Modern mobile games are taking up more and more space on the internal storage of your smartphone. If you are used to the classic Windows structure, where apps are installed in a folder, then in the ecosystem everything is arranged differently and is often more difficult for the average user to understand. The files are scattered across several directories, some of which are hidden from view without obtaining special access rights. This is done for security purposes and to prevent the system from accidentally deleting critical data. app Files, then in the ecosystem Android everything is structured differently and is often more difficult for the average user to understand. The files are scattered across several directories, some of which are hidden from view without obtaining special access rights. This is done for security purposes and to prevent the system from accidentally deleting critical data.
Understanding where installation packages, texture caches and save files are physically located is necessary not only to free up space, but also to manually back up progress or transfer data to a new gadget. In this article, we will analyze in detail the architecture of storing game data, paths to system folders and methods for managing them without the risk of damaging the performance of the device.
Main application installation directory
When you download a game from Google Play or a third-party source, the main executable file is placed in a protected system area. A normal user cannot see these files through standard Explorer without root access. This is where APK file applications and their optimized versions for a specific processor are stored.
System directory /data/app is the main storage for all installed apps. Inside this folder, each game has its own unique subdirectory with the package name, for example com.supercell.clashofclans. This is where the main game code resides.
Access to this area is limited by security policies Androidstarting with version 4.4 and tightened in newer versions. Trying to manually edit files in this directory may cause the game to stop launching or crash at startup.
⚠️ Attention: Directly editing files in the folder /data/app without deep knowledge of Android architecture is almost guaranteed to break the application. To modify, use specialized tools or mods installed on top of the main version.
It is important to note that deleting the game through the phone settings automatically clears this directory. However, if you delete files manually through a file manager with root access, the system may not update the database of installed applications, which will create conflicts during the next installation.
Before any intervention in the system folders, make a complete backup of your data via TWRP or a similar solution, since an error in one byte can make the system unstable.
Android folder and cache storage OBB
The heaviest files of modern games - high-resolution textures, audio tracks and character models - are usually not included in the main APK file. They are loaded separately and stored in a publicly accessible part of memory. Their main location is a folder Android/obb on the internal drive or SD card.
The path structure here is strictly regulated. The path looks like /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/. Inside you will find folders with the names of the game packages. For example, for a heavy game like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile gigabytes of data can be stored here. Files with the extension .obb are resource archives.
If you delete the contents of the folder obb, when launched, the game will detect a lack of resources and will require you to download them again via the Internet. This is a useful mechanism for saving internal space: you can delete the cache after completing the game, leaving the installer itself to quickly return to the process later.
| Data type | Location | Can be deleted? | Consequences of deletion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation package (APK) | /data/app |
No (only through settings) | The game will be completely removed |
| Resource cache (OBB) | Android/obb |
Yes | Re-downloading data when start |
| Saves and settings | Android/data |
With caution | Loss of progress (if there is no cloud) |
| Temporary files | Cache inside folders |
Yes | Slowdown of the first launch |
It is worth considering that in the latest versions Android 11, 12 and 13 access to the folder Android for third-party file managers was significantly limited. Standard Explorer may not show the contents of these directories. To view, you will need to use the built-in Files application from Google or provide special permissions in the file access settings.
Directory of application data and saves
In addition to heavy resources, games store logs, graphics settings, accountId and local progress saves. This data is usually located in the next directory - Android/data. Here the structure is similar to a folder obb: each game has its own folder with the package name.
Inside the folder of a specific game you can often find subdirectories fileswhere downloaded maps, skins or custom modifications are located. Some developers use this area to store offline progress if the game is not linked to an account Google Play Games.
Cleaning this folder through the phone settings (“Clear data”) is equivalent to reinstalling the game from scratch. You will lose all control settings, downloaded additional levels and local saves. Therefore, before resetting your data, make sure that your progress is synchronized with the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: In Android 11+, access to the folder Android/data is closed to most third-party explorers. Do not try to bypass this restriction using dubious methods if you are not sure of the consequences - this may disrupt the operation of the security sandbox.
Sometimes users move folders with mods (for example, for Minecraft or Roblox) here. If the game stops seeing mods after a system update, check whether file permissions for the application itself have been reset.
How to open the Android folder on new versions of the OS?
On Android 11 and higher, the standard Explorer hides the contents of the Android folder. To see the files, use the "Files by Google" application or connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). On a PC, the restriction does not apply, and you can freely manage the content.
Features of storage on an SD memory card
Many users still use microSD cards to expand memory, but the logic of storing games on them has its own nuances. Modern versions Android do not allow you to transfer the applications themselves (APK) to a memory card in the classical sense, as was the case in the era of Android 6-7.
However, game data (OBB cache and files from Android/data) can be transferred to external media if the specific smartphone model and firmware version supports it. The path on the map will be similar: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb, where XXXX-XXXX is the unique identifier of the map.
- 📂 Reading speed: Games launched from a U1 or lower class memory card may load textures with delays, causing freezes.
- 🔒 Encryption: If the card is formatted as "internal memory" (Adoptable Storage), it is encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
- ⚠️ Risk of loss: If you remove the card while the game is running, saving may fail or cache files may be damaged.
It is recommended to use memory cards with a high speed class (U3, V30, A2) to install games. The marking A2 is critically important, as it indicates the high speed of random access I/O operations, which is typical for game databases.
Moving the game cache to an SD card frees up internal memory, but can negatively affect the speed of loading levels and the stability of the application.
Searching for hidden folders and junk files
In addition to standard paths, some games, especially those downloaded from unverified sources or old projects, can create their own folders in the root of the internal storage. They are often named by the name of the developer or the game itself, for example, a folder Gameloft or Asphalt right at the root of the disk.
It is also worth paying attention to hidden files whose names begin with a dot (for example, .nomedia). The file .nomedia tells the phone's gallery to ignore this folder so that screenshots and game textures don't clutter up your photo gallery. You shouldn't delete it if you don't want to see game assets among your personal photos.
To find such scattered files, it is convenient to use the storage analysis function in the phone settings or third-party utilities like DiskUsage. They visualize memory usage in the form of a block map, allowing you to instantly find the largest directories.
/storage/emulated/0/Gameloft//storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.example.game/
/storage/emulated/0/Download/temp_game_files/
Often, after deleting a game, “tails” remain - empty folders or forgotten configs. Regular revision of the root directory helps maintain order. However, be careful: the folder with the name of the game does not always mean that it belongs only to it, sometimes there may be shared libraries there.
☑️ Checking the storage before deleting
Safely deleting and clearing space
The safest way to delete a game and all associated files - use system settings. Go to Settings → Applications, find the game you want and click "Delete". The system will automatically clear entries in the registry, delete APK from /data/app and erase data from Android/data and Android/obb.
If your goal is to free up space, but save the game for future use, you can limit yourself to deleting only the cache. From the application menu, select "Storage" and click "Clear Cache." This will remove OBB's temporary files and resources, but will leave the app itself installed. The next time you start the game, it will download the necessary data.
Manual deletion through a file manager is only permissible if the application is frozen and cannot be deleted in the standard way. In this case, you need to delete the folder with the package name from Android/obb i Android/data, and then try to remove the application itself through the settings.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ depending on the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). The names of menu items may vary, but the logic for working with storage remains the same for the entire Android platform.
Do not forget that some games store saves in the cloud. Before doing a full wipe, make sure you're logged into your account so your progress isn't permanently lost. Local files in the folder data Often they are the only copy of your progress in offline projects.
Use the built-in "Free up space" function in your phone settings - it automatically finds old apk files and application caches that have not been launched for a long time, offering their safe deletion.
Is it possible to transfer the game to an SD card on Android 13?
You cannot directly transfer the executable file (APK) of a modern game to an SD card through the settings. The system forces applications to be installed into internal memory for security and speed. However, some data files (cache) can be transferred if the application developer has provided such an option, or if you use the "Format as internal memory" function, which makes the card part of the system partition.
Where are game saves stored without the cloud?
Local saves are most often located along the path Android/data/[game_package_name]/files. In some cases, older games may store them in the root of the internal memory in a folder with the name of the game or developer. The exact path depends on the architecture of the specific application.
Why is the Android folder empty in my file manager?
Starting with Android 11, Google has limited the access of third-party applications to system folders Android/data and Android/obb for confidentiality purposes. Standard Explorer may not show their contents. Use the official "Files" application from Google or connect your phone to your computer to view these directories.
Deleting the OBB folder will delete the game?
No, deleting the OBB folder will not delete the application itself (the icon will remain on the screen). However, upon startup, the game will detect a lack of resources (textures, sounds) and will either crash with an error or begin re-downloading data, requiring an Internet connection.