The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the circular profile picture at the top of your screen, then tap the camera icon that appears over it. Choose Take a photo to use your phone's camera right now, or Choose from library to pick a photo you already have saved. After you select or take a photo, you can zoom, move it around, and tap Next to explore it. Instagram saves the change when ready — you do not need to confirm anything else.
If you are on a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select Settings and privacy, then Edit profile. Click the circular profile picture, then Upload photo, and select a file from your computer. Crop the image if you want to, then click Save.
The whole process takes under a minute on either device. Your new picture shows up to everyone who visits your profile right away.
Key Takeaways
- On your phone, tap your profile icon, then the circular picture, then the camera icon to take a new photo or choose one from your library.
- On a computer, go to your profile settings, click Edit profile, and upload a photo from your files.
- You can crop and position your photo before saving it, and the change appears when ready to other users.
- Instagram stores your old profile pictures in your archive, so you can switch back to a previous one if you want to.
Choosing a photo that works well as a profile picture
A good profile picture is one where your face fills most of the frame and the background is not too busy. Instagram crops profile pictures into a circle, so anything near the edges of your photo will be cut off — keep important details toward the center. Avoid photos where you are very far away or where your face is hard to see.
Think about the lighting in your photo. A photo taken in natural light or with clear, even lighting looks better than one taken in dim conditions or with harsh shadows across your face. If you are taking a new photo with your phone's camera, step outside or stand near a window for the best result.
You do not have to use a photo of yourself. Some people use a logo, a pet, artwork, or another image that represents them. The only rule is that Instagram will not let you use an image that violates their community guidelines — no hate speech, violence, or sexual content.
Switching back to an old profile picture
Instagram keeps copies of your old profile pictures for you. To find them, tap your profile icon, then tap your current profile picture, then tap See all photos. Scroll through the photos Instagram has saved and tap the one you want to use again. Tap Set as profile picture, and it replaces your current one.
This feature works on both phones and computers. On a computer, the process is the same: go to your profile, click your picture, and look for the option to view your photo history.
What to do if your photo won't upload
If Instagram will not let you upload a photo, the most common reason is that the file is too large or in a format Instagram does not recognize. Instagram works best with JPG and PNG files. If you took the photo on your phone, it should already be in the right format, so try deleting the Instagram app and reinstalling it, then try again.
Another reason the upload might fail is that your internet connection is weak. Move closer to your WiFi router or wait a few minutes and try again. If you are using mobile data, switch to WiFi if you can.
If the photo violates Instagram's community guidelines, you will see a message telling you that. In that case, choose a different photo. If you see an error message that does not explain what went wrong, try restarting your phone or computer and uploading again.
Profile pictures and your privacy
Your profile picture is visible to anyone who finds your account, whether they follow you or not. If your account is public, anyone on Instagram can see it. If your account is private, only people you have approved as followers can see your profile picture and other details.
Think about what you are comfortable sharing before you choose a profile picture. If you do not want to use a photo of your face, you have the option to use something else instead. You can also change your profile picture whenever you want — there is no limit to how many times you can update it.
Using a profile picture from your phone's camera roll
When you tap Choose from library on your phone, Instagram opens your photo library and shows you all the photos and videos you have saved. Scroll through until you find the photo you want, tap it, and Instagram will show you how it will look as a profile picture with the circular crop applied. You can pinch to zoom in or out, and drag the photo around to change what part of it shows in the circle.
Once you are happy with how it looks, tap Next and then Save. The photo does not have to be a recent one — you can use any photo in your library, even one from years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of me as my profile picture?
Yes. Many people use photos of pets, artwork, logos, or other images. Instagram only requires that the image does not violate their community guidelines. Your profile picture is yours to choose.
Will my old profile picture stay visible somewhere after I change it?
Your old profile pictures are saved in Instagram's archive, and you can view them by tapping your current profile picture and selecting See all photos. Other people cannot see your old pictures — only you can access them.
How many times can I change my profile picture?
You can change it as many times as you want, as often as you want. There is no limit. Some people change theirs weekly or daily, and others keep the same one for years.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram automatically crops any photo you upload into a circle, so the exact size does not matter. Just make sure your photo is clear and your face or main subject is toward the center, since the edges will be cut off.
Can I change my profile picture on Instagram from a web browser?
Yes. Go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon, select Settings and privacy, then Edit profile, and click your profile picture to upload a new one from your computer.