The quickest way to change your Instagram profile photo
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) at the top right, then tap "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and tap "Account." Tap "Profile photo" and choose whether to take a new photo with your camera or select one from your phone's photo library. Once you've chosen your image, Instagram will let you crop and position it before you save.
The entire process takes about one minute. Your new photo appears when ready to everyone who visits your profile — there's no waiting period or approval process. If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps to swap it out for something else.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile photo updates when ready across Instagram and is visible to anyone who can see your profile.
- You can use a photo from your phone's library or take a new one directly in the app.
- Instagram crops your photo into a circle, so choose an image where your face or subject is centered and clearly visible.
- You can remove your profile photo entirely by selecting "Remove photo" instead of uploading a new one.
Using a photo from your phone's library
When you tap "Profile photo" and choose "Select from library," Instagram opens your phone's photo app. Scroll through your photos and tap the one you want to use. The image doesn't have to be a headshot — you can use a full-body photo, a photo with other people, or even a picture of something that represents you, like a pet or a landscape.
After you select the photo, Instagram shows you a preview with a circle overlay. This circle is what your profile photo will look like to other people. You can pinch to zoom in or out, and drag the image around to position it so the part you want is centered in the circle. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap the checkmark or "Save" button to confirm.
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you choose "Take a photo," Instagram opens your phone's camera app. You can take a selfie by tapping the camera flip icon, or take a photo of something else. Once you've taken the shot, you'll see a preview. If you like it, tap the checkmark to move forward. If you don't, tap the X to go back and take another photo.
The same cropping and positioning screen appears after you take your photo. Adjust the image so the part you want is centered in the circle, then save. This route is useful if you want a fresh photo that matches your current look, or if you don't have a suitable image already saved on your phone.
What happens to your old profile photo
When you upload a new profile photo, your old one disappears from your profile when ready. Instagram doesn't keep a visible archive of your past profile photos on your public profile, though the company stores data on its servers. Other people won't see your old photo anymore — only the new one you just uploaded.
If you want to go back to a previous photo, you'll need to have saved it to your phone's library. Many people take a screenshot of their old profile photo before changing it, just in case they want to use it again later.
Removing your profile photo entirely
You don't have to have a profile photo. When you tap "Profile photo" in settings, you'll see an option to "Remove photo" at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and Instagram will delete your current profile photo. Your profile will show a blank circle where your photo used to be.
Some people remove their profile photo for privacy reasons, or because they're taking a break from Instagram. You can add a new photo back anytime by following the same steps you used to change it the first time.
Why your photo might look different on different devices
The same profile photo can look slightly different depending on whether you're viewing it on a phone, tablet, or computer. This happens because different devices have different screen sizes and resolutions. The photo itself doesn't change — it's just displayed at different sizes. On a small phone screen, details might be harder to see. On a larger computer monitor, you might notice things you didn't see before.
Instagram always crops your photo into a circle, but the size of that circle relative to the rest of your profile can vary slightly between devices. This is normal and not something you need to fix. When you're choosing or positioning your photo, what you see on your phone is the most accurate preview of how it will appear to most people.
Troubleshooting common photo problems
If you upload a photo and it looks blurry or pixelated, the original image file might be too small or low quality. Instagram works best with photos that are at least 1080 pixels wide. If you're taking a selfie, make sure you have good lighting and that your camera lens is clean. If you're selecting from your library, choose a photo that's in focus and well-lit.
If the cropping tool won't let you position your photo the way you want, try zooming out first to see the whole image, then zoom back in to adjust. If Instagram won't let you save your photo at all, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, restart your phone and try once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see when I change my profile photo?
Instagram doesn't send a notification to your followers when you change your profile photo. However, people who visit your profile will see the new photo. If you have a lot of followers, some may notice the change if they visit your profile soon after you update it.
What size should my profile photo be?
Instagram automatically crops any photo you upload into a circle, so the exact dimensions don't matter as much as the content. Use a photo that's at least 1080 pixels wide for the best quality. Make sure the part of the image you want visible is centered, since Instagram will crop the edges.
Can I use a photo with text or a logo as my profile picture?
Yes, you can use any image you want — a photo with text, a logo, a graphic, or a screenshot. Keep in mind that since your profile photo appears as a small circle, text and fine details might be hard to read. Test how it looks by viewing your profile from another account before you decide to keep it.
What if I don't want anyone to see my profile photo?
You can remove your profile photo entirely, which leaves a blank circle on your profile. However, this doesn't hide your profile from people — they can still find you and see your other information. If you want to make your profile completely private, that's a separate setting in "Settings and privacy" under "Account."
Does Instagram compress or change my photo quality?
Instagram compresses all images to reduce file size and load faster. Your profile photo will be slightly compressed, but the difference is usually not noticeable on a phone screen. If you want the highest possible quality, start with a sharp, well-lit original photo.