How to archive unused apps on a Samsung Galaxy
By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 5 October 2026
Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, Settings, General, and switch on Automatically archive apps. When storage runs low, apps you rarely use are removed but their data stays, and the icon remains so you can restore the app with a tap.
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
- App
- Settings
- Real screenshots
- 2 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Step by step
Open Play Store settings
Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture at the top right and tap Settings.
Open General
Tap General to expand it.
Switch on Automatically archive apps
Apps you rarely use will be archived when your storage runs low.
Restore an archived app
Tap its icon on the Home or Apps screen. The Play Store downloads it again with your data still in place, if the app is still available.
About this guide
Archiving is a Google Play feature, so it works the same on every Galaxy. It frees space without losing your sign-ins and settings in the archived app. It was off on our phone.
The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.
Good to know
Need space now? how to check and free up storage on a Samsung Galaxy phone.
In short: Play Store, profile, Settings, General, Automatically archive apps on.
Links checked on 4 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.