Messenger Lite app goes away in September

Meta 171 is shutting down its Facebook 75 Messenger 22 Lite. Upon opening the app, a prompt appears stating that it will no longer be available after September 18. The prompt also suggests that users try the main Messenger app instead.

Additionally, the app is no longer accessible on Play Store for new users. But it’s still live through this Play Store link.

According to a report by Tech Crunch, a Meta spokesperson said, “Starting August 21, people using the Messenger Lite app for Android will be directed to Messenger or FB Lite to send and receive messages on Messenger.”

The news comes after Meta announced another big change for its primary messaging platform. After September 28th, Android users will no longer be able to use the main Messenger as their default SMS app.

In 2016, Facebook launched Messenger Lite for Android, aimed at less powerful phones. The app offers the core features of the main app, including free chats, calls, and video calling, while using less storage space and processing power.

The app only became available in the Philippines in 2017, and eventually has become available for all Android devices.

Meta also released the same Lite app for iOS but discontinued earlier in 2020.

The move by Meta is a logical one. As smartphones across the globe have become increasingly powerful, the need for a pared-down version of the app seems unnecessary.