Change your profile picture in three steps
To change your profile picture on Instagram, open the app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, tap the three horizontal lines (menu), select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Photo" under your profile picture. Choose a photo from your phone's camera roll or take a new one, crop it if you want, and tap "Done." Instagram will update your profile picture within seconds.
The process is the same whether you use Instagram on your phone or the web version. If you are using a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Settings," then "Edit profile," and click the camera icon over your current picture to upload a new one.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from the app by going to your profile, tapping the menu, and selecting Settings and privacy, then Account, then Photo.
- Instagram lets you use any photo from your phone's camera roll or take a new photo directly in the app.
- You can crop your photo before uploading it, and Instagram will show you how it will look as a circular profile picture.
- If you remove your profile picture entirely, Instagram will show a blank circle with your initials instead.
- Changes appear on your profile within seconds, and all your followers will see the new picture right away.
Using a photo from your phone versus taking a new one
When you tap "Photo" in your account settings, Instagram gives you two options: "Choose from photos" or "Take photo." If you choose "Choose from photos," you can browse your phone's camera roll and pick any image you already have saved. Instagram will show you a preview of how the photo will look as a circular profile picture before you confirm.
If you want to take a new photo on the spot, tap "Take photo" instead. Instagram will open your phone's camera and let you snap a picture right then. This is useful if you want a fresh photo without having to leave the app. After you take the photo, you can crop it to frame your face or the part of the image you want to show.
Cropping and positioning your profile picture
After you select or take a photo, Instagram shows you a cropping screen. Your profile picture appears as a circle, so you can see exactly what will be visible and what will be cut off. Use your fingers to pinch and zoom to adjust the size of the photo, and drag it around to position it the way you want.
Pay attention to the circular frame — anything outside the circle will not show on your profile. If you have a photo with text or important details on the edges, make sure to position it so the important part stays inside the circle. Once you are happy with how it looks, tap "Done" or "Next" (the button name varies by phone type) to save your new profile picture.
Removing your profile picture
If you want to remove your profile picture entirely, go to your profile, tap the menu, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then tap the photo icon. Instead of choosing a new photo, look for an option that says "Remove photo" or "Delete photo." Instagram will replace your picture with a blank circle showing your initials.
You can add a new profile picture at any time by following the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can change your picture, so you can update it as often as you want.
Why your new picture might not show up right away
In most cases, your new profile picture appears within seconds. However, if you have a slow internet connection, it may take a minute or two for the change to show up on your profile or for your followers to see it. If you do not see the new picture after waiting a few minutes, try closing and reopening the Instagram app.
If the picture still does not appear, check that you have a stable internet connection and that you tapped "Done" to confirm the change. Sometimes Instagram requires you to be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data to upload images. If you are still having trouble, try logging out and logging back in to your account.
Profile picture size and file type requirements
Instagram accepts photos in common formats like JPG and PNG. You do not need to resize your photo before uploading — Instagram will handle that automatically. The app works best with photos that are at least 320 pixels by 320 pixels, though Instagram will accept smaller images and enlarge them if needed.
Keep in mind that your profile picture will appear as a small circle on your profile, in search results, and next to your comments and posts. Choose a photo where your face or the main subject is clear and centered, since details will be harder to see at smaller sizes. A straightforward background works better than a busy one.
Changing your profile picture on Instagram Web
If you are using Instagram on a computer, the steps are slightly different but just as straightforward. Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, then click "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the settings page, click "Edit profile" on the left side.
You will see your current profile picture at the top of the page with a camera icon overlaid on it. Click the camera icon to open a file browser on your computer. Select a photo from your files, and Instagram will show you a preview. Crop and position it the same way you would on the app, then click "Save" to confirm the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my profile picture?
Yes. Instagram does not require your profile picture to be a photo of you. Many people use photos of pets, artwork, logos, or other images. The only restriction is that your photo cannot violate Instagram's community guidelines — for example, it cannot contain hate speech or graphic content.
What happens to my old profile picture after I change it?
Instagram does not save your old profile pictures. Once you upload a new one, the old picture is replaced and cannot be recovered through Instagram. If you want to keep a copy, save it to your phone before you change it.
Can I change my profile picture on Instagram if I do not have the app?
Yes. You can change your profile picture using Instagram.com on any web browser. Log in, click your profile icon, select Settings, then Edit profile, and click the camera icon over your picture to upload a new one.
Does changing my profile picture notify my followers?
No. Your followers will not receive a notification when you change your profile picture. They will only see the new picture when they visit your profile or if they happen to see it next to your posts or comments.
Why does my profile picture look blurry?
If your photo is very small or low resolution, it may appear blurry when Instagram enlarges it. Try uploading a larger, higher-quality photo instead. Photos taken with a modern phone camera usually work well. Avoid using very old or heavily compressed images.