Installing mobile games with cache on Android often becomes a problem if the developer requires additional files to be placed on the memory card. Many users encounter errors like "Not enough space on SD" or "Error loading data", even when there is enough free space on the device. In this article we will look at how to correctly install a game with a cache directly to internal memory of a smartphone, bypassing system limitations and avoiding typical errors.

The main difficulty is that Android by default offers to save large files (at least 1 GB) to an external drive. However, not all devices support SD cards, and some models (Samsung Galaxy A52, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11) have reading problems even if they have a slot. In addition, the cache of games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile can take up to 10-15 GB - and transferring it to a slow memory card means risking performance. We'll cover 4 working methodsincluding manually placing files, changing installer settings, and using specialized tools.

Why do games require installing a cache on an SD card?

Mobile game developers often tie the cache to external storage for three reasons:

  • 📱 Google Play limitations: applications weighing more than 150 MB require separation into APK and OBB files, which are downloaded to SD by default.
  • 🔄 Simplification of updates: the cache on the memory card is easier to overwrite during updates without affecting system partitions.
  • 💾 Saving internal memory: on budget devices (for example, Realme C30 with 32 GB ROM) every gigabyte counts.

However, this approach creates problems:

  • ⚡ Memory cards microSD classes A1 or A2 work slower than the built-in memory UFS 2.1/3.0, which leads to lags in games.
  • 🔌 When you remove the SD card, the game stops starting, even if the APK is installed in the internal memory.
  • 🛑 On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 or One UI 5) Android blocks recording to SD, giving an error "EACCES".

Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions without root access. The main thing is to understand where exactly the cache files are stored and how to redirect them to the right location.

📊 How do you usually install games on Android?
Via Google Play
Download APK + OBB manually
Use alternative stores (APKMirror, Aptoide)
Other

Method 1: Manually placing OBB files in the internal memory

The most reliable way is to manually copy the cache files to the system folder. This method works for 90% of games, including PUBG Mobile, Free Fire i Honor of Kings. You will need:

  • 📲 APK file of the game (can be downloaded from APKMirror or APKPure).
  • 🗃️ Archive with cache (usually has an extension .obb or .zip).
  • 🔍 File manager with access to root folders (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Manager).

Instructions:

  1. Install the APK file of the game, but do not run it after installation.
  2. Unpack the archive with the cache. Inside should be a file like main.1.com.gamepackage.obb (where gamepackage is the unique identifier of the game).
  3. Create a folder in the internal memory along the path: 
    /Android/obb/com.gamepackage/

    (replace com.gamepackage with the actual game package, for example com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).

  4. Move the file .obb to the created folder.
  5. Run the game. It should automatically detect the cache.

☑️ Check before installation

Completed: 0 / 4

Important: If the game does not see the cache, check:

  • The folder name is correct (the register is value!)
  • File integrity .obb (sometimes archives are downloaded with errors).
  • Availability of rights to write to the folder /Android/obb/ (on some firmware, unlocking is required in the security settings).
💡

Use the application ZArchiver to check the integrity of cached archives. It shows CRC32 and allows you to compare hash amounts with the original files.

Method 2: Using the application OBB Installer

For users who do not want to manually copy files, there is utility OBB Installer from the developer Riri Apps. It automatically detects the game package and places the cache in the correct folder. Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ Does not require root access.
  • ✅ Supports batch installation (several games at the same time).
  • ✅ Checks the integrity of files before copying.

How to use:

  1. Download and install OBB Installer from Google Play.
  2. Place APK and OBB files in the same folder on the device (for example, Download/Games/).
  3. Open OBB Installer and select option "Install OBB".
  4. Specify the path to the folder with the files. The application will find the corresponding cache.
  5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process completes.

Method limitations:

  • 🚫 Does not work with games that use .zip instead of .obb (for example, Genshin Impact).
  • 🚫 On some devices (Huawei s EMUI 12), you may need permission to access the storage manually.
What to do if OBB Installer does not see the files?

Make sure that the file names do not contain Cyrillic or spaces. For example, main.1.com.game.obb is correct, but cache for games.obb is not. Also check that the files are not in the archive (they need to be unpacked first).

Method 3: Transferring cache from SD card to internal memory

If the game is already installed on the SD card, but you want to transfer its cache to internal memory, follow these instructions. Attention: not all games support such a transfer without losing progress.

Steps:

  1. Connect the device to the PC via USB (in File transfer mode).
  2. Find on SD card folder /Android/obb/com.gamepackage/.
  3. Copy its contents to the internal memory along the same path (/Android/obb/com.gamepackage/).
  4. Delete the cache folder from the SD card.
  5. Reboot the device and check the game is working.

For games with cloud saving (for example, Clash of Clans), progress will not be lost. For offline games (Minecraft, Dead Cells), you may need to back up your save files from the folder /Android/data/com.gamepackage/files/.

💡

Moving the cache does not always solve the performance problem. If the game is slow, check the class of your SD card: for modern games you need A2 or UHS-I.

Method 4: Changing installer settings (for advanced users)

On some firmware (for example, LineageOS or ColorOS) you can force the path to install applications. This requires access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

  1. Activate Developer mode on the device (click on Build number 7 times in the phone settings).
  2. Enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
  3. Connect your smartphone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm set-install-location 0

    (where 0 is internal memory, 2 is external).

  4. Reboot the device.

After executing this command, all new applications, including games will be installed by default into the internal memory, and the cache will be located in /Android/obb/. To return the settings, use:

adb shell pm set-install-location 1

(where 1 is automatic selection of installation location).

⚠️ Attention: Not all manufacturers support this command. On devices Samsung with One UI it may not work due to limitations Knox.
Game Method 1
(manual copying)		 Method 2
(OBB Installer)		 Method 3
(transfer from SD)		 Method 4
(ADB)
Genshin Impact ✅ (folder YuanShen_Data) ❌ (needed .zip) ✅ ✅
PUBG Mobile ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Call of Duty: Mobile ✅ ✅ ⚠️ (reinstallation may be required) ✅
Minecraft ✅ (folder games/com.mojang/) ❌ ✅ ✅
Honor of Kings ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ (locked on some firmware)

If your game is not in the table, focus on the type of cache files:

  • 📁 .obb - all methods are suitable.
  • 📁 .zip or custom folders (for example YuanShen_Data) - only methods 1, 3, 4.

Common errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, problems may arise. Let's consider the most common ones:

  • 🔴 "The file is damaged": Download the cache again (preferably via Torrent or from the official website of the game.
  • 🔴 "Not enough space": Clear the cache of other applications via Settings → Storage or use SD Maid for deep cleaning.
  • 🔴 "The game does not start after transfer": Delete the game and install it again, after copying the save folder (/Android/data/com.gamepackage/).
  • 🔴 "Error 924/927 in Google Play": Disable the VPN, clear the cache Google Play Market and repeat download.

For games with protection (Denuvo or Easy Anti-Cheat) additional authorization may be required. For example, c Genshin Impact after transferring the cache, you need to re-enter your account miHoYo.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 13+ i Scoped Storage access to the folder /Android/obb/ may be limited. In this case, use ADB or specialized file managers with root access.
Is it possible to install a game with cache on Android without a computer?

Yes, for that suitable Method 1 (manual copying) or Method 2 (application OBB Installer). The main thing is to download APK and OBB files directly to your phone through a browser or a file manager with support for cloud storage (for example, Solid Explorer + Google Drive).

Why does the game slow down after transferring the cache?

Probable reason - file fragmentation or low reading speed of internal memory. Try:

  1. Clear the game cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Game → Storage → Clear cache).
  2. Defragment memory using SD Maid (root required).
  3. Disable background optimization in the battery settings for this game.
How do I find out the game package (com.gamepackage) to create a folder?

There are three ways:

  1. Look at the title APK file (usually it contains a package, for example com.tencent.ig_1.6.0.apk).
  2. Install the APK, then check the package through App Inspector (app on Google Play).
  3. Find the game in Google Play —the package is listed in the URL (for example, play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact).
Will the game work if you delete the cache from the SD card after the transfer?

Yes, if you copied correctly files are in the internal memory and the game has detected them. However, some games (for example Asphalt 9) may require re-downloading some of the data. Before deleting, check:

  • The game starts without errors.
  • In the folder /Android/obb/com.gamepackage/ the files are present and have the correct size.
Is it possible to install a cache on a flash drive connected via OTG?

Technically yes, but this is not recommended for three reasons:

  1. USB drives have a high latency, which will cause freezes in games.
  2. Android is not optimized for working with OTG storage as with internal memory.
  3. If you disconnect the flash drive, the game will stop working.

If there is no other way out, use a flash drive with an interface USB 3.1 i file system exFAT, and also create a folder /Android/obb/ on it manually.