The quickest way to change your profile picture on Instagram
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) at the top right, then select "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and tap "Account," then "Profile photo." You'll see options to take a new photo with your camera, choose one from your phone's photo library, or remove your current picture entirely. Select your choice, crop if needed, and tap "Done" or "Save."
The process is the same whether you're using Instagram on iPhone or Android. If you're on a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Settings," then "Edit profile," and you'll see a clickable circle with your current photo where you can upload a new one.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from the Settings menu under Account, then Profile photo, on both phone and desktop versions.
- Instagram lets you upload a photo from your phone's library, take a new one with your camera, or remove your picture entirely.
- Your profile picture is visible to anyone who visits your profile, so consider what image you're comfortable sharing publicly.
- If you use the same photo across multiple accounts, changing it on Instagram won't affect your pictures on Facebook, TikTok, or other platforms.
What happens when you change your profile picture
The new picture appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your account will see the updated image right away. If you have a public account, this includes people who don't follow you. If your account is private, only your approved followers can see your profile and the new picture.
Instagram doesn't notify your followers that you've changed your picture, so they won't get a notification about the change. However, if they visit your profile or see you in their feed, they'll see the new image.
Choosing a profile picture that protects your privacy
Your profile picture is one of the most visible parts of your account. If your account is public, anyone on Instagram—and anyone searching Google Images—can see it. Think about whether you want your face visible to strangers, or whether you'd prefer a photo that doesn't identify you, like a pet, landscape, or graphic.
If you use the same photo on multiple accounts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), that image becomes easier to find and connect to you across platforms. Using different pictures on different accounts makes it harder for someone to link your accounts together. You don't have to use a photo of yourself at all—many people use avatars, illustrations, or symbols instead.
Profile pictures and what Instagram can see
When you upload a photo to Instagram, the platform can read the image data. This includes analyzing what's in the photo—whether it shows a face, text, objects, or scenery. Instagram uses this analysis for its own purposes, like recommending your account to people with similar interests or showing your picture in search results.
Instagram also stores metadata from your photo, which can include the date the photo was taken and sometimes location information if your phone's location services were on when you took it. You can turn off location data on your phone before taking or uploading photos if you want to prevent this.
Removing your profile picture
If you don't want a profile picture at all, you can remove it. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Profile photo, and select "Remove photo." Your profile will show a blank circle instead. This is a good option if you want to use Instagram without displaying any image of yourself.
Removing your picture doesn't delete your account or change any other settings. You can add a new picture anytime by following the same steps and selecting a photo instead of removing it.
If your profile picture won't upload or update
If you try to change your picture and it doesn't appear, first check that you have a strong internet connection. Close the Instagram app completely and open it again. If the old picture still shows, try uploading a different photo to see if the problem is with that specific image.
Make sure the photo file isn't corrupted and that it's in a format Instagram accepts (JPG or PNG work best). If you're still having trouble, try changing your picture from a different device—sometimes the problem is with your phone's camera or photo library rather than Instagram itself. If nothing works after trying these steps, you may need to update the Instagram app or contact Instagram's support through the app's help center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people see my old profile pictures after I change it?
No. When you change your profile picture, the old one is replaced. People can't view your previous pictures by clicking on your profile. However, if someone took a screenshot of your old picture or saved it separately, they still have that copy.
Does changing my profile picture affect my privacy settings?
No. Your privacy settings stay the same. If your account was public before, it stays public. If it was private, it stays private. Changing your picture doesn't make your account more or less visible to others.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram automatically crops your photo to fit the circular profile picture frame. You don't need to resize it beforehand—just upload what you have and use the crop tool to position it how you want. Instagram works with most image sizes.
If I delete my Instagram account, what happens to my profile picture?
When you delete your account, your profile and all its content, including your profile picture, are removed from Instagram's servers. However, if you deactivate instead of deleting, your picture stays on Instagram but your account becomes hidden until you reactivate it.
Can I use a screenshot or image from the internet as my profile picture?
Technically yes, but you should only use images you have permission to use. If you use someone else's photo without permission, they could report it. Using a photo of someone else as your own picture can also be misleading to people who interact with your account.