Why the folder OBB It is important for Xiaomi owners
If you install games with large graphical resources (such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or the likes of the game). PUBG), Sooner or later you will have to find a file. OBB. It is a hidden directory where additional application data is stored – textures, levels, sound files and other heavy elements that do not fit into the standard application. APK. On Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI The search for this folder often turns into a quest: it can be hidden, moved or even absent.
The problem is complicated by the fact that MIUI It actively modifies the structure of the Android file system, for example, in versions. MIUI 12–14 fileway Android/obb This may be different from the standard model due to the manufacturer's optimizations, and some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro) by default hide system directories to “protect the user from random changes” and as a result, even experienced users are lost trying to find the system directories. OBB-files for manual installation of games or backup.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 📁 Where exactly to look for a folder OBB differentially MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).
- 🔍 How to enable hidden files in standard and third-party file managers.
- ⚙️ What to do if the folder is not available - possible causes and solutions.
- 📱 Features for specific models (Redmi, POCO, Black Shark).
Standard path to the folder OBB Xiaomi
In most cases, the folder OBB is on the next path:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/But on Xiaomi, this path can be modified or hidden, and here's how to find it in different scenarios:
1. Through the standard file manager MIUI
Open the Files app (yellow folder icon) and:
- Go to the Device (or Internal Memory) section.
- Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show hidden files.
- Go back and walk the way: Android → obb.
If your Android folder is not in the root directory, try an alternative path:
/sdcard/Android/obb/2. through third-party managers (Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer)
Standard manager MIUI Sometimes it restricts access to system folders:
- 📱 Install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer from Google Play.
- 🔓 Give them permission to access the memory (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Memory).
- 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
- 📂 Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/.
Enable the display of hidden files|Grant memory rights to the file manager|Check the way /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/|Test an alternative path /sdcard/Android/obb/-->
3. via ADB (for power users)
If the file system is damaged or access is blocked, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your phone to your PC and do it:
adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/Android/obbIf the folder exists but does not appear in managers, check the rights:
adb shell ls -la /storage/emulated/0/Android/What if ADB can’t see the folder?
Why folders? OBB It may not be possible and how to create it.
folder OBB It is not available by default on all Xiaomi smartphones – it is created automatically when you first install a game that requires additional data (for example, through Google Play or manually). APK). If you haven't installed these games, there won't be a folder, but you can create it manually.
Reasons for the absence of a folder OBB
- 🎮 No game ever asked for folder creation (you only installed lightweight apps).
- 🔄 The folder was deleted after the game was uninstalled (for example, through Settings). → Memory. → Cleanup).
- 🛡️ Data Protection function is enabled on the device (MIUI 12+), which blocks the creation of system directories.
- 📱 The device runs HyperOS (the new Xiaomi shell), where the folder structure is changed.
How to create a folder OBB manually
If there is no folder, but you need it to install the game:
- Open the file manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/.
- Create a new folder called obb (lowercase!).
- Reset the device.
Important: The folder must have drwxrwx permission--x (readable and written for all but without execution rights for other users) If the rights are incorrect, games will not be able to write data to it.
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If after creating a folder, the game still does not see OBB-Files, try to copy them to the folder /Android/obb/[package.name]/, where [package.name] — it ID games (e.g. com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile? ID You can play on the game page in Google Play (in the browser address bar).
Features for different Xiaomi models
Some Xiaomi series of smartphones have unique nuances of working with a folder OBB. Let’s look at the most common cases:
| Model/Series | Features of the folder OBB | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | The folder can be hidden even after the display of hidden files is enabled. MIUI 13 additional permission is required to manage all files. | Use Solid Explorer with root rights or grant permission through Settings → Annexes → Special access → Managing all files. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | These are the folders. Android/obb It can be in a virtual section. /sdcard/, which is not displayed in the standard manager. | Check the way through ADB or use FX File Explorer with Root Mode enabled (if superuser rights are available). |
| Black Shark 4/5 | Black Shark gaming smartphones have a separate Game Space section that can block access to the game. OBB-Files to optimize performance. | Disable Game Space in the settings or copy files via PC (by connecting your phone in File Transfer mode). |
| Mi 11/12/13 Ultra | On the flagships with MIUI 14 folder can be encrypted due to the function of Private memory. | Turn off encryption in Settings → Confidentiality → Private Memory or Use Mi File Manager with the Latest Updates. |
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On devices with HyperOS (the new shell Xiaomi) the path to the folder OBB may change /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/[package.name]/Android/obb/. This is due to a new memory management system where application data is stored in isolated containers.
How to transfer OBB-Xiaomi files without errors
If you downloaded OBB-- game files (e.g. from APKPure or Plati) and you need to install them, follow this instruction to avoid errors:
1. File preparation
- 📦 Unclaw the downloaded OBB-file (usually this is ZIP-archive).
- 📝 Make sure the file folder name matches the game’s package name (e.g., com.levelinfinite.hotta.gm for Honkai: Star Rail).
- 🔄 If there are several files in the archive (for example, main.1.com.game.ob and patch.1.com.game.ob), Don't rename them!
2. Copying to the device
Use one of the methods:
- 📱 File Manager: Copy the folder with OBB-file-in /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/.
- 💻 Through PC: connect the phone in the mode File Transfer (MTP) and transfer the files to the desired folder.
- ☁️ Through the Cloud: Upload files to Google Drive or Mi Cloud, then download directly to the obb folder.
3. Testing and running the game
After copying:
- Reset the device.
- If you see a "Files not found" error, check:
1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and disable optimization MIUI.
3.Reboot the phone and re-install.-->
Frequent mistakes and how to fix them
When working with a folder OBB Xiaomi users often face typical problems. Let's look at the most common and how to solve them.
1. "File corrupted" error when copying
If you try to copy OBB-The file appears with a message "File corrupted" or "Can't insert":
- 🔌 Check if your phone is connected to a charger – sometimes MIUI Blocks operations with files during charging.
- 📶 Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi – background synchronization can interfere with copying.
- 🛠️ Use a different file manager (e.g. Total Commander).
2 The game doesn't see. OBB-file-copying
If the files are copied, but the game asks you to download the data again:
- 🔄 Move it. OBB-file /Android/obb/[package.name]/, Not at the root of obb.
- 📋 Check the register of characters in the folder name (must match the game's package name).
- 🔄 Reinstall the game (without deleting) OBB-file).
3.Folder OBB disappears after rebooting
If the obb folder disappears after the device restarts:
- 🛡️ Check if the Memory Cleanup function is enabled when restarting (Settings) → Memory. → Auto-cleaning).
- 🔧 Disable Memory Optimization for File Manager (Settings) → Annexes → Battery management → Optimization MIUI).
- 📁 Create the folder again and set the rights to 775 (via the ADB or a root explorer).
How to check the rights to the folder through ADB?
Security: Can I delete the folder? OBB?
folder OBB It takes up a lot of space (sometimes up to 10-15 GB), and users often wonder if it can be removed:
- ✅ You can delete: if you uninstall the game and want to free up space. files in obb do not affect the operation of the system.
- ❌ Cannot be deleted: if the game is still installed, it will lead to launch errors (for example, "No game data are available").
To safely clean the obb folder:
- Remove the game through Settings → Apps.
- Check that there are no files from other active games left in the obb folder.
- Delete unnecessary files manually or use the Cleanup function in MIUI Security.
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Don't confuse obb with data! deletion of files from /Android/data/ It can reset progress in games even if the game itself remains installed. The obb folder contains only additional resources, and the data contains saves and cache.