Meta is scrapping its storage-saving, minimalist messaging app Messenger Lite for Android users.
The app will be completely shut down for current users from September 18, but for everyone else, the stripped-down app became unavailable on the Google Play Store earlier this month.
Messenger Lite was first introduced in 2016 and boasted a download size of just 1MB. It was designed to use less memory and data, and to run on lower performing CPUs (processors) and lower bandwidth connections.
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The app was targeted to people using older android devices — which at the time meant devices from 2009 or 2011 — and was initially rolled out in Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Venezuela to improve global accessibility, former head of Messenger at Meta David Marcus said on social media at the time.
But later developments to the Messenger app have since rendered the Lite version obsolete.
When Meta announced it dropped Messenger Lite for iOS in 2021, it said the regular app was “just as small as the Messenger Lite app” and “faster, even when on an older device or in an area with lower connectivity”.
“You’ll also be able to keep all of your old information (such as your contacts and message history) after moving to the Messenger app,” it said.
”You can keep the Messenger Lite app for iOS on your device to view your chat history from it, but note that you won’t be able to download the app again from the App Store once it has deleted.”
The company told 7nEWS.com.au in a statement: “Starting August 21, people using the Messenger Lite app for Android will be directed to Messenger or FB Lite to send and receive messages on Messenger.”
The move comes just 10 days before another huge change is due to be rolled out for Android users by Meta, as Messenger scraps SMS capabilities from September 28.
The dual messaging experience will be automatically removed for Android users when they update the app.
“If you use Messenger as your default SMS messaging app for your Android device, please note you will no longer be able to use Messenger to send and receive SMS messages sent by your cellular network.”
Users will still be able to send and receive text messages after the change, but the SMS function will remain within the device’s default messaging app, such as Android Messages.
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