Are you having trouble installing an old app with OBB files on your Android 11 phone? You’re not alone. Starting from Android 11, third-party apps are no longer allowed to access files and folders under /Android/data or /Android/obb. However, file manager developers quickly found a workaround that let their apps prompt the user to grant access to these folders. Instead of using SAF to request access to the entirety of /Android, they invoked SAF and requested access to the /Android/data and /Android/obb subdirectories.
This loophole was closed in Android 13, which is why many third-party file manager apps are now unable to access these directories.
However, a new workaround has been discovered. Instead of invoking SAF to ask for access to /Android/data and /Android/obb, file managers can invoke SAF directly to an app-specific subdirectory under these directories and ask for access to that.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to move OBB files to the OBB folder on your Android device using the Files app by Marc Apps & Software:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Install the Files App: Download and install the Files application from the Google Play Store.
- Prepare Your Files: Choose your APK and OBB files and install the APK. Extract the OBB files.
- Paste OBB Files: Once the APK and OBB files are extracted, paste your OBB files in the Android folder.
- Move to OBB Folder: Now that your OBB files are in the same directory as the OBB folder, long-press to select and drag them to the OBB folder.
Important Notes
- Not all apps might work properly. The compatibility depends on your device and the specific app you’re trying to install.
- This guide is for educational purposes only.
By following these steps, you can work around the limitations imposed by newer versions of Android and successfully install your apps with OBB files.
For a detailed walkthrough, check out my YouTube video tutorial:
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only.
