In 2018, Instagram launched the Lite version of its app to take up less space on your device and use less data. It was later quietly removed in May of last year.
A Facebook spokesperson eventually came forward to say the company was “rolling back the test” of the app, and that you have the option to use the normal Instagram app in the meantime. As of this morning, however, Instagram Lite is back.
You Can Download Instagram Lite Again
Android users can now download Instagram Lite via the Google Play Store in over 170 countries. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be signs yet of the app coming to iOS.
The app is little bit bigger now than it was last spring (it now takes up 2MB instead of 573KB), but it’s still a fraction of the size of Instagram’s regular app (30MB). The larger size means more features than before, of course.
Download: Instagram Lite for Android (Free)
Previously, Instagram Lite only allowed you to filter and post photos to your feed or your Story, watch the Stories of other users, and browse the Explore page. Now, you can also send direct messages, as well as record and post videos. In place of the old shopping tab, you’ll find the Reels tab.
Instagram Lite product manager Nick Brown has said that the team doesn’t plan on bringing shopping back to the app. Reels look like they’re here to stay though, because they had “a lot of engagement” in India. Makes sense, considering TikTok was banned in June 2020, leaving little to no competition there for short-term video content.
That would also explain why Instagram will soon let you share Instagram Reels directly to Facebook in India.
Right now, Instagram Lite doesn’t feature any advertisements. But before you rejoice, know that Brown told The Verge that the team is “committed to offering the full suite of monetization tools.” So the lightweight app won’t be ad-free for long.
Additionally, engineering manager Gal Zellermayer said that Instagram’s animations, live filters, and other AR effects have been edited down in the Lite version in order to stay compact. This also makes the app easier for older or low-power devices to open and navigate.
Instagram Lite Keeps to Only Essential Features
Just like its previous launches, Instagram Lite focuses on catering to the needs of users that have phones with lower storage capacity, poor processing power, and patchy data services.
Facebook rolled out Facebook Lite in 2015, then Messenger Lite the year after that. And really, any company trying to expand into emerging markets outside the US and Europe should follow suit—not everyone has access to great internet connection and the latest mobile hardware.
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