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Android app archiving is a practical way to clear space from apps you rarely open without giving up their icon or saved app data. Archiving removes the app software, permissions and temporary files, and stops notifications; you can reinstall the app later if your device supports the feature and the app is still available in its store.
What Android app archiving does
Google Play’s guide to archiving unused apps describes archiving as removing an app’s software, permissions and temporary files while retaining its icon and data. The app stops sending notifications until it is restored. Google does not state a specific amount of storage this will free, so the space recovered depends on the app and its files.
Archiving suits an app you want to keep available but do not need installed all the time. There is a trade-off: when you next need it, the phone must download and reinstall it, and restoration depends on the app remaining available in the store.
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Open Settings > Apps.
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Select the app you want to archive.
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Tap Archive, if that option appears.
The control is not available on every device. Google says some archiving steps require Android 15 or later and supporting hardware; it does not provide a complete list of compatible models. Check your own app settings rather than assuming your phone supports it.
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How to restore an archived app
Tap the app’s dimmed icon to start reinstalling it. You can also open the app’s App info page or find its details in the Play Store and reinstall it there. The store must be installed, the app must still be listed, and the device needs enough free storage. If storage is insufficient, Android may prompt you to manage storage before continuing.
How to control automatic archiving
Google Play also offers an automatic option. In the Play Store settings, opt in to automatic archiving if the setting is available. To exempt one app, open its Settings > Apps > [app] > App info page and turn off Manage app if unused. The exact labels and availability can vary by device and software version.
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Archiving, hibernation and permission auto-reset are different
| Feature | What it does | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| App archiving | Removes app software, permissions and temporary files; retains the icon and data and stops notifications. | Reinstall the app to use it. The app must remain available in the store, and device support is required. Google Play Help |
| App hibernation | Force-stops an unused app, resets permissions, and removes cache and compiled artifacts while aiming to keep app data. | Android Open Source Project documentation describes hibernation-specific behavior from Android 12 onward; manufacturer implementations may vary. AOSP |
| Permission auto-reset | Resets sensitive runtime permissions for qualifying unused apps. | Android developer guidance covers apps targeting Android 11 or later that have gone unused for a few months. It is a privacy measure, not app removal. Android Developers and Android 11 permissions |
These behaviors are related, but a manufacturer’s “sleeping apps” or similar control should not be assumed to be the same as Google Play archiving. AOSP notes that manufacturer changes can affect hibernation implementation.
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Consider it for a large app you use infrequently, when you want to recover installed software space but keep its icon and app data.
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- 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
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Leave the app installed if you need its notifications or want to open it immediately without waiting for a download.
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Check before archiving if the app may be removed from the store, or if you cannot afford to rely on reinstalling it later.
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The cited instructions are Google Play Help’s UK English page, while the underlying guidance is general Android documentation. Availability and labels can differ by device, Android version and store listing.
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