Samsung’s forthcoming One UI 7 update is set to introduce a notable feature from Android 15: app archiving. This innovative tool allows users to free up storage space by removing an app’s installation files while retaining its data. By archiving an app, users can reclaim valuable space without the inconvenience of a complete reinstallation when they wish to use the app again.
While app archiving is a part of Android 15, the decision to implement it lies with the manufacturers. Some have opted out, but Samsung appears to be embracing this functionality. The recent rollout of the One UI 7 beta has unveiled a glimpse of this feature in action, much to the anticipation of users.
Details on App Archiving Implementation
Beta testers have reported that their Galaxy S24 devices now feature an “archive” button within the Settings menu. Activating this button initiates the archiving process, which replaces the app icon with an archived version and swaps the “archive” button for a “restore” option. When users tap on the archived app icon, a prompt appears, asking if they would like to restore the app from its original app store, provided that the store supports app archiving, such as the Google Play Store or F-Droid.
For manufacturers to enable this feature, two key steps must be taken. First, they must ensure that their preinstalled app store can restore archived apps. Second, the preinstalled launcher must be updated to recognize archived apps and adjust their icons accordingly. Samsung has successfully accomplished both tasks, which likely explains the activation of the feature in One UI 7. The company has even updated its Galaxy Store to support app archiving.
Samsung’s commitment to integrating Android 15’s app archiving feature places it alongside Nothing, which has also included this functionality in its Nothing OS 3.0 update. In contrast, other manufacturers, such as Xiaomi and OnePlus, have chosen not to enable this feature in their respective Android 15 updates. Although app archiving remains supported at the platform level, users on these devices may need to resort to terminal commands or third-party launchers to manually archive apps.
The adoption of native Android features like app archiving by more manufacturers is a positive trend. As the landscape of Android devices continues to evolve, the ability to seamlessly integrate new functionalities enhances user experience. With the confirmation of app archiving in the One UI 7 beta, Samsung users can look forward to this feature arriving in the near future.
