In October, Facebook launched a new "lightweight" version of its Messenger app for mobile devices. It was designed primarily for older, less powerful devices, for use in emerging markets with slower, less stable mobile networks, and high costs for data usage.
The app was initially released in just five countries, but Facebook has now announced a massive expansion of Messenger Lite"s availability, bringing it to scores of new markets around the world. Facebook originally announced that the app is now "available in 150 additional countries"; the actual number appeared to be a bit lower than that, and the company has since clarified to Neowin that availability of the app has expanded to "over 100 new countries".
Among those markets where Messenger Lite is not available are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Sudan, UK, US and North Korea.
The app is available for almost all Android devices, all the way back to version 2.3 Gingerbread, and includes many of Messenger"s "core" features, such as messaging, stickers, and the ability to share links and photos.
Source: Facebook via TechCrunch
Editor"s note: This article was updated after publishing with additional clarification from Facebook.