The basic steps to upload a new profile picture
Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen (or tap your profile icon if you're on a phone). This takes you to your profile page. Look for your current profile picture — it appears as a large circle near the top of your profile. Click or tap directly on that circle, and a menu will pop up with options including "Upload Photo" and "Choose from Photos".
If you want to use a photo you already have on your device, select "Upload Photo" and your device's file browser will open. Find the image you want and select it. Facebook will let you crop and position the photo before you confirm. Once you're happy with how it looks, click "Save" or "Confirm" to make it your new profile picture.
If you want to use a photo that's already on Facebook — one you've posted before or one someone tagged you in — select "Choose from Photos" instead. This shows your photo library on Facebook. Pick the image you want and click "Set as Profile Picture".
Key Takeaways
- Click your current profile picture from your profile page to open the menu where you can upload or choose a new one.
- You can upload a photo from your device or select one that's already on Facebook.
- Facebook lets you crop and position your photo before saving it, so you can control what part of the image shows.
- Your profile picture change is visible to everyone on your friends list when ready, unless you've limited who can see your profile.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want — there's no limit to how many times you update it.
What happens when you change your profile picture
When you save a new profile picture, it becomes visible to your friends right away. If your profile is public, anyone on Facebook can see it. If your profile is set to friends-only, only people on your friends list will see the change. The old profile picture doesn't disappear entirely — Facebook keeps it in a folder called "Profile Pictures" that you can access from your photos section if you want to switch back later.
Facebook also notifies your friends that you've changed your profile picture. This notification appears in their news feed as a small update. If you don't want this notification to show, you can change your privacy settings before uploading the new picture, though this requires a few extra steps.
Privacy settings for your profile picture
By default, your profile picture is visible to everyone — even people who aren't your friends. You can change this. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your profile picture, and select "Edit Privacy". A menu will appear with options like "Public," "Friends," or "Only Me." Choose who you want to see your profile picture.
Keep in mind that if you set your profile picture to "Only Me," your friends won't see it at all, and Facebook won't show a thumbnail of you in comments or messages. Most people leave it on "Friends" or "Public" so their profile picture is visible in normal Facebook use. The privacy setting you choose applies only to the profile picture itself — it doesn't change who can see the rest of your profile.
Choosing a photo that protects your privacy
Your profile picture is one of the most visible parts of your Facebook account. Anyone searching for you by name can see it, and it appears next to every comment you make and every post you like. Think about what information you're sharing before you upload.
Avoid profile pictures that show your home address, your workplace sign, your full name written out, or identifying details like your car license plate. If you're concerned about facial recognition, you can use a photo that shows you less clearly — a side profile, a photo from far away, or a photo where you're partially obscured. Some people use artwork, photos of pets, or photos of landscapes instead of their face. Facebook allows all of these options.
Remember that anyone who screenshots your profile picture can save and share it elsewhere. Don't upload anything you wouldn't want circulating on the internet.
Uploading a photo safely from your device
When you select "Upload Photo," your device's file browser opens and you're choosing from files stored on your phone or computer. Before you upload, check that the photo file doesn't contain hidden information. Most phones and cameras automatically tag photos with the location where they were taken — this is called metadata or EXIF data.
Facebook strips location data from photos when you upload them, so this is usually not a concern. However, if you're uploading an older photo or one from a camera you're not sure about, you can remove the metadata yourself before uploading. On an iPhone, open the photo in the Photos app, tap "Edit," then tap the three dots and select "Info" to see what data is attached. On Android, use a free app like "Exif Eraser" to remove location tags before uploading. On a computer, right-click the photo file, select "Properties" or "Get Info," and look for location or GPS data.
What to do if you can't upload a photo
If Facebook won't let you upload a photo, the most common reason is file size or format. Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files. If your photo is in a different format — like HEIC, which some newer iPhones use — you may need to convert it first. You can do this with free online tools like CloudConvert or by using your device's built-in photo editor to save it as a JPG.
If the file is too large, try compressing it. On a Mac, open the photo in Preview, go to "Tools," and select "Adjust Size." On Windows, right-click the photo, select "Compress Pictures," and choose a smaller size. On a phone, most photo editing apps have a "resize" or "compress" option. After resizing, try uploading again.
If you're still having trouble, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. On Chrome, go to Settings, click "Privacy and Security," select "Clear Browsing Data," check "Cookies and Other Site Data," and click "Clear Data." Then refresh Facebook and try uploading your photo again.
Removing or hiding your profile picture
If you want to remove your profile picture entirely, go to your profile, click the three dots next to your picture, and select "Delete Photo." This removes the image but doesn't delete your account. Facebook will show a generic silhouette in place of your profile picture until you upload a new one.
If you want to keep the photo but hide it from certain people, you can't do that directly through Facebook's profile picture settings. Instead, you can change your overall profile privacy settings so that only close friends see your profile at all. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your name, select "Edit Profile Privacy," and choose "Friends" or a custom list. This limits who can see your entire profile, including your picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use someone else's photo as my profile picture?
Technically yes, but it's not a good idea. Using someone else's photo without permission can violate their privacy and may violate Facebook's terms of service if the photo is copyrighted or if you're impersonating someone. If you want to use a photo of someone else — like a family member or pet — make sure you have their permission first.
Does changing my profile picture notify everyone on my friends list?
Facebook shows a notification in your friends' news feeds that you've changed your profile picture, but it's a small update, not a direct message to each person. If you want to avoid this notification, change your privacy settings to "Only Me" before uploading the new picture, though this means your friends won't see the new photo at all.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes your photo to fit the profile picture space. The recommended size is at least 400 x 400 pixels, though Facebook will accept smaller images. If your photo is smaller than this, it may look blurry when enlarged. Larger photos work fine — Facebook will crop them to fit the circular profile picture frame.
Can I see old profile pictures I've deleted?
Yes. Go to your profile, click your profile picture, and look for a "Profile Pictures" album in your photo library. This album contains all the profile pictures you've ever used on Facebook, even ones you've deleted. You can set any of them as your current profile picture again, or read them to your device.
Is my profile picture visible to people who aren't my friends?
By default, yes. Your profile picture is public unless you change the privacy setting. Anyone on Facebook can see it when they search for you or visit your profile. If you want only your friends to see it, click the three dots next to your picture, select "Edit Privacy," and choose "Friends" instead of "Public."