Meta to Discontinue Messenger Lite for Android in September

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced its decision to discontinue Messenger Lite, a lightweight version of its messaging app designed for Android.

Users of Messenger Lite are now receiving notifications advising them to "use Messenger to continue chatting." The app has been removed from the Google Play Store for new users, and it will be inaccessible to current users after September 18.

Additionally, some Messenger Lite users have reported receiving full-screen prompts encouraging them to "use Messenger to keep chatting" (via 9to5Google).

The concept of Messenger Lite was introduced by Meta (then Facebook) in 2016. It was specifically crafted for low-end Android devices prevalent at the time and for users in regions with unreliable internet connections.

Facebook marketed it as a speedy and efficient alternative, boasting a petite file size of less than 10MB and minimal data usage compared to the full Messenger app.

The landscape has evolved since 2016, with low-end phones becoming more powerful and mobile networks growing in reliability.

Meta may have determined that Messenger Lite has fulfilled its purpose and that discontinuing it is part of the company's strategy to streamline its product offerings.

In line with efforts to enhance user experience and streamline its ecosystem, Meta previously announced a change that allows users to message contacts directly from the Facebook app, eliminating the need to open the standalone Messenger app.

If you're currently using Messenger Lite on your Samsung device, please note that Meta will cease its support and accessibility on September 18.