Updating the built-in satnav

I believe the MG standard satnav is TomTom based although I stand to be corrected. It’s not very user friendly I’m afraid which is a shame. It does the basic job but having carplay/android auto means there are much better options - with voice control too.

greentangerine said:

Anyone done this yet?

I created an account on mgtouch.naviextras.com and downloaded the Naviextras toolbox to my Windows PC.

Put a formatted USB stick into the car as instructed and ran the update which seeds the stick with the current information I guess and then ran the toolbox which tells me there are two updates available - one for the map and another for charger locations.

It has downloaded OK and now installing to the USB stick.

Final step is to plug it back into the car and run the update but worried it might brick it or something. Having said that, it's going into the dealer later this week to fix the dead radio module so I guess they could fix the satnav too if necessary.

Click to expand...

I plucked up the courage to attempt the SatNav update.

I took a "known good" 16GB USB key and formatted it FAT32 from my Windows 10 PC.

I signed up for an account at mgtouch.naviextras.com and downloaded the Naviextras toolbox to my Windows 10 PC.

I went back to my MG5, powered it to ready mode and plugged the USB key into the same port you would plug your phone into for Android Auto/CarPlay.

I then went to Settings/System and tapped Start on the Update Navigation field.

It took a while but then it asks to prepare the USB stick for the update and I clicked Yes.



A short while later it had finished and I clicked OK and switched off the car and unplugged the USB key.


I plugged the USB key into my PC. I then installed and ran the Naviextras toolbox app and entered my previously created account details.

It detected the USB key and found a couple of updates. I clicked to downloaded and installed them on to the key.

It took quite a while to download. I had to make sure my computer didn't go into standby so I wiggled the mouse every now and then.

Eventually it finished saying the update was successful and exited.
I then clicked on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon on my taskbar and safely ejected the USB Key.

I went back to the MG5 powered it to ready mode again and waited for the screen to fully start up. I then inserted the USB Key in the same port as before and waited until it told me it couldn't find any media files.

I then went to Settings/System and tapped Start on the Update Navigation field again. It spent a good ten minutes scanning the USB Key and then eventually it prompted me to update the maps.

Another 10 minutes later and it said update complete. I did a couple of tests, then I powered off the car waited 30 seconds and removed the USB key.

Everything seems ok. I did a few extra tests. The EV charger database appears to be updated .

The update log file on the USB key suggests all the POI and maps were updated.


N.B. If you are going to do this I would suggest giving the media unit time to start up and shutdown before plugging-in and unplugging the USB key. I'd also recommend safely ejecting the USB key from your computer rather than just unplugging it (as just unplugging can corrupt the FAT32 filesystem, which could cause errors). And most importantly of all, make sure you have a good quality, "known good" USB key over 8GB in size.

Naviextras.com - Map updates for your navigation device and more...

Naviextras.com - Map updates for your navigation device and more...

I find it strange the sat nav needs to be updated within a month of so of car purhase. Surely if this is necessary it should be part of the vehicle PDI?
Is there a way of checking what map version you are on without going through this process?

Johncc said:

I find it strange the sat nav needs to be updated within a month of so of car purhase. Surely if this is necessary it should be part of the vehicle PDI?
Is there a way of checking what map version you are on without going through this process?

Click to expand...

In the ideal world it probably would be and maybe some dealers do it.

I went through the update procedure to see how it was done. You could easily do the first part of the update procedure without the risk of any problems. That will add your SatNav details to your NavExtras account.

I believe you can find out some version info in the SatNav's "About" option from the SatNav's settings menu.

When I ran the NaviExtras software it pulled down a new map version and updated POIs.

I'm not sure it has a much newer map but the POI and EV chargers have definitely been updated.

I tried to put a destination for my MG 5 yesterday and apart from the amount of buttons you have to press it went ok. It even updated the route when I went an alternative way without much faff.

Coincidentally, I tried updating the satnav in my ZS a couple of days ago, and whilst there were updates via Naviextras Toolbox, when I ran the update in the car I received an error saying the files were incompatible (or similar wording). My battles with the satnav are well publicised in the ZS section of the forum, resulting in receiving restore files direct from Naviextras when the unit bricked itself, so perhaps that;s the root of my problem. Shame they no longer offer support

I might give it another go when I can be bothered, otherwise it'll stay as it is which is a shame as I don't dislike the satnav.

Since I started this thread, I tried again today with the original USB stick loaded with the updates and it worked this time.

I'm assuming that's because when I tried initially, my radio module was dead (displaying 'radio module initialising') and it's been back at the dealers to get fixed in the interim so maybe fixing that / doing something else resolved it.

Note that after a successful update, the files are removed from the USB stick so that you can start the entire process over again if wished. I did and the toolbox app now states there are no updates available. For reference, the update applied was 2020 Q3 and the website shows nothing more recent, either free or to purchase.

Quick shout out about phone based navigation. Has anyone tried Navmii? It's an Android app (dunno about iOS as I refuse to buy hardware that includes an iDiot tax). It is a) free and b) the maps are resident in your phone, so there's no worry about not being able to find poo creek if the mobile signal disappears. You can define the storage location as either internal phone memory or SD Card.

The user interface is a bit so-so but adequate once you get your head round it.

Map coverage is worldwide, divided up into separate downloads covering the usual geographical areas. It certainly did me well for several trips to India and to Australia (ah, those heady pre-lockdown days.)

Spoken turn-by-turn guidance works well and rerouting following a missed turn or deliberate change of plan is commendably rapid.

The routing can be a little strange at times so it's best to review your route before setting off (applies to all satnavs really). It even seems to remember the direction in which you were last travelling before you parked. If you enter a new destination the navigation starts you off in the same direction as you were last heading, with a quick trip round the block if necessary, rather than suggesting a u turn.

Certainly in the UK, Navmii knows about footpaths as well as roads and offers a "walking mode", all of which has been invaluable on one or two long forays on foot through unfamiliar woods.

Overall I'm very pleased. Navmii on an Android phone is certainly a LOT better than my old dedicated Garmin device, which was so idiosyncratic in its routing as to be almost dangerous.

greentangerine said:

Note that after a successful update, the files are removed from the USB stick.

Click to expand...

Don't you mean the files are NOT removed from the USB stick, so you can start over?

Fluffykins said:

Quick shout out about phone based navigation. Has anyone tried Navmii? It's an Android app (dunno about iOS as I refuse to buy hardware that includes an iDiot tax). It is a) free and b) the maps are resident in your phone, so there's no worry about not being able to find poo creek if the mobile signal disappears. You can define the storage location as either internal phone memory or SD Card.

The user interface is a bit so-so but adequate once you get your head round it.

Map coverage is worldwide, divided up into separate downloads covering the usual geographical areas. It certainly did me well for several trips to India and to Australia (ah, those heady pre-lockdown days.)

Spoken turn-by-turn guidance works well and rerouting following a missed turn or deliberate change of plan is commendably rapid.

The routing can be a little strange at times so it's best to review your route before setting off (applies to all satnavs really). It even seems to remember the direction in which you were last travelling before you parked. If you enter a new destination the navigation starts you off in the same direction as you were last heading, with a quick trip round the block if necessary, rather than suggesting a u turn.

Certainly in the UK, Navmii knows about footpaths as well as roads and offers a "walking mode", all of which has been invaluable on one or two long forays on foot through unfamiliar woods.

Overall I'm very pleased. Navmii on an Android phone is certainly a LOT better than my old dedicated Garmin device, which was so idiosyncratic in its routing as to be almost dangerous.

Click to expand...

Yes, I've used this abroad to avoid roaming costs since GPS is free! You just need to make sure you have downloaded the latest mapping for where you're going to be. Well worth a look - thanks for letting everyone know.

ARealHuman said:

My battles with the satnav are well publicised in the ZS section of the forum, resulting in receiving restore files direct from Naviextras when the unit bricked itself.

Click to expand...

If the OEM can't be arsed to continue supporting his product, is it worth popping the restore files on the forum or something like Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar, for forumeers to use?

SimonomiS said:

Yes, I've used this abroad to avoid roaming costs since GPS is free! You just need to make sure you have downloaded the latest mapping for where you're going to be. Well worth a look - thanks for letting everyone know.

Click to expand...

Updating is well supported. You get a notification when updated versions if your maps are available

Fluffykins said:

Don't you mean the files are NOT removed from the USB stick, so you can start over?

Click to expand...

No, if the update files are there, you can't reseed the stick with the current information so that it can be plugged back into the toolbox app again.

Fluffykins said:

If the OEM can't be arsed to continue supporting his product, is it worth popping the restore files on the forum or something like Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar, for forumeers to use?

Click to expand...

The files are car specific - I've tried this with another user of the forum.

I updated the sat nav on my MG 5 today. Q4 maps and updated list of EV charge points.

Took a few attempts as the head unit kept restarting before it could complete the updates.

With the update I'm now seeing chargepoints near me that were not showing before.

Not sure if much else has changed as it was too late to have an in depth play with it.

Prof1967 said:

I updated the sat nav on my MG 5 today. Q4 maps and updated list of EV charge points.

Took a few attempts as the head unit kept restarting before it could complete the updates.

With the update I'm now seeing chargepoints near me that were not showing before.

Not sure if much else has changed as it was too late to have an in depth play with it.

Click to expand...

I did those a few weeks back.

Kept failing with the head unit rebooting but I eventually got them done by applying each individually instead.

Has anyone tried the safety cam database ?

EWD said:

I plucked up the courage to attempt the SatNav update.

I took a "known good" 16GB USB key and formatted it FAT32 from my Windows 10 PC.

I signed up for an account at mgtouch.naviextras.com and downloaded the Naviextras toolbox to my Windows 10 PC.

I went back to my MG5, powered it to ready mode and plugged the USB key into the same port you would plug your phone into for Android Auto/CarPlay.

I then went to Settings/System and tapped Start on the Update Navigation field.

It took a while but then it asks to prepare the USB stick for the update and I clicked Yes.

View attachment 1560

A short while later it had finished and I clicked OK and switched off the car and unplugged the USB key.


I plugged the USB key into my PC. I then installed and ran the Naviextras toolbox app and entered my previously created account details.

It detected the USB key and found a couple of updates. I clicked to downloaded and installed them on to the key.

It took quite a while to download. I had to make sure my computer didn't go into standby so I wiggled the mouse every now and then.

Eventually it finished saying the update was successful and exited.
I then clicked on the "Safely Remove Hardware" View attachment 1561 icon on my taskbar and safely ejected the USB Key.

I went back to the MG5 powered it to ready mode again and waited for the screen to fully start up. I then inserted the USB Key in the same port as before and waited until it told me it couldn't find any media files.

I then went to Settings/System and tapped Start on the Update Navigation field again. It spent a good ten minutes scanning the USB Key and then eventually it prompted me to update the maps.

Another 10 minutes later and it said update complete. I did a couple of tests, then I powered off the car waited 30 seconds and removed the USB key.

Everything seems ok. I did a few extra tests. The EV charger database appears to be updated .

The update log file on the USB key suggests all the POI and maps were updated.


N.B. If you are going to do this I would suggest giving the media unit time to start up and shutdown before plugging-in and unplugging the USB key. I'd also recommend safely ejecting the USB key from your computer rather than just unplugging it (as just unplugging can corrupt the FAT32 filesystem, which could cause errors). And most importantly of all, make sure you have a good quality, "known good" USB key over 8GB in size.

Naviextras.com - Map updates for your navigation device and more...

Naviextras.com - Map updates for your navigation device and more...

Click to expand...

I'm thinking of trying to update maps, principally because Moto Rugby is not on the installed version. Did you have to download software to format the USB drive to FAT32? Windows 10 will only format in exFAT which is rather annoying!

Googling format FAT32 Windows 10 returns

Format a USB Drive in FAT32 Using File Explorer

• Click the Start Menu.
• Click This PC.
• Right-click the USB Drive.
• Click Format.
• Click Start. If the File system isn't listed as FAT32, click on the drop-down menu and choose it.
• Click OK.
• Wait for the drive to format then click OK to finish the process.

Gomev said:

Googling format FAT32 Windows 10 returns

Format a USB Drive in FAT32 Using File Explorer

• Click the Start Menu.
• Click This PC.
• Right-click the USB Drive.
• Click Format.
• Click Start. If the File system isn't listed as FAT32, click on the drop-down menu and choose it.
• Click OK.
• Wait for the drive to format then click OK to finish the process.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately Windows 10 will not format in FAT 32, it's been superseded by exFAT, don't you just love these acronyms!