How to Open OBB Folder on Xiaomi Smartphones: All Ways to Access in 2026

folder OBB (Opaque Binary Blob on Android devices is a hidden storage for additional data applications, especially games. on Xiaomi smartphones, access to it is often limited due to features of the device. MIUI, This is a problem for users trying to install modified APK, downloaded games or restore backups. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to access the folder Android/obb — From standard methods to advanced technical solutions.

It is important to understand that the limitations of MIUI are related to security policy: the system hides system folders to prevent accidental deletion of critical files. However, for power users and gamers, this “security mechanism” becomes an obstacle. We analyzed all possible scenarios – from simple (via the built-in file manager) to complex (using ADB and root rights) – so that you can choose the best option depending on your Xiaomi model (for example, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11) and the version of MIUI.

Why is the OBB folder hidden on Xiaomi and what it stores?

folder Android/obb contains additional resources for installed applications: high-resolution graphics, game levels, sound files and other data that are not placed in the main APK-For example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, after installing from Google Play, automatically downloads several gigabytes of data to this folder.

Xiaomi has limited access for two reasons:

• 🔒 Politics MIUI: Xiaomi is modifying Android by hiding system directories to “protect users from themselves.” /data, and /obb.
• 🛡️ Security: Inexperienced users can accidentally delete critical files, which will lead to malfunctions in the application.
• 📱 Features of the file system: On new models (for example, Xiaomi) 13T) used F2FS or EROFS, where access rights are more strictly controlled.

The obb folder can store:

• 🎮 Game data: Textures, 3D-Models, maps (e.g. files with the.obb extension for Asphalt 9).
• 📚 App cache: Offline maps Google Maps, Netflix media libraries.
• 🔄 Backups: Some backup tools store data here.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from the obb folder can cause applications to crash!, for example, if you delete the file main.1.com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM.ob, Asphalt 9 will stop running, even though it is still in the game. APK remain established.

Method 1: Access through a standard MIUI file manager

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi’s built-in File Manager, but it doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI and requires pre-configuration.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Device (or Internal Memory) section.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Settings.
4. Activate the option to show hidden files.
5. Go back to the root directory and find the Android folder, and it's going to have an obb folder inside it.

If the Android folder is not displayed:

• 🔄 Try to update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in new builds, restrictions are sometimes relaxed).
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F4) You must first unlock Developer Mode (7 times press the Version) MIUI phone-setting).
• 🔧 Use an alternative file manager (see the next section).

Method 2: Alternative file managers with root access

If the standard manager doesn't show the obb folder, install a third-party app.The best options for Xiaomi are:

Step-by-step instructions for Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the permissions requested.
3. In the main menu, select the Root (or Root) folder.
4. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.
5. If the folder is empty, check for files in /sdcard/Android/obb (some firmwares have different paths).

If the folder is not visible through the third-party manager, it means that:

• 🔐 Your device has disabled access to internal memory for third-party applications (check Settings). → Annexes → Special access → Managing all files).
• 🛡️ MIUI Blocks access at the kernel level (solution to use) ADB or get root rights).

Method 3: Using ADB to unlock access

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to control your device via the command line, and you can manually change the permissions to the obb folder without getting root.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB Xiaomi.
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into any folder.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) in the ADB folder and do:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the drivers and permissions on your phone.)

adb shell


chmod 777 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb

This command will change the permissions to access the folder to make it readable and writeable, but the effect may be temporary, as MIUI will reset the previous settings once it is restarted.

⚠️ Attention: chmod team 777 makes the folder available to all users of the system, which can create a vulnerability. 755 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.

Method 4: Getting root rights for full access

If previous methods fail, unlock the bootloader and get root rights, which will give you full control of the file system, but will deprive you of warranties and may disrupt some functions (for example, Google Pay or Mi Fit).

Step-by-step process:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Go to the Mi Unlock site and download the utility. Link the Mi Account to the device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud. Launch the utility, log in to the account and follow the instructions (the device will reboot in Fastboot mode).
2. Install custom recavator (TWRP): Download the TWRP version for your model from the official website.Sweep the recavers through Fastboot with the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Installation of Magisk for root

• Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub.
• In TWRP, select Install and specify the path to the Magisk.zip file.
• After the reboot, check for root through the Magisk Manager app.

You can now use any root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer) to access /data/app and /Android/obb.

• 🔴 Risks: Mistakes can lead to a bootloop (a looped reboot).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After updating the firmware root may fly, and the procedure will have to repeat.
• 🛡️ Security: Some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online) refuse to work on rooted devices.

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, make a full backup via Mi PC Suite or TWRP. This will help restore data if something goes wrong. Also save the file persist.img - it contains IMEI and other critical data.

Method 5: Bypassing restrictions without root (for power users)

If you don’t want to risk getting root, but standard methods don’t work, you can use workarounds:

1. Simlink folder swap: Create a symbolic link to the obb folder in an accessible location: adb shell ln -s /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb /sdcard/obb_link The folder will now be available on the way. /sdcard/obb_link.
2. Use Termux: Install Termux from F-Droid and execute: pkg install termux-api termux-setup-storage cd ~/storage/shared/Android/obb
3. FTP-server ADB: Launch it. FTP-server on the device and connect to it from the PC: adb shell su busybox tcpsvd -vE 0.0.0.0 2221 busybox ftpd -w / Then, on the PC, connect through FTP-client (e.g. FileZilla) to localhost:2221.

These techniques require command line knowledge and may not work on newer versions of MIUI due to tighter security.For example, on Xiaomi 14 with MIUI 15, su launch is blocked even through Termux.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you're working with obb, you're going to have a problem with the most common ones.

Critical information: On devices with MIUI 14+ and newer models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the obb folder can be encrypted at the file system level, in which case even root will not give full access - you will need to decrypt through specialized utilities like OrangeFox Recovery.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions