Messenger will not install on my phone

[Android Central Question]

I was given my S4 at xmas time, by a family member ( their old phone ). Ever since, i have been trying to install messenger on it. I have had no trouble with any other app, including messenger lite. I know for a fact that messenger was previously on this phone, so am uncertain as to why I can't put it on there now. The app will fully download, no issues there, however, when it comes to installing, it appears to be fine, then I get a message saying something went wrong. I've tried pretty much everything and nothing has worked. Please! Please! Please! It is driving me bonkers!! I need help!!!!

 

[mustang7757]

The s4 has a outdated operating system, and very old device and will have compatibility issues with apps , I suggest you find something newer .


I'll leave a link to register so you can communicate here, as a guest account u cant .
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[L0n3N1nja]

As Android evolves and changes it gains new features and capabilities. Every new version has a new API level.

When developing apps the developer needs to choose the minimum supported API(oldest version of Android) in which the app will run and this impacts which features they can take advantage of within the app. As Facebook messenger has evolved and added new features it has lost the ability to run on older hardware. Posts about it have grown common and you've got to realize the S4 is from 2013, it's about 7 years old now. I know the Note 3 which is newer has lost support for messenger.

This is the reason messenger lite exists. It's a stripped down version with fewer features that will still run on older hardware and low end hardware often found outside the US market.