This most likely doesn’t imply a lot within the broader scheme, and can most likely 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 fully.
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 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 in the present day 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 part from Messenger Lite remains to be out there in Messenger.”
So, 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 gadget area, and low connectivity, with a view 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 cell adoption persevering with to rise, evidently there’s no need for the separate model of the platform anymore, with extra folks now in a position 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 offered 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 quick on element, however Meta remains to be supporting Fb Lite as an choice, at the least in the interim.
As famous, the influence will possible be minimal, given the broader enlargement of extra superior choices, however it’s price noting the change in Meta’s product path.
Meta, in fact, can also be seeking to scale back prices wherever it will possibly, and it might be that the lesser-used Messenger Lite is solely not definitely worth the funding anymore.
So extra folks will probably be on Messenger as an alternative, 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.
