Modern navigation services, such as 2GISoffer users the ability to work offline, which is a huge advantage in the absence of a stable Internet connection or when roaming. However, you have to pay for the convenience of detailed maps and up-to-date reference books with free space in the internal memory of your smartphone. Over time, the user can download maps of dozens of cities that he no longer visits, and they begin to take up gigabytes of valuable space.
The process of freeing up space is not always obvious, since the application interface changes periodically, and the standard delete button may be hidden deep in the settings of a particular region. Incorrect deletion of files through the file manager can lead to errors in the application, so it is important to use the standard app tools. In this article we will analyze in detail how to delete a city on Android in 2GISusing the built-in functionality, and consider the nuances of managing downloaded data.
Understanding the data storage structure will help you not only delete unnecessary things, but also optimize the operation of the navigator in the future. We will look at various scenarios: from deleting one specific location to completely clearing the cache and resetting settings. This is especially true for owners of devices with a small amount of built-in memory, where every megabyte counts.
Why delete downloaded maps and how it affects the system
The main reason why users are looking for a cleaning method is that the internal memory quickly fills up. Maps of large cities with detailed drawings of buildings, transport diagrams and photographs can weigh from 200 MB to several gigabytes. If you often move between regions and download maps in reserve, your phone may soon signal a lack of space.
In addition to the physical volume, a large number of loaded regions can indirectly affect the speed of search indexing within the application. As the database grows, the algorithms require more CPU resources to process queries, especially on older smartphone models. Regular cleaning helps maintain high performance interface
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a city map does not mean deleting the history of your search queries or saved favorite places if they are linked to a cloud account. However, local bookmarks that are not synchronized with the server may become inaccessible without loading the corresponding region.
It is also worth considering that the application automatically updates maps when Wi-Fi is available. If you do not disable auto-update for unnecessary cities, they will regularly download traffic and take up space again. Therefore, deletion should be accompanied by a review of the auto-update settings in the section Settings → Maps.
Step-by-step guide for deleting a specific city
The most correct and safe way to get rid of an unnecessary region is to use the built-in download manager inside the application itself. This method ensures that all associated files, including icons, directions and directory of organizations, will be correctly removed from the system without damaging the integrity of the database.
First, open the application 2GIS on your device. The main screen usually displays the current city. Click on the city name or menu icon (often three bars or a gear) to reveal a list of available functions. You need to find the section responsible for managing maps.
In new versions of the interface, the path may look like this: click on the profile icon or menu, then select My maps or Downloaded maps. This will display a list of all the regions that are currently stored in your device's memory. Find the city you want to delete in the list.
- 🗑️ Click on the trash can icon or the delete icon next to the city name.
- 📂 If there is no icon, try making a long tap (hold your finger) on name of the city.
- ⚙️ In some versions you need to go inside the city card and find the button
Deletein the bottom menu. - ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window by clicking
OKorDelete.
☑️ Algorithm for deleting a region
After confirmation, the city will disappear from the list of downloaded ones. Now, when you try to build a route through this location, the application will ask for an Internet connection to download data. This is a sure sign that the cleaning was successful and the space is freed.
Managing the list of regions and setting up auto-update
Simply deleting a city is sometimes not enough if you want to prevent it from being loaded again in the future. In the application settings, there is a function for automatically updating maps, which can be enabled by default for all previously downloaded regions or for the current location.
To configure this setting, go to the Settings section of the main menu. Find the subsection Offline maps or Auto update. Here you will see toggles for each available city. Turn off the toggle switches for those settlements that you have deleted or are planning to delete to save mobile traffic.
| Action | Impact on memory | Impact on traffic | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deleting a city | Frees up space instantly | Reduces consumption | Do regularly |
| Disable auto-update | Does not affect | Saves Internet | Required for remote ones |
| Clear cache | Frees up some space | Does not affect | Once a month |
| Reset settings | Deletes all data | Requires a new download | Only in case of errors |
Also in this section you can configure the update only via Wi-Fi. This is a useful feature if you still want to store maps of several cities, but do not want them to be updated via the mobile network. Make sure the checkbox Update via Wi-Fi only is active.
If you travel frequently, create a separate profile or use the Favorites feature to quickly switch between cities, instead of storing all maps at once.
Clearing the application cache through Android settings
Sometimes even after deleting all cities through the app interface, the space is not completely freed up. This happens due to the fact that temporary files, image thumbnails and search query logs remain in the system, which form the so-called application cache application cache.
For deep cleaning, you need to go to the system settings of your smartphone. Go to Settings phone, then select section Applications or Application Manager. Find the installed one in the list 2GIS and click on it.
In the information menu in the application, find the item Storage or Memory. There you will see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear data. Clicking the first button will safely delete temporary files without affecting your settings and downloaded maps (if any remain). This can free up from 50 to 300 MB of space.
⚠️ Attention: The button
Clear data(orReset) will delete absolutely everything: downloaded maps, settings, search history and authorization. Use it only if you want to return the application to the state “as after installation.”
Regularly clearing the cache through the system menu is a good habit for maintaining the performance of any Android device. This is especially important if you actively use navigation and build many routes, since graphic elements of maps accumulate quite quickly.
What to do if the city is not deleted or an error occurs
In rare cases, users are faced with a situation where the delete button is inactive, the process freezes or generates an error. This could be due to corrupted database files or a process conflict where the application is trying to read and delete files at the same time.
First, try to force stop the application. Go to Settings → Applications → 2GIS and press the button Stop. After this, try starting the navigator again and repeating the removal procedure. This often solves the problem of frozen background processes.
If the problem persists, the map files may be physically damaged. In this case, only a complete reinstallation will help. Remove the application from the device, restart your smartphone and download the latest version from the official store Google Play or Galaxy Store. When you first start, do not load all the cities at once, but select only the one you need.
Technical reasons for deletion errors
Most often, the error occurs due to insufficient access rights to the file system or if the card is currently being used by another process (for example, a widget on the desktop). Also, the problem may be in a damaged sector of the SD card memory if the application is installed there.
It is important to check where exactly the application is installed. If 2GIS is on the memory card microSD, try moving it to the phone’s internal memory before deleting cities. The read/write speed of external drives is lower, which can cause timeouts during operations with large database files.
Recovering deleted data and working with the cloud
Many users worry that after deleting a city they will lose saved places, favorite routes or notes. Modern architecture 2GIS is built around cloud synchronization, which minimizes the risks of losing important information.
If you are logged into your account (via phone, email or social network), all your bookmarks, lists of places and comments are stored on the developer’s server. When you delete a city from your device, this data is not erased. As soon as you download the map of this region again or simply turn on the Internet, your marks will appear on the map.
To check the safety of the data, go to the Favorites or My Places application menu. If there is a list of saved points, you can rest assured that they are linked to your profile, and not to the files of a specific map on your phone. This allows you to easily change devices without losing your navigation history.
- ☁️ Data is synchronized automatically if there is Internet access.
- 🔄 When reinstalling the application, just log in to your account.
- 📍 Removing a map visually hides the tags, but does not remove them from the database.
However, it is worth remembering about local files. If you created your own routes offline and didn't sync them, they may be lost when you completely reset the app. Always check the synchronization status in your profile settings before taking drastic actions.
Deleting a city map frees up disk space, but does not delete your personal bookmarks and favorites if you are logged into your 2GIS account.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will history be deleted my search queries when deleting a city?
No, the search history is stored separately from the map files and is linked to your account or the local application history database. Deleting a specific region does not affect the list of recent requests, unless you use the function of completely clearing application data through the Android settings.
Is it possible to delete all cities at once with one click?
There is no such function in the standard application interface. It is necessary to remove cities one by one from the list My maps. However, you can delete the application itself and install it again - this is guaranteed to delete all downloaded regions at once.
Why, after deleting the city, space on the phone was not freed up?
Perhaps the application cache remained or the files were not deleted correctly due to an error. Try clearing the cache through Android settings or rebooting your device. Also check if maps are saved on an SD card, where there may be a delay in displaying available space.
How to prevent maps from automatically loading when traveling?
Go to the application settings, section Basic or Maps, and disable option Autoloading maps or Prompt download maps. Also make sure that in the list of downloaded maps there are no regions with auto-update enabled.
Where files are stored remote maps in the file system?
Map files are usually located in a hidden folder /Android/data/ru.dublgis.dgismobile/files/ or in the root folder 2gis on the internal drive. After deleting through the app, these folders should be cleared automatically, but the remainder can be deleted manually through the file manager.