Archiving a F-Droid app (i.e., removing it from the repository but keeping its history and metadata) is a process typically handled by the F-Droid maintainers or repository administrators. This is not something end-users can do directly, as it involves modifying the repository's metadata and build configurations. However, if you're a maintainer or want to understand the process, here's how it generally works:

Steps to Archive a F-Droid App

1. Update the Metadata

• Locate the app's metadata file in the F-Droid Data repository.
• The metadata file is usually named org.example.app.yml (replace with the actual app ID).
• Add the following line to the metadata file:
  yaml

  Copy

  Archive: true

• This signals that the app should no longer be built or published, but its history remains intact.

2. Remove from Build Configurations

• If the app is included in any build configurations (e.g., fdroiddata/builds), ensure it is removed or commented out to prevent future builds.

3. Commit and Push Changes

• Commit the changes to the metadata file with a clear message, such as:
  text

  Copy

  Archive org.example.app: No longer maintained

• Push the changes to the F-Droid Data repository.

4. Update the Repository

• The F-Droid repository will automatically reflect the changes after the next build. The app will no longer appear in the main repository but will remain in the archive section.

5. Verify the Archive

• After the repository updates, check the F-Droid Archive to confirm the app is listed as archived.

Why Archive an App?

• The app is no longer maintained.
• The app violates F-Droid's inclusion policy.
• The app has been replaced by a better alternative.

For End-Users

If you're an end-user and want to "archive" an app locally (e.g., hide it from your F-Droid client), you can:

1. Disable Auto-Updates: In the F-Droid app, disable auto-updates for the app.
2. Ignore the App: Some F-Droid clients allow you to ignore specific apps, effectively hiding them from updates and searches.