The quickest way to change your profile picture
To change your Facebook profile picture, tap or click your profile icon in the top left corner of Facebook, then select "Profile." Look for your current profile picture and click the camera icon that appears when you hover over it. Choose "Upload Photo" to pick an image from your device, or "Choose from Photos" to use a picture you have already posted. Once you select the image, Facebook will let you crop and position it before you save.
The entire process takes about one minute on either a phone or computer. Your new picture appears when ready across Facebook, and your friends will see it right away in their feeds and in your profile.
Key Takeaways
- Go to your profile by tapping your profile icon, then click the camera icon on your current picture to start the change.
- You can upload a new photo from your device or reuse a picture you have already posted to Facebook.
- Facebook will show you a cropping tool so you can frame your face or the part of the image you want visible.
- Your new profile picture shows up when ready on your profile and in your friends' feeds.
- You can change your picture as often as you want with no limit on how many times per day.
Changing your picture on a phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. Tap your name at the top of the menu to go to your profile. Find your profile picture at the top of your profile page and tap it once.
A menu will appear with two choices: "Take Photo" and "Choose from Photos." If you want to use your phone's camera to take a new picture right then, tap "Take Photo." If you want to pick a photo that is already saved on your phone, tap "Choose from Photos" and browse your camera roll or photo library. Once you pick an image, you will see a cropping screen where you can move and resize the picture to show what you want. Tap "Save" or "Done" when you are happy with how it looks.
Changing your picture on a computer
Log into Facebook on your computer and click your profile icon in the top left corner of the page. Click "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, find your profile picture and move your mouse over it. A camera icon will appear in the corner of the picture.
Click the camera icon and choose either "Upload Photo" or "Choose from Photos." If you choose "Upload Photo," a window will open where you can browse your computer's files and select an image. If you choose "Choose from Photos," Facebook will show you pictures you have posted before. After you pick your image, use the cropping tool to frame it the way you want, then click "Save Photo" or "Confirm."
How to crop and position your new picture
After you pick an image, Facebook shows you a cropping screen with a square or circle frame (depending on your settings). You can pinch to zoom in and out on a phone, or use your mouse wheel on a computer. Drag the image inside the frame to move it left, right, up, or down until the part you want is centered.
The frame shows you exactly what your profile picture will look like to other people. Make sure your face or the main subject is in the middle and well-lit. Once you are satisfied, tap or click the button to save. Facebook will not let you move forward until you have confirmed the crop, so take your time to get it right.
Using photos you have already posted
If you have posted photos to Facebook before, you do not have to upload a new file. Instead, tap or click "Choose from Photos" when you change your picture. Facebook will show you a grid of pictures you have posted, organized by album. Scroll through and click the photo you want to use as your profile picture.
This option is useful if you want to reuse a photo that performed well or that you know looks good. You still get the cropping tool, so you can frame it differently than it appeared in the original post. This does not remove the photo from the album where you posted it — it only uses a copy as your profile picture.
What happens when you change your picture
Your new profile picture appears on your profile page within seconds. It also shows up in your friends' feeds as a notification that you changed your picture, and it replaces your old picture everywhere on Facebook — in comments, posts, messages, and group discussions. The old picture is not deleted from your account; Facebook keeps it in your profile picture history, which only you can see.
If you change your mind, you can go back to an old picture by clicking the camera icon again and selecting "Choose from Photos." Facebook shows your recent profile pictures at the top of the photo list, so you can quickly find and restore an earlier one. There is no time limit — you can switch back to an old picture days, weeks, or months later.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is uploading a picture that is too small or blurry. Facebook works best with photos that are at least 400 pixels wide. If your image is smaller, it may look pixelated or unclear when displayed on other people's screens. Before you upload, make sure the photo is sharp and well-lit.
Another mistake is not checking how the cropped image looks before saving. The cropping tool shows you exactly what others will see, so take a moment to make sure your face is centered and visible. If you rush through this step, you might end up with a picture that cuts off your head or shows mostly background. You can always change it again, but it is faster to get it right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a picture that is not on my phone or computer?
No, you must either take a new photo with your camera or pick one from your device's files. If you want to use an image from the internet, save it to your phone or computer first, then upload it through Facebook.
What if I do not want my profile picture to show in my friends' feeds?
Facebook always notifies your friends when you change your profile picture. You cannot turn off this notification. However, you can control who sees your profile picture by adjusting your privacy settings — go to Settings, then Privacy, and change who can see your profile.
Can I have a different profile picture on mobile and desktop?
No, your profile picture is the same across all devices and platforms. Whatever you set on your phone will appear on your computer, and vice versa.
How do I remove my profile picture entirely?
You cannot remove your profile picture completely — Facebook requires all accounts to have one. If you want to hide your face, you can upload a photo of something else, like a landscape, pet, or object. You can change it back anytime.
Will changing my picture affect my messages or friend requests?
No, changing your profile picture does not affect your messages, friend requests, or any conversations. It only changes the image that appears next to your name on your profile and throughout Facebook.