Facebook Marketplace glitch forces some users into data mode to see photos and videos

A growing number of Facebook Marketplace users are experiencing a strange glitch that forces them to use cellular data to view photos and videos, even when they’re connected to Wi-Fi. As users scroll through listings, eyeing that perfect vintage couch or a quirky knick-knack, an unexpected pop-up interrupts their experience. The message, “Use data to see photos and videos?” prompts users to switch to data mode. The catch? Many are on Wi-Fi, and neither “Cancel” nor “Use Data” seems to actually work.

This issue has sparked a wave of complaints and confusion across the platform, with frustrated users taking to social media and forums to share their plight. The sudden and inexplicable disruption to their browsing experience has left many bewildered.

Despite the widespread reports, the problem seems to be affecting only a section of Facebook users. Personally, I’ve been unable to replicate the glitch. After testing on multiple devices — both Android and iOS — and switching between the main Facebook app, Facebook Lite, and even the web browser, the issue remains elusive. My colleague also confirmed that everything works smoothly on their end. However, this hasn’t stopped the complaints from piling up.

Users are puzzled by the sudden pop-up when browsing Marketplace. Many are unable to find a way to disable this pop-up. Not even clearing cache and data works, although a few have found a temporary workaround by setting the browser to “desktop mode.” But looking at the frustrated rants and desperate pleas for solutions, it’s clear that this is more than just a minor inconvenience.

Is it a glitch? A sudden update gone awry? Or perhaps an intentional feature rollout that didn’t quite go as planned? Theories abound, but concrete answers remain elusive. However, I’m leaning towards technical issues, so hopefully the pop-up should be gone soon. For now, it’s unclear what’s causing the issue or how long it will persist.

In the meantime, keep your Wi-Fi strong and your data plan ready because you never know when you might need it.