Meta is pulling the plug on Messenger Lite on Android

Meta is pulling the plug on Messenger Lite on Android

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta’s Messenger Lite app for Android is being shut down in September, as reported by 9to5Google. The app launched as a more, well, lightweight way to talk to people on the company’s Messenger platform (former Verge staffer Vlad Savov was a fan), but you won’t be able to use it after September 18th.

When you open the app, you’ll apparently see a prompt that pushes you toward the main Messenger app, 9to5Google says. The app also isn’t available to download on Google Play if you haven’t downloaded it before.

Meta confirmed the closure in a statement to TechCrunch. “Starting August 21, people using the Messenger Lite app for Android will be directed to Messenger or FB Lite to send and receive messages on Messenger,” a Meta spokesperson said.

The announcement of Meta’s Messenger Lite shutdown arrives on the heels of another big Messenger change for Android. Earlier this month, Meta announced that you’ll no longer be able to use Messenger as your default SMS app on Android after September 28th.