Since October 2016, Meta has offered the world a way to save on their smartphone's space and data consumption with the introduction of Messenger Lite, but this famed app will soon bid its farewell claims several users. In a new prompt that appears for users of Messenger Lite, the app is facing a shutdown from Meta without any reasons revealed by the company by September.
Goodbye Messenger Lite: Meta is Shutting it Down
Messenger Lite is facing a removal from Meta, with the company shutting down its entirety and services by September 18 according to users that claim there are pop-up messages from the company announcing this change. Of course, this massive decision by Meta is getting a significant backlash online, and users claim that this is not a welcome change from the company.
Users claim that the reason they used Messenger Lite was not because their device could not handle the original Messenger app on their Android devices, but because they did not want all the extra features from the main app.
Another user posted a message from Meta regarding their chats moving to the main Messenger app but said that the extra features included in the app include "adverts" and other unsolicited tech they want on a communications app.
Why is Messenger Lite Getting Shut Down?
In Meta's latest pop-up message for users, it only said that Messenger Lite will no longer be available by September 18, but did not reveal any reason behind why the company is removing it from users' access.
Venturing on to the Google Play Store to find Messenger Lite, some users would no longer have the chance to see its listing, as it displays an error message which may mean that it was already taken down.
Meta's Messenger and Messenger Lite
When Facebook (now known as Meta) announced Messenger Lite back in October 2016, it was met with massive enthusiasm and praise as it delivered a stripped-down version of the messaging app from the company. First, it allows users to connect to their friends and family despite having a slow internet connection, and additionally, it was meant for old smartphones.
This app does not require users to have an updated device to gain the Messenger experience and have a chance to talk to various people in a more straightforward version of Facebook Messenger. It came alongside the similar-themed app, Facebook Lite, which also brings a version of the social media without some of its bells and whistles that still allowed users to browse and enjoy their News Feed.
Now, one of the best-regarded alternative apps for Messenger that will still give users the same experience of connecting to other people without the "online bloat" is facing its removal for some users. While it was considered a downgrade from the renowned Facebook chat app, Messenger Lite became a staple for those who want to reduce their data consumption, soon getting shut down.
