TL; DR
- Built-in app archiving is active in Android 15 Developer Preview 2.
- App Archiving will allow users to archive their apps from Android settings.
- Users will be able to choose whether they want the OS to automatically archive their unused apps.
Android 15 Developer Preview 2 introduced a bunch of new features, ranging from audio sharing to satellite tethering support and more. Among that list is built-in app archiving, available in preview right now.
Back in February, we reported that there was code in the Android beta that suggested Google might add baked-in app archiving. Earlier this month, we were able to activate this feature and demonstrate how it works. Now anyone can start using the app archiving feature if they have Android 15 Developer Preview 2 installed.
As the name suggests, this feature allows users to save space by archiving an application. When an app is archived, it essentially just contains the original app icon, along with some code that allows it to be fully restored when the icon is tapped. Since the code has the same signature as the original application, it can be installed on the original without erasing data. For example, if you archived Instagram, you could restore it and still be logged into the app.
To manually archive an app, you’ll need to go to the app’s details page, as shown above. The option to archive appears right below the application icon. After you archive the application, you will have the option to restore.
Users have been able to archive apps since 2022, however, this functionality is not native to the OS. It was a feature that existed as part of the Google Play Store. Now that the feature is built into the OS, users can now archive apps within the Android settings. Since they’re baked in, users can also have Android automatically archive apps if they’re not used often.