howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-archive-unused-apps-on-a-samsung-galaxy/ · Checked October 2026 · Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

In this guide

Open Play Store settings
Open General
Switch on Automatically archive apps
Restore an archived app
If you do not see this option
If this does not work
Good to know
Sources

Quick answer

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.

If you do not see this option

There is no Automatically archive apps switch Google says some archiving steps work only on Android 15 and later, and only on phones with supporting hardware. Check your Android version under Settings, About phone, Software information. Source: Archive unused apps on Android
You want to archive one app now Google says to open Settings, Apps, pick the app and tap Archive. It does not wait for storage to run low. Source: Archive unused apps on Android

2 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device: Android
Shown on: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
App: Settings
Real screenshots: 2 of 4 steps
What we did: Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing
Our phone: Shown on Galaxy A57, One UI 8.5
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.
Done
Open General
Tap General to expand it.
Done
Switch on Automatically archive apps
Apps you rarely use will be archived when your storage runs low.
Done
Restore an archived app
Google says an archived app keeps a faded icon with an archive mark. Tap it on the Home or Apps screen. The Play Store downloads it again with your data still in place, if the app is still available. You can also restore it from App info in Settings or from its page in the Play Store.
Done

If this does not work

The archived app will not come back Google says the app store must still be on the phone and the app must still be available to download there. If an app was removed from the store, it cannot be restored this way. Source: Archive unused apps on Android
Restoring asks you to manage storage Google says you are asked to free up space when there is not enough storage to reinstall the app. Source: Archive unused apps on Android
An app you need keeps getting archived Google says to open Settings, Apps, the app, and turn off Manage app if unused. That blocks it from automatic archiving. Source: Archive unused apps on Android

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.