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This app is a streamlined version of the popular Facebook messaging app

This app is a streamlined version of the popular Facebook messaging app

Vote: (706 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Facebook

Version: 304.0.0.5.106

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(706 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Facebook

304.0.0.5.106

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • A free Facebook app to use
  • Updates very frequently
  • Runs well and won't sap up power
  • Incredibly simplistic to use

Cons

  • Not many features at all
  • Only a good choice if you absolutely need it

An Android app aimed primarily at people with older, cheaper phones who still want to run messenger programs without lagging, freezing and crashing

An Overview Of Messenger Lite

Just about everyone you know, including yourself, has a smartphone. There are more smartphones in circulation than people who live on the planet, which means some people have multiple phones and use two or more phones in their lives. However, a huge portion of the smartphone market is made up of people running old-model phones that don't have a ton of power or space, and this is where an app like Messenger Lite can help them out in a big way.

This app is a very lightweight version of a larger messenger app that was designed to work better for people who have older phones or phones that don't have a ton of space or processing power. It was developed and released by Facebook and is actually available for free. The social media giant updates this thing all the time, and it's currently on version 53.0.1.6.210.

The only catch here, of course, is that the messenger app runs in conjunction with Facebook, so you have to use your active Facebook page to use this app. Other than that, there are no hidden fees or stipulations.

What Messenger Lite Is and What It Does

Messenger Lite is quite literally just Facebook Messenger, only in a smaller, sleeker package that's not going to tax older or space-limited smartphones. Though from top to bottom, it's just slimmed-down version of Facebook's classic messenger, which means it's a smaller package. Overall, this is one of the lighter apps you'll have running, and it's not going to sap up any processing power.

Though to be clear, “slimmed down” does also mean that you're not getting quite as many features with Messenger Lite. The only way by which Facebook could make a lighter version of the same program was to remove a lot of stuff that relies on processing power and space. It's still a lot better than a bare bones messenger, but you're primarily getting only main features like sending/receiving messages to other users.

For this reason, this might not be everyone's cup of tea. If you don't get all of those other features and can only access something that runs similar to AOL from over a decade ago, many may not see the point. Though if you want to stay in touch with your Facebook friends and only have an old phone, this could be an ideal program.

Features of Messenger Lite

As mentioned above, you're not getting a lot of features here. The layout looks good, and pretty much the same as the original messenger. The colors are bright and the app really stands out. Though think of it more like Skype without the ability to call anyone or use video. What you're basically looking at here is an old-school IM, from back before they even had mobile apps, with the ability to send and receive messages.

You can still get into groups and choose to take your chats private, but there aren't a lot of things that you will be able to do besides just messaging back and forth. So for people with newer and better phones, this is likely something they'll skip right over.

Pros and Cons of Messenger Lite

Pros

  • A free Facebook app to use
  • Updates very frequently
  • Runs well and won't sap up power
  • Incredibly simplistic to use

Cons

  • Not many features at all
  • Only a good choice if you absolutely need it