Change Your Avatar on Facebook Desktop or Mobile

Your Facebook avatar is the small circular image that appears next to your name in comments, messages, and reactions across the platform. To change it, open Facebook on any device, tap or click your profile picture in the top left or top right corner, select "Profile," then click the camera icon over your current avatar image. Choose a new photo from your device or take one with your camera, crop it to fit the circular frame, and tap "Save."

The process takes about one minute and works the same way on phones, tablets, and computers. Your new avatar appears when ready across all your Facebook activity.

Key Takeaways

  • Your avatar is the small circular photo next to your name; it is different from your main profile picture, which is larger and appears at the top of your profile.
  • You can change your avatar by going to your profile, clicking the camera icon on your current avatar, and selecting a new image from your device or camera.
  • Facebook crops avatar images into a circle automatically, so choose a photo where your face or the main subject is centered.
  • Your new avatar shows up right away in all comments, messages, and reactions you make on Facebook.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Desktop

On a computer, start by clicking your profile picture in the top left corner of Facebook (if you are on your home feed) or the top right corner (if you are on another page). This takes you to your profile.

Once you are on your profile page, look for the small camera icon that appears in the bottom right corner of your current avatar image. Click that camera icon. A menu will pop up with two options: "Upload Photo" and "Take a Photo." Choose "Upload Photo" if you want to use a photo already saved on your computer, or "Take a Photo" if your computer has a camera and you want to take a new picture right then.

If you chose "Upload Photo," a file browser will open. Find the image you want to use and click it to select it. Facebook will then show you a preview of how the image will look cropped into a circle. You can drag the image around to center it the way you want, or use the zoom slider to make it larger or smaller. When it looks right, click "Save."

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mobile

On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app. Scroll down and tap "Profile." This opens your profile page.

Tap your current avatar image. A menu will appear with options including "View as" and "Edit Profile." Tap the camera icon that appears over your avatar. You will see two choices: "Take a Photo" and "Choose from Photos." Tap "Choose from Photos" to pick an image from your phone's photo library, or "Take a Photo" to use your phone's camera.

If you chose "Choose from Photos," your phone's photo library will open. Select the photo you want. Facebook will show you a preview with the image cropped into a circle. Pinch to zoom in or out, or drag the image to center it. When you are happy with how it looks, tap "Save" or "Done" (the button name varies by phone).

Choosing a Photo That Works Well as an Avatar

Because avatars are small and circular, certain types of photos work better than others. A close-up of your face where you are centered in the frame will be clear and recognizable at small sizes. Photos taken from far away or with you off to one side may be too small to see clearly once Facebook crops them into a circle.

Avoid photos that are blurry, very dark, or where your face is partially hidden. Logos, artwork, or objects can work as avatars too if that is what you prefer—just make sure the main subject is centered and visible. Remember that your avatar will appear next to every comment and message you post, so choose something you are comfortable with others seeing regularly.

The Difference Between Your Avatar and Your Profile Picture

Your avatar and your profile picture are two separate images on Facebook. Your profile picture is the large image at the top of your profile page that people see when they visit your profile. Your avatar is the small circular image that appears next to your name in comments, messages, reactions, and posts across the entire platform.

You can change them independently. Some people use the same photo for both, but many use different images. Your avatar should be something that looks good when shrunk down to a small circle, while your profile picture can be larger and show more detail.

What Happens After You Change Your Avatar

Your new avatar appears when ready everywhere on Facebook. Any comments you made before the change will still show your old avatar, but all new comments, messages, and reactions will display the new one. People who message you will see your new avatar in the conversation thread right away.

If you change your avatar again later, the same thing happens—old activity keeps the old image, and new activity shows the new one. You can change your avatar as many times as you want, and there is no limit to how often you do it.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If the camera icon does not appear when you tap your avatar, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. On mobile, make sure you are using the latest version of the app—older versions sometimes have missing features.

If the photo you selected is too small or low quality, Facebook may reject it or show a blurry result. Try a larger, higher-resolution image instead. If your phone or computer is running low on storage space, the upload may fail—delete some files and try again. If you still have trouble, log out of Facebook completely and log back in, then try changing your avatar once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my avatar?

Yes. Your avatar can be any image—a pet, a landscape, a logo, artwork, or anything else. Facebook does not require it to be a photo of you. Just make sure whatever you choose is centered and visible when cropped into a circle.

Does changing my avatar affect my profile picture?

No. Your avatar and profile picture are separate images. Changing one does not change the other. You can update them independently whenever you want.

Will people be notified when I change my avatar?

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your avatar. People will straightforward see the new image the next time they look at your comments, messages, or posts.

What if I want to remove my avatar completely?

Facebook requires all accounts to have an avatar. You cannot delete it, but you can replace it with a blank image, a solid color, or any other photo. You must have some image in that spot.

Can I change my avatar on the Facebook website without uploading a new photo?

No. To change your avatar, you must select a new image from your device or take a new photo with your camera. You cannot rotate, flip, or edit your current avatar without replacing it entirely.