This in all probability doesn’t imply a lot within the broader scheme, and can in all probability have pretty restricted influence, given the enlargement of community know-how. However Meta has begun informing Android customers that its Messenger Lite app will quickly be shut down utterly.
As first reported by 9 to 5 Google, Messenger Lite customers on Android at the moment are seeing a brand new pop-up message within the app informing them that will probably be sundown as of September 18th. Messenger Lite on iOS was additionally shut down back in 2020.
As per 9 to 5 Google:
“For some, opening the app as we speak reveals a fullscreen “use Messenger to maintain chatting” There will probably be no influence to dialog historical past: “We all know your chats are essential to you, so every thing from Messenger Lite remains to be out there in Messenger.”
So, plainly, 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 area, 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 numerous areas. However six years on, and with cellular adoption persevering with to rise, plainly there’s no use for the separate model of the platform anymore, with extra folks now ready to make use of the full-functioned Messenger app to have interaction in digital chats.
We requested Meta in regards to the resolution, and it supplied this assertion:
“Beginning August 21, folks 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 brief on element, however Meta remains to be supporting Fb Lite as an choice, not less than in the interim.
As famous, the influence will seemingly be minimal, given the broader enlargement of extra superior choices, however it’s value noting the change in Meta’s product course.
Meta, in fact, can also be trying to cut back prices wherever it may, and it may very well be that the lesser-used Messenger Lite is just not well worth the funding anymore.
So extra folks will probably be on Messenger as a substitute, whereas Fb Lite may see an inflow of customers. As famous by TechCrunch, Meta can also be shutting down help for SMS on Messenger subsequent month.
