You can delete a Facebook profile photo in three steps from your phone or computer
Open Facebook and go to your profile by tapping your name or clicking your profile picture. Find the photo you want to delete — it will be in your Photos section or pinned at the top of your profile. Tap or click the three dots in the corner of the photo, select "Delete," and confirm. The photo disappears from your profile when ready, though Facebook keeps a copy in your archive for 30 days in case you change your mind.
The process is the same whether you use the Facebook app on iPhone or Android, the Facebook website on a computer, or the mobile website. The three-dot menu appears when you hover over or tap the photo. If you cannot see the three dots, make sure you are the one who uploaded the photo — you can only delete your own photos, not photos someone else posted of you.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete any photo you uploaded to your own profile by opening it, tapping the three-dot menu, and selecting Delete.
- Deleted profile photos stay in Facebook's archive for 30 days, so you can restore them if you change your mind.
- You cannot delete photos that someone else uploaded, even if they tagged you — you can only ask the person who posted it to remove it.
- Deleting a profile photo does not delete any comments or reactions people left on it.
How to delete a profile photo on the Facebook app
Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or tap the menu icon and then your name (on Android). Scroll to the Photos section or look for your profile picture at the top. Tap the photo you want to delete.
Once the photo opens full-screen, tap the three dots in the top right corner. A menu appears with options including "Delete Photo." Tap that option, then tap "Delete" again to confirm. The photo is removed from your profile and your timeline when ready.
How to delete a profile photo on a computer
Go to facebook.com and click your profile picture in the top right corner to open your profile. Scroll down to find the photo you want to delete, or click "Photos" in the left menu to see all your photos organized by album. Click the photo to open it.
Move your mouse over the photo and three dots will appear in the top right corner. Click those dots and select "Delete Photo" from the menu. Click "Delete" to confirm. The photo disappears from your profile right away.
What happens to comments and reactions when you delete a photo
When you delete a profile photo, any comments or reactions people left on it are also deleted. If someone wrote "Great picture!" on the photo, that comment disappears along with the image. Likes and emoji reactions vanish too.
People who commented on the photo will not receive a notification that the photo was deleted. They may notice it is gone if they look back at your profile, but Facebook does not send them a message about it.
How to restore a deleted profile photo within 30 days
Facebook keeps deleted photos in an archive for 30 days. To restore one, go to your profile and click "Photos" in the left menu. At the top of the Photos section, look for an option that says "Recently Deleted" or "Archived." Click it to see photos you deleted in the last month.
Find the photo you want to restore and click the three dots next to it. Select "Restore" and the photo goes back to your profile in the same place it was before. After 30 days, deleted photos are gone permanently and cannot be restored.
How to delete photos someone else posted of you
You cannot delete a photo that someone else uploaded to their profile or timeline, even if they tagged you in it. Instead, you can ask the person to remove it. Go to the photo, click the three dots, and select "Report Photo" or "Message [Person's Name]" to contact them directly.
If the photo violates Facebook's rules — for example, if it shows you without your consent in a way that is harmful — you can report it to Facebook. Click the three dots and select "Report Photo." Choose the reason that best fits the situation. Facebook reviews reports and may remove photos that break their community standards, though they do not always agree with your request.
Difference between deleting and hiding a profile photo
Deleting removes the photo completely from your profile and timeline. Hiding a photo keeps it on Facebook but makes it private so only you can see it. To hide a photo instead of deleting it, open the photo, click the three dots, and select "Make Private" or "Hide from Timeline." The photo stays in your archive but does not show on your profile.
Hiding is useful if you want to keep the photo but do not want it visible to your friends or the public right now. You can unhide it later by opening the photo and selecting "Make Public" or "Show on Timeline." Deleting is permanent after 30 days, so use hiding if you are unsure whether you want the photo gone for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my profile picture if I have not uploaded a new one yet?
Yes. If you want to remove your profile picture entirely, open it, click the three dots, and select Delete. Your profile will show a blank or default image instead. You can upload a new profile picture anytime by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Upload Photo."
What if I delete a photo and then want it back after 30 days?
After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes the photo and you cannot restore it through the app or website. If you have a copy saved on your phone or computer, you can upload it again as a new photo. Otherwise, the photo is gone.
Do my friends get notified when I delete a profile photo?
No. Facebook does not send notifications when you delete a photo. Your friends will only know if they visit your profile and notice the photo is missing. People who commented on the photo will not receive a message about the deletion.
Can I delete multiple photos at once?
On most devices, you delete photos one at a time through the three-dot menu. Some versions of Facebook let you select multiple photos in your Photos section and delete them together, but this feature is not available on all phones and computers. Check your Photos section to see if a "Select" or checkbox option appears.
What if I accidentally delete a profile photo I wanted to keep?
Open your Photos section and look for "Recently Deleted" or "Archived." Find the photo within 30 days and click the three dots next to it, then select "Restore." The photo returns to your profile. After 30 days, you cannot restore it through Facebook.