What is TikTok Lite?
With over 1.9 billion global users, TikTok is one of the most engaged social media platforms on the planet. From our 2024 Short-Form Video Study, we found that TikTok videos achieve the highest average number of views compared to all other short-form video formats – YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, and Instagram Reels.
Why is that? Beyond an extremely accurate algorithm and millions of new videos being uploaded every day, the pop culture references leave many users with FOMO if they aren’t engaged with this platform. Especially amongst young users, with nearly half of Gen Z preferring TikTok and Instagram as a search engine over Google.
While the US still battles the TikTok Ban debate, other parts of the world are tapping into new sides of TikTok, including the network’s spin-off version, TikTok Lite.
So, what’s the deal with TikTok Lite?
The Story Behind TikTok Lite
Do you remember when Instagram Lite was launched? This was the network’s way to accommodate those running out of phone storage or with limited internet access. This idea carries on to TikTok, as they launch their data-light version.
While this launch made a splash in Thailand in 2018, it was quietly launched in France and Spain in April 2024. This version is intended for areas with slower internet speeds to save data and increase accessibility. This network currently has over 1 billion downloads with the majority of users in India, Brazil, and Indonesia.
The European Union has had recent concerns about the app’s reward program, where users over 18 could earn points by interacting with videos, following creators, and encouraging others to download the video. From these earnings, users could cash in rewards for Amazon vouchers or TikTok coins.
The EU was quick to investigate this program, concerned with the mental health impacts of users, especially children. TikTok Lite responded to this concern by voluntarily suspending its rewards program. The company released this statement on X, April 24, 2024:
Statement on TikTok Lite: “TikTok always seeks to engage constructively with the EU Commission and other regulators. We are therefore voluntarily suspending the rewards functions in TikTok Lite while we address the concerns that they have raised.”
— TikTok Policy Europe (@TikTokPolicyEUR) April 24, 2024
TikTok Lite is available on the App Store and Google Play in limited regions including various Asia and African countries, France, and Spain. This application is not yet available in the United States.
Differences Between TikTok vs. TikTok Lite
Now that you are up-to-date with the history behind TikTok Lite, how does this application differ from the mighty TikTok and where can users access this? While this application is still owned by the parent company, ByteDance, some of its features and availabilities differ.
App Icon
One of the major differences between TikTok and its Lite version are the app icons. While TikTok’s contains the classic 2D musical note symbol, the Lite version added a lightning bolt icon in the corner, which you will see below as a
Storage space
The TikTok Lite app only consumes about 30 MB of data in your phone, however, adding app and cache data can increase this file size to a maximum of 125 MB. The TikTok app itself holds about 182MB of file size when downloaded.
However, with app data and caches, this can increase to over 2GB of storage. This app is intended for users with slower internet speeds, using 3G or 2G data networks.
Interface
The style and look of these two apps are almost identical, with a home button to surf your For You page, as well as search, upload, notification, and profile tabs.
Users may notice a small lag in video loading, which could be an annoyance for trying to discover valuable content. TikTok Lite does not save data, battery, or storage which leads to delays.
Features
TikTok Lite is missing one of the network’s most valuable features: uploading content. While the app has a dedicated upload button, the app will display a message that the upload option will be added in the coming version.
When it comes to sharing content you have two options –– Copy Link or Report. As you can see, this is a much more limited list compared to TikTok’s sharing options: Duet, React, Repost, Respond with GIFs, Share on socials, and copy links.
Settings
TikTok provides an array of privacy settings options to users, while the TikTok Lite app only features basic setting options. In the TikTok Lite settings, you select to have a public or private account, allow contacts to find you, and view “My Block List”.
Since TikTok Lite does not save data or allow you to upload videos to the platform, the privacy settings are much more limited.
Should I Use TikTok Lite?
For those wanting to still engage with the platform but aren’t looking to publish frequent content, this may be an option to help you save storage and clear up space. However, in terms of features and functionality, it lacks many of the basic functions that allow you to grow a community.
While we don’t know the future of TikTok in the United States, we know that short-form video content is not going away. New social media apps are emerging all over the world, and it’s only a matter of time before another platform is having us ask, “Should I download it?”
Social media marketing is not a walk in the park. TikTok is a hard platform for businesses to nail since it has such a young audience and trending content that cycles nonstop. However, with the right tools in hand, you can reach the right audience and build an authentic community.
If you’re new to TikTok, it’s easy to get started. Plus, you don’t have to be a video expert or marketing specialist to create content. To learn more about how to market your business on TikTok, read this guide below:
