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 "Change profile picture" from the menu that appears. You can then choose to take a new photo with your camera, upload a photo from your device, or pick one you have already posted to Facebook. Once you select the photo, you can adjust how it appears — zoom in or out, move it around — and then tap or click "Save".

The whole process takes about one minute. Your new profile picture shows up when ready to everyone on Facebook, and it also updates on Messenger if you use that app.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your profile picture from your phone or computer by tapping or clicking your current photo and selecting "Change profile picture".
  • Facebook lets you upload a new photo, take one with your camera, or use a photo you have already posted.
  • Your old profile pictures stay in a folder called "Profile Pictures" that only you can see unless you change the privacy setting.
  • If you upload a photo from your device, Facebook stores it on its servers, so think about what personal information might be visible in the background.
  • You can hide your profile picture from specific people by changing who can see it in your privacy settings.

Where Facebook stores your profile pictures

When you upload a photo to use as your profile picture, Facebook saves it to your account and also keeps copies on its servers. This means Facebook can use that image for things like showing it next to your comments and posts, or displaying it in search results when someone looks for your name.

Facebook also keeps all your old profile pictures in a folder called "Profile Pictures" that is private by default — only you can see them. You can look at this folder anytime by going to your profile, clicking "Photos," and then selecting "Profile Pictures" from the list on the left.

What to think about before you upload a photo

When you choose a photo to upload, pay attention to what is in the background. If your photo shows your home address on a mailbox, a street sign that identifies where you live, or other details that reveal your location, anyone on Facebook can see that information. The same applies to photos that show your car's license plate, your full name on a document, or other identifying details you might not want public.

Facebook also reads the data attached to photos taken on phones and cameras — called metadata — which can include the date, time, and sometimes the location where the photo was taken. Facebook strips out location data before storing your profile picture, but it is still worth being aware that this information exists in the original file.

Controlling who sees your profile picture

By default, everyone on Facebook can see your profile picture, including people who are not your friends. If you want to limit who sees it, you can change the privacy setting. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your profile picture, and select "Edit profile picture." At the bottom of the window, you will see a privacy button — it usually shows a globe icon or a friends icon. Click it and choose who can see your photo: "Public" (everyone), "Friends" (only people you are friends with), or "Only me" (just you).

Keep in mind that even if you set your profile picture to "Only me," Facebook still uses it internally — for example, to show next to your comments on public posts. The privacy setting only controls whether other people can click on your profile picture to see a larger version or view your "Profile Pictures" folder.

Removing or hiding old profile pictures

If you want to delete an old profile picture, go to your "Profile Pictures" folder, click on the photo you want to remove, and then click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Delete photo" and confirm. The photo is then removed from Facebook entirely — it no longer appears in your folder or anywhere else on the platform.

Deleting a profile picture does not remove comments or reactions people left on it, but it does remove the image itself. If you straightforward want to hide a photo without deleting it, you can move it to a private album instead. Go to the photo, click the three dots, select "Edit post," and change the privacy setting to "Only me."

Profile pictures and your privacy settings

Your profile picture is one of the few things on Facebook that is public by default, even if the rest of your profile is set to private. This is because Facebook uses your profile picture to identify you across the platform — in search results, next to your comments, and in friend suggestions. If you set your profile picture to "Only me," you are limiting visibility, but Facebook still stores and uses the image internally.

If you are concerned about your image being used in ways you did not intend, you can report a misuse of your photo to Facebook. Go to the photo, click the three dots, and select "Report photo." You can then choose the reason — for example, if someone has used your photo to create a fake account or if the photo violates your privacy in some way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my profile picture?

Yes. Facebook does not require your profile picture to be a photo of you. You can use a photo of a pet, a landscape, a logo, or anything else. However, if you use a photo that does not show your face, some people may have trouble recognizing you or finding your profile in search results.

What happens to my profile picture if I deactivate my account?

If you deactivate your Facebook account, your profile picture and all other content become hidden from public view. If you reactivate your account later, your profile picture and content come back. If you permanently delete your account instead, all your photos, including your profile pictures, are deleted after 90 days.

Can I see who has viewed my profile picture?

No. Facebook does not tell you who has looked at your profile picture or clicked on it. You can see how many times a photo has been viewed if you posted it as a regular photo post, but profile pictures do not show view counts.

Is it safe to upload a photo directly from my phone?

Yes, it is safe in the sense that the upload itself is encrypted. However, be aware that photos taken on phones often contain metadata like the date, time, and sometimes location. Facebook removes location data before storing your profile picture, but the original file on your phone still contains it.

What if someone else is using my photo as their profile picture?

You can report it to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots, and select "Report profile." Choose "It is pretending to be someone" or "It is impersonating me," and Facebook will investigate. If the account is found to be impersonating you, Facebook may remove it or ask the person to change their photo.