what is the definition of "unused" app?

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Level 1

8 points

what is the definition of "unused" app?

I have an iphone XS running ios 12.2. I have enabled the "offload unused apps" option in the app store settings. I have noticed that even apps I use frequently are being offloaded.

For example, I last used my bank's iOS app two days ago, and yet it now has a cloud icon next to it on the home screen. How long does the OS wait to determine that an app is "unused" before offloading it to the cloud?

A couple of days seems overly aggressive, and if this is intentional, in my opinion that's an unreasonable definition of "unused."

iPhone XS, iOS 12

Posted on Jun 4, 2019 6:06 AM

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Answer 1

Ian Leckie

Level 4

2,311 points

Jun 4, 2019 9:45 AM in response to Mark Adelman

Hallo Mark! I have no idea what exactly constitutes an “unused” app as far as Apple is concerned, and haven´t been able to find anything concrete on this question. I have, however, read that iOS can be over-zealous in offloading apps, which has happened to you. Two days does not, to my mind, mean “unused”! As there seems to be no way for a user to control this behaviour, why not just turn off "offload unused apps” completely, assuming you´re not running short of storage? That will save you the bother of waiting for an app to download when you want to use it immediately. Turn it off here: Settings > iTunes & App Store. Scroll down to the bottom to turn it off. Hope this helps you! Regards, Ian.

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Answer 2

SravanKrA

Level 10

433,304 points

Jun 4, 2019 8:16 AM in response to Mark Adelman

In order to get the definition of "Unused", you are stretching it too far. Two Days!

I have many apps which I had used a week ago still exists without being offloaded.

If you are really eager, you can test it yourself by using an app the days to take for it to get offloaded.

Good Luck!

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Answer 3

Mark Adelman Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 4, 2019 8:23 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thanks for replying, but I’m not sure I understand your response.

I am looking for more info on how the OS defines “unused.” I gave as an example an app that I last used only a couple days ago, and yet it was offloaded to the cloud (by the operating system, not by me). In my opinion, an app that I used two days ago is not “unused.”

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what is the definition of "unused" app?

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