Many of us have numerous apps installed on our smartphones, and a significant portion of them go unused.
For me, the reason behind this accumulation of apps is that whenever I come across an interesting one on platforms like Reddit or YouTube, I tend to install it immediately, holding onto the hope that I may use it in the future. The consequence of this habit is that my phone becomes cluttered with a graveyard of forgotten apps, occupying valuable storage space, consuming bandwidth, and draining battery life.
One potential solution that has crossed my mind is the concept of “app bookmarking” or virtual installations. Play store can add a button for this type of installation. Bookmarked apps would be distinguishable in the app drawer, with their icons present while the app itself is not actually installed. They would remain dormant until needed, at which point they would be automatically downloaded and launched.
Please note that this idea differs from instant apps in its approach. Basically you would only install the icon of the app and place it wherever you want (on home screen, in folders, etc.) but it’s not there until you actually decide to open it.
What do you think?
occupying valuable storage space
I can’t remember last time in the past 5 years, maybe full decade, where I was running low on storage space on a smartphone.
consuming bandwidth, and draining battery life
If they’re truly forgotten and this not used, Android places them in hibernation. At a certain point, Android disables then and removes any granted permissions.
their icons present while the app itself is not actually installed. They would remain dormant until needed, at which point they would be automatically downloaded and launched.
This just sounds like a bookmarked PWA website…which I actually always recommend when available. PWA are less intrusive and less permission hungry than the typical app.
