To free up storage on your Android phone, you can archive apps that are not frequently used. When an app is archived, your device uninstalls its software, permissions, and temporary files, and prevents notifications. However, the app icon and data remain on your device.
Archiving helps you manage space efficiently without losing app data. You can manually archive apps or let supported app stores archive unused apps automatically. You also have the option to prevent archiving or restore archived apps at any time..
How to Archive an App Manually
To manually archive an unused Android app:
Click on Settings
Click on Apps
Click on any app you wish to archive
Click on archive
On your Android device, open Settings, then go to Apps.
Tap on the name of the app you wish to archive.
Tap Archive.
Tips:
Archived apps will appear faded out with an archiving icon overlay.
You can unarchive any app at any time.
Your device must have the app store installed, and the app must still be available for download.
To automatically archive apps, you can enable automatic app archiving in the Play Store.
Steps to Turn On Automatic App Archiving:
Click on Play Store
Click on Profile
Click on Settings
Click on General
Push the auto archive app
Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
Go to Settings.
Tap on General.
Select Automatically archive apps.
Toggle the switch ON.
Once enabled, apps that haven’t been used in a while will be archived automatically when your device is running low on storage. You can always restore them later by tapping their icon.
If your device lacks sufficient storage to reinstall the app, you will be prompted to manage your storage.
If the app icon is missing, the app may have been uninstalled. Learn how to reinstall or re-enable apps.
You can also unarchive an app from the App info page in Settings or the App details page in the Play Store.
By managing your unused apps through archiving, you can optimize storage while keeping your data intact. Whether you prefer manual control or automatic archiving, Android offers flexible ways to ensure your phone runs smoothly.
What happens when I archive an app on Android?
When you archive an app, Android removes the app’s executable files, permissions, and temporary data to save storage. However, your personal data and the app icon remain on your device. Notifications from the app are also paused until it is restored.
Will I lose any data if I archive an app?
No, archiving is designed to retain your app’s data and settings. When you unarchive or reinstall the app, it picks up from where you left off. This makes it different from uninstalling, which deletes app data unless backed up.
How can I manually archive an app on Android?
To archive an app manually: Go to Settings > Apps on your Android device. Select the app you want to archive. Tap Archive. Archived apps will appear faded with an overlay icon, indicating they’re not active but still present.
How do I enable automatic app archiving?
To turn on automatic archiving: Open the Google Play Store. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner. Go to Settings > General > Automatically archive apps. Toggle the switch ON. When enabled, Android will automatically archive unused apps when your device is low on storage.
Can I prevent an app from being archived?
Yes. While automatic archiving is helpful, you can manually manage app archiving preferences. To prevent specific apps from being archived, simply use them regularly or disable automatic archiving altogether in the Play Store settings.
How do I restore or unarchive an app?
To unarchive an app: Tap the app icon directly if it’s still on your home screen or app drawer. Or go to Settings > Apps, select the archived app, and tap Restore. You can also go to the app’s page on the Play Store and tap Install. If the app is no longer available, you won’t be able to restore it.
What if I don’t see the Archive option in my app settings?
The archive option may not appear if: Your device doesn’t support app archiving. You don’t have the latest version of Google Play Store. The app store is not installed or the app is no longer available for download. Make sure your device is up to date and connected to a Google account.
What happens if my phone doesn’t have enough storage to unarchive?
If your phone lacks sufficient space, you’ll receive a prompt asking you to free up storage before the app can be restored. You can delete other unused apps, clear cache, or move files to cloud storage to make space.
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