# Navit

> navigation software

**Wikidata**: [Q1305715](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1305715)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navit)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/navit

## Summary
Navit is a free, open-source navigation software that runs on Android and uses OpenStreetMap data. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License and is available for download on platforms like Google Play and SourceForge.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Free software navigation application
- **Platform**: Android (inception: 2008-09-23)
- **Data Source**: Uses OpenStreetMap for mapping
- **License**: GNU General Public License
- **Latest Stable Version**: 0.5.6 (released: 2021-03-06)
- **Website**: [www.navit-project.org](https://www.navit-project.org)
- **Distribution**: Available on Google Play and SourceForge
- **Input Method**: Touchscreen
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Programming Language**: C (as per Open Hub analysis)

## FAQs
### Q: Is Navit free to use?
A: Yes, Navit is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely.

### Q: What operating system does Navit run on?
A: Navit is designed to run on Android, which was first released by Google on September 23, 2008.

### Q: Does Navit use real-time GPS data?
A: Navit relies on OpenStreetMap for its mapping data, which is not real-time but is community-sourced and frequently updated.

### Q: How can I download Navit?
A: Navit can be downloaded from Google Play or SourceForge, with the latest stable version being 0.5.6.

### Q: Is Navit suitable for offline navigation?
A: Yes, Navit supports offline navigation as it uses OpenStreetMap data, which can be downloaded and stored locally.

## Why It Matters
Navit provides an accessible and customizable navigation solution for Android users, particularly those who prefer open-source alternatives to proprietary apps. By leveraging OpenStreetMap, it offers detailed, community-maintained maps without requiring a constant internet connection. Its free software status ensures transparency and user control over the software, making it an attractive option for privacy-conscious users. Navit’s development is community-driven, with contributions from developers worldwide, ensuring continuous improvements and adaptations to user needs. This makes it a valuable tool for both casual users and those requiring robust navigation features in resource-constrained environments.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Navigation**: One of the few fully open-source navigation solutions available for Android.
- **Offline Capability**: Supports offline navigation using OpenStreetMap data.
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Distributed on multiple platforms, including Google Play and SourceForge.
- **Community-Driven Development**: Actively maintained by a global developer community.
- **Customizable Interface**: Allows users to modify and adapt the software to their needs.

## Body
### Overview
Navit is a navigation software designed for Android devices, developed as free software under the GNU General Public License. It utilizes OpenStreetMap for its mapping data, providing users with detailed and up-to-date geographic information.

### Development and Release
- **Initial Release**: Navit was first developed and released as part of the Android ecosystem, which began in 2008.
- **Latest Version**: The most recent stable version is 0.5.6, released on March 6, 2021.
- **Development Status**: The project is actively maintained, with ongoing updates and improvements.

### Technical Specifications
- **Programming Language**: Primarily written in C, as per Open Hub analysis.
- **Input Method**: Designed for touchscreen interfaces, making it user-friendly for mobile devices.
- **Distribution Channels**: Available on Google Play and SourceForge, ensuring broad accessibility.

### Legal and Licensing
- **License**: Distributed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring free use, modification, and distribution.
- **Copyright Status**: The software is copyrighted, with contributions from developers worldwide.

### Community and Support
- **Community Contributions**: Development is driven by a global community, with translations and improvements hosted on Weblate.
- **Source Code**: The source code is available on GitHub, allowing for further customization and development.

### Availability and Accessibility
- **Platform**: Exclusively available for Android devices.
- **Offline Use**: Supports offline navigation, making it useful in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.

## References

1. [The navit Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/navit/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [Source](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
3. [Release 0.5.1. 2018](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.1)
4. [Release 0.5.2. 2018](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.2)
5. [Release 0.5.3. 2018](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.3)
6. [Release 0.5.4. 2020](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.4)
7. [Release 0.5.5. 2020](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.5)
8. [Release navit-0.5.6. 2021](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.6)
9. [2026](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/releases/tag/v0.5.7)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/navit-gps/navit)
12. [Source](https://github.com/navit-gps/navit/blob/trunk/README.md)