Android finally launches ‘auto-archive’ tool for apps

Google has began to roll out its new auto-archive software for Android gadgets, designed to unlock cupboard space with out utterly uninstalling purposes from person gadgets. First teased in Could final 12 months, Google claims that the auto-archiving characteristic can routinely scale back the storage taken up by sometimes used apps by virtually 60 p.c with out completely eradicating the applying or its related knowledge from a person’s gadget.

Archived purposes will be distinguished by a cloud icon overlaid on the app icon. Tapping the archived apps will re-download and absolutely restore them, supplied the app remains to be accessible on Google Play. The characteristic ought to turn out to be useful for these utilizing Android gadgets that lack expandable storage or customers who’re reluctant to utterly delete apps to unlock some house, although not each utility will probably be eligible for auto-archiving. Google notes that the characteristic is just accessible on apps revealed utilizing Android’s App Bundle format, and that apps with archive assist gained’t seem as regularly on a tool’s uninstall options.

Android customers might want to opt-in to make use of the auto-archiving characteristic. The choice will seem by way of a pop-up window when making an attempt to put in a brand new app on a tool that’s out of storage. As soon as enabled, the characteristic will archive all unused apps from the gadget. A disclaimer on the opt-in pop-up reveals that the characteristic’s preferences will be adjusted within the settings menu. We’ve reached out to Google to make clear how (or if) customers can choose into the characteristic on Android gadgets with storage nonetheless accessible and can replace this story ought to we hear again.

Android’s auto-archive software comes a number of years after Apple launched “Offload Unused Apps” on iOS 11, a characteristic that equally “deletes” little-used purposes on iPhones whereas retaining their knowledge, permitting customers to leap again in the place they left off after restoring the app.