Why You Should Delete Old Apps and Files

We store everything in our phones–saved media, files, and data stored inside apps. While this makes it convenient to document our life on social media or quickly retrieve a class file, it can also slow down your iPhone or Android device.

Even worse: A phone with tons of data and images stored on it is the holy grail for cybercriminals, who can hack into it and ransom your photos and personal information (like credit card numbers stored in an app) back to you. They can steal your identity and go shopping with your credit card or PayPal balance. They can decide to sell your data on the dark web. Whatever they do will severely disrupt your life. In addition to making sure you
use a strong password on your phone, it’s a good idea to delete any apps from your phone that are obsolete for your life now.

Your device will also run faster if unused apps and files are deleted. Most phones will list when you last visited each app. Did you download an app for a class or for a trip taken last year? If you don’t need it, delete it! Also, relocate content from your phone to an external storage service. Did you know that faculty, students, and staff get 5TB of OneDrive storage? Take advantage of this highly secure free cloud service today! Contact the UFIT Help Desk if you need assistance using OneDrive.

Revised UFApps File Storage Policy

The UFApps M:drive is designed for files actively being used and not intended to be a long-term storage solution. Beginning in January 2022, UFApps users with files stored on the M:drive will have their current files archived in a new O:Drive titled “Old UFApps M Drive.” Any file two years old or more will be purged starting January 1, 2023. Then, each December, files on the current M:Drive will be migrated to the O:Drive, and the old O:Drive archive will be purged. UFApps users will always have access to two calendar years’ worth of their M: drive files, the current year and the previous year. Also, to better reflect that it is temporary storage space, this December, the M:StudentFileStorage drive will be renamed M:UFAppsTempStorage.

UFApps users should make a habit of transferring files to another storage option. The easiest way to transfer files is to map your UFApps account to your GatorCloud account via Kumo. Visit the UFApps “start using Kumo” page to learn how. Another option is to move files with a flash drive.

Faculty, please remember that UFApps R:Drive set-up must be requested for each course every semester. Anyone who needs help with UFApps may contact the UF Computing Help Desk (132 HUB, 352-392-HELP/4357, helpdesk@ufl.edu).