Facebook Lite is a slimmed down version of the Facebook app that uses less data and works better on slower networks. It has all of the core Facebook features like News Feed, Messages, Notifications, and more. Facebook Lite is designed to load quickly on 2G and 3G networks and take up less space on your phone. If you want the core Facebook experience but don’t have a fast network or lots of storage space, Facebook Lite is a great option. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install Facebook Lite on both Android and iOS devices.
Installing Facebook Lite on Android
Installing Facebook Lite on an Android device is quick and easy. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Check if your Android version supports Facebook Lite
Facebook Lite is supported on Android versions 4.0.3 and higher. To check your Android version number:
1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Look for the Android version or Android security patch level. This will display the Android version your device is running.
If your device meets the minimum requirements, you can install Facebook Lite.
Step 2: Enable Install from Unknown Sources
Since Facebook Lite is not available on the Google Play store, you need to enable installation of apps from unknown sources. Here is how:
1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap on Security or Lock Screen and Security.
3. Enable the setting for Unknown Sources. This allows installation of apps outside of the Google Play store.
Step 3: Download the Facebook Lite APK
You can download the latest APK (Android application package file) for Facebook Lite from APKMirror.com or other APK download sites. Make sure you are downloading the official Facebook Lite APK from a trusted source.
Step 4: Install the Facebook Lite APK
Once you have downloaded the Facebook Lite APK file, you can install it:
1. Open your device’s file manager app and go to the downloads folder.
2. Tap on the Facebook Lite APK file.
3. Tap Install when prompted.
The Facebook Lite app will now be installed on your Android device.
Step 5: Open the Facebook Lite app
You can open the Facebook Lite app from your home screen or app drawer. The first time you open it, you will need to log in with your Facebook account details. Once logged in, you can start using Facebook Lite normally.
That’s it! Facebook Lite is now ready to use on your Android device.
Installing Facebook Lite on iOS
Unfortunately, Facebook Lite is not available as an app on the iOS App Store. However, there is still a way to access it on your iPhone or iPad using the online web app:
Step 1: Open the Facebook Lite website
On your iPhone or iPad, open your web browser and go to:
www.facebook.com/lite
This will open the Facebook Lite web app.
Step 2: Log into Facebook Lite
If not already logged into Facebook in your browser, you will need to log in with your Facebook account details. This will get you into Facebook Lite.
Step 3: Add Facebook Lite to your Home Screen
To easier access Facebook Lite, you can add it to your iOS home screen:
1. Tap the Share button in your browser (the box with an arrow pointing up).
2. Scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen”.
3. You can edit the name if desired.
4. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
This will add an icon for the Facebook Lite web app to your home screen. You can now easily open and use Facebook Lite just like any other app.
Using Facebook Lite
Once installed and opened, using Facebook Lite is just like using the regular Facebook app. Here are some of the key things you can do:
Post Status Updates
Write text, emoji, add photos/videos, share your thoughts and moments with friends.
View News Feed
See latest posts from friends, family, groups, and pages you follow. Interact with posts by liking, commenting, and sharing.
Photos and Videos
View, share, and upload photos and videos. Create and share albums. Live stream video.
Messages
Message friends and family. Start group conversations. Share photos, videos, stickers, GIFs. Video call with Messenger.
Events
Create, find, and manage events. Get reminders for upcoming events.
Pages and Ads
Follow and interact with pages, businesses, brands, organizations. Discover recommended and relevant ads.
Groups
Join groups to connect over shared interests. Contribute posts and interact with the group.
Marketplace
Buy and sell locally on Facebook Marketplace. Browse listings, message sellers, and more.
Notifications
Get notified of new comments, messages, events, and other app activity. Manage notification settings.
Profile
Customize your profile with photos, info, featured posts. Control your privacy and audience for posts.
Key Differences from Regular Facebook App
While Facebook Lite contains all core features, there are some key differences from the regular Facebook app:
| Facebook Lite | Regular Facebook App |
| – Smaller app size (under 1MB) | – Much larger app size |
| – Made for slower networks and low-end phones | – Optimized for faster networks and high-end phones |
| – Basic versions of video, ads and graphics | – High quality videos, ads and graphics |
| – Fewer notifications | – More notification options |
| – Less data usage | – Higher data usage |
As you can see, the key tradeoff with Facebook Lite is you get slightly downgraded multimedia features in exchange for a smaller, faster app that works better on limited networks and storage. For many users, Facebook Lite offers the core experience while being lighter on data costs.
Tips for Using Facebook Lite
Here are some tips to get the most out of Facebook Lite:
1. Turn on Data Saver
Enable Data Saver in the Facebook Lite settings. This limits background data usage and helps reduce mobile data usage even further.
2. Use on WiFi when possible
Since Facebook Lite uses less data than the regular app, it’s still ideal to use it on WiFi whenever available to minimize mobile data usage.
3. Limit notifications
Disable any unnecessary notifications you don’t need so you only get notified of the most relevant activity. This will also conserve battery life.
4. Compress large photos/videos
Before uploading photos or videos in Facebook Lite, use compression tools to reduce the file size. This will make uploads faster.
5. Install Messenger Lite too
For messaging, install the Messenger Lite app too. It’s optimized like Facebook Lite but just for messaging.
Troubleshooting Facebook Lite
If you experience any issues using Facebook Lite, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Can’t login – Reset password
If unable to login to Facebook Lite, try resetting your Facebook password. Go to facebook.com to reset it.
App crashing – Reinstall app
If Facebook Lite is crashing frequently, try reinstalling the app. Download the latest APK and reinstall it.
Notifications not working – Check settings
Ensure notifications are enabled for Facebook Lite in your device settings. Also check the notification settings within the Facebook Lite app.
Features missing – Install regular Facebook app
Some features may not be available in Facebook Lite. If you require more advanced features, install the regular Facebook app.
Slow performance – Free up storage space
Free up storage space on your device by deleting unused apps, files, photos and videos to improve Facebook Lite’s performance.
Conclusion
Installing and using Facebook Lite is a great way to get the core Facebook experience on devices with limited data, storage, or slower networks. While the app doesn’t have every single feature of the full Facebook app, it provides the key functionality most people need in a much smaller and faster package. Following the installation steps outlined above, you can easily get Facebook Lite running on either Android or iOS. Refer to the tips provided to optimize your Facebook Lite usage. Let us know if you have any other questions!