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?

  • @smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.de
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    51 year ago

    Linux mobile!

    On my Linux desktop I have houndres of GUI apps, no slowdowns, nothing running in the background without knowleadge. It’s just a disk space. Programs/apps can be uninstalled with keeping their data, so on later install it’s still there.

    And can we stop making separate apps for loyality cards or taxi networks, please? We need to keep programs universal. I don’t want an app for [insert company] [insert name of their “smart” home product], I want protocols and standards.