In this post from Apkopia, we aim to provide a simple guide on how to install data-based games and outline all the necessary steps for installing and running data-based games without issues. For each data-based game introduced on the site, we have written an installation and execution guide that consists of three steps, where the first and third steps are straightforward and do not require special explanation (Step One: Install the installation file, and Step Three: Run the game!). However, under these conditions, we will briefly explain the installation process as well! In this post, to prevent you from losing interest, we have tried to write the explanations concisely and effectively, and we have chosen a title for each section so you don’t get confused!

How to Install Android Games:

As you may know, all installation files for Android games are in Apk format and can be installed with just one click! You just need to click on them for the permissions, privacy, etc. page to appear, and by pressing the Next button (next step) and then Install, you can proceed with the installation of the game.

The following image visually demonstrates this in 5 steps:

Click on the image to view it in its original size.

How to Extract Compressed Files from Zip/Rar (Unzipping):

The data for Android games is provided in a compressed file for download (there is no option to provide it uncompressed); the data for games on Apkopia is in the common compressed Zip format, and you can extract them using any Android or Windows file manager.

* * * * To extract the data from the compressed state, you need to have a file manager on your device, and our recommendation is the Zarchiver software, which I have also used in the educational image below; you can find and download this software by searching on the Apkopia site. * * * *

By clicking on the compressed file, the file manager functions will be displayed, and by selecting the Extract here option, the file will be extracted and made available on the same page you are on.

How to Place Game Data Folder in the Specified Path:

Installing and running data-based Android games is not difficult; you just need to take the time to learn it once, and after that, you will install and run games effortlessly! You might think that the most challenging step in installing data-based games is “placing the data in the specified path,” but you should know that it is not, and this step is actually the simplest. If you have mastered the extraction step, you will definitely not face any issues!

The path for placing the data folder for Android games is either Android/Obb or Android/data, which is mentioned in the instructions for each post. After extracting the data from the compressed state, you need to copy the specified folder to the internal memory of your device.

For example, let’s go through the installation and execution instructions for the game Gangstar Vega:

For installing and running this game on its page, we have written:

Step One – First, download and install the apk file.

Step Two – Download the data file and extract it from the compressed state. Copy the folder com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftGGHM to the Android/Obb path.

Step Three – Run the game…

The first and third steps, which have been visually explained at the beginning of this page (installing and running the game); and for the second step, we will proceed as follows:

Downloading and extracting from the compressed state is explained on the page; only in this step, you need to copy the folder com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftGGHM to the Android/Obb path; for this, we will again use the Zarchiver  application; in the image below, the copy process is shown step by step:

As you can see in the image above, we copied the data to Android/Obb in the internal memory; in the Zarchiver file manager, Emulated/0 is your device’s internal memory! If the instructions for the games specify that the data should be copied to Android/data, you would copy it to the Data folder instead of the Obb folder according to the above instructions. (Click on the image to view it in its original size)

What to do if access to the obb folder is not available on Android 11, 12, and 13?

Due to the restrictions imposed in Android 11, 12, and 13, access to the android and obb folders is not possible, and to solve this problem, you need to download and install the Zarchiver file manager from Apkopia… After installing this file management program, access will be granted to you, and you will be able to perform copy and paste operations in the android and obb folders.

Additional Tips You Should Know About Data-Based Games:

1 – The data for Android games should be copied to the internal memory by default. (If copied to an external memory, it will not be recognized)

2 – If you opened the Android folder in your device’s memory but the Obb folder was not present, simply create a new folder named Obb.

3 – When installing and running data-based games, do not run the game after installing; proceed to run the game only after completing all steps.

What to do for games with 4 installation files and 4 different data files?!

Some Android games like Real Racing 3, Mortal Kombat 4, etc., have four installation files and four different data files for Android devices, and you need to download the version corresponding to your GPU (graphics processor). If you download and install the incompatible version for your device, you will definitely encounter issues while running the game (either the game will not run, or it will have graphical problems).

A dedicated page has also been designed for this purpose, where in addition to learning how to identify your device’s GPU, you can view the type of processor in the provided list:

List of Android Device Processors – Which Data and Installation File Should We Download?!

It should be noted that these explanations are from over 3 years ago when some games had multiple installation files and data; currently, all Android games and applications are released collectively for all processors, and there is no longer such a situation regarding games.

Important Note Regarding Your Questions on This Page:

Please pay attention before posting comments on this page: Only questions related to the mentioned topics should be raised on this page; avoid mentioning game names and game issues (for game problems, raise them in their respective posts).

Keywords for this post: Easy Guide to Installing HD Data-Based Android Games, Visual Guide to Installing Data-Based Android Games, Guide to Unzipping Android Game Data, Guide to Installing APK Files on Android, Complete and Simple Guide to Installing Data-Based Games for Android Phones