The fastest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner (on mobile) or top right corner (on desktop). Select Change profile picture from the menu that appears. Choose whether you want to upload a photo from your device, take a new photo with your camera, or pick one you've already posted to Facebook. Once you select the image, you can crop it to fit the circular frame, then tap or click Set as profile picture to save it.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your new picture appears when ready on your profile and in comments, messages, and anywhere else your name shows up on Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from the menu next to your name in the top corner of Facebook, on either mobile or desktop.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo, use your camera to take one, or select from photos you've already posted.
- You can crop and adjust the image before confirming, and the change takes effect when ready.
- Your old profile picture stays in your photo albums unless you delete it separately.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want with no restrictions.
Where to find the change profile picture option on mobile
On iPhone or Android, open the Facebook app and look at the bottom navigation bar. Tap the icon that looks like a person (usually labeled Menu or shown as your profile picture). This takes you to your profile. At the top of your profile, you'll see your current profile picture. Tap it directly, and a menu will pop up with the option to Change profile picture.
If you don't see the menu, try tapping the small camera icon that sometimes appears in the corner of your profile picture. Either approach opens the same upload screen.
Where to find the change profile picture option on desktop
On a computer, log into Facebook and look at the top right corner of the page. You'll see your profile picture next to your name. Click on it, and a dropdown menu appears. Select Change profile picture from that menu.
Alternatively, you can click on your name or profile picture anywhere on the page to go to your full profile, then click your profile picture at the top of that page. A menu will appear with the same option.
Choosing where your new picture comes from
When you select Change profile picture, Facebook shows you three options. Upload photo lets you browse files on your device and pick an image you've already saved. Take a photo opens your device's camera so you can snap a new picture right then. Choose from photos shows pictures you've already posted to Facebook, which is useful if you want to use an old photo without uploading it again.
Pick whichever source makes sense for the image you want. If you're using a photo from your device, Facebook accepts standard image formats like JPG and PNG.
Cropping and positioning your new profile picture
After you select an image, Facebook opens a cropping tool. Your profile picture appears as a circle, and you'll see the image inside it. You can pinch to zoom in or out (on mobile) or use your mouse wheel (on desktop) to adjust how much of the image fits in the circle. Drag the image around to position it the way you want.
Take your time here—this is what everyone will see when they look at your profile or interact with you on Facebook. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap or click Set as profile picture to confirm.
What happens to your old profile picture
When you change your profile picture, the old one doesn't disappear. Facebook automatically saves it to an album called Profile Pictures in your photos section. You can view all your past profile pictures by going to your profile, clicking Photos, and selecting the Profile Pictures album.
If you want to delete an old profile picture entirely, you can do that from the Profile Pictures album. Open the album, click on the photo you want to remove, and select the delete option. Deleting it from the album removes it from Facebook completely, though it won't affect your current profile picture.
Changing your profile picture back to an old one
If you want to use a profile picture you've had before, you don't need to re-upload it. Go through the normal change process, but instead of uploading or taking a new photo, select Choose from photos. Your Profile Pictures album will appear at the top of the list. Click or tap on any old profile picture, crop it if needed, and set it as your current picture.
This is faster than uploading the same image twice and keeps your photo library cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture on the Facebook website and the app?
Yes, the process works the same way on both. You can change your profile picture from your phone, tablet, or computer whenever you want. The change syncs across all your devices when ready.
How often can I change my profile picture?
You can change it as many times as you want with no limit. Facebook doesn't restrict how frequently you update it, so you can change it daily if you choose to.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically crops your image into a circle, so the exact dimensions don't matter. Just make sure the part of the image you want visible fits inside the circular frame when you crop it. Larger images give you more flexibility in positioning.
Will my contacts see my new profile picture right away?
Yes, your new profile picture appears when ready everywhere on Facebook—in your profile, comments, messages, and friend lists. Everyone who can see your profile will see the new picture when ready.
Can I make my profile picture private so only certain people see it?
Your profile picture is always visible to anyone who can see your profile, based on your overall privacy settings. You cannot hide your profile picture from some people while showing it to others. If you want to control who sees your profile picture, adjust your general profile privacy settings instead.