Where to find and change your Mac login picture

Your Mac login icon is the picture that appears next to your username on the login screen. You can change it to any image stored on your computer, or pick from Apple's built-in options. The setting lives in System Settings under your user account — it takes about two minutes to swap it out.

The login icon is different from your profile picture in Messages or FaceTime. Changing your login icon does not change those. Only people who see your Mac's login screen will see the new picture — typically anyone who uses that computer or restarts it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click on your user account in the sidebar, and select "Account Picture" to see all your options.
  • You can use any image file on your Mac — drag it into the picture well, or click the camera icon to take a new photo with your webcam.
  • Apple provides built-in emoji and animal illustrations that update automatically based on the time of day.
  • The login icon appears on the login screen and in the top-right corner of your Mac when you are logged in.

Step-by-step: changing your login picture in System Settings

Start by opening System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select "System Settings" from the dropdown.

In the sidebar on the left, look for your username and click it. If you do not see a sidebar, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner of System Settings to reveal it. Once you are in your account settings, look for the "Account Picture" option near the top of the window.

Click on your current picture. A small window will open showing you all available options. You can scroll through Apple's built-in pictures, or click "Select Picture" at the bottom to browse your own files.

Using your own image as a login icon

When you click "Select Picture," a file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your image is stored — usually Pictures, Downloads, or Desktop. Select the image and click "Open." Your Mac will crop it into a circle automatically.

If you want to adjust how the image is cropped, a preview window appears after you select it. You can drag the image around inside the circle to position it the way you want. Click "Set" when you are satisfied.

Your Mac accepts most common image formats: JPEG, PNG, HEIF, and GIF. If you have a very large image file, Mac will resize it automatically. There is no file size limit that will prevent you from using an image.

Taking a new photo with your webcam

In the Account Picture window, click the camera icon to take a live photo instead of choosing an existing file. Your Mac will open the camera and show you a live preview.

Position yourself in front of the camera and click the shutter button (or press the spacebar) to take the photo. You will see a preview of the cropped result. If you like it, click "Set." If not, click the back arrow and take another photo.

The camera option works on any Mac with a built-in or external webcam. If your Mac does not have a camera, this button will be grayed out.

Using Apple's built-in pictures and emoji

Apple provides several categories of pictures you can use without uploading your own file. In the Account Picture window, you will see tabs for different options: Emoji, Initials, Solid Colors, and Animals.

The Animals category includes illustrations that change throughout the day — the same animal may look different at sunrise, noon, and sunset. Emoji options let you pick any emoji and customize its color. Initials will display your first and last initials in a colored circle. Solid Colors gives you a plain background with no image.

Click any option to preview it, then click "Set" to explore it. You can change it again anytime by returning to Account Picture.

What happens after you change your login icon

Your new picture appears when ready on the login screen the next time you log out or restart your Mac. It also shows in the top-right corner of your screen when you are logged in — click it to see your account menu.

If you share your Mac with other users, each person has their own login icon. Changing yours does not affect anyone else's account. Other people's icons will still appear on the login screen next to their usernames.

If you ever want to revert to a previous picture, go back to Account Picture and select a different option. Mac does not keep a history of your old icons, so if you delete an image file from your computer, you cannot use it again unless you have a copy elsewhere.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the Account Picture option does not appear in your account settings, you may not have permission to change it. On a managed Mac (like one provided by an employer), an administrator may have locked this setting. Contact your IT department or the person who manages your Mac.

If your image appears blurry or pixelated after you set it, the original file may be very small. Mac crops your picture into a circle about 256 pixels across. Images smaller than that will look fuzzy. Try a larger image file instead.

If you drag an image into the picture well and nothing happens, the file format may not be supported. Try converting it to JPEG or PNG using a free tool like Preview (built into Mac), then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a picture from the internet as my login icon?

Yes. Right-click the image on a website, select "Save Image As," and save it to your computer. Then follow the steps above to set it as your login picture. Make sure you have permission to use the image.

Will changing my login icon affect my iCloud or Apple ID picture?

No. Your Mac login icon is separate from your Apple ID picture. Changing one does not change the other. Your Apple ID picture appears in Settings > [Your Name] at the top of System Settings.

Can other people see my login icon if I share my Mac?

Yes. Your icon appears on the login screen next to your username, so anyone who sees the login screen will see it. Each user account has its own separate icon.

What if I want to remove my picture and use a solid color instead?

In the Account Picture window, click the "Solid Colors" tab and pick a color. Your login screen will show that color instead of an image.

Can I use an animated GIF as my login icon?

Mac will accept a GIF file, but it will display as a still image — the animation will not play on the login screen or in the menu bar.