You can delete your Facebook cover photo by going to your profile, clicking the cover image, and selecting the delete option from the menu that appears

Your cover photo is the large banner image at the top of your Facebook profile. Removing it takes about 30 seconds and leaves your profile with a blank blue background instead. Facebook does not require you to have a cover photo — you can delete it whenever you want and add a new one later.

The steps are the same whether you are on a computer or a phone, though the exact buttons look slightly different. If you have already set a cover photo and want it gone, here is how to do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your Facebook profile, locate the cover photo at the top, and click or tap directly on the image itself.
  • A menu will appear with options including "Delete" — select that option to remove the photo permanently.
  • Your profile will show a blank blue background once the cover photo is deleted.
  • You can add a new cover photo at any time by clicking the camera icon in the blank space.
  • Deleting your cover photo does not affect any other photos on your profile or your privacy settings.

Steps to delete your cover photo on a computer

Start by going to your Facebook profile. You can do this by clicking your name in the top left corner of Facebook, or by clicking the profile icon (usually your photo) in the top right corner and selecting "Profile" from the dropdown menu.

Once you are on your profile page, look at the top of the page. You will see your cover photo — the large banner image that stretches across the width of your profile. Move your mouse over the cover photo. A small menu of icons will appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click the pencil icon (it looks like a pencil in a square). A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Click "Delete" from that menu. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Delete" again, and the cover photo will be removed.

Steps to delete your cover photo on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and go to your profile by tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then tapping your name. You will see your cover photo at the top of your profile.

Tap directly on the cover photo image itself. A menu will appear with options. Look for and tap "Delete." Facebook will ask you to confirm the deletion. Tap "Delete" again, and the photo will be removed. Your profile will now show a blank blue background where the cover photo was.

What happens after you delete your cover photo

Once deleted, your cover photo is gone from your profile. The space where it was will show a solid blue background. Your profile picture (the smaller circular photo) stays in place and is not affected by deleting your cover photo.

The photo itself is not permanently deleted from Facebook — it remains in your photo albums and you can still see it there. Deleting it as your cover photo just removes it from display at the top of your profile. You can add a new cover photo at any time by clicking the camera icon in the blue space where your old cover photo was.

Why you might want to delete your cover photo

You might delete your cover photo for privacy reasons — for example, if it contains information you no longer want visible, or if you straightforward prefer a cleaner profile appearance. Some people delete cover photos when they are no longer relevant or when they want to update their profile look.

Deleting your cover photo does not change your privacy settings or who can see your profile. It only removes that specific image from the top of your page. If you are concerned about what information is visible on your profile, deleting the cover photo is one small step, but you may also want to review your privacy settings separately to control who can see your posts, photos, and other profile details.

Adding a new cover photo after deletion

If you delete your cover photo and later want to add a new one, the process is straightforward. Go to your profile and look at the blue space where your cover photo was. You will see a camera icon in the center of that space. Click or tap the camera icon, and Facebook will let you choose a photo from your computer, phone, or from photos you have already uploaded to Facebook.

You can also upload a photo directly from your device or select one from your existing Facebook photos. Once you choose an image, you can adjust how it is positioned and cropped before confirming. The new cover photo will then appear at the top of your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting my cover photo delete the photo from my albums?

No. Deleting your cover photo only removes it from display at the top of your profile. The photo remains in your albums and you can still view it there. You can even set it as your cover photo again later if you change your mind.

Can other people see that I deleted my cover photo?

Yes, anyone who visits your profile will see the blank blue background instead of a cover photo. There is no notification sent to your friends about the deletion — they will only see the change if they look at your profile.

What if the delete option does not appear when I click on my cover photo?

Make sure you are clicking directly on the cover photo image itself, not on the area around it. On a computer, hover your mouse over the image until the pencil icon appears. On a phone, tap the photo and wait for the menu to load. If you still do not see the delete option, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app.

Can I delete someone else's cover photo from their profile?

No. You can only delete or change the cover photo on your own profile. If you are an admin of a Facebook page (not a personal profile), you can delete that page's cover photo using the same steps.