Where is streamed video data stored?

[slimshady045]

Checklist

• I made sure that there are no existing issues or discussions - open or closed - which I could contribute my information to.
• I have read the FAQ and my question isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the question will be dismissed otherwise.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.

What is/are your question(s)?

where is the previously streamed/downloaded video data stored?
RAM or drive cache

Additional information

No response

[absurdlylongusername]

All media playback is handled by ExoPlayer, so you'd have to look up where ExoPlayer stores the data.

That being said, as far as I'm aware, it just stores it in it's buffer, so wherever the buffer is stored is where that data would be.

[slimshady045]

ExoPlayer stores its buffer in the application's memory (RAM), not on disk. The buffer consists of data chunks held in memory as ByteBuffer instances, managed internally by ExoPlayer’s LoadControl and Allocator components.

The buffering process works as follows:

• Media data is loaded into memory allocations of a fixed size (typically 64 KB by default).
• These allocations are managed in a linked list structure (AllocationNode) within a SampleDataQueue for each track (audio, video, etc.).
• Data remains in memory only during playback and is discarded when no longer needed or when the player is released.

This in-memory buffering allows for fast access and efficient streaming but means buffered data is not persistent—it is lost when the app is paused, backgrounded, or closed.

For persistent caching (e.g., to avoid re-downloading the same content), you must explicitly use CacheDataSource with a SimpleCache that writes to disk.

[slimshady045]

NewPipe stores downloaded videos in a user-selected directory on internal storage or SD card, chosen via the Storage Access Framework (SAF) during the first download. The location is customizable in Settings > Download.

However, buffered/cached data (for playback, background play, or streaming) is stored in the app’s internal cache directory, typically at:

/Android/data/org.schabi.newpipe/cache/

This includes ExoPlayer cache files (e.g., exoplayer/*.v3.exo) and is not persistent—it can be cleared manually or automatically.

[slimshady045]

hence easy to reseek than libretube

[slimshady045]

will it be a good idea to keep it only in the ram
==== zero disk writes

[slimshady045]

@absurdlylongusername

[absurdlylongusername]

I do not understand the context of your question. Please elaborate