SQLite Free Page
Definition
A database page that SQLite has placed on an internal free-page list after a row deletion. The page retains its original content until SQLite reuses it for new data. Free pages are listed in the database file header and are readable by forensic tools without any special extraction step.
- Cause
- Row deletion
- Content status
- Original data retained until page is reused
- Location
- Listed in the database file header
- Recovery difficulty
- Readable without special extraction tools
Common questions
How long does deleted data typically survive on a SQLite free page?+
There is no fixed duration, it persists until SQLite's own page-allocation logic reuses that page for new content, which can range from immediate reuse under heavy write activity to indefinite survival on a rarely modified database.
Why do forensic tools check free pages before concluding a record was permanently deleted?+
Because SQLite marks a page free rather than zeroing its content, the row's bytes usually remain intact and can be parsed directly from the raw file, so skipping this check risks under-reporting recoverable data.
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