The quickest way to change your Facebook 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 upload a photo from your device, take a new one with your camera, or pick one you have already posted. Once you select the image, Facebook will ask you to confirm — tap or click Set as profile picture, and the change takes effect when ready.
The entire process takes less than a minute. Your new picture appears on your profile right away and shows up in your friends' feeds as an update, unless you change your privacy settings first.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from your profile menu in under one minute on either a phone or computer.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo, use your camera, or choose from photos you have already posted.
- Your profile picture change shows up in your friends' feeds by default, but you can hide it before uploading.
- You can add a caption to your profile picture so people know when or why you changed it.
- Removing your profile picture entirely is possible — Facebook will show a blank silhouette instead.
Uploading a photo from your device
If you want to use a photo already saved on your phone or computer, select Upload photo when you choose to change your profile picture. Your device will open a file browser showing your photos. Find the image you want and tap or click it once to select it.
Facebook will then show you a preview of how the photo will look as your profile picture — it crops to a circle, so you may see only part of the image. You can drag the photo around within the circle to position it the way you want before confirming. Once you are satisfied with the crop and position, tap or click Set as profile picture.
Taking a new photo with your camera
Choose Take a photo from the profile picture menu if you want to use your device's camera instead. Facebook will ask permission to access your camera — tap or click Allow when the permission prompt appears. Your camera will then open directly in the Facebook app.
Take your photo, and Facebook will show you a preview. You can retake it if you are not happy with the shot. Once you confirm the image, Facebook will crop it to a circle and ask you to position it the same way as an uploaded photo. Tap or click Set as profile picture when you are ready.
Choosing a photo you have already posted
Select Choose from photos in the profile picture menu to pick from images you have shared on Facebook before. This option shows your most recent posts first. Scroll through to find the photo you want, then tap or click it once.
Facebook will preview the photo cropped to a circle. Adjust the position if needed, then tap or click Set as profile picture. This method is useful if you want to use a photo that already has comments or reactions from your friends, since those remain attached to the original post.
Controlling who sees your profile picture change
When you change your profile picture, Facebook creates a post about it in your feed and shows it to your friends by default. If you want to hide this update, look for the privacy icon (usually a globe or lock symbol) before you tap or click Set as profile picture. Tap or click that icon to change who can see the update — you can choose Friends, Public, or Only me.
Choosing Only me means your profile picture changes, but no post appears in your feed announcing it. Your friends will still see the new picture on your profile when they visit it, but they will not see it as an update in their own feeds.
Adding a caption to your profile picture
Before you confirm your new profile picture, Facebook offers a space to add a caption. This is optional — you can leave it blank or type a few words explaining the photo, like "New year, new look" or "Finally got a good one." The caption appears below your profile picture on your profile page and in the post announcing the change.
You can edit or remove the caption later by going to your profile, right-clicking or long-pressing the profile picture, and selecting Edit caption. This does not change the photo itself, only the text that goes with it.
Removing your profile picture
If you want to remove your profile picture entirely, tap or click your profile picture and select Remove profile picture from the menu. Facebook will replace it with a blank silhouette — the default image for accounts without a profile picture. You can add a new one at any time by following the same steps as changing it.
Removing your picture does not delete any photos from your account or your posts. It only removes the image that appears next to your name on comments, messages, and your profile page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture on the Facebook app and the website?
Yes. The steps are the same on both. On a phone, use the Facebook app or mobile website. On a computer, use the website. Your change syncs across all devices within seconds, so if you change it on your phone, it updates on your computer automatically.
What happens to my old profile picture?
Your old profile picture stays in your photo albums under a folder called "Profile Pictures." You can view, read, or delete it from there, but changing your profile picture does not automatically remove the old one from your account. You have to delete it manually if you want it gone.
Can I see who has viewed my profile picture?
No. Facebook does not tell you who has looked at your profile picture. You can see how many people have reacted to the post announcing your new picture, but not who has straightforward viewed it on your profile page.
Why does my profile picture look different on my phone than on my computer?
Facebook crops your profile picture to a circle, but the exact size and position can look slightly different depending on your screen size and device. This is normal. The photo itself is the same — only how much of it you see changes based on where you are viewing it.
Can I use a screenshot or meme as my profile picture?
Yes, as long as it follows Facebook's community standards. Facebook does not allow profile pictures that are sexually explicit, violent, hateful, or that impersonate someone else. If your picture violates these rules, Facebook may remove it and ask you to choose a different one.