Google has introduced a new feature that automatically cleans up less frequently used apps when storage space runs low.
Archiving
The feature, called archiving, uninstalls the software in an app while retaining information like game progress, documents, and user accounts.
Reinstalling an archived app is quicker than retrieving a fully uninstalled one.
Google said that the major reason users uninstall apps is to increase storage for new ones.
The new feature lets them do so without losing saved data they may wish to keep for later.
Greater for storage
When users install a new app on a device low on storage, they can easily free up space by partially uninstalling rarely used apps.
The latest feature won’t activate until users opt in, so they shouldn’t worry about accidentally losing apps.
While archiving doesn’t free up as much space as completely uninstalling an app would, it can still reduce occupied storage by over half.
Accessible to developers
The usefulness of archiving will depend on how fast developers adopt it.
The feature is only available when developers publish apps using Google’s App Bundle, which the company introduced last year.
The functionality involves a new kind of APK file – archived APKs.
What’s new?
Users were given the ability to archive apps manually late last year.
Now, Google’s latest update simplifies the process and likely makes more users aware of it.
Apple
Apple introduced a similar feature called “app offloading” back in 2017 with iOS 11.
App archiving in Android gives users greater control over how much data they want to keep or erase.
Explicitly state data-related info
Google had announced earlier this month that apps allowing in-app account creation must offer in-app account deletion starting next year.
Developers must provide explicit details on what data they keep and what users can delete giving users more information and options regarding deletion
They must link the relevant information on their apps’ data safety labels so users are aware.
They also have to notify readers if services retain any data for security or legal reasons.
Timeline
They have until December 7 to provide data deletion information on safety forms.
It will appear on Play Store pages in early 2024.
With these steps less user information will be exposed and vulnerable to data breaches.
