As per the latest reports, Google plans to shut down the ‘Important' tab in the Files by Google app. The ‘Important' tab was introduced last year and was exclusively available for devices in India. Once you use it, the Files by Google app scans your phone and identifies all the vital documents, such as your passport, ID, or any other important document.
The ‘Important' tab feature on the Files by Google app aligned well with the Indian government's DigiLocker service. However, only after a year of its service has Google decided to remove the feature from the app next month. In the latest update of the Files by Google app, there is a notice of the feature's removal. Notably, the ‘Important' tab won't be available from February 15, 2024.
Users are suggested to make copies of the important files before the tab's removal
Here's what the notice reads, “The Important tab on Files will no longer be available from 15 February 2024. Your saved documents in the Important tab will be permanently deleted from Files after this date. To save a copy of your documents, use the Share option to do so before 15 February 2024.”
You should make a note that all the files under the ‘Important' tab will be permanently deleted from the Files app after the said date. So, if you are using the feature within the app, then you should ensure that you have a copy of all the important files before February 15, 2024. Google suggests that users can make use of the ‘Share' option to make copies of their important documents.
As per the APK Insight post by 9To5Google, to ensure that people don't lose their important documents, Google will send out notifications informing them about the shutdown. The notification would read, “Files is removing the Important tab. Your saved documents in the Important tab will be deleted after 15 February 2024.”
