The quickest way to change your Facebook picture

Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top left corner (on desktop) or tap the menu icon and select your name (on mobile). Click or tap the camera icon that appears over your current picture. Choose Upload Photo to pick a new image from your device, or Take Photo to use your camera right now. Select the image, adjust the frame if you want, then click Save. Your new picture appears when ready on your profile and in comments and messages.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Facebook keeps your old pictures in an album called "Profile Pictures" so you can switch back to any previous photo without re-uploading it.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the camera icon over your current profile picture to start the change process on desktop or mobile.
  • You can upload a new photo from your device, take a fresh photo with your camera, or choose from photos you have already posted.
  • Facebook stores all your old profile pictures in a dedicated album, so you can revert to a previous picture anytime without uploading again.
  • Your new profile picture shows up when ready across your profile, comments, messages, and anywhere else your picture appears on Facebook.
  • You can crop and adjust how the picture frames before saving, or skip that step and use the full image.

Uploading a photo from your phone or computer

When you click Upload Photo, Facebook opens your device's file browser. On a phone, this usually shows your photo library or camera roll. On a computer, it opens a folder where you can navigate to any image file. Select the photo you want and tap or click to confirm.

Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. The image can be any size, but Facebook recommends at least 400 × 400 pixels so it looks sharp on all devices. If your photo is smaller, Facebook will still accept it but it may appear blurry on larger screens.

Taking a new photo with your camera

If you choose Take Photo, Facebook launches your device's camera app. Take your picture, then confirm it. You return to Facebook, where you can crop and position the image before saving.

On mobile, make sure Facebook has permission to access your camera. If you see a message asking for permission, tap Allow. On a computer, your browser may ask the same thing — click Allow in the browser prompt.

Choosing from photos you have already posted

You do not have to upload or take a new photo. Click the camera icon, then select Choose from Photos. Facebook shows albums of pictures you have posted before, including your old profile pictures. Scroll through and tap or click the image you want. This is the fastest way to switch back to a previous profile picture.

You can also browse your Photos of You album — pictures other people have tagged you in. This is useful if someone took a photo of you that you like but never posted yourself.

Cropping and positioning your picture

After you select an image, Facebook shows a cropping screen. A square frame appears over the photo. Drag the corners or edges to adjust what part of the image shows in your profile picture. You can also drag the photo itself to move it around inside the frame.

Click or tap Save when the frame shows what you want. If you do not want to crop, just click Save without adjusting — Facebook will use the full image, though it may crop it automatically depending on the original size and shape.

Managing your old profile pictures

Facebook automatically saves every profile picture you have ever used in an album called Profile Pictures. You can see this album on your profile by clicking Photos and scrolling down. Each picture shows the date you set it as your profile picture.

You can make any old picture public, private, or visible only to friends by clicking it and adjusting the privacy setting. You can also delete old profile pictures if you want, though Facebook keeps them in your archive for a while even after deletion. To delete a profile picture, click it, then click the three dots and select Delete.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the camera icon does not appear, make sure you are logged into Facebook and viewing your own profile. You cannot change someone else's picture. If you are on mobile and the camera icon is missing, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app.

If your photo uploads but looks blurry or stretched, the original image may be too small or the wrong shape. Try uploading a larger photo (at least 400 × 400 pixels) or one that is closer to square. If the upload fails completely, check that the file is a JPG, PNG, or GIF and that your internet connection is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my profile picture on mobile and desktop the same way?

The steps are nearly identical. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select your name to reach your profile, then tap the camera icon. On desktop, click your profile picture in the top left, then click the camera icon. Both methods lead to the same upload and cropping screens.

What happens to my old profile pictures?

Facebook stores them in your Profile Pictures album forever (unless you delete them). You can switch back to any old picture anytime by going to that album and clicking the camera icon over the photo you want. You do not have to re-upload it.

Can I set different profile pictures for different people to see?

No. Your profile picture is the same for everyone. However, you can control who sees your profile itself using privacy settings. If you want different people to see different pictures, you would need to change your picture multiple times, which is not practical.

How long does it take for my new picture to show up everywhere?

Your profile picture updates when ready on your profile page. It may take a few minutes to appear in comments, messages, and other places across Facebook, especially if you are on a slow connection. Refresh the page if you do not see it right away.

What if I do not like the picture after I save it?

You can change it again anytime by clicking the camera icon and choosing a different photo. There is no limit to how many times you can change your profile picture. If you want to go back to your previous picture, go to your Profile Pictures album and click the camera icon over the old one.