Google has officially launched the Android 15 update for Pixel devices, concluding a wait that spanned over a month and a half since the release of the operating system’s source code. Among the standout features is the innovative app archiving capability, designed to optimize storage space on users’ devices. This feature allows users to remove an app’s installation and temporary files while preserving its data, ensuring that reinstallation is a seamless experience.
Enhanced App Archiving
While app archiving is not a new concept—having been introduced in the Google Play Store last year—Android 15 expands its functionality significantly. Unlike the Play Store’s version, which is limited to apps distributed as Android App Bundles, Android 15’s app archiving feature accommodates all app distribution formats, including traditional APKs. This flexibility is a notable enhancement, as it allows users to archive a wider range of applications without restrictions.
The Google Play Store’s auto-archiving feature, which automatically archives infrequently used apps, operates on a different principle. To function without direct operating system support, Google ingeniously utilized the compartmentalized structure of the Android App Bundle format. When developers upload an app in this format, the Play Console generates not only the necessary APKs for various configurations but also a streamlined “archived APK.” This archived version is a minimalistic representation of the original app, designed to take up less space while retaining the app’s essential functionalities.
When the Play Store archives an app, it installs this archived APK over the base APK, allowing for a swift restoration process when the user decides to access the app again. The archived APK maintains the same signature as the base APK, ensuring data integrity and a smooth user experience. This method, however, is exclusive to apps distributed as Android App Bundles, prompting Google to broaden the app archiving capabilities in Android 15 to include APKs as well.
In Android 15, when an app is archived, the installation files are completely removed, yet the app remains visible on the home screen and in the device settings. The original app icon is preserved in a private data directory, adorned with an overlay to indicate its archived status. This approach not only simplifies the user experience but also encourages third-party app stores to adopt similar archiving features, aligning with Google’s broader vision for app management.
As users explore the new app archiving feature in Android 15, they can look forward to a more efficient way to manage their applications, making it easier to reclaim valuable storage space without losing access to their favorite apps. For detailed instructions on utilizing this feature, readers can refer to additional resources provided by tech experts.
