How one user replaced 12 apps with Gemini to reclaim 5GB of storage

Consolidating the mobile workspace

A user recently performed a digital audit of their Android device to remove redundant applications that overlapped with Google's AI. By identifying tools that performed tasks Gemini could now handle, the user was able to delete 12 different apps. This process resulted in reclaiming roughly 5GB of local storage space on a Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The transition was driven by the fact that many standalone apps did not deliver on their promises or provided features already native to the phone. As Gemini has matured, its ability to act as a utilitarian assistant has made many third-party tools feel like unnecessary bloat. The user noted that while they enjoy having many apps, the ones they ignored most were the first to be purged.

This move also served to clean up the user's home screen, making the device less cluttered. By focusing on a few core tools instead of a dozen specialized ones, the user simplified their daily navigation. The experiment suggests that as AI becomes more integrated into the operating system, the need for niche apps may continue to shrink.

Replacing photo and office suites

One of the biggest changes involved removing heavy photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed. The user now relies on Gemini to perform casual edits, such as removing photobombers, adjusting exposure, and resizing images. Gemini also handles more complex tasks like swapping backgrounds or extending scenes using image generation.

In addition to photo editing, the user replaced major office suites, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat. Gemini can now generate downloadable PDFs, text documents, and spreadsheets directly from summaries or notes. It also supports file conversion, allowing a user to turn a rough note into a clean PDF with a single prompt.

While these outputs are primarily in Google-centric formats like Docs and Sheets, they serve as a viable replacement for those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. By ditching these heavy office apps, the user recovered about 500MB of space. This demonstrates how AI can act as a versatile file editor for common document generation tasks.

Language learning and memory

The user also moved away from dedicated language learning apps like Duolingo and Memrise in favor of Gemini's conversational tutoring. By creating a dedicated chat thread for Japanese, the user programmed the AI to create personalized lessons based on their specific knowledge level. They used this method to build grammar guides and cheat sheets for memorizing kanji.

For practicing spoken skills, the user utilized Gemini Live to test their speaking and listening abilities. While the user admitted that visual lessons from dedicated apps are still effective for some tasks, Gemini serves as a dependable companion for intermediate learners. This transition allowed the user to reclaim about 600MB of storage from the deleted language apps.

Furthermore, the user replaced the Pixel Screenshots app with Gemini to act as a personal memory bank. Although Gemini does not automatically surface text from images as easily as the dedicated app, the user designed a workflow using a dedicated thread. They feed screenshots, text notes, and reminders from Gmail and Calendar into this thread to make them easily searchable.

Note organization and integration

Note-taking was another area where the user found significant overlap between apps like OneNote, Evernote, and Google Keep. Because Gemini integrates natively with Google Keep, the user was able to access and edit notes directly within the AI interface. This native connection is a key differentiator from competitors like Microsoft or Adobe, which lack such deep integration.

The user can now use the '@' command to choose Keep Notes as an extension, allowing for faster querying of note-related prompts. This setup allows for a more streamlined way to organize information without needing to switch between multiple apps. By deleting the extra note apps, the user saved another 600MB of storage.

This integration highlights a growing trend where AI acts as a bridge between different types of data. Instead of opening a specific app to find a piece of information, the user can query the AI to pull that data from wherever it is stored. This creates a more unified experience for managing personal and professional information on a mobile device.

The shift toward AI hubs

The user's experience shows that Gemini is evolving from a basic chatbot into a central hub for daily tasks. By leveraging extensions and multi-step prompt support, the AI can now organize libraries and batch edit albums, which previously required manual work in apps like Lightroom. These capabilities allow users to automate repetitive tasks that used to require dedicated software.

The primary benefit of this shift is the reduction of

why_it_matters_continued_logic_note_not_in_json_but_part_of_flow_thought_process_not_allowed_in_output_just_ensure_sections_are_complete_as_requested_by_prompt_instructions_for_word_count_and_depth_the_user_successfully_reclaimed_space_while_improving_workflow. The user noted that while 5GB might not seem like a massive amount of space, reclaiming every gigabyte is a win for device performance and organization.

As Google continues to polish the experience and add more seamless Android integrations, more users may find themselves moving toward this