Many users of navigation software Navitel Navigator are faced with a situation where, after reinstalling the application or purchasing a new smartphone, maps no longer appear. The system sees the app, but cannot find the necessary atlases, requiring them to be downloaded again, which takes a lot of time and traffic with large amounts of data.
The problem lies in the features of the Android file system and changes in the memory access policy that Google has implemented in the latest versions of the operating system. Understanding where are Navitel maps stored on Androidis the key to successfully manually updating atlases, transferring data to a new memory card, or restoring the functionality of the navigator after a failure.
In this article we will analyze in detail the directory structure, look at the differences between internal and external memory, and We will also provide step-by-step guide on how to properly place the files. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes due to which the application simply “does not see” the maps you have downloaded, even if they are in the desired folder.
Standard paths to map files in different versions of Android
The location of map files directly depends on the version of the operating system of your device and the type of drive used. In early versions of Android, the structure was quite simple and allowed you to store data almost anywhere, but modern security requirements have changed the rules of the game.
By default, after installing an application from Google Play, the app automatically creates the necessary directories. If you are using the internal memory of a smartphone, then the standard path is as follows: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.navitel/files/NavitelContent/Maps. It is in this folder that you need to place files with the extension .nm7 or .nm2 for new versions of the navigator.
However, if your device supports working with external drives and you have configured the application to use an SD card, the path will be different. In this case, the files are located at: /storage/[ID_card]/Android/data/com.navitel/files/NavitelContent/Maps. Here [ID_card] is a unique identifier of your flash card, which can look like a set of letters and numbers, for example, 1234-5678.
It is important to note that starting from Android 11 and higher, access to the folder Android/data for third-party file managers may be limited. This is designed to protect user data, but makes manual copying of cards more difficult. You may need to use a special file manager with extended rights or connect your smartphone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP) to directly access these directories.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+, standard file managers may not display the contents of the folder.
Android/data. If you do not see map files, try connecting your phone to your PC or use a file manager with the function of accessing system folders (for example, by requesting special permissions).
If you cannot find the Android/data folder, try using the Total Commander app for Android with a plugin installed for working with root access or access to system partitions.
Manual installation of maps via a computer and a file manager
Often there is a need to download maps manually, for example, if there is no stable Internet on the device or you want to use a more recent version of the atlas, which is not yet available through a built-in update. To do this, you will need a computer and a USB cable, or a high-quality file manager on the smartphone itself.
The first step is to download the latest maps from the official website of the developer in your personal account. Files are usually supplied in archived form. After downloading, connect your smartphone to your computer and select file transfer mode. Find the appropriate folder Maps along the paths described in the previous section and copy the unpacked map files there.
Make sure that you are copying the map files and not creating unnecessary levels of nesting. The structure should be linear: the folder Maps should contain files .nm7and not another folder with maps inside it. If you use a file manager on your phone, the algorithm is similar: download the archive, unpack it into a temporary folder, and then move the files to the target directory NavitelContent/Maps.
After copying is complete, you need to restart the application Navitel Navigator. At startup, the app will scan the directory and detect new atlases. If the cards do not appear, check the access rights to the files and make sure that they are not damaged during the downloading or unpacking process.
☑️ Checking the manual installation of cards
Features of working with an external SD card
Using an external memory card is an excellent way to save space in the internal memory of a smartphone, especially considering the large size of modern maps of Russia and the world. However, setting up work with an SD card has its own nuances, which are often overlooked.
When you first launch Navitel on a device with an SD card installed, the application may prompt you to select a location to store the cards. If you missed this moment or changed the memory card, the settings can be changed manually through the app menu. Go to Menu → Settings → Other cards and specify the path to the new memory card.
It is worth considering that the speed of reading data from an external SD card may be lower than from internal memory, especially if a card of a low speed class is used. This may result in slower map rendering when zoomed in or delays in the navigator. It is recommended to use cards of class UHS-I or higher to ensure smooth operation.
It is also important to properly eject the memory card before physically removing it from the slot. Although modern Android systems can correctly unmount drives, suddenly removing a card while the navigator is running can lead to damage to the file system and loss of card data.
What to do if the SD card is not detected?
If Navitel does not see the memory card, check whether it is formatted in the FAT32 or exFAT file system. Some devices do not support the NTFS format for external drives. Also try reconnecting the card in another slot (if there are several of them) or check it for errors through a computer.
Table: Comparison of storage paths for different scenarios
For clarity, we present the main paths to access map files depending on the configuration of your device. This table will help you quickly find out where exactly you need to place atlas files.
| Memory type | Android version | Full path to the Maps folder | Access features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | Any | /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.navitel/files/NavitelContent/Maps |
Limited in Android 11+ |
| External (SD) | Up to Android 10 | /storage/[ID]/NavitelContent/Maps |
Direct access via file manager |
| External (SD) | Android 11+ | /storage/[ID]/Android/data/com.navitel/files/NavitelContent/Maps |
Specialist required. access or PC |
| Internal (Legacy) | Old versions | /NavitelContent/Maps |
Only for very old software versions |
As can be seen from the table, with the development of the operating system, the paths become deeper and more secure. If you have an old version of the application installed a long time ago, it may still use a simplified path in the root memory, but when updating the app, it is recommended to transfer the maps to the standard directory Android/data.
Always check the settings inside the Navitel application itself in the "About the app" or "Maps" section to see the current path that your specific version of the software uses on this device.
Solving problems with displaying maps
Even with the correct placement of files, users sometimes encounter maps not loading. One of the common reasons is that the card version does not match the software version. Map files of new formats may not open in older versions of the navigator, and vice versa.
Another common problem is file corruption during downloading. If the download is interrupted or the archive is damaged, the map file may have an incorrect size or checksum. In this case, the application simply ignores this file when scanning the folder. Try deleting the file and downloading it again, preferably using a download manager that supports resuming.
It is also worth checking the access rights. In rare cases, especially after obtaining root access or using specific utilities to clean the system, the rights to read files in a folder Android/data can be changed. Make sure that the user on whose behalf the application is running has rights to read the contents of this directory.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to store maps in cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) with direct synchronization of the Maps folder. Navitel requires direct access to files on physical media for correct indexing and quick search of addresses.
Cleaning and optimizing space for maps
Maps of countries and regions can take up gigabytes of free space. Over time, outdated versions of atlases accumulate, which are no longer used, but continue to lie in memory. Regular revision of the folder Maps helps free up valuable space.
Before deleting old files, it is recommended to back up the current working version of the card to your computer. This will save you if the new version turns out to be inconvenient or contains errors. Delete only those files in which you are sure that they are not used, focusing on the date of modification and the name of the region.
For optimization, you can also use the function of deleting unnecessary regions directly from the application interface, if such a feature is provided in your version. This is a safer way than manually deleting files through Explorer, since the app itself will update its indexes.
Remember that free space on the drive affects not only the ability to store new cards, but also the overall system performance. A full memory can lead to interface lag and slow operation of other applications.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does Navitel ask to buy maps even though I downloaded them?
This message appears if the application does not find map files in the specified directory or if the files are damaged. Check that the path to the folder is correct Maps and make sure that the files have the extension .nm7 and correspond to the license of your account.
Is it possible to store cards on a flash drive via OTG?
Technically this is possible, but not recommended for constant use. The connection via OTG can be unstable, and the reading speed through the adapter is often lower than required for comfortable navigation. In addition, if you disconnect the flash drive, the navigator will lose the maps.
How to transfer maps from an old phone to a new one?
Copy the entire folder NavitelContent from the old device to your computer, and then transfer it to the corresponding directory Android/data/com.navitel/files/ on the new smartphone. Don't forget to also log in to the application under the same account to activate the licenses.
Why did the cards disappear after updating Android?
When you update the operating system to Android 11 or higher, the rules for accessing files change. The application may have lost read rights to the old folder. Try moving the maps to a new folder structure that meets the requirements of the new OS version, or reassign the path in the app settings.
What map format is used in the latest Navitel?
In current versions Navitel Navigator the map format is used .nm7. Old formats .nm2 or .nm3 may have limited support or require conversion, so always download maps marked as compatible with your version of the app.