The quickest way to change your profile picture

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, then tap Photo under your profile picture. You can now choose to take a new photo with your camera or pick one from your phone's photo library. Select the image you want, crop it if needed, and tap Done or Save.

The entire process takes about 30 seconds once you have a photo ready. Instagram will replace your old picture when ready — you do not need to wait for anything to upload or process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your profile picture from your phone's Settings menu by going to Account and tapping Photo.
  • Instagram lets you use a photo from your camera roll or take a new one on the spot.
  • You can crop and adjust the image before saving it, so it does not have to be perfect beforehand.
  • The change appears on your profile right away, and your followers will see the new picture within seconds.
  • You can remove your profile picture entirely by choosing the delete option instead of uploading a new one.

Using a photo from your phone's library

When you tap Photo in the Account settings, Instagram will show you two options: Take photo and Choose from library. If you already have a picture saved on your phone that you want to use, tap Choose from library. Your phone will open your photo app and show you all your saved images.

Scroll through and tap the image you want to use. Instagram will then show you a preview with a square frame around the part of the photo that will appear as your profile picture. You can pinch to zoom in or out, or drag the image around to position it exactly how you want it. Once you are happy with how it looks, tap Done or Save at the bottom of the screen.

Taking a new photo with your camera

If you do not have a photo ready, you can take one directly from Instagram. Tap Photo in your Account settings, then tap Take photo. Instagram will open your phone's camera and let you snap a picture right then. You can take as many shots as you need — just tap the shutter button each time.

After you take the photo, you will see a preview. If you like it, tap the checkmark to move forward. If you want to try again, tap the back arrow and take another one. Once you confirm the photo, you can crop and position it the same way you would with a library image, then save it.

Cropping and positioning your picture

Instagram always shows your profile picture as a circle, so the cropping tool reflects that. When you select an image, you will see a square with a circle inside it. The circle shows exactly what part of your photo will be visible to other people. Everything outside the circle will be hidden.

You can drag the image around to move it, or pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out. This is useful if your face is off to one side of the photo or if you want to focus on a specific part. Take your time positioning it — you can see the preview update as you move things around. Once it looks right, tap Done or Save.

Removing your profile picture

If you want to delete your current profile picture and have no picture at all, go to Settings and privacy, then Account, then tap Photo. Instead of choosing a new image, look for a Remove photo or Delete option at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and Instagram will remove your picture. Your profile will show a blank circle instead.

You can add a picture back anytime by following the same steps and choosing a new image. There is no penalty for removing your picture, and you can change it as often as you want.

What happens after you save your new picture

Once you tap Done or Save, your new profile picture appears on your account right away. You will see it update on your own profile page within seconds. Your followers will also see the new picture almost when ready when they visit your profile or see your name in their feed.

Instagram does not send a notification to your followers when you change your picture, so they will only notice if they happen to look at your profile. The old picture is replaced completely — Instagram does not keep a history of your past profile pictures that other people can see.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the Photo option in your Account settings, make sure you are logged into the right account. Some accounts have different settings depending on whether they are personal or business accounts, but the photo option appears in both. If the menu looks different, try closing Instagram completely and opening it again.

If your photo will not upload or keeps showing an error, check that you have a working internet connection. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if that helps. If the problem continues, try restarting your phone. If you are still stuck, you can also change your picture from a computer by visiting Instagram.com, clicking your profile icon, and selecting Edit profile, though the phone app is usually faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that is not a picture of me?

Yes. Instagram does not require your profile picture to be a photo of your face. You can use a landscape, an object, a logo, or anything else. Some people use cartoon characters or abstract images. The only rule is that the image cannot violate Instagram's community guidelines — so no violent, hateful, or sexually explicit content.

What size should my profile picture be?

Instagram automatically crops your image into a circle, so the exact size does not matter much. A photo that is at least 320 by 320 pixels works well, but Instagram will resize anything you upload. You do not need to edit or resize the photo yourself before uploading it.

Will my old profile picture be saved anywhere?

No. Once you change your profile picture, the old one is gone from your Instagram account. Other people cannot see your past pictures unless they took a screenshot of your profile before you changed it. Instagram does not keep a public history of profile pictures.

Can I change my profile picture on a computer?

Yes. Go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Edit profile. You will see your current profile picture with an option to change it. Click on the picture and choose a new image from your computer. The steps are the same as on a phone, just with a mouse instead of taps.

How often can I change my profile picture?

You can change it as many times as you want, whenever you want. There is no limit on how often you update it. Some people change their picture daily, while others keep the same one for years.