Where Does Gaia GPS Store Maps and Tracks?
Where Gaia GPS keeps maps and tracks on Android and iPhone, and how account sync works. Full paths are listed below.
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Gaia pairs cloud trips with device tiles. Your login holds tracks, routes, photos, and folders. The phone holds downloaded map regions privately for backcountry use. That split explains most empty map reports.
Synced tracks appear without tiles when maps never downloaded. For moves, sign in restores the library while regions need fresh fetches. Export critical GPX tracks for paper backup on long trips. Premium map sources need an active subscription even with old tiles cached from before. When in doubt, verify paths inside the app before trusting a remembered folder.
Where Gaia GPS stores this, by platform
/sdcard/Android/data/com.trailbehind.gaiagps
Trips follow your Gaia account. Map tiles download privately per region. Verify in saved maps before leaving coverage. Tiles and tracks sync separately.
On My iPhone/Gaia GPS (tiles cache, trips in cloud)
Tracks live in the Gaia container plus cloud. Sign in to restore folders, then redownload regions over WiFi. Export GPX for critical routes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Gaia GPS maps to a new phone?
Sign in on the new phone and tracks, routes, and waypoints return from the account. Offline map tiles stay behind in private storage. Reopen the saved maps list and download regions over WiFi. Verify before leaving coverage.
Does Gaia work without signal?
Yes for areas you downloaded. They live in private storage plus documents. Exact folder names vary by map source. Use the saved maps manager to confirm sizes. Tracks sync separately from tiles, so a synced track can show over an empty basemap.
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