Where is the OBB folder on Xiaomi and how to open it: 5 proven ways

The OBB folder (from the English Opaque Binary Blob) is a hidden directory in Android, which stores additional game and application data: graphic textures, levels, sound files and other resources. On Xiaomi smartphones (including the models of Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), access to this folder is often complicated due to the features of the MIUI firmware. Users are faced with the fact that the folder is either not displayed in the file manager, or its content is not available for editing.

The reasons you can search for an OBB folder range from manually installing games (like via APK+OBB) to backing up progress or freeing up memory. However, MIUI hides default system directories, and some versions of Android (starting with Android 11) have tightened the rules for accessing /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to open an OBB folder on Xiaomi, including bypassing root restrictions without rights.

Why is the OBB folder not visible on Xiaomi?

If you don’t find an OBB folder in a standard file manager, the reasons may be:

• 🔍 Hidden system files: MIUI by default hides folders Android/obb and Android/data user-only.
• 📱 No games with OBB-Files: The folder is created automatically only after installing the first application that uses the file. OBB (For example, Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile or Asphalt 9).
• 🔒 Limitations of Android 11+: Starting with Android 11, Google introduced the concept of Scoped Storage, which restricts the access of applications to other folders, including obb.
• 🛠️ Castom firmware or resets: After firmware is Fastboot or reset to factory settings, the folder may disappear.

Before you try to open a folder, make sure it exists on your device at all. To do this, connect your smartphone to your PC and check the path Internal Memory → Android → obb through Windows Explorer or macOS. If the folder is not available, any game that requires it will create it. OBB-files (for example, after installation) APK+OBB through SAI split APK Installer).

⚠️ Please do not confuse obb with data. Android/data store the storage and cache of applications and in Android/obb — Only additional resources (usually archives with the.obb extension) can be removed from data, which can retard game progress!

Method 1: Enabling the Display of Hidden Files in MIUI

The easiest method is to enable the display of hidden folders in the standard Xiaomi file manager.

1. Open the Files app** (yellow folder icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Activate the switch to show hidden files.
4. Go back to the root directory (Inner Memory) and find the Android → obb folder.

If the folder still doesn't show up, try updating the file manager through Google Play or using a third-party app (like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager).Some versions of MIUI (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro) have a deeper option to find along the way:

Settings → Additional → Show hidden files and folders

Make sure that the file manager is updated

Check for Android folder in the root directory

Enable the display of hidden elements

Reboot the file manager (if the folder does not appear)

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If the OBB folder never appeared after these actions, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Using ADB to access OBB

If standard methods fail, you can access the folder through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a PC.

1. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional Settings → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and do:

adb shell


ls /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb

If the folder exists, you will see a list of files with the.obb extension. To copy them to your PC, use:

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ C:\OBB_Backup\

⚠️ Note: Not all games allow you to copy OBB-file ADB. For example, Genshin Impact encrypts its resources, and transferring them to another device can cause a 927 startup error.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, update the drivers via the Mi PC Suite or install the universal Google USB Driver.

Method 3: Third-party file managers with root access

If you don’t want to connect your smartphone to your PC, use file managers with built-in root or Scoped Storage circumvention support.

• 📁 Solid Explorer: Supports access to system folders without root (you need to enable Root access in settings).
• 🔧 FX File Manager: Can circumvent restrictions MIUI built-in FX Connect.
• 🛡️ Root Explorer: Requires root rights, but gives full control over obb and data.

Example of Solid Explorer configuration:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the side menu and select Root Access.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.
4. If access is blocked, click Mount as R/W (readable/writable).

On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 13+ (For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5) Solid Explorer may not even see the folder. OBB without any additional rights, and in this case, it will only help. ADB rooting.

Method 4: Transfer OBB-files via PC (without PC) ADB)

If ADB seems complicated, you can do with a standard USB connection.

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable (file transfer mode).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (not Charge!).
3. In Windows Explorer, go along the way: This PC → [Name of Your Xiaomi] → Internal Memory → Android → Obb
4. Copy the files you want (e.g., com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact) to a folder on your PC or vice versa.

If the obb folder is not visible through the PC, check:

• 🔌 Connection to USB: Try another cable or port.
• 📋 Settings MIUI: In Settings → Connection and sharing → USB Select File Transfer (MTP).
• 🔄 Reboot: sometimes helps to restart your smartphone and PC.

Method 5: Manually Create an OBB folder

If the obb folder is missing (for example, after resetting), you can create it yourself.

1. Open any file manager (even the standard MIUI).
2. Go to the root directory (Inner Memory).
3. Create a folder with the name Android (if not).
4. Inside it, create an obb folder (all letters in lowercase!).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, the folder should appear in the list of system directories.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with the OBB folder, Xiaomi users often face typical problems:

• 🚫 No Access Error: Occurs from Scoped Storage on Android 11+. The solution is to use ADB root.
• 🔄 The folder disappears after the reboot: It was most likely created in the wrong place (for example, on the computer). SD-Take it to the map. /storage/emulated/0/Android/.
• 📱 The game doesn't see OBB-Files: Check for version compliance APK and OBB. For example, for Call of Duty Mobile, files should be called com.activision.callofduty.shooter.obb.
• 🔒 You can't edit files: The folder has read-only permissions. Use the chmod command via ADB.

If you encounter a 927 error when you start a game (such as in Genshin Impact), it means that:

• OBB-file is corrupted or incomplete.
• The OBB version does not conform to the APK version.
• The file was downloaded from an unreliable source.

Solution: Remove the game folder from Android/obb and Android/data, then reinstall APK+OBB from the developer’s official website.

Using the standard MIUI file manager

With ADB

Third-party managers (Solid Explorer, FX)

I'm plugging in the PC via USB.

Another way.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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If the OBB folder is not visible in any way, check if access to internal memory is disabled through device policies (relevant for corporate Xiaomi smartphones with MDM).