The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile icon in the top left or top right corner. Select "Profile" from the menu. On your profile page, hover over or tap your current profile picture, and you'll see options to upload a new photo or take one with your camera. Choose the image you want, crop it if needed, and confirm. The change appears when ready to everyone who can see your profile.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your old profile picture stays in your photo albums unless you delete it separately — changing your profile picture doesn't remove it from Facebook's servers.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from your profile page by clicking or tapping your current picture and selecting a new image.
- Facebook lets you upload a photo from your device, take a new one with your camera, or choose from photos already on Facebook.
- Your profile picture change is visible to your friends and anyone else who can see your profile within seconds.
- You can control who sees your profile picture by adjusting your privacy settings, separate from who can see your other photos.
- Changing your profile picture does not delete the old one — it stays in your albums unless you remove it yourself.
Where to find the upload option on different devices
On a phone or tablet, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner on Android or top right on iPhone. Tap your name to go to your profile. Tap your profile picture at the top, then tap the camera icon or pencil icon that appears. This opens your camera roll or the option to take a new photo.
On a computer, go to facebook.com and click your profile icon in the top right. Click "Profile" from the dropdown. Hover your mouse over your profile picture and click the camera icon that appears. You can then upload from your computer, use your webcam, or pick a photo already on Facebook.
Choosing and uploading your new picture
When you select an image, Facebook shows you a preview and lets you crop it before you confirm. The crop tool is useful because profile pictures appear as small circles or squares depending on where someone views them — cropping lets you make sure your face or the important part of the image is centered and visible.
You can upload a photo from your device, take a new one using your camera or phone's camera app, or select from photos you've already posted on Facebook. If you choose an existing Facebook photo, the upload is when ready. If you upload from your device, the file size usually doesn't matter — Facebook compresses images automatically.
Privacy settings for your profile picture
Your profile picture is public by default, meaning anyone on or off Facebook can see it if they find your profile. You can change this by going to your profile, clicking the three dots next to your profile picture, and selecting "Edit privacy." From there, you can set it to "Friends only," "Specific friends," or keep it public.
This privacy setting is separate from your overall profile privacy. You might have your profile set to "Friends only" but still want your profile picture visible to everyone — or the reverse. Adjust each one independently based on what feels right for you.
What happens to your old profile picture
When you change your profile picture, Facebook keeps the old one in your "Profile Pictures" album. Anyone looking at your profile can see the history of your past profile pictures by clicking on your current one and scrolling through the album. If you don't want people to see an old profile picture, you can delete it from that album.
To delete an old profile picture, go to your profile, click "Photos," find the "Profile Pictures" album, open the photo you want to remove, click the three dots, and select "Delete." Deleting it removes it from the album but doesn't affect your current profile picture.
Profile picture frames and temporary changes
Facebook offers profile picture frames — decorative borders you can add to your current picture without actually changing the image. These frames are temporary and disappear after a set time, or you can remove them manually. To add a frame, click your profile picture, select "Add frame," and browse the available options. Frames are useful if you want to show support for a cause or event without permanently changing your picture.
If you want to change your picture back to a previous one, you don't have to re-upload it. Go to your profile, click your picture, scroll through your profile picture history, and click the one you want to use again. Facebook will ask you to confirm, and it becomes your new profile picture when ready.
Keeping your profile picture find
Your profile picture is one of the most visible parts of your account, so it's worth thinking about what you share. Avoid uploading pictures that contain personal information like your address, phone number, or identifying documents. Be cautious about pictures that show your location, your daily routine, or details that could help someone impersonate you or target you.
If someone has stolen your profile picture or is using it without permission, you can report it to Facebook. Go to the photo, click the three dots, and select "Report photo." Facebook will review it and may remove it if it violates their policies. You can also adjust your privacy settings to make it harder for people to read or share your pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see who viewed my profile picture?
No. Facebook does not show you a list of who has viewed your profile picture. You can see how many people have reacted to it or commented on it, but not who straightforward looked at it.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes your image to fit the profile picture space, so the exact size doesn't matter. A square image works best because it displays as a circle on most devices. Anything from 400 by 400 pixels to 1200 by 1200 pixels will work without quality loss.
Can I change my profile picture if my account is restricted or limited?
Yes. Account restrictions usually limit who can see your posts or contact you, but they don't prevent you from editing your profile picture. If you cannot change it, your account may have a security issue — check your security settings or contact Facebook support.
Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?
No notification is sent, but your friends may see the change in their news feed if Facebook's algorithm shows them a story about your profile update. This depends on your privacy settings and how active you are on the platform.
Can I upload a video as my profile picture?
No. Facebook profile pictures must be still images. However, you can create a profile video, which plays when someone visits your profile — this is a separate feature from your static profile picture.