Change your profile photo from the Instagram app or website
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner (on mobile) or click your profile picture in the top right (on desktop). Tap Edit profile. Next to your current profile photo, tap the camera icon or pencil icon. Choose whether to take a new photo with your camera or select one from your phone's photo library. Once you've picked or taken your photo, crop it to fit the circular frame, then tap Done or Save. Instagram will update your profile photo within seconds.
The process is the same whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or a computer. If you're on a desktop browser, you may see a slightly different layout, but the steps remain identical: profile icon, edit profile, camera icon, choose or take photo, save.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile icon, then Edit profile, then the camera icon next to your current photo to start the change process.
- You can take a new photo with your device's camera or pick an existing photo from your library.
- Instagram lets you crop the photo to fit the circular profile frame before you save it.
- Your new profile photo appears on your account within seconds and is visible to anyone who visits your profile.
Taking a new photo versus choosing from your library
When you tap the camera icon, Instagram shows you two options: Take Photo and Choose from Library. If you want to use your device's camera to take a fresh photo right then, tap Take Photo. Instagram will open your camera and let you snap a picture. You can take as many as you want before you pick one.
If you already have a photo saved on your phone or computer that you want to use, tap Choose from Library. This opens your photo library so you can browse and select the image you want. Either way, once you've picked your photo, you'll see a crop screen where you can adjust how the image appears in the circular profile frame.
Cropping your profile photo to fit the circle
After you select or take a photo, Instagram shows you a preview with a circular frame overlay. This is what your profile photo will look like to other users. You can pinch to zoom in or out, and drag the image around to position it exactly how you want it inside the circle. The parts of the photo outside the circle won't be visible on your profile.
Take your time here—this is your chance to make sure your face or the main subject of the photo is centered and clearly visible. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap Done (on mobile) or Save (on desktop) to confirm the change.
What happens after you save your new profile photo
Your profile photo updates when ready across Instagram. Anyone who visits your profile will see the new image right away. If you follow other accounts or they follow you, they'll see the updated photo next to your name when you like or comment on posts. The change also appears in your direct messages and on any stories you post.
You can change your profile photo as many times as you want, and there's no limit to how often you do it. If you want to remove your profile photo entirely and go back to a blank circle, you can tap the camera icon again and select Remove Photo (if that option appears on your version of Instagram).
Troubleshooting if the change doesn't appear
If you've saved a new profile photo but it's still showing the old one, try closing and reopening the Instagram app. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display the update. If you're using Instagram on a web browser, try clearing your browser's cache or opening Instagram in a private or incognito window.
Make sure you actually tapped Done or Save at the end of the process—if you closed the app or went back without confirming, the change won't have been saved. If the problem continues after refreshing, log out of your account and log back in. This usually forces Instagram to reload all your profile information.
Profile photo size and image quality tips
Instagram works best with square photos or photos that are at least 110 pixels by 110 pixels, though larger images will look sharper. Since your profile photo appears as a small circle in most places (next to comments, in follower lists, in direct messages), choose an image where your face or the main subject is large and clear. Avoid photos that are too zoomed out or where the important part is near the edge.
A well-lit, in-focus photo will look much better than a blurry or dark one, especially since Instagram compresses the image to fit the small circular frame. If you're taking a new photo with your camera, make sure you have good lighting and that your phone is steady. Test your new profile photo by visiting your own profile to see how it looks to other people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that's not of my face as my profile picture?
Yes. Your profile photo can be anything—a photo of you, a pet, a logo, artwork, or any image from your library. Instagram doesn't restrict what you use, though accounts with clear profile photos tend to get more engagement from other users.
What if I don't want a profile photo at all?
You can remove your profile photo by tapping the camera icon next to your current photo and selecting Remove Photo if that option is available. Your profile will then show a blank circle. You can add a photo back anytime by following the same steps.
Does changing my profile photo notify my followers?
No. Changing your profile photo does not send a notification to your followers. They'll only see the new photo if they visit your profile or if they happen to see you interact with their posts.
Can I change my profile photo on Instagram Direct Messages?
No. You must change your profile photo from your main profile page. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap Edit profile, and follow the steps above. The change will then appear in your direct messages automatically.
How long does it take for my new profile photo to show up everywhere?
Your new profile photo appears on your profile within seconds. It may take a few minutes to show up in all places across Instagram (like next to old comments or in search results), but this is usually very fast. If it hasn't updated after an hour, try refreshing the app.