Meta has begun informing Android customers that its Messenger Lite app will quickly be shut down fully. This in all probability doesn’t imply a lot within the broader scheme, and can in all probability have pretty restricted influence, given the growth of community know-how.
As first reported by 9 to 5 Google, Messenger Lite customers on Android are actually seeing a brand new pop-up message within the app informing them that it is going to be sundown as of September 18th. Messenger Lite on iOS was shut down back in 2020.
As per 9 to 5 Google:
“For some, opening the app right this moment reveals a fullscreen “use Messenger to maintain chatting” immediate. There will probably be no influence to dialog historical past: ‘We all know your chats are essential to you, so the whole lot from Messenger Lite continues to be out there in Messenger.‘”
So, it appears that evidently, given the development of connective networks, Meta sees little use to maintain supporting the separate Messenger Lite app, which is designed for customers with restricted system house, and low connectivity, with the intention to join them into the broader Meta community.
Initially launched in 2016, Messenger Lite reached 50 million Google Play Store downloads only a yr later, underlining the demand for a lo-fi model of Meta’s messaging platform in varied areas. However six years on, and with cell adoption persevering with to rise, it appears that evidently there’s no need for the separate model of the platform anymore, with extra individuals now ready to make use of the full-functioned Messenger app to have interaction in digital chats.
We requested Meta concerning the choice, and it supplied this assertion:
“Beginning August 21, individuals utilizing the Messenger Lite app for Android will probably be directed to Messenger or FB Lite to ship and obtain messages on Messenger.”
So fairly quick on element, however Meta continues to be supporting Fb Lite as an choice, at the least in the intervening time.
As famous, the influence will possible be minimal, given the broader growth of extra superior choices, however it’s price noting the change in Meta’s product route.
Meta, after all, can be seeking to scale back prices wherever it may possibly, and it could possibly be that the lesser-used Messenger Lite is just not well worth the funding anymore.
So extra individuals will probably be on Messenger as an alternative, whereas Fb Lite may see an inflow of customers. As famous by TechCrunch, Meta can be shutting down assist for SMS on Messenger subsequent month.
