Facebook Lite is a stripped-down version of the regular Facebook app that uses less data and is optimized for slower networks and low-end smartphones. While the regular Facebook app can be demanding on data and device resources, Facebook Lite provides the core Facebook experience in a smaller app that works well on 2G networks and entry-level Android phones.
Facebook Lite is available for free from the Google Play Store, so you don’t have to pay anything to download and use it. Here is how you can get Facebook Lite for your Android device for free:
Check if your device is compatible
Facebook Lite is only available for Android devices as of now. It supports Android versions 4.0.3 and higher. To check your Android version number:
- Go to Settings on your device
- Scroll down and tap on About Phone/About Device
- Look at the Android version or Android OS version
As long as you are on Android 4.0.3 or higher, your device should be able to install and run Facebook Lite.
Enable unknown sources (if required)
Since Facebook Lite is not available on the Google Play Store in all countries and regions, you may need to enable “Install from unknown sources” to directly download the APK file and install it. Here are the steps to enable this setting:
- Go to Settings > Security on your Android device
- Enable the option for “Unknown Sources” or “Install from unknown sources”
- Confirm any warning prompts that may appear
This allows your device to install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store.
Download the Facebook Lite APK
Now you can download the APK file for Facebook Lite. There are a few safe and trusted sources to get the official APK file from:
- APKMirror: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/facebook-2/lite/
- APKPure: https://apkpure.com/facebook-lite/com.facebook.lite
- APKCombo: https://apkcombo.com/facebook-lite/com.facebook.lite/
Go to one of these sites, download the latest version of the Facebook Lite APK, and save the file on your device.
Install the APK file
Once you have downloaded the APK file of Facebook Lite on your Android phone or tablet, you can easily install it:
- Open your device’s File Manager app and go to the downloads folder where APK files are saved.
- Tap on the Facebook Lite APK file.
- Tap Install when prompted.
- Accept any permissions or allow installation from unknown sources if your device asks.
- Wait for Facebook Lite to finish installing. The app icon will appear on your home screen once installed.
And that’s it! Facebook Lite will now be installed on your Android device absolutely free.
Troubleshooting tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips in case you face any issues installing Facebook Lite:
- Check that you downloaded the APK from a trusted source like the ones mentioned above.
- Your device may prompt you to enable app installs from “Unknown sources” in Security settings if not already enabled.
- Make sure you have enough storage space for the app on your phone or tablet.
- Try re-downloading the APK file if the installation fails.
- You can uninstall any existing Facebook app if the Lite version conflicts.
- Scan for malware or viruses on your device in case the APK file is corrupted.
- Upgrade to the latest Android OS version if your device is too old.
Using Facebook Lite
Once installed, Facebook Lite provides a fast and data-friendly Facebook experience. Here are some tips to use the app:
- Log in with your existing Facebook account credentials.
- The interface is similar to the main Facebook app with a blue color scheme.
- Key sections like News Feed, Messages, Notifications, Menu are at the bottom.
- Posts, photos, videos and live streams will load faster.
- Data usage will be reduced compared to the main Facebook app.
- Notifications and messages may have a slight delay in fetching compared to the main app.
- Some features like Facebook Gaming, Dating, and ads will be limited.
The Facebook Lite app receives regular updates so always keep it updated for best performance. You can easily get new versions from any of the APK sources mentioned above.
Conclusion
Getting Facebook Lite on your Android smartphone or tablet is quick and easy by downloading the APK file from trusted sources. Just enable unknown sources on your device if needed, install the APK file, and start using the light and fast Facebook Lite app for free. It provides the core Facebook experience without heavy data and battery drain making it ideal for low-end devices and slow networks.