The Strategist

Facebook launches Instagram Lite in 170 countries



03/11/2021 - 02:58



Facebook has announced the launch of a light version of Instagram, which will allow the service to be used even with poor internet connection, in more than 170 countries around the world. The app is only available to Android users.



ViktorHanacek.cz
ViktorHanacek.cz
Facebook has launched a light version of Instagram in more than 170 countries around the world, the company said in a statement. The Instagram Lite app "weighs" 2 MB against the classic version's 30 MB and will allow the service to be used even when the internet is poor, the company explains. However, it is only available to users of Android devices.

"From today, people in more than 170 countries will be able to download Instagram Lite on Google Play and access the service, no matter what network or device they're using. Soon we will launch the app worldwide," it said in a statement.

The light version of Instagram has the basic features of the classic app except for a few: augmented reality filters for faces, for example, as well as a few icons like the bin that appears when deleted. In addition, the app won't have a "dark mode" option yet, but the developers have promised to add it later.

The lightweight version of the service was developed during the year by a team from Tel Aviv and New York based on a similar development by Facebook Lite. It will allow people to use the social network in rural and remote areas. 

About 63% of the world's population has access to the internet, Facebook notes, with 90% of North Americans having access. However, many regions with internet access are not equipped with modern mobile devices and the kind of web access options that would allow quick sharing of photo and video content on Instagram, the company explained.

source: techcrunch.com