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Facebook Lite now available in India and the Philippines

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© nextpit

Facebook for Android is a large, data hungry app – but not any longer. Users based in India and the Philippines can now get their hands on Facebook Lite, which is a pared-down version of the world's biggest social networking site. It recently launched in these two markets to provide the Facebook experience with an app weighing only 435 KB.

androidpit facebook lite screenshot
If Facebook is too bulky, try Facebook Lite. / © Facebook/Google Play

Facebook Lite is designed for users who are based in markets with heavy 2G network usage or in areas with slow or unstable data connections. The app supports devices running Android 2.2 or higher, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently wrote that Facebook Lite is rolling out to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.

The key points of difference between Facebook and Facebook Lite are that the Lite version runs a simpler interface and that Facebook's servers optimize content to make it load faster on slower networks. Facebook has stated that video content is not yet available, but will be added to Facebook Lite at a future date.

The app has been designed to run on Android devices with far lower specs than the usual flagship devices and has been released as a trial in various Asian and African countries. Despite rejigging the main app last year for emerging markets, Facebook evidently realized even more elbow grease was required.

AndroidPIT Facebook Lite newsfeed sections
Facebook Lite may be pared back, but it's 1/500th the size of the regular app. © ANDROIDPIT

Facebook Lite also works on poor quality internet connections, meaning that regardless of where you are, if you're using Facebook Lite you'll get more Facebook out of the Lite version when your Wi-Fi or data signal drops. From what we can see there are also no auto-play videos in the stream either.

The Lite app is based on Facebook's feature phone service Snaptu, but you'll still have access to push notifications and other indispensable Android features like camera integration and chat.

AndroidPIT Facebook Lite messages friends
All the essential Facebook features are present in Facebook Lite. © ANDROIDPIT

How to download Facebook Lite

Facebook hasn't made any official announcement yet on the app, and this may just remain a trial that never sees a wider release, but there's nothing stopping you from grabbing the app and installing it right alongside the normal Facebook app right now to see what you think.

If the above Play Store link doesn't work for you, simply grab the Facebook Lite APK and install it yourself. You'll have to have Unknown Sources enabled in your security settings for this to work though.

It's definitely worth a look in any case: who wouldn't want a less resource-hungry Facebook app with a smaller storage footprint and better data management?

Have you tried Facebook Lite? What are your thoughts?

Source: Google Play

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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8 comments
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  • 1
    Pranitha Jul 1, 2015 Link to comment

    After its limited launch in Asia earlier this month, the Facebook Lite app for emerging markets is now available in India.


  • 2
    AlvyLad Jun 29, 2015 Link to comment

    Installed it from SlideMe, good find and decent app! instead of chasing after old builds as size of new, newer, newerer and newest FB is plain daft.


  • Lee 16
    Lee Jan 28, 2015 Link to comment

    Facebook should be shut down. FULL STOP!


  • 1
    Bụng Béo Jan 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Apk here
    mediafire.com/download/crr7zcwhn764erp/Lite_1.0.0.0.0.apk


  • 14
    Sean Stockemer Jan 26, 2015 Link to comment

    can someone link the apk... for the expats? or is that allowed?


  • 11
    Steve Jan 26, 2015 Link to comment

    not available in the uk. hmmm...


    • Steve Patten 9
      Steve Patten Jan 27, 2015 Link to comment

      Hi Steve, I am in the UK. I managed to instal it on my dodgy Foxnovo S2 copy by downloading the apk and making sure my wifi and sd cards were not connected. I moved the apk to system apps and it set it off from there. It installed quickly and then I started up my wifi and sd cards and now it works very well. Much quicker than the huge Facebook and now I can install a few more apps on my phone as well.
      Steve


  • Kentz 1
    Kentz Jan 26, 2015 Link to comment

    Well, I'm unable to install it on my phone... it said it's not compatible (not available in my country). So this new Facebook Lite app limited to certain country only ?

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