Change your profile photo in three steps
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, then select Edit profile. Tap your current profile photo, and Instagram will show you two options: take a new photo with your camera, or choose one from your phone's photo library. Select whichever you prefer, crop or adjust the image if needed, and tap Done or Save. Your new photo appears when ready on your profile.
The entire process takes about one minute. You can change your profile photo as often as you want—there is no limit. Instagram stores your old profile photos, but they are not visible to other people once you change them.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile icon, then the menu icon, then Edit profile to reach the photo upload screen.
- You can photograph a new image on the spot or pick one already saved on your phone.
- Instagram lets you crop and adjust the image before you confirm the change.
- Your profile photo updates when ready and is visible to everyone who visits your profile.
- You can change your profile photo at any time without affecting your account or posts.
Using a photo from your phone's library
If you have already taken a photo you want to use, tap Choose from library when Instagram asks how you want to provide the image. Your phone will open your photo library or gallery app. Scroll through your photos and tap the one you want to use as your profile picture.
Once you select the photo, Instagram shows you a preview with a circular frame—this is how your profile photo will appear to other users. You can pinch to zoom in or out, or drag the image to reposition it within the circle. Tap Next or Done to confirm. The photo does not need to be a portrait or a close-up; Instagram will crop it to fit the circular profile frame.
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you want to take a fresh photo instead, tap Take photo when Instagram asks for your image source. Your phone's camera will open. Frame yourself or whatever you want in the shot, and tap the shutter button to take the picture. You can take multiple photos and choose which one to use.
After you take the photo, Instagram shows you a preview in the same circular frame. You can retake the photo by tapping the camera icon again, or proceed to the next step. Once you are happy with the image, tap Next or Done to set it as your profile photo.
Adjusting and cropping your image
Before you finalize your profile photo, Instagram gives you a chance to adjust it. You can zoom in or out by pinching on the image, and you can drag it around to change which part appears in the circular profile frame. This is useful if your photo includes multiple people or objects and you want to center a specific part.
Some versions of Instagram also offer basic filters or editing tools at this stage. If you see filter or edit options, you can tap them to adjust brightness, contrast, or add a filter before you save. These edits only affect your profile photo—they do not change the original image on your phone.
What happens to your old profile photo
When you change your profile photo, Instagram removes the old one from your profile when ready. Other users will see only your current photo. However, Instagram keeps a record of your old profile photos in your account, though they are not visible to the public.
If you want to use an old profile photo again, you will need to upload it from your phone's library or take a new photo. There is no "restore previous photo" button, so if you delete a photo from your phone, you cannot retrieve it through Instagram.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Instagram will not let you change your profile photo, check that you are using the latest version of the app. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and search for Instagram. If an update is available, tap Update. Close Instagram completely and reopen it, then try again.
If your camera or photo library will not open when you tap the upload button, your phone may not have given Instagram permission to access those features. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure Instagram is toggled on. Do the same for Photos. On Android, open Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions and enable Camera and Photos. Then try uploading your profile photo again.
If the image looks blurry or distorted after you upload it, the original file may be very small or low resolution. Try using a larger, higher-quality photo from your phone. Profile photos work best when they are at least 320 by 320 pixels, though Instagram will accept smaller images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of my face?
Yes. Your profile photo can be anything—a landscape, an object, a logo, an illustration, or a group photo. Instagram does not restrict what kind of image you use. Many businesses and creators use logos or branded images instead of personal photos.
Will my followers be notified when I change my profile photo?
No. Instagram does not send notifications to your followers when you change your profile photo. They will see the new photo only if they visit your profile. Your followers will not see a notification in their feed or activity section.
Can I change my profile photo on a computer?
Yes. Go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Edit profile. Click your current profile photo, and you can upload a new one from your computer. The process is the same as on the mobile app.
What size should my profile photo be?
Instagram automatically crops your photo to fit a circle, so the exact size does not matter as much as the content. Larger, higher-resolution photos (at least 320 by 320 pixels) will look sharper than very small files. Instagram will resize and compress your photo to fit its system, so you do not need to resize it yourself beforehand.
Can I upload a photo that is already on Instagram?
No. You cannot use a photo from another person's profile or from your own posts as your profile photo. You can only use images from your phone's photo library or take a new photo with your camera. If you want to use a photo from one of your posts, save it to your phone first, then upload it as your profile photo.