Have you downloaded an important document on your smartphone, but can’t find it in the device’s memory? Or want to free up space by deleting app cache, but don't know where it's stored? The problem is that Yandex Disk on your smartphone, but can’t find it in the device’s memory? Or want to free up space by deleting app cache, but don't know where it's stored? The problem is that Yandex Disk on Android works differently than on a computer: files are not always saved in obvious folders, and some of the data is hidden from the user. In this article we will analyze all possible storage locations - from standard paths to system directories accessible only through ADB.

The difficulty is that the location of the files depends on the application version, synchronization settings and even the smartphone manufacturer (for example, on Xiaomi or Samsung paths may differ). We have collected current data for 2026, but please note: Yandex regularly updates the logic of the Disk. If the instructions do not work, check the application version in Google Play and compare with our screenshots.

1. Standard location of Yandex Disk files on Android

Default downloaded files (those that you saved manually using the “Save to device” button) are in an open folder. Its path:

/storage/emulated/0/Download/YandexDisk/

Or an alternative option (on some firmware):

/sdcard/Download/YandexDisk/

To get there:

  • 📁 Open any file manager (for example, Files by Google or Total Commander).
  • 🔍 Go to the "Downloads» (Download).
  • 📂 Find the folder YandexDisk —it will contain all the files you downloaded.

⚠️ Attention: If there is no folder, check the application settings. Yandex Disk go to Profile → Settings → Download folder and make sure that "Internal memory" is selected. On some devices (for example, Huawei), the path may be different due to manufacturer restrictions.

📊 Where do you usually look for Yandex files Disk?
In the Download folder
through the app itself
In the cloud on the website
I don’t know where to look

2. data-i="72">are files that the application downloads to

Yandex Disk cache - these are the files that the application downloads for offline viewing or speed up work. They take up space on the device, but are not displayed in the main folder. Path to the cache:

/data/data/ru.yandex.disk/cache/

The problem is that without root access or ADB this folder cannot be opened. Here's what you can do:

  • 🧹 Clear cache through Android settings:
    1. Open Settings → Applications → Yandex Disk → Memory.
    2. Click “Clear cache».
  • 🔧 Use ADB (for advanced users): 
    adb shell run-as ru.yandex.disk ls /data/data/ru.yandex.disk/cache/
    Note: The command will list the files in the cache, but you will need superuser rights to delete them.

    • ⚠️ Attention: Deleting the cache manually (for example, through root explorer) may cause the application to malfunction. It is better to use the built-in cleaning function.

    💡

    If the cache takes up too much space, but cleaning does not help, try reinstalling the application. First make sure that all important files are synchronized with the cloud!

    3. Files for offline access: where “favorite” documents are stored

    Files that you added to "Available offline" (asterisk in the application) are stored separately. Their path:

    /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ru.yandex.disk/files/Offline/

    Features of this folder:

    • 🔒 It is hidden from standard file managers (you need to enable the display of hidden folders).
    • 📱 On some devices (for example, Samsung s One UI) the path may look like: 
      /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/ru.yandex.disk/Offline/
    • ☁️ Files here do not synchronize automatically —they are stored only locally.

      • To see the folder:

      1. Open a file manager that supports hidden files (for example, Solid Explorer).
      2. Turn on showing hidden folders in the settings.
      3. Go to paths above.
      Why might the Offline folder be empty?

      If you did not add files to “Available offline” or cleared the cache, the folder will be empty. Also, some versions of Yandex Drive store offline files in encrypted form directly in the cache (/data/data/...).

      4. How to find files through the Yandex Disk application itself

      If searching for folders manually is difficult, you can manage files directly in the application:

      1. 📱 Open Yandex Disk and go to the section "Files».
      2. 🔍 Find the file you need and click on the three dots next to it.
      3. 📥 Select “Save to device" - the file will appear in /Download/YandexDisk/.
      4. 🌐 For offline access, click on the star (“Add to Favorites»).

      through the app you can also:

      • 📤 See which files are already saved locally (section "Offline»).
      • 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files from the device memory (not from the cloud!).
      • 🔄 Synchronize changes (manually or automatically).

      ⚠️ Attention: If you delete a file through the app, it will disappear both from the cloud and from the device (if it was not copied to another folder). To delete only the local copy, use the file manager.

      Find the file in Yandex Disk|Click “Save to device”|Check folder /Download/YandexDisk/|Make sure that the file is not duplicated in the cache-->

      5. Features on different versions of Android and firmware

      Smartphone manufacturers often modify Android, which affects the file storage paths. The table below contains current data for popular ones. brands:

      Manufacturer Model/Firmware Path to Yandex Disk files Notes
      Samsung One UI 5.0+ /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/ru.yandex.disk/ Folder on new versions Download/YandexDisk may be empty.
      Xiaomi MIUI 13/14 /storage/emulated/0/Download/YandexDisk/ Some devices require permission to access files manually.
      Huawei EMUI 12+ /storage/emulated/0/Huawei/Download/YandexDisk/ Due to restrictions Huawei can block access to the folder through third-party managers.
      Google Pixel Stock Android 13/14 /storage/emulated/0/Download/YandexDisk/ The “cleanest” implementation - problems with paths rarely occur.

      🔹 If your device is not in the table, try:

      1. Use search in the file manager (search YandexDisk or ru.yandex.disk).
      2. Check paths via ADB (command adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/).
      3. Install an alternative file manager (for example, FX File Explorer with access to root folders).
      💡

      On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the paths may differ. In this case, the only reliable way is to search through ADB or root explorer.

      6. How to transfer Yandex Disk files to a memory card

      If there is not enough internal memory, you can save the files. on SD card. To do this:

      1. 📱 Insert the memory card into the smartphone and make sure that it is recognized.
      2. 🔧 Open Yandex Disk and go to Profile → Settings → Download folder.
      3. 📁 Select “Memory card" (if the option is available).
      4. 🔄 Save any file - it will appear in the folder: 
        /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Download/YandexDisk/

        (where XXXX-XXXX is the identifier of your SD card).

      ⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ access to memory cards is limited If the “Memory Card” option is limited. inactive:

      • 🔄 Try save the file manually through the “Share” menu → “Save to memory card.”
      • 📂 Use a file manager for copying files from internal memory to SD.

      On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+ s One UI 5.1) Yandex Disk does not see the SD card as a storage location. This is a limitation of the firmware, not the application.

      7. Problems and solutions: what to do if the files are not found

      If you cannot find the files, check these points:

      Problem Possible cause Solution
      Folder YandexDisk empty Files not saved to the device Open the file in the application and click "Save to device"
      No access to the folder /Android/data/... Limitations of Android 11+ Use the built-in file manager or ADB
      The files are in the cloud, but not on the phone Synchronization is not enabled Check the auto-sync settings in your profile
      The cache takes up a lot of space, but not cleared The application has failed Reinstall Yandex Disk or clear the data through the Android settings

      🔧 Additional steps for diagnostics:

      • 📋 Check permissions applications: Settings → Applications → Yandex Disk → Permissions ("Memory" and "Files" must be enabled).
      • 🔄 Update the application to the latest version (sometimes there are bugs with ways are corrected in new releases).
      • 📡 If the files are downloaded, but not displayed —try disabling the VPN or changing the network (some providers block Yandex traffic).
      💡

      If you suspect that the files lost when reinstalling the application, check the folder /Android/data/ru.yandex.disk/files/Trash/ - sometimes “deleted” data ends up there.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Yandex Disk files on Android

      🔍 Is it possible to change the default download folder?

      Yes, but only to internal memory or SD card (if supported). To do this:

      1. Open Yandex Disk and go to Profile → Settings → Download folder.
      2. Select the desired partition (internal memory or card).

      ⚠️ On Android 10+ the selection of an arbitrary folder is blocked for security reasons.

      📱 Why are files downloaded after updating the application? missing?

      This can happen due to:

      • Cache reset during update (files remain in the cloud, but local copies are deleted).
      • Changes in storage paths in the new version (check /Android/media/ru.yandex.disk/).

      Solution: resave the files to the device or restore them from the recycle bin in the cloud.

      🔒 How to access files without the Internet?

      There are two ways:

      1. Save to device: Open the file in the application and click “Save to device.”
      2. Add to Favorites: click on the star next to the file (it will be saved in /Offline/).

      📌 Offline files take up space in memory, but are not synchronized automatically.

      🗑️ How to completely delete all Yandex Disk files from phone?

      To delete all local copies (including cache and offline files):

      1. Clear cache in Settings → Applications → Yandex Disk → Memory.
      2. Delete folders: 
        /Download/YandexDisk/

        /Android/data/ru.yandex.disk/

      3. If necessary, reinstall the application.

      ⚠️ This will not delete files from the cloud is only local copies.

      🛠️ Is it possible to recover deleted files?

      Yes, if:

      • The file was deleted less than 30 days ago —check the recycle bin in the cloud (Menu → Trash).
      • The file was saved in the cache - try restoring it via DiskDigger or Recuva (root required).

      📌 Local copies (from /Download/YandexDisk/) are easier to restore than cached ones.