In modern mobile gaming, users often encounter a lack of built-in device memory. Popular projects like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact take up tens of gigabytes, which forces smartphone owners to look for ways to free up space. Understanding where the game files are physically locatedis the key to competent storage optimization or manual data transfer.
The structure of the Android file system has undergone significant changes in recent years, especially with the release of versions 10 and 11. If earlier access to system directories was relatively free, now the policy security Scoped Storage restricts direct viewing of some directories. In this article, we will analyze in detail which folders are responsible for saving progress, and which contain only a temporary cache, and how to interact with this without root access.
Incorrectly deleting files from game directories can lead to loss of progress or the inability to launch the application. Therefore, before any manipulations with the file system, it is critical to understand the purpose of each element. We will look at both standard paths through the built-in file manager, as well as more advanced access methods via a computer or special utilities.
Basic storage structure on an internal drive
All application data in the Android operating system is written to the device’s internal memory by default. This is due to the fact that the read speed of the built-in flash drive is much higher than that of most microSD cards, which is critical for quickly loading textures and levels in games. The main directory where user data is located is located along the path /storage/emulated/0/Android.
Inside this folder there are two key directories: data and obb. This is where heavy game resources “live”. The folder Android/data contains a cache, logs, and often the progress of a particular application itself. Each game has its own subfolder here, named by a unique package name, for example, com.supercell.clashofclans.
Directory Android/obb is intended for storing additional download files (OBB - Opaque Binary Blob). Usually there are large archives with graphics, sounds and models that are not included in the main installation APK file. Without the contents of this folder, many games simply will not start, giving an error loading resources.
⚠️ Attention: Starting with Android 11, standard file managers can hide the contents of folders
dataandobb, showing them empty. This is not a bug, but a system security feature.
To view hidden folders on new versions of Android, use Google's built-in Files application or specialized managers like Solid Explorer, requesting special access upon first login.
In addition to the Android system folder, some developers create their own directories in the root of the internal memory. For example, games from Gameloft or Asphalt can create a folder Gameloft immediately in the root of the storage. Always check the root directory if you do not find the data in the standard location.
Differences between cache, data and saves
Users often confuse the concepts of cache and data, considering them interchangeable. However, from a technical point of view, these are different types of information, stored in different places or having different cleaning priorities. Cache are temporary files that speed up the game, but can be deleted without losing progress.
App Data includes settings, accounts and, most importantly, saving game progress. Removing this information is equivalent to resetting the game to its state immediately after installation. In a file manager, this data often takes up the “Data” section in the application properties, rather than just “Cache.”
Saves can also be duplicated in the cloud. Services like Google Play Games or social network accounts synchronize progress remotely. In this case, local files on the device serve only as a temporary buffer. If you lost local files, but played online, progress can be restored after re-authorization.
- 📂 Cache folder: contains temporary textures and scripts, safe to delete if there is not enough space.
- 💾 Folder Files/Data: stores your saves, inventory and settings, deleting will lead to loss of progress.
- 📦 OBB folder: contains the main game resources (gigabytes of data), without them the game will not start.
Access features in Android 11, 12, 13 and later
With the release of security updates, Google has significantly tightened the rules for accessing the file system. The mechanism Scoped Storage now prohibits applications, including file managers, from freely scanning the directory /Android/data. When you try to go there through standard Explorer, you will see an empty folder or a message about no access.
To bypass this limitation without obtaining root access, you must grant the file manager special permission. When you first enter a protected folder, the system will ask you to access data from all applications. The user needs to click the "Allow access to folder" button and confirm the action in the system dialog.
An alternative way is to connect the smartphone to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Through the Windows or macOS interface, access to these folders often remains open, since restrictions are imposed at the level of the phone's operating system, and not the data transfer protocol.
⚠️ Attention: Shell interfaces (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS) may differ. If the standard explorer does not allow you to enter the folder, try installing the official one Files by Google from the Play Market store.
Path for manual entry in advanced managers:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/
Some users mistakenly believe that updating to a new version of Android automatically transfers all data to new protected containers. In fact, old files may remain in open directories, creating duplicates and taking up unnecessary space. It is recommended to periodically check for the presence of old folders with game names in the root of the memory.
Transferring games to a memory card: myths and reality
The issue of transferring games to a memory card remains one of the most popular, but also the most problematic. Starting with Android 6.0, the "Adoptable Storage" feature appeared, allowing you to format the card as internal storage. However, most smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) have disabled this function in their firmware.
If your model supports transferring applications, this is done through the settings: Settings → Applications → [Select game] → Storage → Edit → Memory card. But even in this case, only part of the APK file is transferred, and heavy OBB resources often remain in the internal memory.
Manual folder transfer obb and data to a memory card is possible, but requires compliance with a strict directory structure. You must create a similar structure on the memory card Android/obb and place the files there. However, the game may not see them if it does not have the appropriate access rights or if the system prioritizes internal storage.
| Migration method | Efficiency | Risks | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard function Android | Medium (partial transfer) | Low | Manufacturer support |
| Manual copying of folders | Low (often does not work) | Medium (path errors) | File manager |
| root access + Link2SD | High (full transfer) | High (loss of warranty) | Root access, special. Software |
| Format as internal | High | High (loss of card data) | Fast card U3/V30 |
Why do games slow down on a memory card?
microSD cards have significantly lower random read speed (IOPS) compared to onboard UFS memory. This leads to long loading times for levels and slowdowns in open worlds.
Searching for lost files and clearing garbage
Over time, files from deleted games accumulate in memory. Developers do not always correctly clean up the “tails” behind them in the data and obbfolders. To find such files, you need to focus on package names. If you deleted the game, but the folder with the name com.example.game remains, you can safely delete it manually.
To search for specific files, use the search function in the file manager. Enter the name of the game or part of its package. The system will show all occurrences, including caches in other directories. Particular attention should be paid to the folder Download, where installers and additional packages are often saved.
Use specialized utilities for analyzing storage, such as DiskUsage or Files by Google. They visualize memory usage in the form of a block map, allowing you to instantly detect the largest files. This is much more efficient than manually going through folders.
- 🔍 Search by extension: search for files
.obbor.xapkto find heavy resources. - 🗑️ Clearing the cache: delete files from a folder
cacheinside the game directory, and not the entire folder. - 📁 Sorting by date: Sort files by modification date to find data from long-deleted applications.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files with extension
.androidor system files in the root of the Android folder, even if they take up a lot of space. This may disrupt the operation of other applications.
☑️ Safely clearing game data
Data recovery after a reset or reinstallation
If you accidentally deleted the game data folder, there is only hope for recovery if you have a backup copy. Local files deleted past the recycle bin (in Android there is no single recycle bin for system folders) are extremely difficult to recover without a deep memory scan, which requires root access.
The most reliable method of protection is regular backup of the folder Android/data/[game_name] to a computer or cloud drive before resetting the settings. When restoring, it is enough to return the files to the same places before the first launch of the game. It is important to maintain access rights to folders, otherwise the game may not see the files.
For games with cloud saves, the process is simpler. Just install the game, log in to your account (Google Play, Facebook, VK) and wait for synchronization. Local files will be downloaded automatically or will be overwritten by the current version from the server.
Regular manual copying of the Data folder to your computer is the only reliable way to save progress in offline games that do not support cloud synchronization.
Is it possible to transfer a game to a memory card without root access on Android 13?
Officially - no, if the manufacturer does not provide such a function in the settings. Workarounds for creating symbolic links require root privileges. On Android 13, restrictions on access to external drives have become even stricter.
Why does the game say "Downloading additional files" after the transfer?
This means that the game did not find the OBB files in the expected path. Either the folder structure on the memory card is broken, or the security system is blocking the application's access to external media. Try returning the files to the internal memory.
Where are saves stored in games without the Internet?
In 90% of cases they are located in /Android/data/[game_package]/files/. Less commonly, developers use hidden system directories or encrypt data in the SharedPreferences shared storage, which can only be accessed via root.
Is it safe to delete the Android/obb folder?
It is safe to delete only those subfolders that correspond to already deleted games. If you delete the active game folder, you will have to download gigabytes of data again the next time you start it, but this will not harm the system.
How do I find out the batch name of a game to find its folder?
The batch name is usually the same as the name in Google Play in the browser's address bar. It can also be seen in the application settings in the "About the application" section or through special utilities such as App Inspector.