OBB folder on Android: purpose, location and working with game files

Folder OBB on Android is one of those system directories, the existence of which many users learn only after encountering problems when installing games or transferring data. It is hidden from view in the standard file manager, but plays a critical role in the operation of heavy applications, especially 3D games those with highly detailed graphics. Without it, projects such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile or PUBGwill either not start or will work with errors.

In this article we will look in detail at what is stored in the folder OBBwhy it can’t just be copy like regular files, and how to properly manage its contents - from manual transfer to disaster recovery. We will pay special attention to typical errors that lead to game crashes and ways to avoid them.

If you have ever encountered the message "The data file is corrupted" or "Failed to load additional resources" when starting a game, most likely the problem lies in the folder OBB. Below you will learn how to fix this and prevent it in the future.

What is the OBB folder and why do you need it?

Folder OBB (from English Opaque Binary Blob - "opaque binary object") is a standard directory in Android, designed for storing additional application datathat are not included in the main APK file. In most cases, we are talking about:

• 🎮 Game resources: high-resolution textures, 3D models, audio tracks, animations.
• 📦 Cache of large applications: for example, offline maps in Google Maps or media libraries in Spotify.
• 🔧 Configuration filesnecessary for the correct operation of the software.

The main feature OBB is separation of data and executable code. Instead of ballooning the APK file to several gigabytes (which would make it difficult to download and install), developers move the heavy resources into a separate folder. This saves traffic during updates: instead of re-downloading the entire game, only changed files are downloaded.

It is important to understand that OBB is not the same as the application cache (folder Android/data). The cache can be cleared without consequences, while deleting files from OBB often leads to app malfunction. For example, a game Asphalt 9: Legends without its OBB file will either not start or will display low-quality graphics.

Where is the OBB folder on Android

By default, the folder OBB is located along the following path:

/sdcard/Android/obb/[application_package_name]/

Where [application_package_name] is a unique app identifier, for example:

• com.tencent.ig — for PUBG Mobile;
• com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact — for Genshin Impact;
• com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM —for Asphalt 9.

To see the folder, you will need a file manager with access to system directories, for example:

• 📁 Solid Explorer;
• 📁 FX File Explorer;
• 📁 Total Commander (with enabled superuser mode).

If a folder Android/obb is not in the root directory, this does not mean that it does not exist. It may be hidden or not yet created (appears only after installing the first application that uses OBB). On some devices (for example Xiaomi or Huawei) access to system folders is blocked by default - you will need to allow the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.

OBB folder structure: what files are stored there

Inside the folder OBB a separate directory is created for each application, named after its package. Inside it are files with the extension .obb or .zip (less often - other archives). Here are typical examples:

File type	Extension	Example content	Can I delete
Main OBB file	.obb	Textures, models, sounds for Genshin Impact	❌ No
Additional patch	.obb or .zip	Updates for Call of Duty: Mobile	❌ No
Card cache	.dat or .idx	Offline maps in Google Maps	✅ Yes (will reload)
Configuration	.xml or .json	Graphics settings in PUBG Mobile	⚠️ You can, but the settings will be reset. Their contents are unpacked and used only by the application itself during operation. An attempt to modify or unpack such a file manually will result in a data integrity check error.

Files .obb - This encrypted archives, which cannot be opened using standard means (such as WinRAR or 7-Zip). Their contents are unpacked and used only by the application itself during operation. An attempt to modify or unpack such a file manually will result in a data integrity check error.

The size of OBB files can reach several gigabytes. For example:

• Genshin Impact — ~15 GB;
• Call of Duty: Mobile — ~2–4 GB;
• Honor of Kings — ~1.5 GB.

Why are OBB files like this? large?

Game engines (for example, Unity or Unreal Engine) use highly detailed 3D models and textures in 4K resolution. To avoid overloading the APK, these resources are moved to OBB. For example, one texture for a character in Genshin Impact can weigh up to 50 MB, and there are thousands of them.

How to correctly transfer the OBB folder (without errors)

One of the most common causes of problems with OBB is incorrect file transfer when reinstalling the game or changing devices. If you simply copy the folder to a new phone, the game may not see the data. Here correct algorithm:

Install the APK file of the game (without launching)|Copy the OBB folder to /sdcard/Android/obb/[package_name]/|Check the access rights (the folder must be readable)|Start the game and wait until the files are verified|When error, delete and repeat copying-->

Key points:

• 🔄 The order of actions is important: first APK, then OBB. If you do the opposite, Android can delete “extra” files.
• 📋 Matching package names: the OBB folder must be in a directory with the same name as in the APK. For example, for PUBG Mobile this is com.tencent.ig.
• 🔒 Access rights: on some firmware (for example, MIUI) files are copied without read permissions. It can be fixed through the file properties in the manager.

If after transfer the game gives the error "The file is damaged", try:

1. Delete the OBB folder and download the data again through the game itself.
2. Check the checksum (MD5) of the file - it must match the original one.
3. Use an alternative OBB source (for example, the official website of the developer).

Typical errors with the OBB folder and how to fix them

Even experienced users encounter problems with OBB. Here are the most common scenarios and solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If the game no longer sees OBB files after an update, first check the data version. Developers often change the file structure during major updates, and old OBBs become incompatible.

Error	Cause	Solution
"Data file damaged"	Incomplete loading or bad sectors on the memory card	Remove OBB and download again. Check the memory card for errors (fsck)
"Could not load additional resources"	Missing OBB folder or incorrect rights	Create a folder manually, copy files, check rights (chmod 755)
The game starts, but with low graphics	OBB file from another version or modified	Download the original OBB from the official source
"Not enough memory"	OBB file is too large for section /data	Move the game to an SD card (if supported) or clear space

Especially often, errors occur on devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where the structure of the system folders has been changed. In such cases, it can help:

• 🛠️ Installing a patch Magisk for correct work with OBB;
• 🔄 Using an alternative file manager with support root;
• 📥 Loading OBB directly through the game (even if it takes longer).

If the problem persists, check error logs via ADB:

adb logcat | grep -i "obb"

This will help identify the exact cause of the failure (for example, lack of read permission or file signature mismatch).

How to clear the OBB folder without consequences

Deleting files from OBB is a risky operation, but sometimes necessary (for example, to free up space or after a game crash). Here's how to do it safely:

Close all games and applications that use OBB|Make a backup copy of the folder on your PC|Delete only those files that relate to the deleted games|After cleaning, reboot your device|The next time you start the game, wait until the data is loaded again-->

What files can be deleted:

• 🗑️ OBB from deleted games: if the application is uninstalled, its data in the folder obb becomes "garbage".
• 🔄 Outdated patches: some games leave old versions of OBB after updating (for example, main.1.com.example.game.obb and main.2.com.example.game.obb).
• 📦 Application cachethat restore it (for example, Google Maps).

What you can’t delete :

• ❌ OBB files installed games are will lead to their inoperability.
• ❌ Files with unknown extensions (for example, .dat not associated with a specific application).
• ❌ Folders with unfamiliar package names - they may belong to system ones utilities.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung c One UI), clearing OBB through a standard file manager may cause a failure. Android System WebViewIn such cases, use ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Android/obb/package_name/

OBB and root access: what can be done with expanded access

On devices with with root access there are additional options for working with the folder OBB, but also risks. Here's what you can do:

• 🔧 Transfer OBB to SD card (even if the game does not support this by default): you need to change symbolic links (ln -s) or mount the folder via Magisk.
• 📂 Changing access rights for files if the game “does not see” them:

  chmod 644 /sdcard/Android/obb/com.example.game/main.1.com.example.game.obb

• 🔄 Automatic backup OBB via Tasker or Termux.
• 🛡️ Blocking changes in OBB files (for example, to protect against cheating modifications in online games).

However, be careful:

• 🚫 Do not change OBB files games with online verification (for example, Genshin Impact or Free Fire) - this will lead to account ban.
• 🔒 Do not mount OBB on external drives with the file system FAT32 —it does not support files larger than 4 GB.
• ⚠️ Do not delete system OBB (if any) - this may disrupt the operation of the firmware.

To automate tasks you can use the script on Bash (run via Termux):

#!/bin/bash
OBB backup to /storage/emulated/0/Backup/OBB
mkdir -p /storage/emulated/0/Backup/OBB
cp -r /sdcard/Android/obb/* /storage/emulated/0/Backup/OBB/
echo "Backup completed: $(date)" > /storage/emulated/0/Backup/OBB/log.txt

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the OBB folder

Is it possible to download OBB files separately from games?

Yes, many games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile) allow you to download OBB from official sites or through torrent trackers. However:

• ⚠️ The risk of catching a virus or a modified file;
• 🔄 The OBB version must exactly match the APK version;
• 📥 It is better to download through the game itself (in the settings there is usually an option "Load additional data").

Why does the game not see OBB files after copying?

Reasons several:

1. Mismatch between the package name in the APK and the path to OBB;
2. Lack of rights to read files;
3. OBB from another version of the game;
4. Damage to the file when copying (especially true for memory cards exFAT).

Solution: remove OBB, reboot the device and download the data again through the game.

Is it possible to transfer OBB to a flash drive or external drive?

Technically yes, but:

• 📁 Android by default does not support transferring OBB to external drives media;
• 🔧 On rooted devices this can be done through bind mount or symbolic links;
• ⚠️ Games may run slower due to the speed of reading from the SD card;
• 🚫 On some firmware (for example, EMUI) this will lead to errors.

What happens if you delete the OBB folder completely?

Consequences depend on the content:

• 🎮 Games: will not launch or will work with graphics errors;
• 🗺️ Applications like Google Maps: will lose offline maps, but will remain functional;
• ⚙️ System utilities: may crash (rarely, but possible on custom firmware).

The folder OBB will be restored automatically the next time you start the application that uses it.

How to recover deleted OBB files?

Methods:

1. Download again through the game itself (the most reliable option);
2. Restore from a backup copy (if you made a backup);
3. Use apps for file recovery (for example, DiskDigger), but the chances are low due to fragmentation;
4. Find OBB on specialized sites (risky - check the checksums!).