Modern mobile games take up gigabytes of space on the internal memory of a smartphone. Often, users download the APK installation file separately, and receive voluminous resources - graphics, sounds and textures - in the form of an archive. Unpacking the cache becomes a mandatory step for launching such an application. Without the correct actions, the game will simply throw an error or close at startup.
To perform this procedure, you will need a reliable file manager. ES Explorer remains one of the most popular tools, despite changes in Google policy. It allows you to work with archives and move files to system directories. In this article we will analyze in detail the process of data transfer.
First you need to make sure that you have the installation file itself and the archive with the data. Typically, such files are downloaded from torrent trackers or specialized resources. It is important to understand the difference between the installation file and additional data. APK is a app, and the cache is its contents.
Preparing the file manager and permissions
Before starting work, make sure that ES File Explorer or its current version is installed on your device. In new versions of Android, the security system has become more stringent. Applications now require special permission to access the folder Android. Without this step, you will not be able to place the files in the desired directory.
When you first start the app, an access request may appear in the system folder. You must click “Allow” and confirm the action in the system window. This is a critical point. If you skip it, ES Explorer simply will not see the contents of the target folder or will not be able to write anything there.
⚠️ Attention: In Android 11 and higher, access to the folder
Android/obbis limited. If the file manager does not allow you to go there, try using the built-in “Files” system application to initially move the archive, and then unpack it inside the directory.
Also check for free space. Game resources can weigh from 500 MB to several gigabytes. Internal memory the smartphone must have a reserve, otherwise the unpacking process will be interrupted in the middle. This may damage the archive.
Before starting manipulations, disable energy saving in the phone settings. This will prevent the screen from suddenly turning off or the processor pausing while unpacking large files.
Search and analyze downloaded files
After downloading, the files usually end up in a folder Download or ZArchiverif you used a special archiver. Open ES Explorer and go to the root directory of the internal storage. You need to find the archive that you downloaded.
Game data is most often packaged in the format .zip or .rar. Sometimes the extension may be changed to .xapk or have a specific appearance. You can determine the required file by its size - it is usually much larger than the installation APK. Archive with cache contains folders with names like com.name.game.
Pay attention to the structure of the archive without unpacking it. In some file managers, you can click on a file and select "View". Inside there should be a folder with the name of the game package. It is this folder that will need to be extracted. If inside there is just a set of scattered files without a common folder, the structure is broken.
If you downloaded a file with the extension .obb directly, then you do not need to unpack it. This file is already ready for placement. However, most often it is a compressed archive that requires extraction. Make sure that the file has been downloaded completely and is not damaged.
The process of unpacking the archive with data
Now let's proceed to the most important step. Find the desired archive in the list of files ES of Explorer. Tap and hold on it to select it. In the bottom menu or in the context menu (three dots), select the “More” option or immediately “Unpack”.
The unpacking settings window will open. The system will prompt you to select a destination. By default, this may be the current folder. This doesn't suit us. You need to specify the path manually or go to the desired directory through the app interface. Select the “Extract to current folder” option if you are already inside the target directory.
☑️ Correctly unpacking the cache
The process may take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the processor power and the amount of data. A progress bar may be displayed on the screen. Do not minimize the application at this point. Aborting the operation may result in the files being only partially extracted.
Once completed, you will see a new folder with the name of the game package. It must contain files with the extension .obb or other resources. Check that there are no unnecessary subfolders inside. The path should look correct: Android/obb/com.game.name/files.obb.
Moving files to the system directory
If you unpacked the archive into the downloads folder, now you need to move the files. Select the newly created folder with the game data. From the action menu, select Cut or Copy. It is better to use “Cut” so as not to duplicate data and take up extra space.
Now use the navigator to go to the root of the internal memory. Open the folder Android. Inside, find the directory obb. This is a system folder designed specifically for additional application data. Paste the copied folder here.
| File type | Where to put | Example path | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| APK | Root or any folder | /storage/emulated/0/ | Installation applications |
| Folder with OBB | Android/obb | /Android/obb/com.game/ | Graphics and resources |
| Folder with Data | Android/data | /Android/data/com.game/ | Saves and cache |
| File .obb | Android/obb/game_name | /Android/obb/com.game/main.obb | Main data package |
It is important to respect the hierarchy. The folder with the package name (for example, com.gameloft.android) should be located directly inside obb. You can’t put it deeper or create unnecessary levels of nesting. The game simply will not find its files if the path is incorrect.
⚠️ Attention: Never rename the game package folder after moving it. The name must strictly match the package name in the APK file. Any change to the symbol will result in a launch error.
Installing the APK and launching the game for the first time
Only after the cache has been successfully unpacked and moved to Android/obb, you can begin installing the application itself. Find the file with the extension .apkin the file manager. Click on it to launch the installer.
The system will ask for confirmation of installation from unknown sources. Allow this action for ES Explorer or the browser through which you are running the file. Wait for the installation to complete. Do not open the game immediately after the “Open” button appears.
What to do if the game crashes after installation?
Often the reason lies in the wrong path to the cache. Check if there are double nested folders. The path must be strictly /Android/obb/com.game.name/. If there is another folder with the same name, move the files to a higher level.
Now you can start the game. When you first start the application, it will check the availability of resources. If everything is done correctly, the download will go quickly and you will be taken to the menu. If the game requires downloading additional megabytes, allow it by connecting to Wi-Fi.
Sometimes you need to clear the cache of the application itself before the first launch if you reinstalled the game over an old version. Go to Android settings, find the application in the list and click “Clear cache”. This will reset temporary files that may conflict with the new version.
Solving common problems and errors
Even if you carefully follow the instructions, difficulties may arise. The most common error is “Not enough space”, although there is free memory. This happens if the file system has limitations or if you are trying to extract an archive to an SD card and the game requires internal memory.
Another common problem is a black screen at startup. This often indicates that the file .obb has been damaged while being downloaded or unzipped. Try downloading the archive again from another source. The integrity of the file is critical for heavy 3D projects.
The main rule for successful installation: first unpack and move the cache to the Android/obb folder, and only then install the APK file of the application. The reverse procedure in 90% of cases leads to an error.
If the game writes “Cache not found,” double-check the folder name. It must match letter by letter with the package name. Case also matters in some cases, although Android is usually not sensitive to it in paths, but it's better to be safe.
In some cases, an antivirus may block modified cache files. Try temporarily disabling protection or adding the game to exceptions. Also make sure that you have the latest version installed ES of Explorercompatible with your OS version.
Is it possible to unpack the cache directly to an SD card?
Technically this is possible, but modern versions of Android and many games require placement cache in internal memory. If the game does not see files on the card, move the folder obb to internal storage. This guarantees stable operation.
What to do if ES Explorer does not see the Android folder?
In Android 11+, access to this folder is hidden. When you try to go there, the file manager will redirect you to the system browsing window. You need to click the “Use this folder” button and confirm the permission. After this, access to ES will be open.
Do I need to delete the archive after unpacking?
Yes, after successful installation and testing of the game's functionality, the archive .zip or .rar can be safely deleted. It is no longer needed and only takes up space. Make sure the game starts before clearing the download.
Why does the game require a cache update when starting?
This happens if the cache version does not match the version of the installed APK. Make sure you downloaded components from the same version of the game. Mixing the old cache with the new installer often causes conflicts and re-downloading of data.