No App For Low-End Android Devices - Meta Pulls the Plug on Messenger Lite

Meta Platforms, Inc META has officially discontinued the stripped-back version of its messaging app, Messenger Lite. 

By September 18, the app will become completely inaccessible to its existing users.

The transition began on August 21, with Android users of Messenger Lite being redirected to either the full-fledged Messenger or FB Lite to continue their chats, TechCrunch reports.

Also Read: Meta Platforms Faces Limited Upside Potential Amid TikTok's Momentum and Revenue Headwinds, Analyst Says

Meta launched Messenger Lite in 2016, primarily targeting users with low-end Android devices. 

By stripping down the non-essential features and only retaining the core functionalities of Messenger, Meta aimed to provide an app that used minimal storage and processing capacity. 

While the tech behemoth did release an iOS version, it was short-lived and terminated in 2020.

The app amassed a staggering 760 million downloads worldwide, with India's most significant user base, trailed by Brazil and Indonesia. Surprisingly, the U.S. only reached the eighth spot regarding lifetime downloads.

In addition to phasing out Messenger Lite, Meta has rolled out other significant updates for its app. One notable change involves the discontinuation of SMS support from next month. 

As per Meta's communications, starting September 28, 2023, users cannot send or receive SMS via Messenger after the scheduled app update. 

On a more positive note, Meta has shown keen interest in ramping up user privacy. By the close of 2023, Messenger will likely incorporate end-to-end encryption by default. 

It is also widening its end-to-end encryption trials to include chats of millions of more users.

Price Action: META shares are trading lower by 0.08% at $286.52 premarket on the last check Friday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.