Where to install Navitel on Android: a complete guide

Installing navigation software on devices with an open operating system requires careful attention to the file structure. Many users are faced with the fact that after downloading the application, maps are not displayed, and the navigator offers to download them again, ignoring existing files. This is due to the fact that the app looks for data in strictly defined directories, the path to which has changed in new versions of Android.

Understanding the logic of file placement allows you to avoid duplicating data and saves storage space. In older versions of the system, there was a division between internal and external memory, which created confusion. Now the structure has become more unified, but still requires strict adherence to the rules for naming folders. If you place files in the wrong directory, the application simply will not be able to read them.

In this material we will look in detail at where the executable files should be located, and where the map data arrays should be located. You will learn about the differences between paths for different versions of the operating system and learn how to properly organize your directory structure. This is especially true for owners of devices with a small amount of built-in storage who plan to use external memory cards.

Differences in Android versions and access paths

The fundamental point in organizing the file system is the version of the operating system installed on your device. Before release Android 10 there was relatively free access to the root structure of external memory. Users could create folders in the root of the drive, and applications could easily read data from there. This made it possible to place heavy map files directly in the root or in arbitrary directories.

With the release of Android 11 and newer versions, Google's security policy has become significantly stricter. The Scoped Storage mechanism was introduced, which limits application access to the file system. Now the navigator cannot simply read a file from the root of the memory card. All data must be strictly structured and located in specially designated system folders. Ignoring this rule results in the application seeing an empty atlas.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11 and higher, an attempt to place map files in the root of external memory or in a random folder will result in Navitel not detecting them. Use only system paths.

For correct operation on new systems, you must use the path Android/data/com.navitel.navigator/files/NavitelContent. This is where the app has full read and write permissions. Attempting to bypass this limitation through third-party file managers may require additional permissions or superuser rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users.

Folder structure for maps and atlases

The main body of data that takes up gigabytes of space is cartographic content. After installing the application itself from the Google Play Market, it creates an initial folder structure. However, if you are downloading maps manually via a computer, you will need to know the exact location. The key directory is folder NavitelContent. Inside it there should be specific subfolders for different types of data.

The folder Mapsis intended for storing the cards themselves. If you downloaded a map file, for example C520.prx or OC52011CF.pmc, you need to place it here. It would be a mistake to leave map files in the root of the NavitelContent folder or mix them with voice packages. The structure must be hierarchically correct, otherwise the navigator will generate an error when trying to activate or open the atlas.

The folder Atlasdeserves special attention. Atlas indexing files with the extension .nm2are placed in it. These files are created automatically upon first launch or after adding new maps, but they can also be transferred manually. If you are transferring your navigator to a new device, copying the contents of the Atlas folder will avoid the lengthy process of recalculating indexes.

Can you store maps in the cloud?

You cannot store maps in cloud storage and launch navigation directly from there. Cloud drives' reading speeds aren't fast enough to render maps in real time, and a constant internet connection isn't guaranteed while on the road. Maps must be located on the physical storage of the device.

Placement of voice packages and skins

Navigation becomes much more convenient when voice guidance is used. Voice package files have the extension .vtp and should be located in the folder Voice, which is located inside NavitelContent. If the voice does not sound, although it is selected in the settings, most likely the file is not where the application expects it. Check the path: it must lead strictly to the specified directory.

Skins are used to visually design the interface. These files usually have the extension .ms2 or .skin. Their storage location is folder Skins. After placing the skin file in this directory, you need to go to the navigator settings menu, select the “Other maps” or “About” section, where the “Add skin” button or a similar option is often located to activate a new theme.

• 🗣️ Voice packages are downloaded to the folder Voice and activated in the sound settings.
• 🎨 Skin files are placed in a folder Skins and applied through the design menu.
• 📍 POI (points of interest) with the extension .txt or .ovr are placed in a folder POI.

It is important to respect the file extension. If you rename a voice or skin file by changing its extension, the app will not be able to recognize it. It is also worth considering that some old skins may not work correctly on high-resolution screens or in new software versions.

Using an external memory card (SD)

Owners of smartphones with a small amount of built-in memory often resort to using microSD cards. In modern versions of Android, working with them has its own characteristics. The system can treat the external card as part of the internal storage (adaptive storage) or as portable media. The visible path depends on this.

If the card operates in portable media mode, the path to it often looks like /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/data/com.navitel.navigator/files/NavitelContent, where XXXX-XXXX is the unique identifier of the card. When you connect your phone to your computer, this folder may appear differently, for example, via MTP. Make sure that you copy the files to the branch that corresponds to the physical SD card, and not the internal drive.

⚠️ Attention: The speed of memory cards of class below Class 10 may not be sufficient for smooth scaling of maps and searching for addresses. It is recommended to use high-speed series cards (UHS-I, UHS-II).

When transferring data to an external card, make sure that it is formatted in the file system exFAT or FAT32. The NTFS file system is not supported natively by Android without additional drivers and root access. If the card is not formatted correctly, the phone may not see it or may not allow files to be written to the required directories.

Table of paths for various types of data

To make it easier to understand information about where to install the various components of the navigation system, a summary table is provided below. It will help you quickly navigate the directory structure and avoid confusion when manually uploading files.

Main amount of data

Index files

Navigation voiceover

Visual design

Additional objects

Data type	File extension	Destination folder	Note
Country maps	.nm3, .nm7, .prx	NavitelContent/Maps
Atlases	.nm2	NavitelContent/Atlas
Voice packs	.vtp	NavitelContent/Voice
Skins (themes)	.ms2, .skin	NavitelContent/Skins
POIs	.txt, .ovr	NavitelContent/POI

Using the correct folder for each file type is critical. An attempt to launch a card from the voices folder or vice versa will result in a logical error in the application. The app will simply ignore a file that does not match the expected type in this directory.

Typical installation errors

One ​​of the most common mistakes is creating subfolders with the same name. Users can create a path NavitelContent/NavitelContent/Maps, duplicating the nesting level. This happens due to carelessness when copying. The application searches for files according to a strictly specified algorithm and will not scan deeper than the set level.

Another common problem is the use of Cyrillic or special characters in the names of folders or files. Although modern file systems support Unicode, some Android system libraries may not correctly handle paths with Russian letters. It is recommended to use the Latin alphabet to name all directories and files of the navigator.

Also worth mentioning is a bug related to access rights. If you just installed an app but didn't give it permission to access files and media, it won't be able to read cards even from the correct folder. When you first start, be sure to agree with all requests for access to the storage.

Transferring data to a new device

When moving to a new smartphone or tablet, it becomes necessary to transfer all accumulated data: travel history, favorite addresses and downloaded maps. Simply copying the folder NavitelContent may not be enough if you do not take into account licensing restrictions. The license is often tied to a specific device or requires re-activation.

For a successful transfer, first install the latest version of the application from the official store. Run it once to create the base folders. Then, having connected the device to the computer, copy the contents of the Maps, Voice and other folders to the corresponding directories on the new gadget. Configuration files and user data are often located in a shared folder files inside the application structure.

After transferring the files, launch the navigator. If the maps are not detected automatically, go to the “Navigation” -> “Maps” menu and specify the path to the maps folder manually. The system should index the files and offer to activate them. If you change the device model, you may need to reset the activation through your personal account on the developer’s website.

Cleaning and optimizing storage

Over time, the navigator folder may grow. It accumulates old versions of maps, trip logs and temporary cache files. Periodically reviewing content helps free up valuable space. First of all, you should pay attention to the folder Logs, if it is present. Error reports are stored there, which the average user does not need.

It is also worth checking the folder Maps for maps of regions that you no longer visit. Removing unnecessary atlases can free up several gigabytes. Do not forget that deleting map files must be done carefully so as not to affect the system files of the app itself, although they are usually located in other directories.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files with the .ini or .db extension from the root folder of the application if you are not sure of their purpose. This may lead to resetting all navigator settings to factory settings.

To optimize performance, it is recommended to use the built-in cache clearing function in Android settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Navitel → Storage and click "Clear cache". This will not delete your maps, but will remove temporary files that may have been damaged.

Why does Navitel not see maps after installation?

The most likely reason is that the map files are placed in the wrong location folder. Check if they are along the way Android/data/com.navitel.navigator/files/NavitelContent/Maps. Also make sure that the map files are not damaged when downloaded and have the correct extension. On Android 11+, check that the application is given permission to access all files.

Is it possible to install Navitel directly onto a memory card?

Modern versions of Android often do not allow installing the applications themselves (APK files) directly onto an external memory card. However, you can install the application in internal memory, and transfer all heavy data (maps, voices) to an SD card by setting paths in the application or copying files to the corresponding folders on external storage.

How to activate cards after reinstallation?

When reinstalling the application, the license often disappears. You will need the activation code that was issued upon purchase, or access to your account if the cards were purchased through Google Play. Enter the code in the “License” or “Activation” section in the app menu. If the code is tied to an old device, you may need to first unlink it through your personal account on the software manufacturer's website.