Are you constantly running out of storage space on your Android device? If so, you'll be happy to hear that Google has just announced a new auto-archive feature for Android apps that promises to free up almost 60% of an app's storage space without deleting the app or your user data.
The feature, which developers will need to add to their apps, will appear as a pop-up window when you try to install a new app on a device that's out of storage. If you opt-in, unused apps will be auto-archived, freeing up space for the new app. You'll be able to tell which apps have been auto-archived thanks to a cloud icon with a downward-facing arrow, which will appear over the app's original icon.
Google says that Android will start by archiving your least frequently used apps, so you won't lose access to your most important apps. However, if you want to start using an archived app again, you can simply tap to re-download it from Google Play.
While not all apps will be able to use auto-archiving, as it's limited to apps that are published using Android's App Bundle format, it should be a handy new option for the vast majority of your apps.
The auto-archive feature is similar to the 'Offload Unused Apps' feature that iPhones have had for almost six years. However, the iOS equivalent is an opt-in mode rather than a default, and it can potentially leave you stranded without a favorite app. So, it's up to the user to decide if it's a helpful feature to use.
Overall, the new auto-archive feature should be a welcome addition for anyone who's struggled with limited storage space on their Android device. With this new feature, you won't have to constantly delete apps or files to make room for new ones.
