The combination of an application package file and its associated OBB (Opaque Binary Blob) data file is a common method for distributing complex applications, particularly games, on the Android operating system. The application package file (.apk) contains the core program code and necessary resources, while the OBB file houses larger assets such as high-resolution textures, audio, and video files. This split allows for circumventing the size limitations imposed on individual APK files by the Google Play Store. For example, a graphically intensive game often exceeds the size limit when packaged into a single APK, thus necessitating the use of an associated OBB file for the bulk of its media content.
Employing this distribution method provides several advantages. It allows developers to deliver feature-rich and graphically demanding applications to a broader audience by overcoming file size restrictions. Historically, this method evolved to address the growing complexity and resource demands of mobile applications, ensuring that users could download and install large games without encountering storage or bandwidth limitations. Furthermore, it can improve download efficiency and installation times, as the core application can be installed quickly while the larger assets download in the background or separately.
