Modern mobile games take up gigabytes of free space, quickly filling up the internal memory of a smartphone. Owners of devices with a small amount of built-in storage are often faced with the need to free up space by deleting photos or instant messengers. Transferring large files cache to an external drive becomes the only way out for comfortable gaming without deleting other applications.
In the latest versions of the operating system Android Google's security policy has become more stringent, limiting direct access of applications to the memory card. This creates some difficulty when trying to change the default resource loading path. However, there are proven methods to bypass these restrictions, allowing you to manually move heavy data folders.
The transfer process requires care when working with the file system, since an error in the directory name can cause the game to stop starting. In this article, we will look at current methods of data migration, including the use of special utilities and manual copying via a computer.
Preparing the file system and checking access rights
Before you begin manipulating files, you need to make sure that your memory card is correctly formatted and recognized by the system. The best option is the file system exFAT, which supports files larger than 4 GB, which is critical for modern gaming resources. You can check the type of formatting in the storage settings of your device.
Starting from version Android 11, access to the folder Android/obb and Android/data on an external memory card is closed by default to third-party file managers. This means that a standard Explorer may not allow you to create the necessary directories there or copy files there.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a Samsung or Xiaomi smartphone with the latest shell, the system may block writing to system folders on the SD card even if you have superuser rights without special settings via ADB.
For successful To perform the operation, you will need a file manager with extended rights, for example Total Commander with an access plugin or a specialized one X-plore File Manager. These tools can request system permission to work with protected directories, which a regular explorer often ignores.
Use U3 or V30 speed class memory cards for games. Slow cards (Class 10 and below) can cause slowdowns and long loading times of levels due to the low speed of reading small files.
Manually transferring the cache through a file manager
The most common method does not require connecting to a computer, but requires strict adherence to the folder structure. Games look for their resources strictly along a specific path, and any deviation in the hierarchy will result in a loading error. First, you need to find the cache folder in the internal memory of the device.
Usually game data is located along the path Internal memory/Android/obb for large resource files or Internal memory/Android/data for configuration files. Find the folder with the name of the developer or the name of the game, for example com.rockstargames.gtasa, and cut it out.
Next, go to the memory card. You'll need to create a similar directory structure if it doesn't already exist. The path should look absolutely identical: SD card/Android/obb. Paste the cut out game folder here. After that, in the phone settings, find the game application and clear its cache so that it scans the new file location.
- 📂 Make sure that the folder
obbis located directly in the root of the partitionAndroidon the memory card, and not inside another folder. - ✂️ Use the “Cut” function, not the “Copy” function, so as not to take up space in the internal memory twice.
- 🔄 After transfer, be sure to restart the device before launching the game for the first time.
If the game after transfer shows a loading error or shows a black screen, then the access rights to the new folder were not provided to the system. In some cases, you may need to force permission for the Explorer app to manage all files through the privacy settings menu.
☑️ Transfer checklist
Using utilities to automate the process
Manual copying may seem difficult for beginners, so developers have created special applications to simplify this task. One of the most popular utilities is App2SD or FolderSync, which have built-in scripts for transferring data. These apps automatically create the desired folder structure on external media.
When using such tools, it is important to grant them all requested permissions. The application will scan the internal memory, find installed games with a large cache size and offer to move them with one click of a button. This reduces the risk of human error when entering directory names.
However, it is worth considering that no utility can guarantee 100% compatibility with all games. Some projects, especially online shooters with anti-cheat systems, are strictly tied to the path in the internal storage and may not start from an external card even if transferred correctly.
| Utility name | Root required | Support for Android 11+ | Russian interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| App2SD: All in One Tool | No | Partially | Yes |
| FolderSync | No | Yes | Yes |
| Link2SD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Files by Google | No | No (cleaning only) | Yes |
For devices without superuser rights, the functions of such apps are limited. They can only transfer the application itself (APK), but not its cache, if the system blocks access to folders Android on the SD card. In such cases, a combination of utility and manual control gives the best result.
Advanced method: changing rights via ADB
If standard methods do not work due to security restrictions Android, you can use USB debugging. This method allows you to temporarily remove the write lock to protected folders on a memory card without obtaining root access. You will need a computer and ADB drivers installed.
Connect your smartphone to the PC in debugging mode and open the command line. Enter a command to grant the file system write permission to the obb directory on the external card. The syntax of the command depends on the OS version, but the general principle is to change the access attributes to the target folder.
adb shell pm grant com.android.externalstorage android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEAfter executing the command, the system will allow third-party applications and the user himself to write data to SD-card/Android/obb. You can easily transfer files in any convenient way. It is worth noting that after rebooting the device, these temporary permissions may be reset, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful when entering commands into ADB. Incorrect syntax may result in system instability or loss of access to files. Always double-check the commands before pressing Enter.
This method is the most reliable for modern versions of Android, since it works at the system permissions level, rather than simply copying files. It allows you to bypass the restrictions introduced by Google to protect user data from malware.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone in debugging mode?
Make sure that developer mode is enabled on your smartphone. In the “For Developers” menu, activate the “USB Debugging” item. Also try replacing the USB cable, as some cables only support charging, but not data transfer.
Features of working with different versions of Android
The behavior of the system when working with external drives has changed dramatically with the release of new versions of the OS. On Android 6.0-9.0 there was a function “Merge with internal storage”, which allowed you to format the memory card as part of the system. In this mode, the game cache was transferred automatically without unnecessary steps.
Starting from Android 10 and above, Google abandoned this feature in favor of the “Scoped Storage” model. Now each application sandbox is isolated, and access to shared folders is strictly regulated. This means that the old instructions for formatting the card as internal memory are no longer valid and may result in data loss.
Owners of devices based on Android 12, 13 and 14 have to rely solely on manual file management or the use of ADB scripts. System settings no longer offer simple switches for transferring application data to the SD card, hiding this option deep in the developer menu.
It is also important to take into account the specifics of manufacturers' shells. For example, Xiaomi has a built-in utility for transferring applications, but it often does not work correctly with a heavy cache. At the same time, the shell MIUI Xiaomi has a built-in utility for transferring applications, but it often does not work correctly with a heavy cache. At the same time the shell OneUI from Samsung is more loyal to external drives, but requires confirmation of security each time you access files.
The newer the Android version, the more difficult it is to automatically transfer the cache. On Android 11+, the only stable method is often manual copying with special permissions.
Possible problems and solutions
Even if all instructions are followed, users may encounter the fact that the game does not see the transferred files. Most often this is due to incorrect access rights to the folder on the memory card. The system may consider files “foreign” and prevent the game from reading them.
Another common problem is the low speed of the memory card. If you transferred the cache of a heavy game to an old or cheap microSD, the loading time of levels may increase significantly, and textures will be loaded with a delay. In such cases, it is better to return the files to the internal memory.
- 🚫 The game crashes on startup: check whether the path to the folder exactly matches the original path in the internal memory.
- ⏳ Long loading: test the speed of the memory card using the A1SD Benchmark application.
- 📁 The files are not are copied: make sure that the card is not write-protected by a physical switch on the adapter.
Sometimes clearing the cache of the game launcher application itself helps. After transferring the files, go to the application settings, select “Storage” and click “Clear cache”, then launch the game. It will scan the directory again and find resources in a new location.
Is it possible to transfer the cache of online games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Technically it is possible, but not recommended. Online games often check the integrity of files each time they are launched and may block launch if the files are located on external media, considering this a sign of modification of the client. In addition, the speed of the memory card may not meet the requirements of an online game.
What happens if you remove the memory card with the cache installed?
The game will stop starting or give an error loading resources, since it cannot find the necessary files in the specified path. You will have to either insert the card back or re-download the cache to the internal memory of the device.
Will transferring the cache to an SD card increase battery life?
No, this does not directly affect the battery. However, reading data from an external card may consume slightly more power than from internal flash memory due to the nature of the controller. The difference will be minimal and unnoticeable in everyday use.
Do you need to format the memory card before transferring?
It is desirable, but not necessary. Formatting to the exFAT file system ensures that there are no file system errors and support for large files. If the card is already formatted and works stably, you can use it without additional preparation.