Many users of streaming services sooner or later wonder about the physical location of music files on their device. This happens especially often when you need to free up space on your smartphone or transfer your favorite songs to another medium. In the case of a popular service Yandex Music the situation has its own technical features, which are important to understand for proper memory management.
By default, the application does not save tracks in the usual MP3 format in shared folders in order to protect content from illegal distribution. Files are encrypted and placed in protected system directories. However, knowing the exact path allows you to control the amount of space occupied and, if necessary, clear the cache manually if automatic cleaning does not work correctly.
In this article we will analyze in detail the data storage structure, consider changes associated with new versions of the operating system Android 11 and higher, and also provide step-by-step guide for finding hidden folders. You will learn to distinguish between temporary cache and offline files that are available for listening without the Internet.
Features of the file system in new versions of Android
Starting with version Android 11, Google has tightened the rules for accessing the file system as part of the Scoped Storage policy. This means that applications can no longer freely read and write files in the root directories of the shared storage. Now all user application data, including music, has moved to a special protected area.
It used to be easier to find music, since the paths were more obvious and accessible through any file manager. Now access to the folder Android/data is limited to third-party applications without special permissions. This is done to increase the security of user data and prevent chaotic memory filling.
For the user, this change means that the standard Explorer may not display the contents of Yandex Music folders if he does not have advanced access rights. You will need to use the system's built-in file manager or specialized utilities that can request access to system directories through the interface SAF (Storage Access Framework).
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to obtain root access or use unofficial modified file managers to bypass Scoped Storage restrictions may lead to a violation of the device warranty and unstable system operation.
Interface and paths to files may differ slightly depending on the shell of your smartphone manufacturer (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the manufacturer's official documentation if standard paths do not work.
Standard cache path and offline tracks
Despite the limitations, the physical path to data remains the same for most devices running on pure Android or interfaces close to it. Yandex Music saves all tracks downloaded for offline listening deep in the system hierarchy.
The main path looks like this: Internal memory/Android/data/ru.yandex.music/files. Inside this directory there are subfolders where the encrypted blocks of audio data are located. Direct access to these files without authorization in the application is impossible, since they do not have the extension .mp3.
If you are using a memory card microSD and selected it as the main storage in the application settings, the path will change. The system will create a similar structure on external media: SD card/Android/data/ru.yandex.music/files. This allows you to save the internal space of the smartphone, which is critical for models with a small amount of built-in memory.
- 📂 The main data folder is located along the path
Android/data - 🎵 Application ID in the folder name -
ru.yandex.music - 🔒 The files inside are protected and are not played by third-party players
- 💾 When changing storage, the folder structure is completely duplicated on the SD card
If you don’t see the Android/data folder in your file manager, try using the Google Files app or the manufacturer’s built-in explorer, giving it all the necessary permissions in the settings system.
How to find a folder through the built-in file manager
Finding the desired directory can cause difficulties for untrained users due to hidden system files. The most reliable way to get there is to use the stock file viewer, which already has the necessary system privileges.
Open the Files or My Files application on your smartphone. Go to the “Internal Memory” (or “Device Storage”) section. Next, follow the chain of folders: first find the directory Android, then enter the folder data. In the list of applications, look for a folder named ru.yandex.music.
After entering the application folder, you will see several subdirectories. We are interested in the section files, and inside it there is a folder download or cache, where the audio blocks are directly stored. Please note that the file names will be a set of random characters without a clear extension.
Search path:
/Internal Storage/Android/data/ru.yandex.music/files/download
It is important to understand that even after finding these files, you cannot simply copy them to your computer and play them in a regular player. They are tied to an account and a specific device. Deleting this folder will result in the loss of all downloaded tracks, and the application will need to re-download them from the network when first launched.
☑️ Checking file access
Setting the save location in the Yandex Music application
You can manage where exactly the songs will be saved directly in the settings the application itself. This gives the user flexibility in allocating memory resources, especially if the smartphone's internal storage is full.
To change the save path, open the application and go to your profile. Click on the gear icon or Settings. Under "Advanced" or "Storage" you will find an option to select a download location. Here you can switch from internal memory to the card microSDif it is installed and correctly formatted.
When changing storage, the application may offer to transfer already downloaded tracks to a new media. This process may take some time depending on the size of your media library. It is recommended to perform this operation while the charger is connected to avoid draining the battery during the data transfer process.
App onlyApp only| Option | Internal memory | Card memory (SD) |
|---|---|---|
| Access speed | High | Average (depending on the card class) |
| Storage reliability | High | Average (risk of damage) |
| Impact on the system | Takes up space under the OS | Does not take up space under the OS |
| File availability |
Using an external memory card makes sense if you download a lot of music in high quality. However, it is worth remembering that the reading speed from cheap cards may not be sufficient for seamless playback of tracks without delays.
Changing storage in the application settings does not copy files automatically unless you confirm the transfer action. Old files will remain in the same place until you clear the cache manually.
Why files are not visible in MP3 format
A frequent question from users is why downloaded songs are not displayed in the track list of a regular player and do not have an extension .mp3. The answer lies in the copyright protection technology DRM (Digital Rights Management), which is used by Yandex.
When downloading, the track is broken into many small fragments and encrypted with a unique key. These fragments are stored in a separate container. The Yandex Music application acts as a decoder that collects these parts into a single stream and decrypts them “on the fly” at the time of playback.
This approach ensures that the music remains available only to subscribers of the service. Even if you copy the files to your computer, they will be useless without the appropriate software and decryption keys, which are stored in a protected area of the application's memory.
⚠️ Attention: There are third-party apps that promise to convert tracks from Yandex Music to MP3. The use of such software violates the user agreement of the service and can lead to blocking of your account, as well as infection of your smartphone with malicious code.
In addition, the storage format is optimized for quick access and saving space. The fragmentation method allows the application to download only the necessary parts of the track when rewinding, without reading the entire file, which speeds up the interface.
Technical details of encryption
The files are stored in a proprietary format, often without an extension or with a .ym extension. The file structure includes a header with metadata and a body with the encrypted audio stream. The keys are stored in SharedPreferences or the application's encrypted database.
Clearing the cache and freeing up space
Over time, the folder with downloaded music can grow to several gigabytes, taking up precious space on your smartphone. If you have stopped listening to certain albums or want to completely clear your offline library, this can be done in several ways.
The most correct method is to use the application's built-in tools. Go to the “My Music” or “Downloads” section, select unnecessary tracks or albums and select the “Remove from Downloads” option. This will correctly delete files from the system folder and update the application database.
If the application does not work correctly or you want to delete absolutely all downloaded data at once, you can use the Android settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Yandex Music → Storage. Here you will see the “Clear cache” and “Clear data” button.
- 🗑️ Clearing the cache will delete temporary files, but may save settings
- ❌ Clearing data will reset the application to its factory state and delete all songs
- 🔄 After clearing the data, you will need to re-authorize your account
- ⚙️ Manually deleting a folder through Explorer is equivalent to clearing the data
Use manual deletion through a file manager only in extreme cases when the application does not start. In other situations, standard removal tools are preferable, as they guarantee the integrity of the service’s configuration files.
Before completely clearing application data, make sure that you remember the login and password for your Yandex account, otherwise you will lose access to your playlists and settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer downloaded songs to another phone by simply copying the folder?
No, this will not work. The files are encrypted and linked to a unique device identifier and user session. On a new phone, the application will not be able to decrypt these files, and you will have to download the music again through the app interface.
Why did all the downloaded songs disappear after updating Android?
With major system updates, especially when moving to new versions of Android (for example, from 10 to 11), the folder structure Android/data may change or access rights may be reset. The application needs to re-index the files or download them again.
Where is the folder if I use a memory card?
The path will be similar to the internal one, but will start with the designation of the external card. Usually this is /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/data/ru.yandex.music, where XXXX-XXXX is the unique identifier of your SD card.
How to learn how much space Yandex music takes up on your phone?
Go to the smartphone settings, the “Applications” section, find Yandex Music and open the “Storage” item. It will indicate the exact volume occupied by the application, including the cache and downloaded tracks.
Is it possible to listen to music without the Internet if you delete the application?
No. Offline mode only works when the application is installed and authorized. Uninstalling the app automatically deprives you of access to downloaded files, since they are part of the application ecosystem, and not independent files.