Instagram just re-launched its 2018 app Instagram Lite, but what actually is it? Here’s everything you need to know.
Back in 2018, Instagram launched an Android app called Instagram Lite, but it was pulled from the Play Store in early 2020 after little success.
Now, Facebook has just revealed that it is relaunching the Instagram app in 170 countries, and the announcement has been met with a lot of confusion.
What actually is Instagram Lite? And how is it different to Instagram?
Let’s find out…
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What is Instagram Lite?
Instagram Lite is an app that’s only available for Android users.
Essentially, it’s a lightweight version of Instagram that has a much smaller file size and only takes up 2MB on a phone, whereas the normal Instagram app takes up 30MB.
It’s currently being rolled out in 170 different countries and is designed for people in emerging economies where Android phones are more popular.
In these less mature markets, people often have entry-level smartphones with less storage and poorer internet connections, so the full version of the Instagram app is not suitable for them.
Instagram Lite, a stripped-down version of Instagram that is meant to better suit those with older phones and Wi-Fi networks, is currently being rolled out to Android users in over 170 countries.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 11, 2021
What features does Instagram Lite have?
Creating a version of Instagram that only uses up 2MB of storage certainly isn’t an easy task, and as a result, some of Instagram’s most popular features aren’t available on Instagram Lite.
Instagram Lite users can still share and view photos and videos, add stickers, send messages, access dark mode, create and view Stories, make IGTV’s and explore the discovery page, but there are some things they can’t do.
For example, the popular Reels feature won’t be available, as well as video filters, shopping and advertising. Apart from that, Instagram Lite is almost identical to Instagram.
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Who can download Instagram lite?
Instagram Lite is designed for those in smaller economies and has been confirmed to be launching in a number of markets across Africa, Asia and South America.
However, it’s not just people in these markets that can use the app. In fact, it’s likely that the app will be rolled out in big markets such as the US and UK too.
So, if you’re struggling with storage on your phone and would rather have a more lightweight version of Instagram, you can delete the Instagram app and download Instagram Lite instead.
The app is currently being rolled out in Google Play Stores across the world and might not be available on the Play Store yet.
