Google Play Store prepares download progress bubble and app archiving [Gallery]

Here’s a first look at new features coming to the Play Store, including the ability to archive unused Android apps to save space and includes preparations for a floating bubble for download progress.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” article, we have decompiled the latest version of an app that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we are able to see different lines of code in that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not provide these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be flawed. We’ll try to activate the ones that are about to be completed, though, to show you what they’ll look like in the event that they ship. With that in mind, read on.

Download progress bubble

From experience, there have been a few times where I have way too much free time, a slow public internet connection, and not enough offline games on my phone. At times like these, I’ll find myself browsing the Play Store and installing a few games to see what’s fun.

While installing a game, I will keep browsing to kill time while waiting for the download to complete. A small problem, however, is that the download progress is only visible through notifications. It looks like Google is preparing a way to keep tabs on your Android app download progress as you browse the Play Store, with a bubble floating above the page you’re on.

Our team forcibly enabled the upcoming feature, which starts with a new “Show installation progress bubble” toggle in the Play Store notification settings.

Google Play Store readies download progress bubble and app archiving [Gallery]

Once activated, you will receive a floating bubble that shows the progress of the app being installed. Like other bubbles in Android, you can move it around the screen wherever you want or drag it down to make it disappear. Maybe a minor feature in the grand scheme of things, but it’s certainly practical.

Android Application Archiving

Meanwhile, as part of November’s “Google System Updates,” the company announced that “App Archiving” is coming soon as a way to conserve space on your Android phone. Archiving is primarily for devices that are running out of storage space, allowing you to uninstall an Android app while keeping all of your personal data for the app.

Although the feature is about to be launched, it is not yet rolled out to our devices. Instead, our team forcibly enabled the app store feature of the Play Store to provide a small demo. In this example, our Dylan Roussel was able to archive the Fitbit app, which uninstalls it from the phone.

Returning to the Fitbit Play Store listing, the “Install” button is replaced with “Restore”. Restoring an archived app takes you to a dedicated page, rather than just happening in the background like a traditional install would. Once the app is restored this way, everything is exactly as you left it, meaning you don’t need to log into an account again.