How to remove restrictions from the OBB folder on Android: 5 working methods

Folder Android/obb on smartphones with Android is a special storage for additional application data, especially heavy games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG. Graphic textures, levels, sound files and other resources that do not fit into the standard .apkare stored here. However, many users encounter a problem: the system blocks writing to this folder, producing errors like "Insufficient rights" or "Folder is protected". As a result, games do not start, and manual installation of .obbfiles becomes impossible.

The reasons for the restrictions lie in the security policy Android: starting from version 4.4 KitKat, access to system folders was tightened, and in Android 10+ storage separation (Scoped Storage) appeared, which further complicated working with obb. But there are ways to get around these restrictions - both with rootrights and without them. In this article we will look at all the current methods, including hidden settings, ADB commands and alternative installation paths.

Why the OBB folder is blocked: main reasons

Before removing restrictions, it is important to understand what exactly is preventing you from writing to Android/obb. Here are the key reasons:

• 🔒 Scoped Storage Policy (starting from Android 10): The system isolates application access to shared folders, including obb. Even file managers may not see its contents.
• 🛡️ Modification protection: manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) add their own restrictions on system partitions.
• 📱 Lack of root access: without a superuser you cannot change permissions system folders directly.
• 🔄 Mounting errors: sometimes the folder obb is mounted in read-only mode due to malfunctions Android.
• 📦 Incorrect placement of files: users often copy .obb to the wrong directory (for example, to the internal memory instead of /sdcard/Android/obb).

Interestingly, on some firmwares (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) the folder obb may even be hidden from the user, even if it physically exists. This is done to “protect against accidental changes,” but in practice it only complicates the installation of games.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 13+ and One UI 5.0+ (from Samsung), there may be additional restrictions on access to system folders via adb. Before using commands, check the current rules in the developer settings of your device.

Method 1: Using ADB to unlock (without root)

The most universal way to remove restrictions from a folder obb — take advantage Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most devices without superuser rights, but requires connection to a computer.

You will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB (you can download from the official website Android Studio).
• 📱 USB debugging enabled on the smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Steps to unlock:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and launch the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Check the connection with the command:

   adb devices

   The name of your device should appear.

3. Give write permission to the folder obb:

   adb shell
   chmod 777 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb

4. If the folder is mounted in read-only mode, run:

   adb shell
   mount -o rw,remount /

   Then repeat the command chmod.

After this, the folder will become writable. However on some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) permission changes are reset after reboot. In this case, you will need to repeat the procedure or use alternative methods.

Install ADB drivers on PC|Enable USB debugging on the phone|Connect the phone with the original cable|Check the device visibility with the adb devices command|Run remount and chmod

-->

Method 2: Transferring OBB files through a file manager with root access

If your device has root access, the process is simplified. You can directly change folder permissions or use specialized file managers such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer (with root plugin) or FX File Explorer.

Instructions:

1. Open a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer).
2. Navigate to the path:

   /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb

   Or an alternative path (on some devices):

   /sdcard/Android/obb

3. Tap and hold the folder obb, select Permissions (Permissions).
4. Set rights 777 (full access for all users) or 755 (if 777 is not saved).
5. Copy .obbfiles to folder with the name of the game (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).

If the folder with the game does not exist, create it manually. Important: the folder name must exactly match with the application package (it can be found through Google Play or website APKMirror).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Magisk (modular root system), sometimes conflicts occur when changing the permissions of system folders. If after changing the rights the folder becomes inaccessible again, try disabling security-related modules (for example, MagiskHide or SafetyNet).

Method 3: Alternative ways to install OBB (bypass restrictions)

If standard methods do not work, you can use a workaround. Many games support the installation of additional data not only through the folder obb, but also through:

• 📁 External SD card: some games (for example, Asphalt 9) allow you to specify the path to .obb on a removable drive. To do this:
1. Create a folder Android/obb on the SD card.
2. Copy the game files there.
3. In the game settings, specify the path to the external storage.
• 🔄 Temporarily changing the path: using Xposed Framework or module HandleExternalStorage you can redirect game requests to an alternative folder.
• 📲 APK+OBB installers: applications like APKPure or BlackMod automatically unpack .obb to the desired directory, bypassing restrictions.

For devices with Android 11+ there is another trick: use the function "Manage all files" in the application settings. For example, for Total Commander:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Total Commander → Permissions → Manage all files.
2. Activate the switch.
3. Now the file manager will be able to copy files to obb without ADB.

Method	Requires root	Works on Android 10+	Difficulty
ADB (chmod)	❌ No	✅ Yes (with restrictions)	Average
File manager with root	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Low
Transfer to SD card	❌ No	⚠️ Depends on the game	Low
Xposed/EdXposed	✅ Yes	❌ No (unstable on Android 10+)	High
APK+OBB installers	❌ No	✅ Yes	Low

Method 4: Changing the system configuration (for advanced)

On Some firmware restrictions on the folder obb are registered in system files. If you have root, you can edit them manually. For example, a file /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml sometimes contains storage access rules.

How to do this:

1. Using Root Explorer or FX File Explorer open the file:

   /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml

2. Find the line mentioning android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.
3. Add before the closing tag </permissions>:

   <group gid="media_rw" />
   <group gid="sdcard_rw" />

4. Save the file and reboot the device.

This method is risky: incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (loop loading). Before making changes, make a backup copy of the file!

💡

Before editing platform.xml copy it to your computer or to the cloud. If after the changes the phone stops booting, you will need the original version of the file to restore via TWRP or ADB Sideload.

Method 5: Using custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If none of the methods worked, a radical solution remains - to reflash the device to custom firmware, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS — clean Android without manufacturer restrictions.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience —firmware with functionality Google Pixel, but with extended rights.
• 🛠️ Havoc-OS or CrDroid — firmware with flexible settings for access to the file system.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🔓 Full control over folder permissions, including obb.
• 🚀 Lack of bloatware (pre-installed manufacturer applications).
• 🔄 Regular security updates.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of the device being "bricked" with incorrect firmware.
• 📵 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔋 Possible problems with the battery or performance on non-optimized assemblies.

Firmware - an extreme measure, but it is guaranteed to solve the problem with obb and other system limitations. Before installation, study the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA for your device model.

Stock (from the manufacturer)|LineageOS|Pixel Experience|MIUI/EUI/One UI with root|Another custom|I don’t know

-->

Common errors and their solutions

Even after restrictions are lifted, users often encounter problems. Let's look at typical errors and how to fix them:

Error	Cause	Solution
"Folder is empty" after copying	Files copied to the wrong directory or incorrect folder name.	Check the path: it should be /sdcard/Android/obb/package name/. The package name can be found in Google Play (in the address of the game page).
"The file is damaged" when starting the game	Incomplete download .obb or checksum error.	Download the file and check its hash (for example, via Hash Droid). For PUBG Mobile the current hash can be found on the forums.
"Not enough space"although the memory is free	Limitation Scoped Storage or quota for the application.	Clear the game cache in Settings → Applications or use adb shell pm clear package name.
The game does not see OBB after copying	The files do not have the correct permissions (644 for files, 755 for folders).	Run in ADB: adb shell chmod 644 /sdcard/Android/obb/package name/*.obb

If the game still does not start, try:

1. Uninstall and reinstall .apk.
2. Restart the device.
3. Clear game data in settings.

1. Match the folder name with the game package (for example, com.activision.callofduty.shooter for CODM).

2. Integrity of files (size and hash must match the original).

3. Permissions to the folder (755) and files (644).

-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the OBB folder

Is it possible to transfer the OBB folder to an external SD card without root?

On most devices without root, transfer is not possible due to restrictions Scoped StorageHowever, some games (for example, Asphalt 8) support manually specifying the path to the data. You can also use symbolic links via ADB:

adb shell
ln -s /storage/extSdCard/Android/obb /sdcard/Android/obb

But this method does not work on all firmware.

Why did the OBB folder become inaccessible again after updating Android?
System updates often reset user permissions on system folders. This is due to politics. security Googlewhich prohibits modification of critical directories. Solution:
1. Repeat the procedure with ADB or root.
2. Use Magisk to automatically apply rights after a reboot. (module ResetProp).
How to find the correct package name for the OBB folder?

The name of the application package can be found in several ways:

• Through Google Play: open the game page in the browser - the package name will be in the address after id= (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).
• Via APK analyzer: use applications like App Inspector or Package Name Viewer.
• Via ADB:

  adb shell pm list packages grep | "game_name"

Is it safe to change the permissions of the OBB folder?

In itself, changing the permissions to 777 or 755 will not harm the system, but there are risks:

• 🔓 Vulnerability for malware: if all applications will be able to write to the folder, the virus can replace game files.
• 🔄 Reset during update: after updating the firmware, the rights may return to standard.

It is recommended to set the rights 755 (the owner can read/write, the rest can only read), and not 777.

What to do if the game still does not see OBB files?

The problem may be:

• 📁 Incorrect folder structure: make sure that the files are in /sdcard/Android/obb/package name/, and not at the root obb.
• 🔄 Game cache: clear application data in settings.
• 📱 Firmware features: on some devices (for example, Huawei c EMUI), you need to use proprietary tools like Huawei Backup to transfer data.

If all else fails, try install the game via APKPure —it automatically unpacks .obb to the desired location.