Apps are increasingly consuming storage space: a rising concern for users.

These days, it seems like smartphone storage is disappearing faster than ever, even though new devices offer more advanced options for storage. But the blame may lie with the silent changes happening in various apps. Over the years, the number of apps that the majority of users rely on daily has significantly increased.

According to a study conducted by TRG Datacenters, some of the most popular apps in the market have been growing in size considerably over the past few years, in some cases going from just a few megabytes to gigabytes. This is in addition to the heavier games and the cache that is often applied within each app.

Comparing the last ten years, the size of some of the analyzed apps has increased by almost 1000%. Among the notable names in this field are the Asana and Trello apps. In 2014, Asana, a widely used app in the business world, only occupied 5MB of space on devices, but by 2024, it had grown to 55MB. Similarly, Trello went from 10MB to over 100MB.

Part of the size increase is directly associated with the new features that each app includes. The same trend can be seen in video games, where their final size has also grown considerably. In 2014, the average game size was around 45MB, but now it’s above 2000MB, representing an increase of nearly 4344%.

Social media platforms are also following this trend, with Facebook growing from 50MB in 2014 to the current 380MB, and Instagram going from 40MB to 260MB.

It’s important to note that while app sizes have increased, manufacturers seem to be trying to keep up with this trend. It’s not difficult to find current smartphones with several gigabytes of storage space. Additionally, there is a growing trend of using cloud platforms, which helps alleviate local storage space for content.

So, why are apps getting bigger? Well, as technology advances, developers are constantly adding new features and functionalities to enhance user experience. These additions require more resources, resulting in larger app sizes. While this may seem inconvenient for users with limited storage space, it’s a trade-off for the improved capabilities and convenience these apps offer.

But fear not, smartphone users! Manufacturers are aware of the growing app sizes and are adapting accordingly. With the increasing availability of smartphones with larger storage capacities, you can still enjoy your favorite apps without worrying too much about running out of space.

Furthermore, the rise of cloud storage has become a saving grace for many users. By storing files, photos, and videos in the cloud, you can free up valuable local storage space on your device. So, even if your favorite apps keep growing in size, you have options to manage your storage effectively.

In conclusion, the increasing size of apps is a result of developers continuously pushing the boundaries of what their apps can do. While it may require some adjustments on our part, such as investing in devices with more storage or utilizing cloud storage solutions, the benefits of these feature-rich apps outweigh the inconvenience of their larger sizes. So, let’s embrace the evolution of apps and make the most of the incredible functionalities they offer.