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manual:faq:locus_on_external_sdcard

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Locus data on external SD card


Android 11+

In November 2021, Google launched a new file management system in Android 11 and the following versions, bringing a major change to the way Locus Map and other applications handle their data:

  • by default, the app has a full read/write access to its private folder in /Android/data/ system directory (either in the internal storage or in the external storage - removable SD card)
  • to access its original directory in the root of the internal storage, Locus Map 4 was allowed to get the permission of ALL FILES ACCESS. Grant this permission to the app right after the start of the updated app. Locus Map Pro was not granted this permission by Google.

Android 5 - 10

  • Locus Map installs itself in the root of the internal storage of your device. During the installation the default directory structure “/Locus/..” is created there.

Locus in internal and some data in external storage

To save as much space in the inner storage as possible, this is the best solution. Keep the main directory /Locus/ in its default location and move the following sub-directories to the external SD card: 1) in the app private folder (/Android/data/menion.android.locus/files/Locus/):

  • /Maps/ - raster maps
  • /MapsOnline/ - definition files, temp data of online maps
  • /geocaching/ - user images, spoilers, HTML listings, offlinized data etc.

2) anywhere on the SD card:

  • /MapsVector/ - vector maps, e.g. LoMaps or OpenAndroMaps (slightly slower on SD card - we prefer to keep it in the internal storage)
  • /SRTM/ - offline elevation dat
  • /Backup/ - ZIP files with backup of tracks, routes, points and settings

Raster maps

All maps you are downloading from online sources or from Locus Store are stored by default in /Locus/Maps/ directory in the inner storage of your device. As mentioned above, you can change the location of the directory to the private folder on the SD card. From there you can transfer the raster maps anywhere on your external SD card (with a file manager) and link to Locus as the External mapsThis way you can link all other raster maps obtained from other sources out of Locus.

If you gather all subdirectories in one directory on the SD card, do not name it “Locus” - the operation system would be confused which directory is Locus default root which may result in Locus malfunction.

Locus and all its data on SD card

Every app on Android has its own private folder on the external SD card which is writable only for this app and as such can be used as the only storage space for the app. However, in case of Locus Map, we do NOT recommend it, because:

  • Locus Map performance on SD card is slower than in the inner storage
  • External SD cards get easily malfunctioned and you can lose all your maps/tracks/points data

Anyway, if you decide to use this option, follow these steps >>

manual/faq/locus_on_external_sdcard.1642773377.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/01/21 15:56 (external edit)