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Akshay Bhalla reports that he freed 15GB on his phone by combining Obtainium with Android’s built-in app-archiving feature. That is one person’s result, not a typical or guaranteed saving—and the space recovery came from archiving rarely used apps and clearing junk data, not from Obtainium alone. Obtainium manages app sources and updates; Android does the archiving.
What Obtainium does—and what it doesn’t
Obtainium is an open-source Android app manager for installing apps directly from their release sources and tracking updates. Its project describes the aim as getting app updates “straight from the source.” It can be useful for people who sideload apps or use open-source software and want help keeping those apps current. Obtainium project README
Obtainium does not archive apps or directly reclaim storage. Android’s archive feature is responsible for that part of the method. The two tools serve different purposes: Android reduces the footprint of apps you rarely use, while Obtainium helps manage the apps you install from supported release sources.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow Android app archiving can free space
Archiving is an alternative to uninstalling an app you may want again. In the Android Police article, archived apps retain data such as login information and settings, so the user can unarchive them later rather than reinstalling and setting up from scratch. This describes the feature as presented in that article; behavior may vary by app and device. Akshay Bhalla’s Android Police article, published September 19, 2026
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Archiving does not mean every part of the app remains installed and active. It reduces the installed app’s storage footprint while retaining app data for possible restoration. The amount recovered depends on the apps you choose, and the sources do not establish a universal amount of space that archiving will free.
How to use the combination
- Add an app’s release source in Obtainium. Use the app’s supported source-tracking workflow to follow releases and receive update notifications. Verify that the release page belongs to the legitimate developer or project before installing software. Privacy Guides: Obtaining Applications
- Archive apps you rarely use through Android. Open the app’s info controls in Android Settings and look for the Archive option. The exact menu path and availability can differ; check the controls for the app on your device rather than assuming every app has the option.
- Restore an app when you need it. Use Android’s unarchive control. The source article describes the app’s retained data, including settings and login information, as available after restoration, but does not establish identical behavior for every app.
- Use Obtainium to manage subsequent updates. Obtainium tracks the release source you added; it is not the Android archive control. Follow its update workflow for the app when an update is available.
What the 15GB figure means
Bhalla’s reported 15GB is a personal anecdote from his 2026 article, not an independently verified measurement or controlled test. The article does not specify the phone model, which apps were archived, or the exact measurement method. It also credits his approach of archiving rarely used apps aggressively and clearing junk data from apps he kept. There is not enough information to predict whether another phone—or even a different set of apps on the same phone—would recover a similar amount.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Risks and limitations to consider
- Check the source before installing. Obtainium can install apps from varied release sources, so users are responsible for checking that both the app and its source are legitimate. Privacy Guides’ guidance on obtaining apps
- Source tracking can be imperfect. Obtainium’s README notes that some source information is gathered through web scraping. Changes to a website can break extraction, so a tracked source may not always work as expected. Obtainium README limitation on scraped sources
- Archive availability is not universal here. The reviewed sources do not establish which Android versions, devices, or apps support archiving. If you do not see an Archive option in an app’s info controls, this workflow may not be available for that app on your device.
When this approach makes sense
Consider the combination if you keep sideloaded or open-source apps, want to follow releases from their sources, and have rarely used apps that Android lets you archive. Obtainium addresses update tracking; archiving addresses storage use. If your main need is simply to regain space, the 15GB anecdote should not be treated as a forecast: the outcome depends on your own apps and storage use.
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- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
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