Facebook has launched Messenger Lite, a standalone, slimmed down version of Messenger for Android, aimed for markets where internet networks can be less reliable and Android phones less up-to-date. The app is starting to roll out to people in Kenya, Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Venezuela. Introduction will expand to other countries in the coming months.
Messenger Lite is under 10MB, so it is fast to install and quick to start up. It includes Messenger’s core experiences such as messaging, sending and receiving photos and links, and receiving stickers. The app uses the same bolt logo as Messenger, but with reversed colours reversed. The bolt is blue with a white chat bubble background.
Facebook noted that over 1 billion people worldwide use Messenger every month from a range of mobile devices on networks of various speeds and reliability. Messenger Lite will help grow that number further, as people can use it regardless of network conditions or storage limitations on their Android devices.
