The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Profile from the menu that appears. On your profile page, hover over or tap your current profile picture, and a camera icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click or tap that icon, then choose Upload Photo to select a picture from your device, or Take a Photo to use your camera right now.
Facebook will let you crop and position the image before you confirm. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap or click Save. Your new profile picture appears when ready to everyone on Facebook.
The entire process takes less than a minute on either a phone or desktop computer. The image you choose becomes visible to your friends and anyone else who visits your profile, depending on your privacy settings.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture by going to your profile, hovering over your current picture, and clicking the camera icon that appears.
- Facebook lets you upload a photo from your device or take a new one with your camera before saving it.
- Your new profile picture shows up right away to everyone who can see your profile.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want, and old versions stay in your photo archive.
- Profile pictures are visible to people based on your privacy settings, so check who can see your profile if you want to limit visibility.
Where to find the camera icon on different devices
On a phone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Tap your name at the top, which takes you to your profile. Tap your profile picture at the top of the page, and a larger version appears. Tap the camera icon in the bottom right corner of that image.
On a desktop computer, click your profile picture in the top left corner of Facebook, then click Profile. Your profile picture appears near the top of the page. Move your mouse over it, and the camera icon shows up automatically. Click it to proceed.
If you're using Facebook on a web browser on your phone instead of the app, the steps are the same as desktop — hover or tap over your picture and look for the camera icon.
Uploading a photo versus taking a new one
When you click the camera icon, Facebook gives you two choices: Upload Photo and Take a Photo. Upload Photo lets you pick an image that's already saved on your device — a photo from your camera roll, a downloaded picture, or anything in your files. Take a Photo opens your device's camera so you can snap a new picture right then.
Most people use Upload Photo because they already have a picture they like. If you choose Upload Photo, your device opens a file browser where you select the image. If you choose Take a Photo, your camera app opens, you take the shot, and Facebook uses that image.
Either way, Facebook shows you a preview and lets you crop and reposition the image before you save it. You can zoom in, move the picture around, and adjust what part shows in the circular profile picture frame.
How cropping and positioning work
After you pick or take a photo, Facebook displays it in a square or circular frame depending on your device. You'll see handles or pinch controls that let you zoom in and out. Drag the image to center the part you want visible — usually your face should be in the middle of the circle or square.
The preview shows you exactly what other people will see as your profile picture. If your face is too far to the side or too small, adjust it before you save. You can make these changes as many times as you want before confirming.
Once you tap or click Save, the image is set as your profile picture. If you change your mind later, you can repeat these steps with a different photo.
What happens to your old profile pictures
When you change your profile picture, your old one doesn't disappear. Facebook keeps it in your Profile Pictures album, which only you can see unless you change your privacy settings. You can view all your past profile pictures by going to your profile, tapping or clicking Photos, and selecting Profile Pictures.
From that album, you can set any old picture as your current profile picture again without re-uploading it. Just tap or click the picture and select Make Profile Picture. This is useful if you want to switch back to a photo you used before.
You can also delete old profile pictures from this album if you don't want them stored on Facebook anymore. Tap or click the picture, select the three dots menu, and choose Delete.
Privacy settings for your profile picture
Your profile picture is visible to people based on your overall profile privacy settings. If your profile is set to Public, anyone on or off Facebook can see your profile picture. If it's set to Friends, only your friends can see it. If it's set to Private, only you can see it.
To check or change these settings, go to your profile and tap or click the three dots menu near your name. Select Edit Profile Settings or Settings & Privacy, then look for profile visibility options. The exact wording varies depending on whether you're on a phone or computer.
Your profile picture also appears in search results and in comments you make, so consider what you're comfortable with before choosing an image. You can change both the picture and your privacy settings whenever you want.
Troubleshooting if the camera icon doesn't appear
If you don't see the camera icon when you hover over or tap your profile picture, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. Sometimes the interface takes a moment to load completely.
If the problem continues, check that you're logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own profile picture. Also make sure your phone or computer has enough storage space for a new photo — if your device is full, Facebook may not let you upload.
If you're still having trouble, try using a different browser or the Facebook app instead of the web version, or vice versa. Clearing your browser's cache can also help if you're on a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture on someone else's phone or computer?
No. You can only change your own profile picture when you're logged into your own Facebook account. If you try to change someone else's picture, Facebook won't let you — you'll need their login information, which you should never ask for or share.
How often can I change my profile picture?
You can change it as many times as you want, whenever you want. There's no limit on how often you switch it. Facebook keeps all your old profile pictures in your Profile Pictures album so you can go back to them later if you choose.
What image size works best for a profile picture?
Facebook automatically resizes your image to fit the profile picture frame, so you don't need to worry about exact dimensions. A photo that's at least 400 by 400 pixels will look sharp, but Facebook accepts smaller images too. The app handles the resizing for you.
Will my friends get a notification when I change my profile picture?
No, Facebook doesn't send notifications when you change your profile picture. Your friends will see the new picture when they visit your profile or see your name in comments or posts, but they won't receive an alert about the change.
Can I use a video as my profile picture instead of a photo?
No. Facebook profile pictures must be still images — you can't use a video. However, you can upload a short video to create a profile video, which is a separate feature that plays when someone visits your profile. The camera icon only accepts photos.