Android phones can now archive little-used apps to free up storage

On Android phones, the new auto-archive feature will pop up when you try to install a new app but haven't got enough storage space on your device. — Google/googleblog.com/dpa

BERLIN: Google has introduced a new feature that automatically archives apps when storage is running low on Android smartphones and tablets.

In the future, you are certain to come across the new auto-archive feature when trying to install an app but haven’t got enough storage space on your device.

In that case, Android will ask you to grant permission to uninstall apps that you hardly use anyway, freeing up space on your phone.

But don’t worry, the user data will remain on the device, just like the app icon on the home screen, and Google can retrieve the apps from the Play Store when needed.

If you tab on the icon of a previously archived app, it will simply be reinstalled and you can continue using it as before, provided the application is still available in the Play Store.

Until now, Android suggested users to manually uninstall apps if there wasn’t enough storage available to install a new one.

The new feature is therefore set to make life a little easier for Android users, particularly those struggling to part ways with apps. – dpa