Many Facebook users find themselves wanting to take a break from the social media platform but still want access to Facebook Marketplace. Marketplace allows users to buy and sell items locally, similar to Craigslist. This leads to the common question – can you deactivate Facebook but keep Marketplace?
Quick Answer
Unfortunately, there is no way to deactivate your Facebook account while still being able to access Facebook Marketplace. Marketplace is a feature within Facebook, so it requires having an active Facebook account to use. If you deactivate your Facebook account, you will be logged out of Marketplace as well.
Explaining Facebook Deactivation
When you choose to deactivate your Facebook account, it means you are temporarily logging out of Facebook. Your profile and information are hidden until you decide to reactivate your account by logging back in. Here’s an overview of what happens when you deactivate:
- Your profile and photos will be hidden
- No one can see your posts or search for your profile
- You will be logged out of Marketplace
- Your messages will be deactivated
- You won’t get notifications
- You can reactivate at any time by logging back in
So in summary, deactivating logs you out of Facebook and all its features, including Marketplace. Your account remains intact though, and you can quickly get access back. Deactivating is different than permanently deleting your Facebook account.
Why Marketplace Requires a Facebook Account
Marketplace is designed as a feature within Facebook, so it makes sense that you need an active Facebook account to use it. Here are some of the main reasons why:
- Marketplace relies on your Facebook profile and information
- Your Facebook friends give you a connection to potential buyers/sellers
- Messaging happens through Facebook Messenger
- Facebook Pay can be used to process transactions
- Your profile establishes trust and accountability
Marketplace is all about connections between people, so it leverages your Facebook network and profile details to create a more personalized experience. Without the context of your Facebook account, Marketplace would function more like a generic classifieds platform.
Alternatives to Deactivating Facebook
If you need a break from Facebook but don’t want to lose access to Marketplace, here are a few alternatives to deactivating your account:
Temporarily Deactivate Notifications
You can mute notifications for a period of time (ex: 30 days) to take a break from the busy feed. You’ll stay logged in but won’t get distracted by notifications.
Unfollow Friends or Pages
Cut down on your feed clutter by unfollowing friends or pages that post frequently. You’ll still be friends and able to check their profiles.
Limit When You Log In
Only allow yourself to log into Facebook during certain times of day or certain days per week. Set a schedule to limit time spent scrolling.
Use Account Restrictions
You can restrict your account from using Messenger or posting/commenting for a customized break.
Log Out of the Mobile App
Stay logged in on a desktop browser to use Marketplace but log out of the mobile app. This removes the temptation to mindlessly scroll.
Steps to Deactivate Your Facebook Account
If you do decide you want to deactivate your Facebook account, including losing access to Marketplace, here is the process:
- Click on the arrow in the top right and select “Settings & Privacy”
- Click on “Settings”
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left menu
- Select “Deactivation and Deletion”
- Choose “Deactivate Account” and click “Continue to Account Deactivation”
- Select either “I’d like to take a break” or “Other” and click “Continue”
- Enter your password and click “Deactivate Account”
It’s a simple process that only takes a few clicks. Your account will be deactivated immediately. Remember you can reactivate at any time just by logging back in with your username and password.
How to Reactivate Your Facebook Account
If you change your mind and want to use Facebook and Marketplace again, reactivating your account is easy. Just log into Facebook with your account email and password. Here are the steps:
- Go to Facebook.com and click “Log In”
- Enter your account email and password and click “Log In”
- Your account will be reactivated with all previous data intact
- You’ll have access again to your profile, news feed, messages, and Marketplace
Your account will return to the exact state it was in before deactivation. You can also use Facebook Messenger or the mobile app to log back in and reactivate.
Permanently Deleting Your Account
Unlike deactivation, permanently deleting your Facebook account is irreversible. Here’s what happens when you delete:
- Your profile, photos, posts, and all account data is erased
- You immediately lose access to Facebook and all its features
- You cannot reactivate or retrieve anything that was deleted
- It may take up to 90 days for Facebook to fully process the deletion
Deleting your account should only be done if you are absolutely sure you never want to use Facebook again. Otherwise, deactivating is the best option to take a temporary break.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace provides a convenient way to buy and sell locally while leveraging your social network. Unfortunately, Marketplace cannot be accessed without an active Facebook account. If you need a break from Facebook but don’t want to lose Marketplace, try alternatives like muting notifications, restricting your account, or logging out of mobile. Deactivating your account will remove access to Marketplace, but you can easily get your account back. Only delete your account if you are entirely done using Facebook.