app archiving Archives

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

This Hidden Android Setting Makes Managing Apps Easier And Quicker

Smartphones can become cluttered with seldom-used apps, affecting user experience. Android users can declutter by archiving apps, which can be done automatically through the Google Play Store or manually via the Settings menu. To enable automatic archiving, users should go to the Google Play Store, tap their profile icon, navigate to Settings, expand the General tab, and toggle on the Automatically archive apps option. This will archive infrequently used apps when storage is low. For manual archiving, users can open Settings, select Apps, choose the app to archive, and tap Archive. Archived apps appear grayed out and dimmed in the app drawer. To restore an archived app, users can tap it in the app drawer or go to Settings > Apps > [archived app] and select Restore. Users can opt out of automatic archiving for specific apps by going to Settings, selecting the app, and toggling off the Manage app if unused option.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

You’re installing and uninstalling your Android apps wrong

The Android ecosystem has introduced features to enhance app management, such as the Private Space feature on devices like the Pixel 10, which allows users to install and evaluate new apps in a controlled environment without granting them full access to device resources. Users can also create a secondary user profile as an alternative for testing new applications. Additionally, Android 15 has introduced an app archiving feature that enables users to remove apps while retaining all associated data within their Google account, allowing for quick restoration of settings and preferences when needed. These advancements aim to improve user control and convenience in managing mobile applications.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

How to Archive Android Apps using Google Play Auto Archiving feature

Android users can manage app storage by using the Google Play Store's app archiving feature, which allows temporary removal of infrequently used apps without complete uninstallation. To enable automatic archiving, users need to go to the Google Play Store app, tap on their profile pic, select "Settings," then "General," and enable the "Automatically Archive apps" toggle. Once activated, seldom-used apps will be automatically archived when storage is low, indicated by a cloud icon, freeing up space while keeping the apps accessible for future use.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

One UI 7.0 supports Android 15’s app archiving feature

Samsung's One UI 7.0 introduces a cloud-based app archiving feature for Galaxy phone users, allowing them to temporarily remove apps while preserving all associated data. Users can archive apps to free up space on their devices, and when they reinstall the app, all data remains intact, eliminating the need to log back in. The feature requires collaboration with the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store for functionality. The stable One UI 7.0 update is expected to roll out early next year.

AppWizard

December 10, 2024

App archiving in One UI 7 helps you free up space on your Samsung phone

Samsung's One UI 7 update will introduce app archiving, a feature from Android 15 that allows users to free up storage by removing an app's installation files while retaining its data. This feature has been seen in the One UI 7 beta, where Galaxy S24 devices include an "archive" button in the Settings menu. Activating this button replaces the app icon with an archived version and changes the "archive" button to a "restore" option. Users can restore the app from supported app stores like Google Play Store or F-Droid. Samsung has updated its Galaxy Store to support app archiving, and unlike some manufacturers such as Xiaomi and OnePlus, Samsung is implementing this feature.

AppWizard

December 9, 2024

Watch: Samsung One UI 7 adopts Android 15’s App Archive feature

Samsung's One UI 7 will include the App Archive feature from Android 15, allowing users to archive unused applications to reclaim storage space without uninstalling them. Currently in the One UI 7 Beta, it is expected to be publicly available early next year. The feature temporarily removes an app's software, permissions, temporary files, and notifications while retaining the app icon and associated data. Users can manually archive apps through the app settings or enable automatic archiving in the Play Store. Archived apps can be restored by tapping their dimmed icon, provided there is sufficient storage for reinstallation.

AppWizard

October 30, 2024

How to archive Android apps

A smartphone's local storage is increasingly important as many devices lack microSD card support. Users face challenges with limited space due to large apps, games, photos, and videos. Archiving unused apps is a practical solution for reclaiming storage. Android 15 includes an app archiving feature that allows users to offload about 60% of an app's data while retaining the app icon and user data. Custom Android skins from brands like Oppo and OnePlus have similar features that manage memory usage without freeing up storage. Even premium devices like the Google Pixel 9 can benefit from app archiving to manage storage effectively.

AppWizard

October 17, 2024

Android 15 extends ‘app archiving’ to F-Droid third-party app store

Android 15 will extend the 'app archiving' feature to F-Droid, making it the first third-party app store to support this functionality. This change allows users to archive and unarchive apps from F-Droid similarly to apps from the Google Play Store. The integration will enable users to manage their app storage more effectively and restore archived apps easily. This decision by Google to relax restrictions on app archiving is seen as a response to regulatory scrutiny, promoting a more open ecosystem.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

F-Droid is the first third-party app store to support Android 15’s app archiving feature

F-Droid is the first third-party app store to implement the app archiving feature introduced in Android 15, allowing users to remove installation files while retaining app data. This feature was previously exclusive to the Google Play Store. F-Droid's upcoming version 1.22 will include this functionality, enabling seamless archiving and unarchiving of apps. The feature is compatible with all Android app formats, despite F-Droid primarily distributing apps in APK format. Recent enhancements in Android have included new APIs for app updates and now app archiving, which have been extended to third-party launchers as well.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Android 15’s app archiving feature works with all Android apps, unlike the Play Store’s version

Google has launched the Android 15 update for Pixel devices, introducing an app archiving feature that optimizes storage by allowing users to remove an app's installation and temporary files while keeping its data. This feature supports all app distribution formats, including traditional APKs, unlike the previous version limited to Android App Bundles. When an app is archived, its installation files are removed, but the app remains visible on the home screen and in device settings, with its original icon preserved in a private data directory. This enhancement aims to improve app management and encourage third-party app stores to adopt similar features.