The basic steps to update your Instagram profile photo
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, then select "Settings and privacy." Go to "Account" and tap "Profile photo." You'll see three options: take a new photo with your camera, choose one from your phone's photo library, or remove your current photo. Select whichever you prefer, and Instagram will save the change when ready.
The process is the same whether you use the app on iPhone or Android. If you're on a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Edit profile," and click the circular profile photo to upload a new one. The change appears across all your Instagram activity — comments, posts, and messages — within seconds.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from the app by going to your profile, tapping the menu, selecting Settings and privacy, then Account, then Profile photo.
- Instagram lets you take a new photo, pick one from your phone, or delete your current picture entirely.
- Any photo you upload becomes visible to everyone who can see your profile, so choose an image you're comfortable sharing.
- The change takes effect when ready and shows up on all your posts, comments, and messages right away.
What happens to your old profile picture
When you upload a new profile photo, Instagram deletes the old one from your profile. However, the old photo may still appear in other places temporarily. If someone took a screenshot of your old profile picture, that screenshot stays on their phone — Instagram can't remove it. Similarly, if your profile picture was shared elsewhere on the internet before you changed it, those copies remain where they were posted.
Instagram doesn't keep a visible archive of your past profile pictures on your account. If you want to use an old profile picture again later, you'll need to save it to your phone first or find it in your phone's photo library if it's still there.
Privacy considerations when choosing a profile picture
Your profile picture is visible to anyone who can see your profile, regardless of your privacy settings. If your account is public, billions of Instagram users can see your photo. If your account is private, only people you've approved as followers can see it. Either way, the photo you choose as your profile picture is more exposed than photos you post to your feed, because it appears every time you comment, like something, or send a message.
Think about what you're comfortable with before uploading. If you use your real face and your account is public, consider that the photo could be screenshotted, shared, or used elsewhere. Some people use a cropped photo, a photo that doesn't show their full face, or an image that isn't a photo of themselves at all. There's no right choice — it depends on your own comfort level and who you want to reach on Instagram.
Troubleshooting if your profile picture won't change
If you've tried to upload a new profile picture and it didn't work, first check that you have a strong internet connection. Instagram needs to upload the image to its servers, which won't happen on a weak or unstable connection. Try again once you're on WiFi or a strong mobile signal.
If the connection is fine, try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app gets stuck in a state where it can't process uploads. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close the app. On Android, go to Settings, find Instagram in your apps list, and tap "Force stop," then reopen the app. If you're on a computer, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then log back in.
If the problem continues, make sure your profile picture file is in a format Instagram accepts — JPG, PNG, or GIF files work. The file should be smaller than 8 MB. If you're still having trouble after trying these steps, you can report the issue to Instagram through the app by going to Settings and privacy, then Help, then Report a problem.
How to remove your profile picture entirely
You don't have to have a profile picture on Instagram. To remove it, follow the same steps as changing your picture: go to your profile, tap the menu, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Profile photo. Instead of choosing a new photo, tap "Remove current photo" at the bottom of the screen. Instagram will delete your profile picture, and your profile will show a blank circle where the photo was.
If you remove your picture and later change your mind, you can add one back the same way. There's no limit to how many times you can change, remove, or re-add your profile picture.
Profile pictures and account security
Your profile picture itself doesn't affect your account security — changing it won't make your account more or less find. However, the photo you choose can affect how you're perceived online. If you use a photo that looks like a real person but isn't actually you, people may feel misled if they interact with you. If you use a photo of someone else without permission, that person could report it to Instagram, and your account could be suspended.
The safest approach is to use a photo that represents you honestly — whether that's your actual face, a photo of something you care about, an illustration, or an abstract image. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something you have the right to use and that you're comfortable with being visible to your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that's not of me as my profile picture?
Yes, you can use any image you have the right to use — a pet, a landscape, a drawing, or an abstract design. However, if you use a photo of another person without their permission, they can report it to Instagram and your account may be suspended. If you use a photo of a celebrity or public figure, Instagram may remove it if the person or their representatives report it as unauthorized use.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram automatically crops and resizes your photo to fit the circular profile picture frame. You don't need to resize it yourself beforehand. The app handles the cropping, though you'll usually get a chance to adjust where the crop happens before you confirm the upload. A square photo works best because Instagram won't have to crop as much.
Will changing my profile picture affect my followers or posts?
No. Your followers stay the same, and all your posts remain on your profile. The only thing that changes is the small circular image that appears next to your name. Your follower count, likes, comments, and everything else stays exactly as it was.
Can I see who viewed my profile picture?
No. Instagram doesn't tell you who looked at your profile or your profile picture. You can see how many people viewed a photo you posted to your feed (if you have a business or creator account), but not who viewed your profile itself.
What if I want to change my profile picture back to an old one?
If you saved the old photo to your phone, you can upload it again the same way you would any new photo. If you didn't save it, you can try searching your phone's photo library or cloud storage (like Google Photos or iCloud) to see if it's still there. Once you find it, follow the normal steps to set it as your profile picture again.