Cache disk format | Cached HTTP responses, offline copies of pages |
| Preferences | JSON with profile settings, sync token, last-used account | Signed-in Google account and sync state |
| Sessions/Tabs | Snappy-compressed session state | Last-open tabs at each save point |
When Chrome is signed in to a Google account, browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, autofill, and open tabs sync to the account. That means a “clean” phone with cleared history often has a full history recoverable from the Google account via Takeout or via a linked device. Sync token and last-sync time in Preferences prove which account synced when. Passwords synced to Google Password Manager are retrievable via passwords.google.com with authorization.
History, Cookies, and Login Data WAL sidecars retain rows deleted seconds ago.Cache_Data/ retains cached responses long after history rows are cleared.NotificationLog and HistoryClusters annotations.The Chromium visits.transition column encodes how a URL was reached: TYPED (user typed), LINK (clicked), AUTO_BOOKMARK, FORM_SUBMIT, RELOAD, KEYWORD, AUTO_TOPLEVEL (address bar auto-complete). Distinguishing typed from redirect is decisive in cases where an unwanted URL is alleged to have been visited deliberately. We parse the transition field on every visit.
All Chromium-based Android browsers (Samsung Internet, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi) share the same file layout — History, Cookies, Login Data, Web Data. Firefox for Android uses GeckoView with SQLite stores at /data/data/org.mozilla.firefox/files/places.sqlite. In-app WebViews (embedded in banking, social, delivery apps) each keep a local history and cache under /data/data/<host_pkg>/app_webview/.
Elite Digital Forensics is an independent, defense-aligned Android forensics practice. We are retained by attorneys, in-house counsel, and, where appropriate, individuals and businesses directly. Every engagement begins with a scoped acquisition plan, hash-verified evidence, and a written report suitable for attorney review, negotiation, or court. When retained through counsel, our work product is protected. See the Android Forensics hub for the full analytical framework we bring to every matter.
Incognito is not written to History but leaves fingerprints: DNS resolution logs, Google account sync (if signed in), CDN cookies at the account level, and per-app service-worker caches. Total recovery is limited but not zero.
Frequently yes — SQLite WAL, disk cache, prior device backups, and Google account sync each retain data for varying periods. WAL recovery within minutes is common; account-level recovery within weeks is common.
Yes, to Samsung Cloud, with the Samsung account. Both Samsung and Google sync surfaces are examined where applicable.
Chrome 108+ groups visits into topical journeys. Cluster metadata persists in the History database and adds an annotated view of sessions that survives per-row deletion.
Tell us about the device, the accounts, and the timeframe. We will tell you what is recoverable, what is not, and what it will cost.
Request Confidential Consultation Call (833) 292-3733This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Elite Digital Forensics provides independent digital forensic services and expert witness testimony; we do not provide legal representation. Every case is fact-specific; outcomes depend on the evidence, jurisdiction, and counsel. Retain qualified legal counsel for advice about your matter.
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