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Does this error message haunt you when you try to install a large Android game or app? This happens because the app that you are trying to install or update has its game data files or OBB files that are saved in Android/Obb directory. Fear not! In this article, we will guide you through several methods with easy-to-follow steps on how to transfer OBB files from your phone’s internal storage to the Android/Obb folder so that you can install your favorite game without any hassle.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Moving OBB Files to Android/Obb folder
When installing large games or apps, sometimes the installation process will stop and display the error message "There is insufficient space on the device". This happens because the game data files are too large to fit in the phone’s internal storage, and this is where the Android/Obb folder comes in handy. If you cannot move the OBB file to the appropriate directory, you will continue to face the error while installing apps or games with large data files. This article will guide you on how to move Obb files to the Android/Obb folder without any complicated procedures.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you proceed with the methods, there are a few things you will need:
- An Android phone or tablet
- The Obb file that you want to move to the Android/Obb directory
- A file manager app such as Root Explorer or File Manager+
Method 1: Using a File Manager App
If your phone’s system doesn’t allow you to access the Android/OBB directory, you can still move the OBB file using a file manager app that has the "root" access.
1. Open the File Manager app.
2. Locate the OBB file that you want to move to Android/Obb directory. Hint: by default, this file should be in /sdcard/Download/ folder.
3. Press and hold the OBB file until you see a dialog box with options.
4. Select the ‘Copy’ option.
5. Go back to the main interface of the file manager app, and locate the root directory of your phone.
6. Navigate to the ‘Android’ folder and tap to open it. If you cannot find the ‘Android’ folder, you can create an ‘Android’ folder in the root directory of your phone.
7. Tap the ‘Obb’ folder to open it.
8. Press and hold on an empty space, and choose ‘Paste’ to move your OBB file here.
Pros: This is the easiest method that doesn’t require a PC or USB cable.
Cons: You need to install a file manager app that has root access.
Method 2: Using a PC with USB Cables
Another way to transfer the OBB file is by using a PC and USB cables.
1. Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Unlock your phone, and allow USB debugging.
3. On your computer, locate the downloaded OBB file, and copy it.
4. Open another File Explorer window, and navigate to your phone.
5. Go to the ‘Android’ folder, and open the ‘Obb’ folder.
6. Paste the copied OBB file into here.
Pros: You don’t need a root access file manager app.
Cons: You need a PC with a USB cable, and this may not be suitable for those who are away from their computer.
Method 3: Using ADB
ADB, or Android Debug Bridge, is a tool that allows you to use a command prompt to interact with an Android device from a PC. You can use ADB to move an OBB file to the Android/Obb folder.
1. Enable USB debugging on your phone.
2. Connect the phone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. On your computer, open a terminal or command prompt window.
4. Type in "adb devices" and press enter to show a list of connected devices.
5. Type in "adb shell" and press enter to open a remote shell on your device.
6. Type in "su" and press enter to switch to root user mode. This may prompt a superuser request on your device.
7. Type in "cp /sdcard/Download/*.obb /sdcard/Android/obb/" and press enter. The * represents the name of the OBB file that you want to move.
8. Wait for the transfer to complete before you unplug your phone from the computer.
Pros: Cons: No need to install any app or use your phone’s screen, no need to touch your phone at all the whole transfer process.
Cons: Not all users are familiar with using terminal or command prompt, some may find it too complicated.
Why Can’t I Move OBB File to Android/Obb folder?
Sometimes, even if we have tried different methods, we still fail to move OBB files to the Android/Obb folder. Here are some reasons why and the solutions:
1. Your device is not rooted.
If your device is not rooted, you cannot move the OBB files to the Android/Obb folder directly. In this case, try method 2 or method 3 that doesn’t require root.
2. Insufficient disk space.
Make sure that you have enough disk space. Check how much storage is available and remove unnecessary files using a file manager app or related cleaning apps.
3. Wrong OBB file format.
Make sure that the OBB file is the correct format for the game or app that you are trying to install.
Additional Tips
As you move the OBB file out from /sdcard/Download/ folder, you won’t see the particular Obb file in the Downloads folder after moving it. But don’t worry, you can still find your OBB file in the Android/Obb directory after moving.
5 FAQs About Moving OBB Files to Android/Obb Folder
Q1: Do I have to move every OBB file to Android/Obb folder?
A: No, only move the OBB file that is related to the game or app that you want to install or update, and make sure you copy the right-sized file.
Q2: What should I do if I can’t find the Android/Obb folder?
A: If you cannot find the Android/Obb folder, then create it manually in the root directory of your phone.
Q3: Can I delete the OBB file after installation?
A: No, do not delete the OBB file after installation, it contains important data required to run the game or app.
Q4: How do I know which OBB file is for which app or game?
A: The name of the OBB file should correspond to the name of the app or game that you are installing. For instance, if you are installing the game "Asphalt 9", the OBB file name should be "com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM".
Q5: Can I change the name of the OBB file?
A: No, do not change the name of the OBB file as it may cause issues with the installation or game performance.
In Conclusion
Transferring OBB files from your phone’s internal storage to the Android/Obb folder is a simple process and can be done using a file manager app, USB cable, or even ADB command line tools. Choosing the right method depends on what works best for you, but all of the methods are easy to follow. By following the methods we mentioned above, you can install your favourite game or app without any hassle.