- Android 15 DP2: One-tap app archiving simplifies storage.
- Preserve permissions: Android 15 restores apps seamlessly.
- Enhanced control: Android 15 streamlines app management.
System-level app archiving, a much-awaited feature, is making waves with the release of Android 15 Developer Preview 2 today. This feature promises users a more convenient way to recover valuable storage space on their devices, and it’s seamlessly integrated into the Settings app.
Android 15 DP2: Settings Now Include App Archiving
Easy Archiving with Just One Tap
The days of stumbling through confusing menus are long gone. Android 15 makes the process easier by including a dedicated “Archive” button in the App Info section next to the handy “Uninstall” button. Users can quickly free up important storage space by archiving applications with a single tap. A quiet toast notification verifies the action and notifies users that the archiving was successful.
Archived Apps Are Still Available
Apps that have been archived may stop working, but they don’t completely disappear. Their icons are subtly muted on the home screen and app launcher, with a cloud icon with a download arrow to indicate that they are archived. To fully restore the app, users only need to tap these icons, which will start the restoration process straight from the Play Store. Alternatively, the “Restore” button can be used to perform restoration straight from the App Info menu.
Preserving Data and Permissions
One notable benefit of Android 15’s app archiving is that user-granted permissions are kept intact. The system kindly remembers previously granted permissions when restoring an archived app, saving users the trouble of having to re-authorize them.
Separate from the Google Play Archive
It’s important to note that this system-level app archiving feature seems different from one that Google Play debuted the previous year. Although there is still uncertainty regarding possible integration between the two, this differentiation underscores Android 15’s dedication to providing users with a wide range of storage management choices.
Improved Handling of Disused Applications
Apart from app archiving, the update improves the feature that was previously called “Pause app activity if unused.” This toggle, formerly known as “Manage app if unused,” now provides a wider range of choices. Now, within a single, easy-to-use setting, users can opt to delete temporary files, stop notifications, remove permissions, and finally archive the app/
Accessibility and Crucial Factors
As of right now, the Android 15 Developer Preview 2 is the only version that offers app archiving. It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, that this build is intended primarily for developers and might not accurately reflect all of the features of the final public release, which is scheduled for later this year. Notably, at this stage of development, system applications cannot be archived.
To conclude, Android device storage management is now simple with this update, marking a significant improvement in user experience. Users can expect more improvements and tinkering in the area of storage management when we approach the official release. As Android gets 15 inches closer to its eagerly awaited release, stay tuned for more updates.
