How is HTML5 WebStorage data physically stored?

Question

In using the HTML5 WebStorage functionality, I know that certain browsers, like Chrome, have developer tools that enable users to browse thru the contents of their WebStorag

Answer 1

Just wanted to contribute for IE 11. The localstorage is stored in: C:\Users[YOUR USER ACCOUNT]\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStore

However, it is hidden by default. To show this folder you have to: Folder Options --> Uncheck "Hide protected operating system file" Back to folder, you will see some sub folder inside. Go to each folder will see some XML files according for websites.

Answer 2

On Mac OS X, this was at ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Local Storage

I used the Command Line Shell For SQLite to look around. Assuming www.example.com was a real site, you can run these commands:

$ sqlite3 http_www.example.com_0.localstorage
sqlite> .tables
ItemTable
sqlite> .schema
CREATE TABLE ItemTable (key TEXT UNIQUE ON CONFLICT REPLACE, value BLOB NOT NULL ON CONFLICT FAIL);
sqlite> select * from ItemTable;
stringkey|value
jsonkey|{"key","value"}
sqlite> .exit

See Where does firefox store javascript/HTML localStorage? for the Firefox storage location.  Chrome uses individual sqlite files per hostname and protocol, where Firefox uses a single webappsstore.sqlite file with the reversed hostname and protocol in a scope column.

See Where the sessionStorage and localStorage stored? for the Opera storage location. Opera uses an XML index file and individual XML files for the Base64 encoded data.

Answer 3

Chrome uses SQLite for LocalStorage.

I confirmed this by going to AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage on my local PC and viewing the contents of a file. The files start with "SQLite format 3" when viewed via a text editor. You will need a SQLite database viewer to view the data.