Where to find the profile picture option

Your profile picture is the small circular image that appears next to your name across Facebook. To change it, go to your profile by clicking your name in the top left corner of Facebook, or tap the menu icon on your phone and select your name. Once you are on your profile page, look for your current profile picture in the top left area of your cover photo.

On a computer, hover your mouse over your profile picture and you will see a camera icon appear in the bottom right corner of the image. Click that camera icon. On a phone or tablet, tap directly on your profile picture, and a menu will pop up with options to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile picture is the circular image next to your name, and you change it by clicking the camera icon that appears when you hover over it on a computer, or by tapping it on a phone.
  • You can upload a photo from your device, take a new photo with your camera, or choose an existing photo already on Facebook.
  • Facebook stores old profile pictures in a folder you can return to if you want to use a previous picture again.
  • You can control who sees your profile picture by adjusting privacy settings, though the picture is visible to most people by default.

Uploading a photo from your device

When you click the camera icon or tap your profile picture, a menu appears with several options. Select "Upload Photo" or "Choose Photo" depending on whether you are on a computer or phone. This opens a file browser where you can navigate to a photo saved on your device.

Find the photo you want to use and click or tap it to select it. Facebook will then show you a preview and let you crop or adjust the image before confirming. The cropping tool lets you zoom in and out and move the image around so the part you want appears in the circular frame. Once you are satisfied with how it looks, click "Save" or "Confirm" to make it your new profile picture.

Taking a new photo with your camera

If you want to take a fresh photo instead of using an existing one, select "Take Photo" from the menu that appears when you click the camera icon. On a phone, this opens your camera app and lets you snap a picture right away. On a computer, you may need to give Facebook permission to use your webcam the first time you do this.

After you take the photo, Facebook shows you a preview. You can retake it if you do not like how it looks, or proceed to crop and adjust it the same way you would with an uploaded photo. Once you confirm, the new picture becomes your profile picture when ready.

Choosing from photos already on Facebook

You do not have to upload or take a new photo. When you click the camera icon, you will see an option to "Choose from Photos" or "Select from Photos." This shows you all the photos already on your Facebook account — both pictures you have posted and ones others have tagged you in.

Scroll through the list and click or tap the photo you want to use as your profile picture. Facebook will preview it and let you crop it to fit the circular frame. This is useful if you have already posted a photo you like and do not want to upload it again.

Finding and restoring old profile pictures

Facebook keeps a record of every profile picture you have ever used. To see this history, go to your profile and click the camera icon over your picture. Look for an option called "See All Photos" or "View Profile Picture History." This opens a folder showing thumbnails of all your previous profile pictures in reverse order, with the most recent at the top.

If you want to use an old profile picture again, straightforward click or tap it from this list. Facebook will show you a preview and let you crop it if needed, then save it as your current picture. This is faster than re-uploading the same photo from your device.

Controlling who can see your profile picture

By default, your profile picture is visible to almost everyone on Facebook, including people who are not your friends. If you want to limit who sees it, you can adjust the privacy setting. Go to your profile, click the three dots or menu icon near your cover photo, and select "Settings and Privacy" then "Settings."

Look for the section about profile information or visibility. You will find an option to control who can see your profile picture — usually set to "Public" or "Friends." Change this to "Friends Only" if you want only people you have added as friends to see it, or select a custom option if you want more control. Keep in mind that some people, like those you message or who search for you, may still see your picture even if you restrict it.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the camera icon does not appear when you hover over your profile picture, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. On a phone, make sure you are using the official Facebook app rather than the mobile website, as the mobile site has fewer features.

If your new profile picture does not save, check that the image file is in a supported format like JPG or PNG, and that it is not too large. Facebook usually accepts photos up to 4 MB. If you are still having trouble, try a different browser or app, or wait a few minutes and try again — sometimes Facebook's servers are temporarily slow.

If you see an error message saying the photo could not be uploaded, make sure you have a stable internet connection. On a phone, try switching from WiFi to mobile data or vice versa. If the problem continues, restart the app or your device.

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 show your face — you can use a photo of anything, including pets, landscapes, logos, or artwork. However, Facebook may remove pictures that violate its community standards, such as images containing nudity, violence, or hate symbols.

What happens to my old profile pictures when I change it?

Your old profile pictures are not deleted. They remain in your profile picture history folder and stay visible in the posts and comments where they appeared. Only your current profile picture changes across your profile and in your name tags.

Can I change my profile picture on the Facebook mobile app?

Yes. The process is the same — tap your profile picture, select the camera icon, and choose to upload, take a new photo, or select from existing photos. The mobile app has all the same options as the computer version.

Will my friends be notified when I change my profile picture?

No. Changing your profile picture does not send a notification to your friends. However, they may notice the change if they visit your profile or see your updated picture next to your name in comments or messages.

Can I make my profile picture private so only I can see it?

No. Your profile picture must be visible to at least some people on Facebook — you cannot make it completely private. The most restrictive option is to set it to "Friends Only," which means only people you have added as friends can see it.