Where is BlueStacks App Data Stored?

BlueStacks app data is stored in the C:ProgramDataBlueStacks directory on Windows, which includes various subfolders such as UserData, Engine, and Android, containing different types of data like user-specific information, engine settings, and Android-related files. The SDCard folder, located at C:ProgramDataBlueStacksAndroidSDCard, stores all the SD card data as a virtual image disk, which can be in sparsefs or vdi format depending on the BlueStacks version.

BlueStacks Data Storage FAQs

General Questions

1. How do I access BlueStacks data folders?: To access BlueStacks data folders, you need to root the emulator and then navigate to the C:ProgramDataBlueStacksUserDataSharedFolder directory.
2. Where are APK files stored in BlueStacks?: APK files are stored in the C:ProgramDataBlueStacks directory, and you can install them by clicking the “Install APK” button on the side panel or pressing Ctrl + Shift + B.
3. How do I transfer BlueStacks data to another drive?: To transfer BlueStacks data to another drive, fully exit BlueStacks, move the C:Program FilesBlueStacks and C:ProgramDataBlueStacks folders to the desired drive, and then create a junction using the mklink command.

App Data and Storage

4. Where are apps stored in BlueStacks 5?: Apps in BlueStacks 5 are stored in the C:ProgramDataBlueStacksEngineAndroid directory, and you can find the apk files by checking the .vdi files with 7z.
5. How do I get data from BlueStacks?: You can transfer media files from BlueStacks to your desktop/laptop by opening the Media Manager, holding the left-click on the file, and clicking “Export to Windows”.
6. How do I delete app data on BlueStacks 5?: To delete app data on BlueStacks 5, launch BlueStacks, open the “System apps” folder, click on “Settings”, select the app, and then click “Clear data” or “Clear cache”.

Drive and Storage Management

7. Can I transfer everything from C drive to D drive?: Yes, you can transfer non-system files from the C drive to another drive, but it’s recommended to keep system files on the C drive.
8. Can BlueStacks be installed on D drive?: Yes, BlueStacks can be installed on the D drive, and the ProgramData folder will be stored in the selected location.
9. What is the difference between the C drive and the D drive?: The C drive is the primary drive where the operating system is installed, while the D drive is a secondary drive used for storing non-essential data.

App Management and Updates

10. How do I move apps from C to D drive?: You can move apps from the C drive to the D drive by clicking the Windows icon, selecting Settings, and then clicking “Apps & features” and “Move”.
11. Does uninstalling BlueStacks delete data?: Yes, uninstalling BlueStacks will delete all app data, so it’s recommended to sync your game data with a social media account before uninstalling.
12. How to update BlueStacks 4 to 5 without losing data?: You can update BlueStacks 4 to 5 without losing data by syncing your in-game progress using a social media account or transferring app data using the BlueStacks tool.

Performance and Comparison

13. Which is faster BlueStacks 4 or 5?: BlueStacks 5 is generally faster and more efficient than BlueStacks 4, with improved in-game performance and FPS.
14. Why BlueStacks 4 is better than 5?: Some users prefer BlueStacks 4 over BlueStacks 5 due to its ability to unlock FPS limits and faster navigation.
15. How can I free hard drive space after uninstalling an app from BlueStacks?: You can free hard drive space after uninstalling an app from BlueStacks by clicking the gear icon, navigating to “User data”, and clicking “Free up space” under “Disk cleanup”.