On March 9, Google said in a latest official blog post that it is developing a tool for Android that allows users to archive certain apps to save storage space. Google explained that the "archived" application supports partial uninstallation, which will be reduced by about 60% without the need to completely delete the application.
Ideally, this would be equivalent to deleting the app while retaining the app data within the app. Many PC applications and games will allow users to retain local data after uninstallation, but the Android system is different, once the App is uninstalled, the game progress, account and other data will be deleted, and then installed back to have to be re-operated.
Apple mobile phone system also has similar functions, compared to the Android system "uninstall", iOS has "uninstall App" and "delete App" two functions, the former is to delete the App while retaining app data, the latter is the App with the data to delete. In addition, when the mobile phone memory is insufficient, iOS also supports automatic deletion of the App, and then reinstall it when the user needs it, which is very convenient.
Xiao Lei learned that Google achieved "archiving" by creating a new APK installation package format, officially called "archived APKs". Google says the archived APK is much smaller and saves all of its app data until the user restores it to its original size. It is worth mentioning that for apps that support "archiving", the time required to restore the installation is also shorter than reinstallation.
Speaking of "archiving", Xiao Lei also remembered the "titanium backup" that he would use when playing the machine before, and he could package the APK installation package with the application data to generate a new installation package. At that time, Android stand-alone games were cracked versions, and when updating, they could only uninstall the old version and then install the new version, and the titanium backup could back up the progress of the game, and then restore after installing the new version. Of course, "titanium backup" requires root permissions, and now fewer and fewer people use it.
It's unclear when Google will launch the "archive" feature, and exactly how it will be implemented, and it is expected that two uninstall options will be offered like iOS. Xiao Lei believes that the "archive" function can continue to go further, such as the automatic streamlining app of iOS, which is really a blessing for mobile phone users with small memory.
This feature will be integrated in a development tool that developers can choose to use or not use. Although the function is good, but whether it can be popularized in China is still unknown, Google's previously announced AAB installation package technology has not been used in China, after all, the new installation package technology requires the software market and developers to work together to achieve.