Gaia GPS allows users to utilize an SD card in their Android device by moving the application's root folder. Once moved, all of the associated data (including saved maps, tile caches, logs, photos, exports, and currently available map sources) gets stored on the SD card, saving internal storage space on the device.
The Gaia GPS app must be stored on the device's internal memory. Moving the app to an SD card may result in slow downloads and slow functionality in the app.
The Gaia GPS app must be stored on the device's internal memory. Moving the app to an SD card may result in slow downloads and slow functionality in the app.
Note: SD cards can't back up your personal data (like tracks, waypoints, routes, or folders) or transfer that data between devices. To back up your data or share it between devices, you must perform a sync with the Gaia GPS website.
To move the root folder between internal storage and an SD card:
- Select Settings
- Select "Storage" tap "Root Folder"
- To move the root folder to your SD card choose "/storage/extSdCard/" - another name for this folder might look like "/storage/xxxx-xxxx/"
The app will refresh. If successful, the root folder will show the new directory.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
- If the device has a physical SD card, it can appear under names (mount points) that vary by manufacturer. For Samsung, it's usually the pattern /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ and Nexus seems to use /extSdCard/.
- Motorola devices require extra steps before you can successfully move the root folder. Click the following link to learn more through Motorola's Help Center:
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/home - Error message "Encountered file too large to be copied" means the target file system doesn't support files that large even though it may have enough space. Often this will be a FAT32 SD Card which doesn't support individual files over 4GB. Some SD cards can be re-formatted to exFat which supports moving larger files.
Recommended SD Card