For more than one year now, Facebook has offered a “Lite” version of its Android app that consumes less data and device resources. Now Facebook Messenger is getting the same treatment.
Messenger Lite is a new, standalone version of Messenger for Android. Facebook describes Messenger Lite as “slimmed down” version of the standard Messenger app aimed at markets with slower than average internet speeds and widespread use of basic Android phones.
The Messenger Lite app is less than 10MB, but Facebook says that the app includes the same core features as the standard Messenger app, including messaging, sending and receiving photos, and stickers.
Messenger Lite is launching in Kenya, Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela to start. It’ll roll out to other countries in the coming months.
Facebook wants as many people as possible to use its services, but not everyone has access to 4G LTE networks or super high-end smartphone hardware. Because of this, Facebook has created Lite versions of its major apps to ensure that folks with slower internet and more basic phones can use its services without slowdowns or any other issues.
