The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top left corner (on desktop) or tap the menu icon and select your name (on mobile). This takes you to your profile. Click or tap the camera icon that appears over your current profile picture — it's usually in the bottom right corner of the image. Select Upload Photo to choose a new picture from your device, or Take Photo if you want to use your camera right now. Once you pick or take the photo, you can crop it to frame your face, then click Save. The change appears on your profile and in your friends' feeds when ready.
If you don't see a camera icon, make sure you're looking at your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own profile picture. On mobile, the camera icon may be smaller or positioned slightly differently depending on your phone's screen size, but the process is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Click the camera icon over your current profile picture to start the upload process on desktop or mobile.
- You can upload a photo from your device or take a new one using your camera.
- Facebook lets you crop the photo before saving it so your face is framed the way you want.
- Your new profile picture shows up on your profile and in your friends' activity feeds right away.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want — there's no limit.
Finding the camera icon on different devices
On a desktop computer, go to your profile and look for a small camera icon in the bottom right corner of your profile picture. It appears when you hover your mouse over the image. Click it once to open the upload menu.
On an iPhone or Android phone using the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap your name to go to your profile. The camera icon sits in the bottom right corner of your profile picture. Tap it to open your options. If you're using Facebook in a mobile web browser instead of the app, the process is the same as desktop — look for the camera icon when you hover over or tap the profile picture.
On a tablet, the layout depends on whether you're using the app or a browser. The camera icon will still be in the bottom right area of your profile picture. If you can't find it, try rotating your tablet or zooming out slightly to see the full profile section.
Uploading a photo from your device
After clicking the camera icon, select Upload Photo from the menu. Your device's file browser or photo library opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved — usually Pictures, Photos, or Downloads on a computer, or your Camera Roll on a phone. Tap or click the photo you want to use.
Facebook then shows you a preview of how the photo will look as your profile picture. You'll see a square frame over the image. Drag the frame or pinch to zoom until your face is positioned the way you want it. The part of the photo inside the frame is what people will see. Once you're happy with the crop, click or tap Save. The upload takes a few seconds, and your new profile picture appears on your profile and in your friends' feeds.
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you want to take a fresh profile picture instead of uploading an old one, click or tap the camera icon and select Take Photo. Your device's camera app opens. Position yourself in good lighting — natural light from a window works well — and frame your shot. Take the photo when you're ready.
After you take the photo, Facebook shows you a preview. You can crop it the same way you would with an uploaded photo — adjust the frame so your face is centered and well-lit. If you don't like the shot, you can go back and take another one. Once you're satisfied, tap or click Save. The new picture becomes your profile picture right away.
What happens to your old profile picture
When you change your profile picture, your old one doesn't disappear. Facebook saves it in your Profile Pictures album, which only you and people you've given permission to see your photos can view. To find your old pictures, go to your profile, click or tap Photos, then look for the album labeled Profile Pictures.
You can set any old profile picture as your current one again by opening that album, clicking or tapping the photo, and selecting Make Profile Picture. This is useful if you want to go back to a picture you used before without having to re-upload it. You can also delete old profile pictures from this album if you don't want to keep them, though your current profile picture can't be deleted — you have to change it to a different one first.
Common issues and how to fix them
If the camera icon doesn't appear, make sure you're on your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own picture. Also check that you're logged in — if you're viewing Facebook without being logged in, you won't see the option to edit anything.
If your photo won't upload, the file might be too large or in a format Facebook doesn't support. Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. Try compressing the image using a free tool online, or take a new photo with your phone's camera, which usually creates a file size Facebook can handle. If you're on mobile and the upload keeps failing, try switching from the app to the mobile web browser, or restart the Facebook app.
If your new profile picture appears blurry or pixelated, the original photo may have been low resolution. Profile pictures work best when the original image is at least 400 pixels wide. If you took the photo with an older phone or camera, try using a newer device or a higher-quality image file.
Controlling who sees your profile picture
By default, everyone on Facebook can see your profile picture — it's public. If you want to limit who sees it, go to your profile, click or tap the three dots next to your name, and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Privacy and look for the option to control who can see your profile picture. You can set it to Friends Only, Friends Except (to hide it from specific people), or keep it Public.
Keep in mind that your profile picture is often the first thing people see when they search for you or visit your profile. Changing your privacy settings for your picture doesn't hide it from people you're friends with — it only affects people outside your friends list. If you want to hide your picture from everyone temporarily, you can delete your current picture, though Facebook will then show a default placeholder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture on Facebook without uploading a new photo?
Yes. If you've used a photo as your profile picture before, go to your Profile Pictures album, find the old photo, and click or tap Make Profile Picture. This sets it as your current picture without re-uploading it.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook recommends uploading an image that's at least 400 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall. Smaller images may appear blurry. Most phones take photos large enough automatically, but if you're using an older camera or a screenshot, check the file size before uploading.
Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?
Yes. When you change your profile picture, it shows up in your friends' activity feeds and notifications. They'll see a post saying you updated your profile picture, and they can click it to view the new one.
Can I use a video as my profile picture?
No. Facebook profile pictures must be still images — JPG, PNG, or GIF files. You can't use a video or animated file as your main profile picture, though you can add a video to your profile in other ways.
How do I remove my profile picture entirely?
You can't have no profile picture on Facebook — the site requires one. If you want to remove your current picture, you have to replace it with a different one first. After you upload a new picture, you can then delete the old one from your Profile Pictures album.