What is the difference between logical, file-system and physical extraction?¶
They describe broad levels or methods of access to device data, not guarantees about completeness, readability or evidential value.
The methods expose different structures¶
Logical acquisition uses supported operating-system, app or backup interfaces and commonly returns structured user data. File-system methods seek broader files, directories, metadata, app databases and caches. Physical methods target a lower-level storage representation that may expose partitions or remnants outside active files.
Modern controls limit every label¶
Permissions, lock state, hardware-backed encryption, secure processors and flash management can make any acquisition partial or unreadable. Vendor terminology and results also vary by model and software version. Ask which areas and containers were obtained, decrypted and successfully processed, including separate SIM, card, backup or cloud sources.
Key takeaway
Use the acquisition label to ask what was actually obtained and decoded; broader access does not mean everything, and logical evidence is not inherently weak.
