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Move Where Gaia GPS's Root Folder is Located (For SD Card Storage)

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 gets stored on the SD card, saving internal storage space on the device.

SD cards can't back up your data or transfer 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 the internal storage and SD card:
  • Select Settings from the menu
  • Scroll down to "Storage" and tap "Root Folder"

  • To move the root folder to your SD card choose "/storage/extSdCard/"

 
 
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: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/109134/p/1449,9582
  • 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.
 
 
 
 
 
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10 Comments

Date Votes
  • 2
    Avatar
    pat.gioannini

    When I change the path to /storage/extSdCard/ the program restarts and the path is back to /data/data/com.trailbehind.android/gaiagps.com

     

    And the maps still get put on the internal storage.

     

    Whats up?

     

  • 1
    Avatar
    jerome.bossert

    Is there a manual fix ?

  • 1
    Avatar
    Sean Powell

    Thanks Ashli.  Ya gotta love (i.e., hate) Android's cryptic file location paths.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Ashli Baldwin

    Should be fixed with v6.2 update. If you have a bug report, please email us at support@gaiagps.com.

  • 0
    Avatar
    jerome.bossert

    I have the exact same issue as John Patrick Gioannini, plus when i go the phone's "application information" for GAIA the option to move the app on SD card is greyed out.

    I run gaia 6.2.2, android 5.0.2.

     

    I just sent a bug report.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Ashli Baldwin

     Thanks guys, we've bumped this up to a known issue: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/218276358-Can-t-Change-Root-Folder

  • 0
    Avatar
    kalieaire

    When I try to change the folder it says "You have active downloads. Please wait until they are complete."

  • 0
    Avatar
    Ashli Baldwin

     @Jerome,

     

    Check out the updated Known Issue here: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/216216088-SD-Card-Known-Issues-with-Android-6-x

     

    @kalieaire - sounds like you'll need to finish or delete any active map downloads before moving your root folder. If you have any trouble doing that, feel free to email support@gaiagps.com

  • 0
    Avatar
    Sean Powell

    I am running version 6.5.11 of Gaia GPS on my Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone.  I installed the app on July 20, 2016, which was a few weeks after I updated my phone to Marshmallow.

    When I changed my root folder in Gaia's settings a couple of weeks ago, I changed it to /storage/emulated/0/ .  I am not sure whether that location is in my phone's internal storage, or on my SD card.  I picked that option because I didn't see any other option that looked specific to my SD card.

    Today, after reading your instructions for how to change my root to the SD card when I go back into settings, I see only the following two options:

    Default internal storage

    /storage/6638-3338/

    I do not see an option that says /storage/extSdCard/

    Can you advise me how to change the location to my SD card, or how to check if it is already set there?

    Thank you!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Ashli Baldwin

    Hi Sean,

    I believe that /storage/6638-3338/ is your external storage.

     

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