Many users are faced with a situation where a downloaded game or heavy application requires additional files to launch correctly. These files, known as cache, are often several times larger than the main installation package. If the automatic download is interrupted or an error occurs, the user is faced with the need to manually move data.
Previously, standard file managers allowed you to freely move files to any system directories. However, modern versions Android tightened the security policy, limiting access to the root folder. In this article we will look at how to use ES File Explorer to solve this problem, taking into account all the nuances of working with access rights on new versions of the operating system.
The essence of the process is to correctly place the archive or unpacked folder in a strictly defined location in the internal memory of the device. An error in one letter of the directory name will result in the application simply not seeing its resources and displaying an error message or crashing to the main screen.
What is a cache and why transfer it manually
A cache in the context of mobile applications is a set of additional resources: textures, models, audio tracks and scripts. The developers put them in separate archives to reduce the size of the initial download from the store Google Play. Typically, such files have an extension .obb or are located in folders named data.
Automatic download via Wi-Fi is the easiest method, but it is not always reliable. An unstable connection, failures of the developer's servers, or lack of space on the system partition can interrupt the process. Manual installation via file manager becomes the only working solution in such cases.
In addition, the manual method is indispensable if you download modified versions of games (mods) that are not available on official marketplaces. In such a situation, you only have an installation file .apk and a folder with a cache, which needs to be correctly integrated into the system.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to move cache files to arbitrary folders that you created yourself. The system searches for resources only in strictly regulated directories, otherwise the application will not start.
Using a third-party explorer, such as ES Explorer, provides the advantage of a convenient interface and tools for working with archives. This allows you to unpack data directly on the device without using a computer.
Preparing a file manager and obtaining access rights
Before you start moving files, you need to make sure that your file manager has all the necessary permissions. On modern smartphones with Android 11, Android 12 and higher, standard access to the folder Android is blocked for most applications.
When you first launch ES File Explorer or when you try to enter the system partition, the app will ask for special permission. You will be prompted to go to your storage settings and select a specific folder to grant full access. This is a critical step, without which copying files will not be possible.
If you are using an older version of the application, make sure that it is compatible with your OS version. Sometimes new updates security system block the operation of outdated software. In this case, you may need to install a specialized version of the explorer, adapted to the new requirements Google.
It is also worth checking the availability of free space. The cache of heavy games can take from 2 to 10 gigabytes. Make sure that there is enough space on the internal drive, otherwise the process will be interrupted in the middle, damaging the files.
Search and download the necessary cache files
Cache files are usually distributed in compressed form - archives .zip or .rar. You can find them on specialized forums or sites with game files. It is important to download a cache version that exactly matches the version of the installed game.
After downloading, the file usually ends up in the Download or Downloadsfolder. It is better to unpack the archive before moving it, although some advanced managers allow you to work with them directly. For unpacking ES Explorer a convenient tool is built in.
Click on the archive and select Extract here (Unpack here). Make sure that as a result of unpacking you get a folder with the correct name. Often there is another folder inside the archive, and users mistakenly copy the wrong structure.
☑️ Checking files before installation
Pay attention to the nesting structure. The right path often looks like com.game.name. If you see just files inside the archive without a shared folder, create a new directory with the desired name and place them there.
Algorithm for moving data to the system folder
The most critical stage is moving the unpacked data to the desired memory section. In the system Android there are two main paths for placing the cache, and the choice depends on the requirements of the specific application.
The first and most common path is the folder Android/obb. Files with the extension .obb or folders containing such files are placed here. The second path is Android/datawhere folders with the name of the application package are placed, containing files files or cache.
Select the desired cache folder in the Explorer window. Press and hold your finger on the icon to display the context menu. Select the option Copy (Copy) or Cut (Cut). Using a copy is safer as it leaves a backup copy in case of an error.
Now go to the root of the internal memory, designated as /storage/emulated/0 or simply Internal Storage. Find the folder Android. Inside it, select the target directory: obb for heavy data or data for custom settings.
| File type | Target folder | Example folder name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
.obb |
Android/obb |
com.rockstargames.gtasa |
Textures and media content |
| Data folder | Android/data |
com.mojang.minecraftpe |
Worlds, mods, saves |
| Application cache | Android/data/.../cache |
temp_files |
Temporary buffers |
| Saves | Android/data/.../files |
saves |
Game progress |
Inside the target folder, click the button Paste (Paste). Wait until the copying process completes. If there are a lot of files, this may take several minutes. Do not minimize the application until the progress bar reaches 100%.
What to do if the Android folder is empty?
If you go to the Android folder and see that it is empty, although the games are installed, this may be system protection. Try using the built-in system explorer to check for files, or give full rights to ES Explorer through a special system file access window.
Features of working on Android 11, 12, 13 and later
Starting with the eleventh version of the mobile operating system, the company Google implemented the function Scoped Storage. It limits the visibility of files in the directory Android for all applications except system ones. This is done to protect user data from malware.
When you try to log into Android/obb via ES File Explorer on new devices, you may see an empty folder or an access error message. This does not mean that the files are not there - it means that Explorer does not have the right to display them without special authorization.
To bypass this restriction, when you first enter the folder, the system will prompt you to click the button at the bottom of the screen “Use this folder”. Once confirmed, you will have full read and write access to this directory. Without this step, you will not be able to copy files.
⚠️ Attention: The interface for requesting access rights may differ depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If the confirmation button is inactive, check the privacy settings in the main menu of the phone.
In some cases, even after granting rights, older versions of file managers cannot work correctly with the new file system. Then the only solution is to connect the smartphone to the computer and move files via a USB cable in storage mode.
If ES Explorer does not see the Android folder, try temporarily renaming it to "Android_old", copying the files, and then renaming it back. This method does not always work, but it can help in emergency cases.
Checking integrity and launching the application
After the files have been moved, you need to make sure that the folder structure is not broken. Go to the final directory and check whether the file .obb is located directly in the folder with the package name, and not nested in another folder. A common mistake is double nesting, when the path looks like Android/obb/com.game/com.game/main.obb.
The correct path should be like this: Android/obb/com.game/main.obb. If you see an extra folder inside, move the contents up a level and delete the empty directory. The application searches for files according to a strict path and does not know how to scan subfolders.
Launch the game or application. If the cache is installed correctly, the app will immediately go to the main menu or begin checking files. If a black screen or crash appears, it means that the cache version does not match the version of the apk file, or the files were damaged during copying.
The main rule for installing a cache: the name of the folder with the cache must exactly match the name of the application package (for example, com.example.game), and the files must lie immediately inside it, without unnecessary attachments.
If unsuccessful, try clearing the application data through the phone settings and launching it again. Sometimes the system caches information about missing files, and a reset helps update this state.
Possible errors and solutions
One of the most common problems is the “Not enough space” error, even if there are free gigabytes on the disk. This could be due to the file system or because the limit has been reached on a particular partition if you have a memory card. Always try to install the cache in internal memory.
Another common situation is that the file is copied, but the game does not see it. Check your permissions. Some Xiaomi or Huawei smartphones have additional “protectors” that block access to files even with system permissions. Disable battery optimization for the file manager.
If you are using a memory card SD, make sure it is formatted as internal storage (Adoptable Storage) if the game requires installing the cache there. Otherwise, modern applications may ignore external drives for security reasons.
⚠️ Attention: Interface details and menu item names may vary depending on the version of ES File Explorer and the firmware of your smartphone. If you do not find the described buttons, check the current manual for your device model.
In extreme cases, completely reinstalling the game helps. Delete the apk, delete the cache folders manually through Explorer, reboot the device and repeat the installation procedure from the very beginning, carefully following the paths.
Is it possible to install the cache on a memory card?
On modern versions of Android, this is only possible if the card is formatted as internal memory. Otherwise, most applications force the cache to be installed only in the internal drive, ignoring the SD card.
What to do if ES Explorer does not open the Android folder?
Most likely, the application does not have special permission to access system files. When you enter a folder, click the "Allow" or "Use this folder" button in the system window. If there is no button, update the application or use the built-in explorer.
Why does the game crash after installing the cache?
There may be several reasons: incompatibility of the cache and game versions, violation of the folder structure (excessive nesting), corruption of files during downloading, or lack of device RAM.
Is it necessary unpack the archive before moving?
Yes, in 99% of cases the cache folder needs to be unpacked. The folder Android/obb or data is where the unpacked directory with files is placed, and not the zip archive itself, unless otherwise specified in the instructions for a particular game.