Change Your Profile Picture in Three Steps
To change your profile picture on Facebook, tap or click your profile icon in the top left corner, select "Profile," then click the camera icon over your current photo. Choose "Upload Photo" to pick an image from your device, or "Take Photo" to use your camera. Once you've selected the image, crop it to frame your face, then tap "Use as Profile Picture" to save it.
The whole process takes about one minute. Your new picture appears when ready on your profile and in comments you've already made, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere across Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- Access your profile picture by tapping your profile icon, going to your Profile, and clicking the camera icon on your current photo.
- You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, or take a new one using your device's camera.
- Facebook lets you crop and position your photo before saving it as your profile picture.
- Your new picture shows up when ready on your profile and in your comments, though it may take a few minutes to appear in other places.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want with no limit on how many times per day.
Finding the Profile Picture Button on Mobile
On your phone, open the Facebook app and look for your profile icon—usually a small circle with your current picture in it—in the bottom right corner (iPhone) or top left corner (Android). Tap it to open your profile page.
Once you're on your profile, you'll see your profile picture near the top. Tap the camera icon that appears over the corner of your photo. This opens a menu with two choices: "Upload Photo" or "Take Photo." If you want to use a picture already on your phone, choose "Upload Photo." If you want to take a new one right then, choose "Take Photo."
Uploading a Photo from Your Device
When you tap "Upload Photo," your phone opens your photo library or gallery. Scroll through your photos and tap the one you want to use. Facebook then shows you a preview with a square frame over your image—this is the area that will show as your profile picture.
You can pinch to zoom in or out, or drag the image to reposition it inside the frame so your face is centered and clearly visible. Once the framing looks right, tap "Use as Profile Picture" or the checkmark button. Your new picture saves when ready.
Taking a New Profile Picture with Your Camera
If you choose "Take Photo," Facebook opens your device's camera app. Hold your phone at eye level, about 12 inches from your face, and make sure the lighting is even—avoid harsh shadows or bright light directly behind you. Tap the shutter button to take the photo.
After you take the photo, Facebook shows you the same framing screen where you can adjust how the image sits in the profile picture square. Move and zoom until your face fills most of the frame, then tap "Use as Profile Picture." The photo is saved and becomes your new profile picture.
Changing Your Picture on a Computer
On a desktop or laptop, go to Facebook.com and click your profile icon in the top left corner. Click "Profile" from the menu that appears. On your profile page, hover your mouse over your current profile picture until a camera icon appears, then click it.
A menu pops up with options to "Upload Photo," "Take a Photo," or "Choose from Photos." Click "Upload Photo" to browse your computer's files, or "Choose from Photos" to pick from pictures you've already uploaded to Facebook. After you select your image, use the crop tool to position your face in the frame, then click "Save."
What Happens to Your Old Profile Picture
When you change your profile picture, Facebook keeps your old one in a folder called "Profile Pictures." Your friends can still see your previous pictures if they visit your profile and look at your photo albums. You can delete old profile pictures if you want them completely removed, but this is optional.
Facebook also creates a post on your timeline whenever you change your profile picture, so your friends see a notification that you've updated it. If you don't want this notification to show, you can delete the post from your timeline after you change the picture.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the camera icon doesn't appear when you hover over your photo, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. On mobile, make sure you've given Facebook permission to access your photos and camera—check your phone's settings under "Apps" or "Permissions."
If your new picture doesn't appear after several minutes, try logging out and logging back in. If the image appears blurry or cropped strangely, go back and re-upload it, making sure to position it carefully in the frame before saving. Very large image files sometimes take longer to process, so if you're uploading a photo larger than 4 MB, consider resizing it first using your phone's built-in photo editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture more than once a day?
Yes, you can change your profile picture as many times as you want with no daily limit. Each time you change it, a new post appears on your timeline unless you delete it.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically crops your image into a circle, so any photo works. For the clearest result, use an image that's at least 400 pixels wide. Avoid very small or low-quality photos, which may look blurry when enlarged.
Can I use a video as my profile picture?
No, Facebook profile pictures must be still images. However, you can set a video as your profile video, which plays when someone visits your profile. This is a separate feature from your profile picture.
Will my old profile picture be deleted if I don't do anything?
No, Facebook keeps all your old profile pictures in your "Profile Pictures" album indefinitely. You only need to delete them if you want them removed from your account.
Why does my profile picture look different on my phone than on my computer?
Facebook may display your picture at different sizes or crops depending on the device. The image itself is the same, but the way it appears on screen can vary slightly between mobile and desktop versions of the site.