Use ES File Explorer to Delete the iBird Android Database

Deleting Android Database

The iBird app needs to delete any prior database before it can install a new one. In some rare cases you may need to delete your iBird database from the storage location (local or SD Card) before you can download a new database. This condition arises in certain cases where the manufacturer of the device has made the storage location read only and in such a case the iBird app is unable to delete it. This tutorial shows how to use a free app called ES File Explorer to manually find and remove the database. After you do this you should be able to download and install a new iBird database. If this does not correct you issue please start a ticket at help.ibird.com and describe the steps you took in as much detail as possible.

Note make sure you have signed into your iBird app using your Google ID by going to the Navigation menu on the left and selecting Settings.

Download and Install ES File Explorer

The free ES File Explorer File Manager app is found in the Google Play store. Type the beginning of its name into the Google Play field at the top of the store home page then select the app from the drop down menu. You should end up on the app's product page like this:

Tap on the green INSTALL button or the UPDATE button if the app is already installed.

Run ESP File Explorer

Once the app is installed tap the OPEN button to run it. You should see the screen below. The app shows what store types you have at the top. All devices have Local storage but only some have SD Card storage. You need to located the database so you can delete it. If you installed the database on Local storage tap that button; if you installed it on the SC Card tap that button.

Finding the Database

Assuming you installed the database on the SD Card and tapped that button the screen will look like below. This shows a directory of the folders on the root of your SD Card. The Local storage will look similar. Note the folders iBird and Audubon are folders containing I created for taking screen captures and will not be on your device.

Follow these steps:

1. Tap on the Android folder. You should see the screen similar to the one below.

2. Tap on the data folder. You should see the screen similar to the one below. These folders contain the apps you have installed. They all start with the word "com" followed by a period and the name of the app, such as com.android.chrome which is your Chrome browser. We need to find com.whatbird.pro  which is the name of the folder containing the iBird Pro database. If you want to find the UK database its com.whatbird.uk. 

3. Tap the search icon (magnifying glass). Then type in the first part of the name of the folder we want to find: "com.what" (no quotes) into the search field. You should see all iBird folders appear.

4. Open the com.whatibrd.pro folder. Tap on the name com.whatbird.pro to open the folder for the iBird Pro app, You should see another folder called files. Tap on this to open it and you should see the actual database file. It will have a name like main.452.com.whatbird.pro.obb. The number after main is the version number of the database and may be different.

5. Delete the database filename. Long press the database file. A green checkmark will appear to its right indicating its selected. Now tap the Delete icon (garbage can) in the tab bar at the bottom of the screen. You will get a popup like the one below.

6. Tap OK to send the file to the recycle bin.

Summary

You have deleted the iBird Pro database and can now download the database from our server. Go to the Navigation menu, select Download Database and choose the button that corresponds to the storage location you wish to use.