Instagram Lite app launched in India

Instagram today announced it has launched the ‘Instagram Lite’ app in India. The announcement was made by Vishal Shah, Instagram’s head of product on the second day of the Facebook Fuel for India event.

Instagram Lite is less than 2MB in size and as the name suggests, it’s a lighter version of the app for phones with low-end specifications. The app is currently available in the Google Play Store. There's no iOS version of Instagram Lite yet.

Instagram Lite first launched in 2018 in Mexico. It was later expanded to more markets such as Kenya, Peru, and the Philippines. But earlier this year in May, Instagram Lite was removed from the Google Play Store. 

The new version of Instagram Lite comes with improved speed, performance, and responsiveness, Instagram said in a release. The app offers a similar experience like the main app but it doesn't have support features such as Reels, Shopping and IGTV. Instagram Lite is also available in Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu.

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The launch of Instagram Lite in India comes as part of the company’s recent efforts to introduce new features and products first in the country.

Shah highlighted how India was the first country where Instagram officially launched Reels. The dedicated Reels tab was also launched first in India, and more recently, the new Instagram Live Rooms was introduced here. Instagram added support for two more people for Instagram Live. Instagram users can now host live broadcasts with up to three people on the app. This feature was also launched first in India.