Facebook Lite will soon be phased out on iOS. This means that iPhone and iPad users can no longer download and install the app on their devices. Messenger Lite, however, will still remain on the App Store.
“Due to the limited adoption and improvements we are making to improve the experience for people in our apps, we will no longer support Facebook Lite for iOS,” a Facebook spokesperson said.
According to MacMagazine, several Facebook Lite users in Brazil were greeted by the following message: “Facebook Lite for iOS will be disabled. You can use the original Facebook app to keep in touch with friends and family.”
A quick search for “Facebook Lite” on the Apple App Store confirmed this news. The app could no longer be found on the App Store.
Facebook Lite is a lightweight alternative to the original Facebook app which is regarded as bloated and heavy by some users. At less than 10MB, Facebook Lite allows owners of low-end phones or those with poor Internet connections to use Facebook. The app saves memory and mobile data by not downloading high-resolution images or autoplaying videos, among other things.
It seems that as smartphones become more powerful – as well as cheaper – the adoption and usage of Facebook Lite has lessened over the years. Thus it makes sense for Facebook to kill the app if usage is already declining at a steady rate. This will also allow the social media giant to focus its resources on other projects.
Even then, it doesn’t make sense for Facebook to continue supporting Facebook Lite on iOS devices like the iPhone. Only a tiny fraction of iPhone users are on older devices that Facebook Lite was designed for.
Android users have nothing to worry about though, as Facebook Lite will remain available in Google Play. But don’t be surprised if Facebook pulls the plug on the app in the future.
