A growing number of Facebook Marketplace users are encountering a frustrating glitch that compels them to use cellular data to view photos and videos, even while connected to Wi-Fi. As users scroll through listings—whether they’re hunting for a vintage couch or a quirky knick-knack—an unexpected pop-up disrupts their experience. The message, “Use data to see photos and videos?” prompts users to switch to data mode. However, the pop-up doesn’t function as expected, with both “Cancel” and “Use Data” buttons proving ineffective.
Facebook Marketplace Data Mode Issue Frustrates Users
This mysterious issue has triggered a surge of complaints on social media and forums. Users report that the persistent pop-up significantly disrupts their browsing experience, leaving many confused and seeking answers. Despite the influx of user reports, the glitch appears to affect only a subset of Facebook users.
Interestingly, despite extensive testing across multiple devices and platforms, replicating the issue remains challenging. On my end, tests on both Android and iOS devices using the main Facebook app, Facebook Lite, and web browsers yielded no similar problems. Likewise, my colleague confirmed a smooth Marketplace experience. Yet, the growing volume of complaints suggests the issue is far from isolated.
Possible Workarounds and User Reactions
For now, there is no official fix from Facebook, leaving users to seek their own solutions. Clearing the cache and app data appears ineffective for most. However, some users have found a temporary workaround by enabling “desktop mode” in their mobile browser. While this provides limited relief, it is not a comprehensive solution.
Frustrated users continue to speculate on the root cause. Is it a software glitch? An experimental feature rollout gone wrong? Or perhaps an unintended consequence of a recent update? Without official communication from Facebook, theories remain speculative.
What’s Next?
Given the persistent nature of the issue, many users are hoping for a quick resolution. If this is indeed a technical glitch, Facebook will likely address it through a future update. In the meantime, users are advised to keep an eye on app updates and monitor online communities for emerging fixes.
For now, keep your Wi-Fi strong and your data plan ready—because you never know when you might need it.
