Facebook Lite is a slimmed-down version of the Facebook app that uses less data and works better on slower networks. It’s perfect for people with older phones or limited data plans. Keeping FB Lite updated ensures you have the latest features and security fixes.
Why update Facebook Lite?
Here are some key reasons to keep Facebook Lite up to date:
- Get new features – Facebook is constantly adding new features to improve the experience. Updating ensures you don’t miss out.
- Security fixes – Updates often patch security issues and bugs. Running the latest version keeps your account safer.
- Performance improvements – Updates may contain optimizations that make the app faster and smoother.
- Compatibility – Newer versions maintain compatibility with Facebook’s servers and the latest OS versions.
In general, aim to keep Facebook Lite no more than a few versions behind the newest release. Let’s look at how to check your version and install updates.
Check your current Facebook Lite version
It’s quick and easy to check your installed version of Facebook Lite:
- Open Facebook Lite on your phone.
- Tap the three-line menu button in the top right corner.
- Select Settings & Account > Settings.
- Scroll down and tap App Info.
- Here you can see the Version number under Facebook Lite.
This tells you the version you currently have installed. Make a note of it so you can check if a newer version is available.
How to update Facebook Lite
There are two ways to update Facebook Lite – automatically through the Play Store, or by manually downloading the latest APK file.
Method 1: Update via the Play Store
The easiest way to update is via the Google Play Store if you originally installed the app from there:
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap the ≡ menu button in the top left corner.
- Select My Apps & Games.
- Scroll through the list and tap Facebook Lite.
- If an Update button is shown, tap it to update to the latest version.
- Tap Accept to begin the update.
The Play Store will automatically download and install the newest version. Make sure Auto-Update is enabled for automatic updates.
Method 2: Update via APK download
If you installed Facebook Lite directly as an APK file, you’ll need to manually update by downloading the new APK:
- Go to APKMirror.com on your phone’s web browser.
- Search for “facebook lite”.
- Select the top result and tap Download.
- Confirm the new version is higher than what you currently have installed.
- Once downloaded, open the APK file to trigger the installation.
- Tap Update when prompted to install the new version over the old app.
This will manually install the latest Facebook Lite APK over your existing version. Repeat this process whenever you want to update Facebook Lite in the future.
Updating issues and troubleshooting
In most cases updating Facebook Lite is straightforward. But if you encounter issues, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Can’t update via Play Store
- Check for Play Store app updates – Updating the Play Store itself may resolve update issues.
- Clear Play Store cache – Open Play Store, tap the ≡ menu, choose Settings > Clear Cache.
- Check for Play Services update – Updating Google Play Services can help with Play Store issues.
- Restart your device – Rebooting your phone may resolve transient Play Store glitches.
Can’t install the APK file
- Enable Unknown Sources – Open Settings > Security and enable “Unknown Sources” to allow installing APKs.
- Delete old version first – Uninstall the existing Facebook Lite before installing the new APK.
- Check for file errors – The APK file may have been corrupted during download. Try re-downloading it.
- Verify signature – Use a signature checker app to verify the integrity of the APK file.
App crashing or freezing after update
- Restart your device – Closing all apps and restarting can clear app crashes and hangs.
- Clear cache and data – In app info settings for Facebook Lite, choose to clear all cached and app data.
- Uninstall updates – In the Play Store you can uninstall any updates to roll back to a previous version.
- Perform a factory reset – As a last resort, resetting your device can resolve persistent app issues.
Keeping Facebook Lite updated on Android
Following a few best practices will help you stay on top of Facebook Lite updates:
- Enable auto-update in the Play Store for automatic updates.
- Periodically open Play Store > My Apps to manually check for updates.
- Follow Facebook Lite on social media for update announcements.
- Watch for version numbers in app stores when new features are announced.
- Wait a few days before updating to give developers time to fix serious bugs.
- Connect your device to Wi-Fi for large updates to avoid mobile data overages.
Updating doesn’t take long and ensures you have the best Facebook Lite experience. And if you ever have trouble updating, use the troubleshooting tips in this guide to get the latest version.
Conclusion
Updating Facebook Lite regularly is simple and important to get the latest features and security enhancements. Use the Play Store for automatic updates if you can. Otherwise, manually install new versions by downloading the APK files. Clear cached data and uninstall the old version if you have issues updating. With these tips, you can make sure Facebook Lite stays at its best on your Android device.