A folder "Favorites" on Android is not a single storage, but scattered collections of bookmarks, files and contacts, scattered across different applications. Users often confuse it with the classic “folder” in the file manager, but in fact these are virtual lists that are created automatically or manually. For example, bookmarks from Chrome are stored in your Google account, and “favorite” contacts are stored in your phone book. In this article, we will look at where exactly to look for this data depending on the type of content and version of Android.

It is important to understand that the term "Favorites" can mean:

  • 📌 Bookmarks browser (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet)
  • ⭐ Favorite contacts in the phone book
  • 📁 Favorites** folder in the file manager (rare, but it occurs)
  • 🎵 Favorites** playlists in music services (YouTube Music, Spotify)

We will focus on the first three points, since they are directly related to Android system functions. If you are looking for something specific, use the table of contents below.

📊 What do you most often add to “Favorites” on Android?
Browser bookmarks
Contact
Files or photos
Music/video
Other

1. Where are the “Favorites” bookmarks stored in the browser

Most users by "Favorites" mean browser bookmarks. Their location depends on the application you are using. Let's look at the three most popular options.

Google Chrome (and other Chromium-based browsers, for example, Microsoft Edge or Opera):

  1. Open the browser and tap on the three dots in the upper right corner.
  2. Select item "Bookmarks" (or "Favorites", depending on the version).
  3. All saved pages will be displayed here, including the folder "Mobile bookmarks" (if it has been created).

All bookmarks are synchronized with your Google account and are available on devices where you are logged in. To see them in the file system, you need to export them to HTML:

Chrome Settings → Bookmarks → Export. bookmarks

The file will be saved in a folder Download with the name bookmarks_*.html.

Samsung Internet (standard browser on devices Samsung Galaxy):

  • 🌐 Open the browser and click on the icon stars in the bottom panel.
  • 📂 All bookmarks will be displayed here, including the folder "Favorites" (if it was created manually).
  • 🔄 To synchronize with your Samsung account, go to Settings → Synchronization with Samsung Cloud.

Mozilla Firefox:

  • 🦊 Tap on the three dots → "Library" → "Bookmarks".
  • 📌 Folder “Favorites” (or «Favorites») is usually at the top of the list.
  • 📤 To export: Settings → Import and backup → Export bookmarks to HTML.
💡

If bookmarks are missing after resetting the phone, check whether synchronization is enabled in your Google account settings. Often the problem is solved by simply updating the data in Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization.

2 “Favorite contacts” in the phone book

Contacts marked as "Favorites"are displayed separately in the application "Phone" or "Contacts". They can be quickly found through:

  • 📞 Tab "Favorites" in the standard calls application (on most firmwares).
  • ⭐ Star icon next to the contact name in the list.
  • 🔍 Search field - enter "favorites" or «favorites».

To add a contact to favorites:

  1. Open the application "Contacts".
  2. Select the desired contact and tap on star (or "Add to favorites" in the menu).
  3. On some firmware (for example, MIUI on Xiaomi), you need to hold down the contact and select "Add to favorites".

If tab "Favorites" disappeared:

  • 🔄 Update the application "Contacts" via Google Play.
  • 📱 Check the display settings: in some firmware (for example, One UI on Samsung) you need to go to Contact settings → Display contacts and enable the option "Show favorites".
How to restore deleted favorite contacts?

If contacts were synchronized with a Google account, they can be restored within 30 days through the web version of Google Contacts (contacts.google.com). Select "Cancel changes" in the menu on the left and specify the desired time period.

3. "Favorites" folder in the file manager

Some file managers (for example, Files by Google, Solid Explorer or the standard manager on Xiaomi/Redmi) allow you to add files and folders to "Favorites" for quick access. However, this not a system function of Androidis a feature of a specific application.

Where to look:

Application Path to “Favorites” How to add a file
Files by Google Tab "Favorites" in the bottom menu Press the file → "Add to Favorites"
Solid Explorer Side menu → «Favorites»» Swipe right on file → «Add to Favorites»
Standard Manager MIUI Tab "Favorites" (star icon) Select the file → "Add to favorites" in the menu
Total Commander Quick access panel (star icon) Long press → «Add to Favorites»

Important: files in the “Favorites” of the file manager are just shortcuts. Deleting a file from the storage folder will cause it to disappear from the file manager. "Favorites".

If you do not see the tab "Favorites", update the application or check its settings. For example, in Files by Google you need:

Settings → Show "Favorites" tab

4. Where the "Favorites" data is stored physically

Technically "Favorites" it is not a folder, but records in application databases or cloud services. Here is where exactly:

  • 📱 Chrome bookmarks: stored in /data/data/com.android.chrome/app_chrome/Default/Bookmarks (available only with root access). Synchronized copies are located on Google servers.
  • 📞 Favorite contacts: recorded in the database contacts.db (path: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts.db).
  • 📁 Files in the "Favorites"** of the file manager: paths are stored in the settings of a specific application (for example, for Solid Explorer this /data/data/pl.solidexplorer2/shared_prefs/favorites.xml).

Without root access it is impossible to access these folders. However, you can:

  • 🔄 Export data through application settings (as described above).
  • 📱 Use ADB to extract databases (technical skills required).
  • ☁️ Restore from cloud backup (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud).
💡

The physical location of "Favorites" depends on the application. For the average user, it is easier to use the built-in export functions than trying to find files manually.

5. Why "Favorites" disappeared and how to get it back

If a folder or list “Favorites” suddenly disappeared, reasons may be the following:

⚠️ Attention: If you recently reset your phone to factory settings, first check if syncing with your Google/Samsung account is enabled. Without it, all bookmarks and contacts could be deleted.
  • 🔄 Synchronization is disabled: go to Settings → Accounts → Google and enable synchronization for «Chrome» and "Contacts".
  • 📱 Updating the application: after updating the browser or file manager, the interface may have changed. Check your display settings.
  • 🗑️ Clear cache: if you cleared the application cache (for example, via Settings → Applications → Chrome → Storage → Clear cache), local data may have been reset. Restore them from the cloud.
  • 🛠️ Firmware failure: on custom firmware (for example LineageOS) sometimes the settings are lost. Try reinstalling the application.

Recovery instructions:

☑️ What to do if “Favorites” are missing

Done: 0 / 5

If all else fails, try:

  1. Uninstall and reinstall the problematic application (for example, Chrome).
  2. Log in to your Google/Samsung account on another device and check if the data is displayed there.
  3. Contact service support (for example, via chrome://help in browser).

6. Alternative ways to manage “Favorites”

If standard methods do not suit you, you can use third-party tools to work with bookmarks, contacts and files.

For bookmarks:

  • 🌐 Raindrop.io - cross-platform bookmark manager with tags and folders.
  • 📌 Pocket —saves articles for reading later (integrates with Chrome).
  • 🔗 LinkStash —an Android application with backup support.

For contacts:

  • 📇 Simpler Contacts —an alternative application with convenient management of favorites.
  • ☁️ Contacts+ — synchronizes contacts with multiple accounts.

For files:

  • 📁 FX File Explorer —supports the creation of shortcuts (“Favorites”) with advanced settings.
  • 🔍 ES Explorer (outdated but functional solution for older versions of Android).

Before installing third-party applications, check their ratings and reviews in Google PlaySome file managers (especially little-known ones) may request excessive permissions.

7. “Favorites” in other applications

In addition to browsers and contacts, the term "Favorites" is used in:

  • 🎵 Music services: in YouTube Music or Spotify this is a playlist marked "Like" or "Favorite Tracks". Available through the tab: on "Library".
  • 📺 Video services: on YouTube this is a playlist “Watch later” or "Favorites" (in your personal account).
  • 📷 Gallery: some firmware (for example, EMUI on Huawei) allow you to add photos to "Favorites" via a long press.
  • 🎮 Games: Google Play Games there is a section "Favorite Games"where frequently used applications are displayed.

To find this data, open the corresponding application and look for:

  • 🔍 Icon stars or hearts.
  • 📂 Tab "Library", "Profile" or "Account".
  • ⚙️ Application settings → "Favorites" or «Favorites».

8. How to transfer "Favorites" to a new phone

When changing device, all data “Favorites” can be transferred in several ways:

Data type Transfer method Instructions
Chrome Bookmarks Synchronization with Google Log in to your Google account on the new phone → the data will be updated automatically.
Favorite contacts Export/import VCF Old phone: Contacts → Settings → Export. New phone: Contacts → Settings → Import.
Files in the “Favorites” of the file manager Manual transfer Copy files to a flash drive/cloud, then add to “Favorites” on the new device.
Samsung Internet Bookmarks Samsung Cloud Enable synchronization in Browser Settings → Synchronization with Samsung Cloud.

If synchronization does not work:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme), you may need additional confirmation to access contacts or files.

For reliability, make a backup copy:

  • 📱 For contacts: export to a file .vcf and save it in the cloud.
  • 🌐 For bookmarks: use the export to HTML function (as described above).
  • 📁 For files: copy them to a folder on Google Drive or a physical drive.
💡

The most reliable transfer method is cloud synchronization, however, for important data, always make a local backup.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to create a “Favorites” folder in the standard Android file manager?

No, in the standard manager (for example, Files by Google) “Favorites” is a virtual list of shortcuts, not a real folder. To create a physical folder with this name, use any file manager (for example, Solid Explorer) and name it manually.

Why is there no “Favorites” tab in Chrome, although there are bookmarks?

In the latest versions of Chrome, bookmarks may be displayed under the title "Bookmarks" (and not “Favorites”) Also check if the bookmarks bar is hidden: go to it. in Settings → Bookmarks bar and enable the option "Show bookmarks bar". If you use Samsung Internet, updating the application may return the tab.

How to remove all items from "Favorites" at once?

The method depends on the data type:

  • 🌐 Chrome Bookmarks: open chrome://bookmarks, select all (through the menu) and click "Delete".
  • 📞 Contacts: in the application "Contacts" go to "Favorites", click "Edit" and delete all marked ones.
  • 📁 Files: in the file manager, hold down the folder "Favorites" and select "Clear" or "Delete all".
Can it be restored “Favorites” if the phone was stolen?

Yes, if synchronization was enabled:

  • 🔄 For Chrome bookmarks: log in to your Google account on the new device - they will be pulled up automatically.
  • 📱 For contacts: restore them via contacts.google.com (if they were synchronized).
  • ☁️ For files: if they were stored in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox), download them again.

If synchronization was disabled, the chances of recovery are minimal.

Where are “Favorites” stored on Android 13/14 compared to older versions?

The storage logic has not changed, but the interface may have changed:

  • 📱 On Android 13+ Chrome bookmarks are still synchronized with your Google account, but their display in the menu has become more compact (for example, now they can be hidden under the "Read" button later").
  • 📞 "Favorite contacts" in new firmware versions (for example, One UI 5/6 on Samsung) can be displayed as widgets on the main screen.
  • 📁 File managers on new Androids often integrated with «Google Files», where “Favorites” is located in the “Collections” tab.

If you can’t find it, update the applications to the latest versions.