Can deleted search history be recovered without iCloud backup?

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As far as device security goes, Apple is arguably over the top. They're maniacal about it. There are copious marketing details as well as mind-numbing technical references on the subject.

About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone - Apple Support might be worth reading as an introduction. "Stolen" can of course also be interpreted to mean taken, seized, misplaced, lost, etc.

More: Passcodes and passwords - Apple Support. Read about the "erase data option".

Lots more information if the subject interests you. The point is iPhones are the most secure consumer-grade products on the planet. Security is as fundamental to Apple's business model as the opposite is to most other companies.

But what exactly can be recovered if stuff has been deleted and there’s no back up?? I

The answer to that specific question is that stuff cannot be recovered from the device itself. However, I am not quite certain what you mean by deleting <something> from Google.

I thought I answered that question but Google retains your browsing activity, your search history, including all location / data / times / dates / etc forever. It is a fundamental aspect of their highly successful business model.

That is a completely separate topic than the browsing history retained on the device itself — which, without a backup, will be gone by now.

NightPanther33 wrote:

Already done. Nothing illegal to find but as expected cops seize someone’s phone and get excited thinking they’re going to stumble on a gold mine

I am making no judgments about why the police may have taken your phone or may want your information. I just think most interactions with law enforcement can benefit from legal counsel. I have been called a cynic.

Not sure what you mean by "search history" but iOS Safari retains its history for only 30 days. In other words its local storage of websites loaded at the beginning of last month (and before) were erased at the beginning of this month.

You mentioned both safari and google in a context that is not quite clear to me. If you selected Google as your search engine, you should already know Google retains your search history forever. Those records can be subpoenaed, examined, introduced as evidence, etc.

NightPanther33 wrote:

I mean search story I.e my activity?? I’ve navigated my google account and my activity is all I can find can’t find any data or caches

Is your concern recovering the search history for your own use? Or are you worried that the police will be able to access your search history? If the latter, as John pointed out, Google keeps things forever and will provide information requested by a supoena. So yes, the police will be able to access it.

If your questions are about what access the police will have to your data, you should really consult an attorney.

NightPanther33 wrote:

Already done. Nothing illegal to find but as expected cops seize someone’s phone and get excited thinking they’re going to stumble on a gold mine

Not likely they would even be able to open your phone unless you had provided them your passcode. Legally they can lie and claim they found data as an interrogation tactic. They don't use the term "lying", they call it "deception".

A subpoena for data stored online is very likely and much more easily obtained. Yes, Google does save your search history and a subpoena will reveal it. With other search engines, such as DuckDuckGo, that may be less likely, but I don't have the data to back up that claim.