Where to upload game cache on Android: a complete guide for gamers

Have you downloaded a new game on Android, but it takes up gigabytes of memory, and the internal storage is sorely lacking? Or do you want to transfer your saves to another memory card so as not to lose progress when you reset your phone? The problem with the game cache on Android is familiar to everyone who is interested in mobile gaming. But simply transferring files from folder to folder is not the solution: incorrect actions can break the game, reset achievements, or even block your account.

In this article we will look, where can you put the game cache on Android without risk to saves, how to distinguish the system cache from user data, and why some games fundamentally do not allow you to transfer files to SD card. You will also learn how to bypass manufacturer restrictions (for example, in games from Tencent or MiHoYo) and what to do if, after transferring, the game stops starting.

Spoiler: there is no universal solution - it all depends on the version Android, smartphone model and the game itself. But we have collected all the working methods, including hidden settings for advanced users and cloud alternatives.

1. Where is the game cache stored on Android: understanding the folders

Before transferring the cache, you need to understand how what kind of files they take up space. On Android game data is divided into three types:

• 📁 Application cache (/data/data/game_package/cache) - temporary files (textures, sounds, updates) that can be cleared without consequences. The game will download them again the next time you start.
• 💾 User data (/data/data/game_package/files or /Android/obb) - saves, settings, progress. Deletion will lead to loss of your account in the game.
• 🔄 OBB files (/Android/obb) - additional resources (levels, models, videos). Typically they weigh 1–2 GB and are not updated automatically.

To see these folders, you will need file manager with root access (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) or connecting your phone to the PC via ADB. Without root access, you will only see the folder /Android/obb —its contents can be copied manually.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ access to folders /data/data is blocked even for root users due to policy Scoped Storage. Bypass is only possible through ADB or modified firmware.

If the game weighs under 10 GB, most likely, the main volume is occupied by OBBfiles. They can be transferred to SD card or to the cloud without risk to saves. But with the folder files you need to be careful: some games (for example, Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) encrypt user data and bind it to the device.

2. Transferring cache to SD card: step-by-step guide

The most obvious way to free up internal memory is to move the cache to microSD. But there are pitfalls here:

• 🔌 SD card must be formatted as internal storage (starting from Android 6.0). Otherwise, games will not see the files.
• ⚡ Memory card speed affects performance. For heavy games (for example Call of Duty Mobile), you need a class UHS-I U3 or higher.
• 🔒 Not all games support transfer. For example, PUBG Mobile allows you to move only OBB, and Free Fire nothing.

How to transfer the cache to an SD card:

1. Open Settings → Storage → SD card and select "Format as internal".
2. Connect the phone to the PC and copy the folder /Android/obb/[game_package] to the memory card.
3. If the game does not see the files, try creating a symbolic link via ADB:

   adb shell ln -s /storage/extSdCard/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package

⚠️ Attention: After formatting the SD card as internal storage, it cannot be read on other devices without losing data. It may also shorten the life of the card due to frequent overwriting.

Format the card as internal storage|Check the speed class (U3 or higher)|Copy OBB files manually|Reboot the phone after transfer-->

3. Cloud storage: an alternative to physical transfer

If transferring to an SD card is not possible (for example, on phones without a memory card slot), you can use cloud services. This method is suitable for backing up saves, but not for permanent cache storage - games cannot work with clouds directly.

The best options for gamers:

Service	Free volume	Suitable for	Features
Google Drive	15 GB	OBB and save backups	Integration with Android, but slow loading large files
Mega	20 GB	Storing heavy games (up to 50 GB)	Data encryption, but limiting traffic
Dropbox	2 GB	Saving small games	Convenient interface, but not enough space
OneDrive	5 GB	Backups for games from Microsoft (for example, Minecraft)	Fast synchronization with PC

How to load the cache into cloud:

1. Copy the cache folder to your PC via MTP or ADB.
2. Zip it to ZIP/RAR (to reduce the size).
3. Upload the archive to the cloud via the web or mobile interface application.

Important: Some games (for example, Genshin Impact) block your account when modified save files are detected. Before uploading to the cloud, make sure that the game does not use anti-cheat systems.

Google Drive|Mega|Dropbox|OneDrive|I don’t use clouds-->

4. Using ADB to transfer the cache (for advanced)

If the game does not see the files on the SD card, you can use deception of the system via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) This method works even on Android 13, but requires connecting the phone to it. PC.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) and Settings → System → For developers.
2. Connect your phone to the PC and check the connection:

   adb devices

3. Copy the cache to the SD card:

   adb pull /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package C:\Backup\

4. Create a symbolic link (if the game does not see the files):

   adb shell "su -c 'ln -s /storage/extSdCard/Android/obb/com.game.package /sdcard/Android/obb/com.game.package'"

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) ADB may not see the folder /data/data even with root access. In this case, only a modified kernel or custom recovery will help.

If after the transfer the game gives an error "The files are damaged", try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📥 Reinstall the game (it should "see" the files on the SD card).
• 🛠️ Check access rights folder:

  adb shell chmod -R 777 /storage/extSdCard/Android/obb

5. data-i="162">Some developers specifically block cache transfer to combat cheaters or pirated versions. For example:

Some developers specifically block cache transfers to combat cheaters or pirated versions. For example:

• 🎮 Genshin Impact (MiHoYo) - encrypts saves and binds them to the device.
• 🔫 Call of Duty Mobile (Activision) - requires a cache in the internal memory for anti-cheat.
• 🏆 Free Fire (Garena) - blocks the account when changing files. saves.

How to bypass restrictions:

Ways for Genshin Impact

1. Use the official tool MiHoYo Cloud Backup for saving (but not for cache).

2. Transfer only OBBfiles without touching the folder /data/data.

3. On rooted devices, you can replace Android ID via Xposedmodules, but this is risky (account ban).

For Call of Duty Mobile there is an unofficial way:

1. Copy folder /Android/obb/com.activision.callofduty.shooters on PC.
2. Install the game on a new device and wait for the cache to load.
3. Close the game and replace the downloaded files with yours (via ADB or root explorer).

But remember: such manipulations can lead to account ban, especially in games with an active anti-cheat system (for example, PUBG Mobile or Apex Legends Mobile).

6. Clearing the cache without losing progress: what can be deleted

If the internal memory is full and transferring the cache is impossible, all that remains is cleaningBut here it is important not to delete unnecessary things:

• ✅ You can clear:
  • Folder /Android/obb (the game will download the files again).
  • Cache in Settings → Applications → Game → Storage → Clear cache.
• ❌ You cannot delete:
  • Folder /data/data/game_package/files (there are saves!).
  • Files with the extension .sav or .dat.

How to clear the cache without risk:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Select a game → Storage.
2. Click "Clear cache" (not "Clear data"!).
3. If the game then asks to update, connect to Wi-Fi —it will download only the necessary files.

For games with cloud saves (for example, Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars), clearing the cache is not scary at all - progress will be restored after logging into your account.

⚠️ Attention: In games with offline mode (for example, The Room or Dead Cells) clearing data will lead to loss of progress. Before doing this, make a backup copy of the folder files.

7. Frequent errors when working with the game cache

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that break games or erase saves. Here are the most common:

• 🚫 Copying the cache between different versions of the game. For example, files from PUBG Mobile 2.0 are not suitable for PUBG Mobile Lite.
• 🔄 Changing permissions access to folders (for example, chmod 777) may cause reading errors.
• 📱 Transferring the cache between devices with different architectures (for example, from ARM64 to ARMv7) will lead to a crash of the game.
• ☁️ Downloading cache from unverified sources. Files from torrents or forums may contain viruses or be out of date.

How to avoid problems:

• 🔍 Always check game version i processor architecture (in Settings → About phone).
• 📌 Download cache only from official sources (for example, APKMirror or the developer's website).
• 🛡️ Before experiments, create a backup copy via ADB:

  adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared com.game.package

If after transferring the cache the game gives an error "Not enough memory", try:

1. Delete the game and install it again.
2. Format the SD card as internal storage (if not already done).
3. Check if the option is enabled "Saving places" in the settings Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer the game cache to a flash drive without root access?

Yes, but only the folder /Android/obb. To do this:

1. Copy the folder with OBB files to the flash drive.
2. Install the game again - it should “see” the files on the external drive.

If the game does not see the cache, try formatting the flash drive as internal storage (starting from Android 6.0).

Why does the game lag after transferring the cache to the SD card?

Most likely, the memory card is to blame. For modern games you need a flash drive of class low reading speed memory cards. For modern games you need a flash drive UHS-I U3 (write speed from 30 MB/s). leave at least 10% free space.

How to find out which files can be deleted and which cannot?

Open a file manager (for example, FX File Explorer) and look at the extensions:

• 🗑️ .obb, .pak, .unity3d — can be deleted (the game will download again).
• 💾 .sav, .dat, .xml — saves cannot be deleted.

Also in the game settings there may be an item "Clear cache" —it will safely delete temporary files.

Is it possible to transfer the cache from one phone to another?

Theoretically yes, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Both phones must be on the same architecture (ARM64 or ARMv7).
• 🔄 The versions of the game and Android must match.
• 🔒 Some games (for example, Genshin Impact) tie the cache to the device - the transfer will not work.

It is better to use cloud saves or official ones transfer tools (for example, MiHoYo Cloud for Genshin Impact).

What to do if the game does not start after clearing the cache?

You probably deleted not only the cache, but also critical files. Try:

1. Reinstall the game.
2. Restore saves from the cloud (if supported).
3. Contact game support indicating the phone model and version Android.

If the game was pirated, there is a high chance that it simply stopped working after the update.