Find out all about this new feature on the Play Store, which will be available soon. It allows users to free up space on their phones!
According to rumors circulating on the internet, Google is preparing a new feature for the Play Store. The app has started to receive a feature for automatically archiving games and applications. The new feature has been in testing for a few months and Android phone users around the world have already started to notice the inclusion.
The change in the Google store is quite important. Previously, the Play Store only offered the option to archive apps when the phone's storage was full. But now, users will have the freedom to archive apps and games as they wish. In some cases, archiving apps eliminates up to 60% of data, without deleting the app completely. Learn more about this new feature and find out how it will work!
Archiving Play Store apps
The option to automatically archive apps will work like this: when selected, the app itself Play Store will identify which apps and games the user does not use and automatically archive them. This option does not delete files from the phone, it eliminates components to free up space.
In some cases, archived apps take up up to 60% less space on the smartphone. Archived games and apps will remain on the device's home screen, with a cloud icon over the logo. Therefore, users will need to download them again after downloading the rest of the data.
This news should gradually reach the Android cell phones worldwide. Some users with versions 37.4 and 37.5 of the Play Store have already received the update. The new feature can be accessed through the device’s “Settings”.
If it still isn't showing up for you, select the app. Play Store, click on information and check the app version. If it is not the latest version, you can update the app.
How to enable archiving
- Open Google Play;
- Tap your profile picture;
- Select the “Settings” option;
- Click on “General”;
- Enable the “Automatically archive apps” option.
This tweak is useful to prevent the app from being uninstalled and losing all data. However, it is only valid for software updated to the Android App Bundle format and may not be available with older programs.
More news from the Play Store
Google has announced a new way for users to discover new apps on the Play Store. This will happen through the sharing of short videos on the platform. The materials are part of The Play Report series, initially available to select users in the United States.
The series’ content will be featured at the top of the store’s home screen with highlights and suggestions for apps and games to download. The episodes feature expert commentary on new features, trends and hidden gems in the app store.
The Play Report series features analysis from five experts covering different app categories: David Benjamin (Googler), Tiffany Garcia (Gamer), Jackie Aina (Beauty), Tech Me Out (Technology) and Alpharad (Streamer).
The purpose of these videos is to serve as a guide to help users discover and try out new apps available in the store. The pilot of the program will be offered within the store to a limited audience, but other users will be able to watch the episodes through the official YouTube and Instagram channels.
