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.
Can we just have websites?
Websites that can go down any moment, change/lose functionality or get sold to an advertising company or such? No, thanks.
Also, it’s always better if your data does not leave your device, but processed strictly locally.
Other than that, in my case apps like these are often enough related to the management of the system
Apps also change and disappear, especially if you get them from a store.
Depends on what the app is for. I don’t want a retailer like IKEA to run code on my device to show me the status of my order (yes, they do force you to download the app and log in in it if you click a “Track your order” button in an email)
Why would you uninstall an app that you use to manage system settings, especially if you want to rely on the Play Store to get it back? What if the settings turn out to have broken something?
