If you don’t have space for the Uber app on your phone, a slimmed-down new app could be the answer. The company recently announced a more compact 5MB version of its ride-hailing app which keeps the core functions of the service.
Uber Lite is designed specifically to be small and responsive. It’s made so that those who can’t justify downloading the full-size version of the app onto their phones due to space limitations can still use the service, the company said in a blog post.
Uber says the Lite version of the app will work on any Android phone and on any network, as well as taking up the equivalent of three selfies in space. The app still features in-app support and you’ll still be able to share your trip with friends and family, but it has a redesigned interface that relies less heavily on GPS and live access to maps.
Some of the features of the new app include:
Guided pickups
Uber Lite guides users through the request experience by detecting their current location, so minimal typing is required. If it can’t detect your location because of GPS or network issues, it will surface popular pickup points nearby from you to choose from.
Tap over type
Uber Lite makes picking your destination as easy as a tap of a button. The app caches the city’s top places so that even when you are offline, no network is needed for them to surface. And the more you use Uber Lite, the smarter the app gets, learning where you go most often and surfacing those options for you to tap first, so you don’t have to type your destination every time.
Maps only when you want them
To keep the app light and fast, maps in Uber Lite are optional, but available with just a tap if you want them. And coming soon, a progress bar helps users follow the driver’s progress should you opt to not load the map.
The app has been launched in India where it was built but should be available in more markets later in the year.
