Facebook Messenger Lite was launched in 2016 as a lightweight version of the Facebook Messenger app. It was designed to provide a fast and streamlined messaging experience for people using entry-level smartphones or those with limited internet connectivity. At its peak, Messenger Lite had over 1 billion downloads worldwide. However, in recent years its usage and availability has declined, leading many to wonder if Messenger Lite still exists in 2023. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Messenger Lite, examine whether it is still available for download, and analyze some of the reasons behind its decreasing popularity.
A Brief History of Messenger Lite
Messenger Lite was first rolled out in emerging markets like Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Venezuela in 2016. The initial goal was to provide a messaging option for people with older smartphones or limited data plans. The app was less than 10MB in size (compared to over 100MB for the regular Messenger app), used minimal data, and worked even on 2G networks.
Some key features of the original Messenger Lite app included:
- Sending and receiving texts, photos, links, and emojis
- Send voice messages
- Receive notifications when friends were online or typing
- Group conversations
- End-to-end encryption for messages
The lightweight nature of the app made it popular worldwide, especially in regions with less advanced telecommunications infrastructure. By 2018, Messenger Lite had been launched globally in over 150 countries. By May 2019, it had crossed 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store.
Messenger Lite Features Over the Years
Over the next few years, some incremental updates were made to Messenger Lite:
| Year | Updates |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Added support for GIFs and 275+ emojis |
| 2018 | Integrated Stories feature |
| 2019 | Launched support for multiple Messenger accounts |
However, no major changes were made to the app as Facebook focused on improving the main Messenger application. Usage of Messenger Lite continued to grow for a few years before starting to decline.
Is Messenger Lite Still Available in 2023?
In 2022, Meta began winding down support for Messenger Lite. It was removed from the Play Store in most countries at the beginning of 2022. The app also disappeared from the iOS App Store sometime last year.
As of October 2023, Messenger Lite is still functional for existing users but is no longer available for new downloads on Android or iOS in most countries. There are a few exceptions like Bangladesh, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and a handful of other emerging markets where the app can still be downloaded.
It appears that Meta has largely ended development on Messenger Lite and is transitioning remaining users to the main Messenger app.
Some signs that Messenger Lite is being phased out:
- Removed from Play Store and App Store in most countries
- No major updates since 2019
- Meta shifting focus to main Messenger app
- Existing users reporting bugs and lack of support
- Alternative “Messenger Lite” apps now appearing in app stores
Unless Meta has a change of strategy, it seems the useful but lightweight Messenger Lite app is well and truly on its last legs in 2023.
Why Did Messenger Lite Decline in Popularity?
Messenger Lite served a useful purpose when mobile data was expensive and smartphone penetration was low globally. But in recent years, several factors led to its diminishing relevance:
Increasingly Affordable Smartphones
When Messenger Lite launched in 2016, entry-level Android smartphones with limited storage and processing power were still common in emerging markets. But Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have flooded the market with capable but affordable Android devices. Even low-end smartphones today can comfortably run the full Messenger and social media apps. Messenger Lite became less necessary even for price-conscious consumers.
Declining Data Costs
Mobile data costs have dropped substantially across the world, thanks to improving network infrastructure and competition among telecom operators. In most countries, even those in the developing world, securing a large mobile data allowance is no longer prohibitive for average citizens. Using data-light apps is not as critical anymore.
Feature Gap Between Messenger and Messenger Lite
While Messenger Lite retained the core messaging capabilities, the gap between its features and main Messenger app grew over the years. Messenger has voice and video calling, rich customer chat plugins, AR filters, payment integration, and many more features. Messenger Lite’s barebones user experience felt dated compared to Messenger’s versatility.
User Engagement and Retention Challenges
According to mobile analytics firm App Annie, Messenger Lite’s user retention was poor compared to the main Messenger app. Daily active usage peaked in 2017 before starting to decline. It appears that while many installed Messenger Lite, few continued to actively use it in the long run. Lower engagement made it a less attractive platform for Meta.
The Future of Streamlined Messaging Apps
While Messenger Lite itself is getting shuttered, there is still a need for streamlined messaging apps optimized for entry level smartphones and limited connectivity. Smaller companies are trying to fill this gap:
WhatsApp’s WhatsApp Lite
WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, has been testing a “WhatsApp Lite” version in select countries. It retains WhatsApp’s encryption and group chat features but in a smaller app size. WhatsApp Lite has not yet been released globally but could gain traction where Messenger Lite left off.
Messenger-Like Apps by Local Players
In countries like Bangladesh, startups have released their own stripped-down messaging apps inspired by Messenger Lite. These local apps aim to serve users in their home countries in a post-Messenger Lite landscape.
Telecom Operator Messaging Apps
Telecom operators like Vodafone are launching their own minimal messaging apps that come pre-installed on the affordable smartphones they sell. These operator-branded apps can gain quick adoption in emerging markets.
Conclusion
Messenger Lite had a good run, gaining widespread use in developing countries where mobile data was expensive and lower-end devices common. However, with the availability of affordable smartphones and data plans even in these markets, Messenger Lite has lost its original appeal. Meta appears to have largely abandoned Messenger Lite’s development, removing it from major app stores. While still functional for now, it is clearly nearing the end of its useful life. Smaller messaging apps may try to serve users in developing countries who still need a lite messaging experience. But the era of Messenger Lite dominance now seems to have passed.