Many users of smartphones based on Android are faced with the need to manage space in the internal memory. This is especially true for those who actively use offline navigation, downloading entire regions or even countries to work without the Internet. A logical question arises: where exactly does the application save these gigabytes of data and is it possible to move them?
By default Yandex Navigator saves all downloaded maps, voice packets and route cache in a protected directory of internal memory. This was done by the developers to ensure stability and quick access to data. However, constant writing and reading of large volumes of information can quickly clog up the system partition of the device.
In this article we will analyze in detail the file structure of the application, find out the exact paths to the data and discuss the nuances of transferring information to an external drive. Understanding how it works data storagewill help you effectively manage your smartphone's memory and avoid errors when cleaning the system.
Standard path to navigator files
In modern versions of the operating system Android (starting from version 11) Google's security policy has become more stringent. Now each application has its own isolated sandbox, where other apps do not have access without special permissions. For Yandex Navigator this means that all the data lies deep in the system folders.
The main directory, where the cards are physically located, is located along the path /Android/data/ru.yandex.yandexnavi/files/. Inside this directory, many subfolders are created for different types of content: voiceovers, interface skins and, in fact, map data. This is where the heaviest content is stored.
⚠️ Attention: Direct access to the folder
/Android/data/on new versions of Android may be closed for standard file managers. You may need a third-party explorer with advanced rights or a connection to a PC.
Inside the folder files you will find a directory maps. This is the very storage where the downloaded regions are located. The files here have a specific extension and are often encrypted or packaged in a proprietary format that only the navigator engine can understand. Simply copying them and opening them on your computer will not work.
If you do not see the Android folder in the root of the internal memory, check the visibility settings for hidden files in your Explorer. Sometimes it is masked by the system.
Storage features on different versions of Android
The data storage structure has changed significantly with the release of Android 11 and newer. In older versions (9 and 10), the application could have more free access to the root of the memory card if the user gave such permission. Now the system strives to isolate the data of each application from each other.
On devices with fresh firmware, an attempt to find cards through a standard file search may not yield results if the explorer does not have a special access certificate. This is a security mechanism Scoped Storagethat prevents the user from accidentally deleting important system files.
If you are using an old smartphone or custom firmware, the path may look different. Sometimes data is duplicated or stored in a public folder Yandex in the root of memory, but this is rather an exception for outdated software versions. In current assemblies, the path through /Android/data/.
| Android version | Access to the Data folder | Ability to transfer to SD | File system type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 and below | Open | Partially supported | FAT32 / ext4 |
| Android 10 | Limited | Difficult | ext4 / F2FS |
| Android 11+ | Strict (Scoped Storage) | Only through application settings | ext4 / F2FS |
| Android 14+ | Closed to third-party FM | Not recommended | ext4 / F2FS |
It is important to understand that even if you find files on an old version of the system, the path may change when updating the firmware. Always check the current directory structure after major OS updates.
How to transfer maps to an SD card
Owners of smartphones with a small amount of built-in memory often want to move heavy cards to an external drive. There is a standard function for this, but it does not work equally well on all devices. The transfer is carried out through the settings of the application itself, and not by copying files manually. Yandex Navigator There is a standard function for this, but it does not work equally well on all devices. The transfer is carried out through the settings of the application itself, and not by copying files manually.
To change the storage location, go to the application menu and select Settings. Next, find the section Data storage or Memory. There will be an option to select the drive: “Internal memory” or “SD card”. After switching, the application will offer to restart the download process or move existing files.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring data to an SD card, make sure that it is formatted as internal memory (if the phone offers this option) or has a high recording speed (class 10 and higher). Slow maps will cause slowdowns when rendering terrain.
If automatic transfer does not work, you can try the manual method, but it requires having root access or using ADB. You will need to copy the contents of the folder ru.yandex.yandexnavi from the internal storage to a similar path on the SD card and change the access rights. However, this method is unstable and can lead to data loss when updating the application.
☑️ Preparing to transfer cards
It is worth noting that some smartphone manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) can block application access to external memory cards in the background to save energy. In this case, the navigator may simply not see the SD card as a valid storage location.
Clearing the cache and deleting maps
Over time, the folder with maps can grow to incredible sizes. This happens not only due to downloaded regions, but also due to the accumulation temporary files and cache_tiles. If you notice that the application takes up more space than the amount of downloaded cards, it’s time to clean up temporary files
The safest way is to use the application’s built-in tools. In the storage settings section there is often a “Clear cache” button. This will remove temporary images of map tiles that were loaded from the Internet, but will not affect the offline maps themselves. Your navigator will continue to work correctly.
To completely delete maps of a specific region, you need to go to the menu Downloads or Offline maps. It displays a list of all downloaded areas and their size. You can delete unnecessary cities or countries, freeing up space with one click.
What happens if you delete a folder manually?
If you delete a folder with maps through the file manager, the next time you launch the application, it will detect the absence of data and may offer to download it again. However, settings and favorite places may remain, as they are stored in the cloud or a separate database.
It is not recommended to delete files directly through File Explorer while the application is running. This may damage the database and require a complete reinstallation Yandex Navigator. Always end the application process first.
Problems with access and rights
A common problem for users is the inability to find a folder with maps even when connected to a computer. This is due to the fact that when connected via USB, the phone mounts storage in MTP mode, which sometimes hides system directories /Android/data/ from prying eyes.
To get around this limitation, you can use applications like Files by Google or specialized explorers like Solid Explorerthat request special permission to access system folders on first startup. Without this, you will only see an empty directory.
⚠️ Attention: If you give a third-party file manager access to all files, make sure that this application is reliable. Attackers can take advantage of broad rights to steal personal data.
Problems may also arise due to energy saving settings. The system may limit background data recording to the memory card, considering it an extra load. In such cases, the navigator simply stops downloading map updates, displaying a location or access rights error.
For stable operation of the navigator with large amounts of data on the SD card, you must disable battery optimization for this specific application in the system settings.
Technical nuances of file formats
Map files inside folders maps are not regular ZIP or RAR archives. This is binary data optimized for fast reading by the smartphone processor. They are divided into many small blocks, which allows the rendering engine to load only that part of the map that is currently on the screen.
An attempt to open these files on a PC is impossible without special converters, which are not publicly available. The file structure is proprietary and constantly changes with protocol updates Yandex Maps. Therefore, the only correct place to store them is the phone’s native file system.
If you are planning to change your smartphone, simply copying the folder to the new device may not be enough. The application may not pick up the data due to differences in device IDs or database version. It’s safer to download the cards again through your account.
Is it possible to restore deleted cards without the Internet?
Unfortunately, no. If you have deleted map files from memory and you do not have a network connection, the navigator will only work in GPS tracker mode without a backing. Restoration is only possible after connecting to Wi-Fi or a mobile network to download the data again.
Why do maps take up more space than indicated in the region description?
The indicated size applies only to compressed mapping data. During use, the application creates a cache of routes, search queries and temporary tiles, which increases the occupied space significantly.
Does the storage location of maps affect the speed of the navigator?
Yes, internal memory (UFS 2.1/3.1) is usually much faster than most SD cards. Storing maps on the internal memory provides smoother zoom and faster rendering of complex junctions.
How to find the exact size of the folder with maps?
Go to Phone Settings → Applications → Yandex Navigator → Memory. It will indicate the total size of the application and separately the size of the data, which is what the cards mainly consist of.
Is it possible to use cards from one account on another device?
The list of downloaded regions is tied to the device, but the search history and favorite places are synchronized through the Yandex account. Maps will have to be downloaded again on each new gadget.