Facebook Lite is a slimmed-down version of the Facebook app designed primarily for use in developing countries where mobile data is expensive and internet connections are slow. Unfortunately, Facebook Lite is not available for iPhones at this time.
Why Facebook Created Facebook Lite
Facebook launched Facebook Lite in 2015 as a solution for people who face challenges accessing and using the full Facebook app. The goal was to provide a fast, reliable and data-friendly version of Facebook for Android devices in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Some of the key reasons Facebook created a “Lite” version of its app include:
- Slow internet connections – Facebook Lite is less than 1MB in size and designed to load quickly on 2G and 3G networks.
- Limited data plans – The app uses less data than the main Facebook app, making it more affordable to use with capped or expensive data plans.
- Affordability of Android devices – Android phones are widespread globally, including in emerging markets where iPhones are too expensive for most people.
- Technical limitations of low-end devices – Facebook Lite is optimized to function well on devices with limited processing power or RAM.
By creating a lightweight version for Android, Facebook made its service accessible to billions more people around the world. However, no iOS version of Facebook Lite exists yet.
Why Facebook Lite Isn’t Available for iPhone
There are a few key reasons why Facebook has not developed an iPhone version of its Lite app:
- iPhones are already fast and powerful – Even older iPhone models are capable of running the full Facebook app without issues, so there’s less need for a stripped down Lite version.
- iOS ecosystem is controlled by Apple – Facebook has to abide by App Store rules and guidelines for any app published for iPhones.
- Most iPhone users have good connectivity – iPhones are popular in wealthier countries where fast mobile broadband connections are common.
- Focus on Android growth – Android dominates mobile device market share globally, especially in developing nations that Facebook wants to target.
Essentially, most iPhone users already have the capability to use the full Facebook app. Creating a separate Lite app would require additional development without much added benefit for Apple device owners. Facebook has focused resources on enhancing accessibility for the wider Android market instead.
The Main Differences Between Full Facebook and Facebook Lite
So what exactly does the Lite version lack compared to the regular Facebook app? Here are some of the main differences:
- Size – Facebook Lite is less than 1MB, compared to over 100MB for the full Facebook app.
- Performance – Lite loads pages faster and runs smoothly on slower devices and networks.
- Features – Some features like Facebook Gaming, Marketplace, and ads are not available on Lite.
- Design – The interface is streamlined with a more basic design aimed at conserving data usage.
- Updates – New Facebook features come to the full app first, and are slow to roll out to Lite.
In exchange for having fewer features and a plain design, Facebook Lite provides a usable Facebook experience for people in areas where the full app may be too demanding or expensive to run well. But iPhone users aren’t making those same compromises.
Is Facebook Discontinuing the Full iOS App?
With Facebook expanding the availability of its lightweight Lite app, some users wonder if the company will eventually discontinue the full iOS app in favor of making Lite the default version everywhere. However, there is no evidence that Facebook plans to remove the full iOS app anytime soon.
The main signs suggesting the full Facebook app will remain available for iPhone include:
- User base – Millions of iPhone owners around the world use the full Facebook app regularly.
- Reviews – The iOS Facebook app maintains a 4+ star rating from over 5 million user reviews.
- Revenue – The full app generates far more ad revenue through news feed ads compared to the ad-free Lite version.
- Development – Facebook continues updating the iOS app with new features on a regular basis.
Discontinuing their flagship iOS app would alienate a large portion of Facebook’s most valuable audience. It goes against their business interests, so there is very little incentive for Facebook to pull the regular app from the App Store when so many iOS users actively want it.
Could Facebook Bring Lite to iPhone in the Future?
While there’s no sign of the Facebook Lite app coming to iPhone yet, there are a few scenarios where Facebook might develop an iOS version in the future:
- Data costs rise – If mobile data plans become more expensive or restricted in areas where iPhones are popular, a Lite app could help conserve usage.
- Technical issues – If new iOS versions cause performance issues for older iPhones, Lite could provide a lighter app.
- Apple requirements – Apple could mandate that large apps like Facebook offer a smaller version to reduce bandwidth demands.
- User demand – A strong request from iPhone owners for a Lite version could persuade Facebook to support iOS.
However, none of these scenarios seem especially likely given how robust the current iOS Facebook app is. Unless circumstances change dramatically, most iPhone users will probably never get an official Facebook Lite experience from the company itself.
Downloading Facebook Lite on iPhone from Third Parties
Although Facebook does not offer an official Lite app for iOS, some third-party websites claim to provide a version that works on iPhones. However, downloading Facebook Lite from unofficial sources comes with major risks.
Potential dangers include:
- Malware – Files could contain viruses or other malware that infects your device.
- Stolen data – Apps could access and share your private Facebook data.
- Compromised security – Without App Store checks, the app may be vulnerable to hacking.
- Unofficial ads – Apps from third parties often embed ads or trackers that send your data to unknown parties.
- Banned accounts – Using modded apps violates Facebook’s terms and could get your account disabled.
It is strongly advised to avoid downloading or using Facebook Lite IPA files, Android APK files converted to iOS, or any other unofficial versions of the app. These provide little benefit for iPhone users, while exposing your device and account to considerable risk.
Conclusion
In summary, an official Facebook Lite iOS app does not exist, and is unlikely to be released anytime soon. The full Facebook app already runs well on iPhones and satisfies users’ needs. Developing a separate Lite version just for iPhone provides little added value to Facebook compared to focusing on the much larger global Android user base. Any Lite apps for iOS from questionable third-party sources should be avoided to keep your data safe. For most iPhone owners, the full Facebook app will remain the only option – but that already offers a consistently good experience suited to iOS devices.