THE NEXT update for Android, known as Android 12, looks set to include a feature that automatically deletes some of your apps and the data that they hold on you. But before you get too alarmed, don't worry, it's all for a good cause.
If Google follows the same release schedule as previous years, we expect Android users across the globe to get their hands on the next major update in the autumn. This year will see Android 12 rolling out to millions of people worldwide. Ahead of the release, Google has started to trickle out features and details in beta test versions of the software
It's because of these developer previews that we know Android 12 will include a new conversations widget, a wallpaper-based theming system, and a redesigned unlock pattern. And this week, we've learned of another helpful new tool that'll be heading to Google-powered smartphones with the next Android upgrade.
As reported by XDA Developers, it looks like Android 12 will automatically delete data from a device's unused apps to help free up space. This app hibernation feature will make room for more apps, photos and more on a user's device by automatically deleting temporary files from unused apps.
Unlike other inbound Android 12 features, the app hibernation tool hasn't appeared in past Developer Preview builds. However, XDA Developers were able to confirm the feature's inclusion in Android 12 thanks to a leaked build of the OS they managed to obtain.
The site said the upcoming app hibernation feature will expand upon the 'unused apps' concept and Settings page added with Android 11. Besides removing temporary files, the leaked Android 12 feature will also automatically revoke permissions for unused apps.
Given that it's only select app data that will be getting deleted, the amount of space users end up saving will likely be minimal
