Google continues to enhance Android with practical features, and Android 15 introduces a game-changing functionality to solve storage issues. The App Freeze feature allows users to free up space on their phones without the hassle of manually deleting apps. Let’s explore how it works and why it’s so beneficial.
What is App Freeze?
App Freeze is a feature that archives unused apps and their associated data. Once an app is archived, the storage it occupied is freed up. The archiving process removes unnecessary files while retaining a minimal fragment of the app. Archived apps remain inactive until reactivated, and when restored, all their data remains intact.
This feature allows Android to handle unused apps automatically, eliminating the need to decide which apps to delete. Archived apps are marked with a small cloud icon on their launcher, either in the App Drawer or on the home screen. To reactivate an app, simply tap it, and it will restore with all its data intact.
Why Is This Important?
Even on devices with significant storage, such as the Pixel 9 Pro with 256GB of space, apps, photos, and other data can quickly fill up available space. App Freeze eliminates the stress of managing storage by letting Android handle it intelligently.
How to Enable or Disable App Freeze
What You’ll Need
All you need is a Pixel phone running Android 15. While this feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices, it’s expected to roll out to other Android devices receiving Android 15.
Steps to Enable or Disable
1.Open the Settings App
Start by opening Settings. To do this, pull down the Notification Shade twice and tap the gear icon.
2.Find the App You Want to Archive
Go to the Apps section and tap See all X apps (where X is the number of installed apps). Scroll through the list to find the app you want to archive.
3.Enable App Freeze or Manually Archive
At the bottom of the app’s settings page, ensure the Manage app if unused toggle is turned on. Most apps have this enabled by default. If you identify apps you rarely use, you can manually archive them instead of uninstalling them.
How to Reactivate an App
To restore an archived app, simply tap on its icon. The app will be unarchived, and all its data will be restored automatically.
Why App Freeze is a Game-Changer
The App Freeze feature is an efficient way to manage storage without losing access to your data. It’s perfect for users who struggle with limited storage or want to avoid the hassle of deciding what to delete. While currently available only on Pixel devices with Android 15, its practicality makes it a strong candidate for inclusion across all Android devices in the future.
