How to Install and Update Navigraph Charts Desktop QuicklyNavigraph Charts Desktop is a powerful charting application for flight planning and in-flight navigation, offering up-to-date Jeppesen data, airport diagrams, arrival/departure procedures, and more. This guide walks you through fast, reliable installation and update steps on Windows and macOS, plus troubleshooting and tips to keep charts current with minimal effort.
Before you start — prerequisites
- Subscription: You need an active Navigraph Charts subscription (Charts or Charts + Simulator).
- Account: A Navigraph account with your email and password.
- System requirements: Windows ⁄11 or macOS 10.15+; at least 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended); broadband internet for downloads.
- Backup: If you’re replacing or reinstalling, consider exporting any custom settings or printing necessary charts beforehand.
Quick overview of the process
- Download the installer from Navigraph.
- Install the app (Windows .exe or macOS .dmg).
- Log in with your Navigraph account.
- Download chart cycles or updates inside the app.
- Configure offline storage and auto-update settings.
Installing Navigraph Charts Desktop on Windows
1. Download the installer
- Open your web browser and go to navigraph.com (or the Navigraph Account > Downloads page).
- Under Charts, choose the Desktop app and click the Windows download (.exe).
2. Run the installer
- Double-click the downloaded .exe file.
- If Windows prompts with a SmartScreen or UAC dialog, choose “More info” → “Run anyway” or click “Yes” to allow installation.
- Follow the installer prompts: accept license, choose install folder (default is fine), and complete installation.
3. Launch and log in
- Open Navigraph Charts Desktop from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
- Enter your Navigraph account email and password.
- If you use two-factor authentication, complete the verification step.
4. Initial chart download
- After login, go to the Charts section and select the latest chart cycle (typically updated every 28 days).
- Click “Download” or “Install” for the regions/airports you need. Downloads can be large — use a fast connection.
Installing Navigraph Charts Desktop on macOS
1. Download the DMG
- Visit navigraph.com Downloads and click the macOS version (.dmg).
2. Install the app
- Open the downloaded .dmg and drag the Navigraph Charts app into Applications.
- If macOS blocks the app, go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General and click “Open Anyway.”
3. Launch and authenticate
- Open the app from Applications.
- Sign in with your Navigraph credentials and complete any two-factor authentication.
4. Download charts
- Choose the chart cycle and download needed areas/airports. Allow time for large downloads.
Updating Navigraph Charts Desktop Quickly
1. Built-in update mechanism
- The app checks for updates on launch. When an application update is available, a prompt appears with a download/install button. Click it and follow prompts.
2. Chart cycle updates
- Charts are released in cycles (usually every 28 days). Open the Charts tab, select the new cycle, and click “Download” for chosen datasets. You can download entire regions or individual airports.
3. Use incremental downloads
- To save time/bandwidth, download only the airports and regions you actually use rather than full-world datasets.
4. Enable automatic updates
- In Settings → Updates, enable automatic chart cycle downloads and app updates. Choose scheduled download times (e.g., overnight) to avoid interrupting flight planning.
Offline mode and storage management
- Configure offline storage in Settings → Storage. Choose a dedicated folder and ensure sufficient free disk space (full-world can exceed tens of GB).
- For SSDs with limited space, store charts on an external HDD/SSD and point the app to that folder.
- Use the app’s purge/remove options to delete older cycles or unused regions.
Troubleshooting common issues
Slow or failed downloads
- Check internet speed and switch to a wired connection if possible.
- Disable VPNs/proxies that may throttle downloads.
- Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus or add the app to allowed programs.
- If a download fails repeatedly, try removing the partial files and restarting the download.
Login problems
- Verify email/password on navigraph.com. Reset password if needed.
- Clear stored credentials in the app and re-login.
- For 2FA issues, ensure time-based codes are synced or use backup codes.
App won’t start or crashes
- Update to the latest OS patches.
- Reinstall the app (uninstall first, then reinstall).
- Check crash logs and submit them to Navigraph Support with steps to reproduce.
Incorrect or missing charts
- Confirm you downloaded the correct chart cycle and region.
- Refresh the app’s data cache (Settings → Refresh/Sync).
- If airport charts are missing, check subscription level (some content requires specific plans).
Tips to speed up installs and updates
- Pre-download cycles on a fast connection (home/office) before travel.
- Schedule updates during off-hours and enable automatic updates.
- Limit downloads to necessary areas and delete unused cycles.
- Use an external SSD for storage to avoid filling system drive.
- Keep the app and OS up to date to avoid compatibility delays.
When to contact Navigraph Support
- Persistent download errors after trying network/firewall fixes.
- Account/subscription issues not resolved by password reset.
- Crashes tied to specific chart files or missing critical procedures.
- Provide screenshots, log files, OS/version, and exact error messages for faster help.
Quick checklist (one-screen)
- Active Navigraph subscription and account — required
- Installer downloaded for your OS — required
- Log in and choose chart cycle — required
- Enable automatic updates or schedule downloads — recommended
- Point storage to large/external drive if needed — recommended
If you want, I can write step-by-step screenshots, a short printable quick-start checklist, or an automated script to set default storage on Windows/macOS. Which would help most?
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