Change Your Profile Picture in Four Steps
To change your Instagram profile picture, open the Instagram app on your phone, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the profile picture itself. A menu will appear with options to take a new photo, choose one from your phone's camera roll, or remove the current picture. Select your choice, crop or adjust if needed, and tap "Done" or the checkmark to save.
The entire process takes less than a minute. You can use a photo you already have on your phone, take a fresh one in the moment, or upload a file from your computer if you're using Instagram on a web browser. Your new picture appears when ready to anyone who visits your profile.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the Instagram app, then tap your current profile picture to open the photo menu.
- You can take a new photo with your phone's camera, pick an existing photo from your camera roll, or delete your current picture.
- Instagram lets you crop and adjust the photo before you confirm it, so you can frame it exactly how you want.
- The new profile picture shows up right away on your profile and in your followers' feeds when they visit your account.
Using a Photo Already on Your Phone
If you want to use a photo you already have saved, tap "Select from gallery" or "Choose photo" when the menu appears after tapping your profile picture. Your phone will open your camera roll or photo library. Scroll through and tap the photo you want to use.
Once you select it, Instagram will show you a cropping screen. You can pinch to zoom in or out, drag the photo to reposition it, and adjust the frame so your face or the part you want to highlight is centered. When the framing looks right, tap "Done" or the checkmark button to save it as your new profile picture.
Taking a New Photo Right Away
Choose "Take a photo" from the menu to use your phone's camera instead. Instagram will open your camera and you can take a selfie or point at whatever you want as your profile picture. Tap the capture button (usually a circle at the bottom of the screen) to take the shot.
After you take the photo, you'll see the same cropping screen. Adjust the frame so the image looks the way you want it, then tap "Done" to set it as your profile picture. If you don't like the shot, you can go back and take another one without saving the first.
Changing Your Picture on Instagram's Website
If you're using Instagram on a computer, the steps are similar but slightly different. Go to Instagram.com, log in, and click your profile icon at the top right. Click "Edit profile" and look for your profile picture near the top of the page. Click on the picture itself to open the upload menu.
You can click "Upload photo" to choose a file from your computer's folders. Select the image you want and click "Open." Instagram will show you the cropping screen where you can adjust the frame before you save it. Click the checkmark or "Done" button to confirm your new profile picture.
Removing Your Profile Picture
If you want to delete your current profile picture and have no picture at all, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap your profile picture. When the menu appears, select "Remove current photo" or the trash icon option. Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to remove it.
Once you confirm, your profile will show a blank circle or a default placeholder where your picture was. You can add a new picture anytime by following the same steps and choosing a photo or taking one with your camera.
What Happens After You Change Your Picture
Your new profile picture appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your account will see the updated image right away. If you follow other accounts or leave comments, your new picture will show next to your name in those places too.
Your followers will see the change when they look at your profile or when they scroll through their feed if they have notifications turned on. There's no delay — Instagram updates the picture across the app as soon as you save it. If you change your mind, you can always go back and pick a different photo using the same steps.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is tapping the wrong part of your profile screen. Make sure you tap directly on your profile picture itself, not on your username or bio area. If a menu doesn't appear, try tapping the picture again — sometimes it takes a second tap to open the options.
Another mistake is not adjusting the crop before you save. Instagram's cropping tool lets you frame your picture exactly how you want it, so take a moment to zoom and position it. If you save without cropping and the picture looks off-center or too zoomed in, you'll have to change it again. Also remember that profile pictures appear as small circles on most screens, so make sure the part you care about is visible when it's shrunk down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a picture that's not of my face?
Yes. Your profile picture can be anything — a photo of a pet, a landscape, a logo, or an object. Instagram doesn't restrict what kind of image you use. Just keep in mind that your profile picture is how people recognize you, so choose something you're comfortable with others seeing.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram automatically resizes any photo you upload to fit the profile picture circle. You don't need to resize it yourself before you upload it. Just pick a photo that's clear and shows what you want people to see, and Instagram will handle the rest.
How often can I change my profile picture?
You can change your profile picture as many times as you want, whenever you want. There's no limit on how often you update it. Some people change theirs weekly or even daily — it's entirely up to you.
Will my old profile picture be saved somewhere?
Instagram doesn't keep a public archive of your old profile pictures. Once you change it, the old picture is replaced. However, if you saved the photo to your phone's camera roll, you'll still have it there and can use it again anytime.
Why won't my new picture show up?
If your new picture doesn't appear after you tap "Done," try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the update. If it still doesn't show after a few minutes, check your internet connection and make sure you're logged into the right account.