Where games are installed on Android: storage paths, cache and hidden files

Have you ever wondered where exactly games are installed on your Android smartphone? This question becomes especially relevant when the internal memory runs out, and your favorite game takes up several gigabytes. Unlike iOS, where all applications are stored in a single “black box,” Android provides more freedom—and at the same time confuses users with a multitude of folders, caches, and hidden data.

In fact, the installation path of the game depends on several factors: the version of Android, developer settings, the presence of an SD card, and even the specific smartphone model. For example, on Samsung Galaxy with a proprietary shell One UI games can be stored in one place, and on "pure" Android from Google Pixel - in another. In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios: from standard paths to unobvious cache and save storage locations. /data/app to unobvious cache and save storage locations.

We will pay special attention to the issue of transferring games to an SD card - why not all games support this function, how to bypass restrictions and what to do if after transfer the game stops starting. You will also learn how to find hidden game files (for example, save files in Android/obb) and the dangers of accidentally deleting them.

Standard paths for installing games on Android

By default, all games from Google Play are installed on your internal memory smartphone, even if you have an SD card inserted. The main folders where game files are stored:

• 📁 /data/app — APK files of installed games are located here (root access is required for access).
• 📁 /data/data — folder with user data for each game (saves, settings, cache).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/obb — additional game files (graphics, levels, sounds), often weighing more than 1 GB.
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/data — cache and temporary files of some games (for example, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG).

It is important to understand that the path /sdcard/ is not a real SD card, but a virtual folder of internal storage. On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) it can be called /storage/emulated/0/. To see these folders, use any file manager (for example, Total Commander or FX File Explorer).

If the game was downloaded not from Google Playsite in APK format, it can be installed in the same folder /data/app, but sometimes - in /sdcard/Download (if you forgot to delete it after installation). Please note: the files in /data/ are not accessible without root access, but they can be seen through adb shell:

adb shell ls /data/app | grep "com.game.package"

How games use internal memory and SD card

Many users mistakenly They believe that if the game supports transfer to an SD card, then all its files will be moved there automatically. In practice, this works differently:

• 🔄 APK file (the application itself) remains in the internal memory in /data/app.
• 💾 Game data (saves, settings) can be partially moved to SD, but not always.
• 🎮 Additional files (from the folder obb) usually remain in place, since games read them along a fixed path.

Starting from Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google introduced the concept Adoptable Storagethat allows you to “tether” an SD card as part of the internal memory. However, this mode has limitations:

⚠️ Attention: If you format the SD card as internal memory, it cannot be removed without losing data. In addition, some games (for example Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) refuse to work with this kind of storage due to performance problems.

To check whether you can transfer the game to SD, go to Settings → Applications → [Game name] → Storage. If the "Change" option is active, then the transfer is possible. But even in this case, some of the files will remain in the internal memory.

Android version	SD card support	Restrictions
Android 5.0 and below	Full access, games can be installed on SD	Low read/write speed, lags are possible
Android 6.0–8.0	Adoptable Storage mode (SD as internal memory)	The card cannot be removed, not all games support
Android 9.0 and higher	Limited support, only cache and obb files	APK and data remain in internal memory

Where are saves and progress in games stored

One of the most painful questions for gamers is loss of progress after reinstalling the game or resetting the phone. The fact is that saves are stored in different places depending on the type of game:

• 🎮 Local saves - are located in /data/data/[game package]/files or /sdcard/Android/data/[game package]/files. Example: Minecraft stores worlds in /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds.
• ☁️ Cloud saves — synchronized with your Google Play Games account or developer servers (for example, Clash of Clans linked to Supercell ID).
• 🔑 Cache saves —some games (for example, Brawl Stars) store progress in encrypted form in /data/data/[package]/cache.

To find the save folder, you will need:

1. Find out game package name (can be viewed on the game page in Google Play in the address bar, for example com.supercell.clashofclans).
2. Use a file manager with root access (for example Root Explorer) or adb pull to copy files.
3. Copy the folder files or shared_prefs (the settings are stored here) to the PC before reinstalling the game.

How to restore saves without root access?

If you do not have root, try:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and use adb backup (does not work on all devices).

2. Restore progress via the cloud (if the game supports Google Play Games).

3. Use backup via Titanium Backup (requires root, but sometimes works on some firmware without it).

Some games (for example, Genshin Impact or Honkai Impact) store saves exclusively on the developer’s servers. In this case, local files contain only a cache, and progress is tied to the account. To check this, try logging into the game on another device with the same account.

Why games take up so much space and how to fix it

Modern mobile games can weigh up to 10–15 GB —and it's not just because of the high-quality graphics. The main memory “eaters”:

• 🖼️ OBB files —archives with resources (textures, sounds, levels). For example, Call of Duty Mobile downloads ~2 GB to /sdcard/Android/obb.
• 🗑️ Cache - temporary files that the game creates during operation (can reach several gigabytes).
• 📦 User data - saves, downloads, screenshots (for example, in Free Fire or PUBG).

To free up space without deleting the game itself:

1. Clear the game cache in Settings → Applications → [Game name] → Storage → Clear cache.
2. Delete unnecessary OBB files (but be careful - the game may not start without them!).
3. Move the cache to an SD card (if the game supports this function).
4. Use the function "Storage optimization" in Google Play (automatically deletes unused files).

Some games (for example, Asphalt 9 or Need for Speed: No Limits) allow control the quality of graphics, which reduces the amount of downloaded textures. Go to the game settings and look for options like "Graphics Quality" or "Download High-Res Textures".

⚠️ Attention: If you manually delete a game's OBB file (for example main.1.com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM.obb), the game may stop launching or require you to download the data again. Always make a backup copy before deleting!

How to transfer a game to an SD card without losing data

If your device supports transferring games to SD, follow these instructions:

1. Insert an SD card (preferably a class one UHS-I or UHS-II for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → [Game name] → Storage.
3. Click "Change" and select SD card.
4. Confirm the transfer (may take a few minutes).

If the "Change" option is grayed out, try the following methods:

• 🔧 Use App2SD (requires root access). The application allows you to force transfer of games, even if they do not support this function.
• 📱 Format SD as internal memory (see section on Adoptable Storage).
• 🖥️ Use ADB to force transfer (command pm move-package).

Example command for transferring via ADB:

adb shell pm move-package com.game.package /sdcard

Please note: after transfer, some games may run slower, especially if the SD card is cheap or worn out. Also, not all games work correctly with external storage - for example, Fortnite or Apex Legends Mobile may produce errors when starting.

Hidden folders and game files: what can be deleted and what cannot be deleted. no

When viewing the internal memory through a file manager, you may come across unknown folders with names like com.tencent.ig (this is PUBG Mobile) or com.miHoYo.Yuanshen (Genshin Impact). Here's what they mean:

Folder/file	What it stores	Can I delete
/Android/obb/[package].obb	Main game resources (graphics, levels)	❌ No (the game will not start)
/Android/data/[package]/cache	Temporary files (can be cleared in the settings)	✅ Yes (will free up space)
/Android/data/[package]/files	Saves, settings, downloads	❌ No (you will lose progress)
/Android/media/[package]	Screenshots, videos, custom content	✅ Yes (if not needed)

To see hidden folders (for example .nomediathat hide media files from the gallery), turn on the display of hidden files in your file manager settings. On some devices (for example Xiaomi) for this you need:

1. Open Files (standard application).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select "Settings" → "Show hidden files".

If you delete the folder files or shared_prefs, the game may be reset to its initial state. In some cases (for example, in Clash Royale) this will lead to loss of account linking, and you will have to restore access through support.

What to do if the game does not install or launch

Problems with installing or launching games are often associated with insufficient memory, damaged files or version conflicts. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

• 🚫 "Insufficient memory" — even if there is free space on the device, Android reserves some memory for the system. Try:
• Clear the cache of other applications.
• Transfer photos and videos to SD or cloud.
• Delete unused applications.
• 🔄 "Loading error" (on Google Play) — try:
• Delete cache and data Google Play Store i Google Play Services.
• Reboot the device.
• Check your Internet connection (some games require stable Wi-Fi).
• 🛑 "The application is not installed" (when installing APK) - reasons:
• APK is damaged (download from the official source).
• Incompatibility with the Android version (check the game requirements).
• Blocking installation from unknown sources (allow in settings security).

If the game installs but does not start (for example, it crashes on the splash screen), try:

1. Clear the cache and game data.
2. Reinstall the game (uninstall and download again).
3. Check whether it is blocked by an antivirus or Google Play Protect.
4. Update graphics drivers (on some devices, for example, Samsung, this is done through Game Launcher).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) some games (especially with anti-cheat, like Free Fire or PUBG) may not launch due to lack of Google certification. In this case, only returning to the stock firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about storing games on Android

Can I transfer them? game to an SD card if the "Change" option is greyed out?

If standard transfer is not available, try:

1. Use applications like App2SD (requires root).
2. Format SD as internal memory (but this will delete all data on map!).
3. Contact game support - some developers (for example, Moonton for Mobile Legends) allow manual transfer.

Please note that forced transfer may lead to errors, especially in online games with anti-cheat.

Where to find saves for Minecraft or Terraria?

For Minecraft (Java or Bedrock):

• Local worlds: /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds.
• Skins and textures: /games/com.mojang/resource_packs.

For Terraria:

• Saves: /data/data/com.and.games505.terraria/files/.local/share/Terraria (root required).
• Mods: /sdcard/Android/data/com.and.games505.terraria/files/tModLoader.

To back up your saves, copy these folders to your PC before reinstalling the game.

Why did games start to lag after updating Android?

This may be due to:

• Changes in the graphics driver (especially Mediatek or Exynos).
• New restrictions on access to storage (starting with Android 11).
• Background battery optimization (disable it for the game in the settings).

Solutions:

• Reset the graphics settings in the game (sometimes they are reset after updating).
• Clear the graphics driver cache (on Samsung: Settings → Device care → Three dots → Advanced → Graphics optimization).
• Roll back to the previous version of Android (if lags are critical).

How to learn how much space a game takes up taking into account cache and OBB?

The standard "Storage" section in the game settings does not show the entire volume. To see the full size:

1. Open the file manager and go to /sdcard/Android/obb.
2. Find the file with the name of the game package (for example, com.activision.callofduty.shooter.obb).
3. Look at the size of this file and add it to the data from the settings applications.

Example: if the game settings indicate 1.5 GB, and obb The file is 1.8 GB, then the actual size is 3.3 GB.

Is it possible to play from an SD card on Android 12 and newer?

Starting from Android 10, Google has tightened restrictions on working with external media. On Android 12+:

• Standard transfer of games to SD is almost impossible.
• Some games (for example, Roblox or Among Us) can store a cache on SD, but the main files will remain in the internal memory.
• The only one a reliable way is to use SD as internal memory (Adoptable Storage), but this is not recommended due to the risk of data loss.

Alternative: use cloud saves (Google Play Games) or clear the cache regularly.