The quickest way to change your cover photo

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to your profile. Look for your current cover photo at the top — it's the wide banner image above your profile picture. Hover your mouse over it (on a computer) or tap it (on a phone), and a camera icon will appear. Click or tap that icon, then choose whether you want to upload a new photo from your device, select one you've already posted, or use a photo from Facebook's library. Once you pick your image, you can position it by dragging it around, then click "Save" or "Done."

The whole process takes less than a minute. Facebook stores your cover photo change when ready, and everyone who visits your profile will see the new image right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your cover photo by tapping the camera icon that appears when you hover over or tap your current cover photo.
  • Facebook lets you upload a new image, choose from photos you've already posted, or pick from their built-in photo library.
  • You can reposition your cover photo by dragging it up or down before you save it, so the part you want is visible.
  • Cover photo changes show up on your profile when ready and are visible to anyone who can see your profile.
  • You can make your cover photo visible only to specific people by adjusting the privacy setting next to the camera icon.

Where to find the camera icon on different devices

On a computer, move your mouse over your cover photo and the camera icon appears in the bottom right corner. On an iPhone or Android phone, tap your cover photo once and the camera icon shows up in the same spot. If you don't see the icon, make sure you're looking at your own profile, not someone else's — you can only change your own cover photo.

If you're using the Facebook app on your phone, the process is identical to using the mobile website. The camera icon location and the menu options stay the same whether you're on iOS or Android.

Uploading a photo from your device

When you tap the camera icon and select "Upload Photo," Facebook opens your device's photo library. Choose any image from your phone, computer, or tablet — there's no size requirement, though Facebook recommends images that are at least 820 pixels wide and 312 pixels tall for the best appearance. Once you pick your photo, you'll see a preview showing how it will look as your cover.

Before you save, you can drag the image up or down to choose which part is visible. This is useful if your photo is taller than Facebook's cover format — you can center the part you want people to see. After you position it, click or tap "Save" and you're done.

Using a photo you've already posted

If you select "Choose from Your Photos," Facebook shows you every image you've posted to your profile, timeline, or albums. This is faster than uploading if you already have the photo you want somewhere on Facebook. Scroll through your photos, tap the one you want, and position it the same way you would with a new upload.

This option is also useful if you want to use a photo that's already been shared with your friends — they'll recognize it, and you don't have to upload the file again.

Choosing from Facebook's photo library

Facebook offers a built-in collection of cover photos organized by category — seasonal images, inspirational quotes, patterns, and more. When you tap the camera icon and select "Choose a Photo," you can browse these options by scrolling or searching. These images are free to use and already sized correctly for a cover photo, so you won't need to reposition them.

This is the fastest option if you don't have a specific photo in mind and just want something that looks polished. The library updates regularly with new seasonal and trending images.

Controlling who can see your cover photo

Next to the camera icon, you'll see a small privacy icon (usually a globe, lock, or people symbol). Tap it to control who sees your cover photo. You can set it to "Public" so anyone can see it, "Friends" so only your friends see it, or "Only Me" to keep it private. This setting is separate from your overall profile privacy — your cover photo can be more or less visible than the rest of your profile.

If you change your cover photo frequently, remember that the privacy setting applies only to that specific cover photo. When you upload a new one, you'll need to set the privacy again if you want it different from the default.

What to do if the camera icon doesn't appear

If you can't see the camera icon, check that you're on your own profile, not someone else's. You can only edit your own cover photo. If you're on your profile and still don't see it, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. On a computer, make sure your browser is up to date.

If you're trying to change someone else's cover photo, you can't — only the profile owner can do that. If the profile owner wants to let you manage their page, they can add you as a page admin, but that's different from a personal profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my cover photo?

No, Facebook cover photos must be static images. You can upload a video to your timeline or use a video as your profile picture, but the cover photo slot only accepts still images in JPG, PNG, or GIF format.

What happens to my old cover photo?

Facebook keeps a history of your cover photos. If you want to go back to an old one, tap the camera icon and select "Choose from Your Photos" — your previous cover photos will be in that list. You can switch back to any of them anytime.

Can I schedule a cover photo to change automatically?

Facebook doesn't have a built-in scheduler for cover photos. You have to change it manually each time. If you want to change it on a specific date, you'll need to remember to do it yourself or set a phone reminder.

Why does my cover photo look blurry or cut off?

Cover photos display at different sizes depending on whether someone is viewing on a phone, tablet, or computer. If your image is too small or the wrong shape, parts may get cut off or appear stretched. Use the positioning tool to center the important part of your image, and stick to photos that are at least 820 pixels wide.

Can I remove my cover photo entirely?

You can't delete your cover photo completely — Facebook always displays one. If you want a blank look, you can upload a solid-color image or set your cover photo to "Only Me" so only you can see it, which makes it invisible to visitors.