If you’re facing issues with limited storage space on your Android device, then this new feature could litearrly be a storage saver! In an Android Developers Blog blogpost yesterday (8 March 2022), Google claims that a new ‘Archive’ feature currently in the works will allow users to temporarily reclaim ~60% of app storage by removing parts of the app rather than completely uninstalling it.
Essentially, this new feature allows you to archive sporadically used apps on your device to free up space. An archived app will still remain on your device and can easily be ‘re-activated’ to its latest available compatible version with all your existing data on the app preserved.
The blogpost, written by Google Play’s Product Managers Lidia Gaymond and Vicki Amin claimed that the feature will prevent unnecessary uninstalls. They also added that this feature is possible thanks to a new type of APK created by Google called archived APKs.
Archived APKs are ~60% smaller in size and developers will have the ability to test the feature soon with the Bundletool 1.10 release. Furthermore, Google also clarified that developers can also choose to opt-out of archived APKs for their respective apps.
However, while the creation of archived APKs have already started, it will only be functional when Google launches the feature to the general public. Speaking of which, no specific date has been give just yet, with Google only saying that it will be launched ‘later in the year’.
Sounds like an interesting concept by Google, though we do have to see its implementation on Android first before gauging its practicality. What do you guys think?
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