What You Can Change on Your Facebook Profile
You can change your name, profile picture, cover photo, bio, email address, phone number, and privacy settings directly from your Facebook account. Most changes take effect when ready, though Facebook reviews name changes for policy violations and may delay them by a few hours. You do not need to contact Facebook support or use a third-party tool — everything is built into the platform itself.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on a phone or computer, but the settings are in the same place: your profile menu. Facebook stores all your changes in your account history, so you can see what you modified and when.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture, cover photo, name, and bio can all be changed from the "Edit Profile" button on your profile page.
- Email and phone number changes happen in Settings and Privacy, not on your profile itself.
- Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days — to prevent fraud.
- Privacy settings let you control who sees your profile information, and these changes take effect right away.
- Deleted profile pictures and cover photos go to your archive, not the trash, so you can restore them later if you want.
How to Change Your Profile Picture and Cover Photo on a Computer
Go to your profile by clicking your name in the top left corner of Facebook. On your profile page, hover over your current profile picture and click the camera icon that appears. Select "Upload Photo" to choose a new image from your computer, or "Choose from Photos" to use a picture you have already posted. Click "Set as Profile Picture" when you are done.
To change your cover photo, hover over the cover image at the top of your profile and click the camera icon. You can upload a new photo, choose from existing photos, or search Facebook's library of free cover images. Cover photos are 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall for best results, though Facebook will resize images that do not match.
How to Change Your Profile Picture and Cover Photo on a Phone
Open the Facebook app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the profile picture itself, then tap the camera icon in the corner. Choose "Take a Photo," "Choose from Photos," or "Upload Photo" depending on where your new picture is. Confirm your choice and tap "Set as Profile Picture."
For the cover photo, scroll down to see it, then tap the camera icon on the cover image. The same upload options appear. After you select a photo, you can move it around to frame it the way you want before confirming.
How to Change Your Name, Bio, and Other Profile Details
On a computer, click "Edit Profile" on your profile page. This opens a panel where you can change your name, add or edit your bio, list your job and education, add your website, and update your relationship status. Click the pencil icon next to any field to edit it. When you finish, click outside the panel or press Enter to save.
On a phone, tap "Edit Profile" below your name. Scroll through the sections and tap any field you want to change. Type your new information and tap the checkmark or back arrow to save. Facebook will review name changes within a few hours — if your new name violates their policies (for example, if it includes numbers or symbols), they will ask you to choose a different one.
You can change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it more often, Facebook will tell you when you are allowed to change it again.
How to Change Your Email Address and Phone Number
Email and phone number changes are in Settings and Privacy, not on your profile page. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then click "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal Information," then "Contact Information." You will see your current email and phone number.
Click the pencil icon next to your email to change it. Type your new email address and click "Save Changes." Facebook will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in the new email to confirm the change. Your phone number works the same way: click the pencil, type the new number, and confirm.
On a phone, tap your profile icon, then tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Tap "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down to "Personal Information" and tap "Contact Information." Tap the field you want to change, enter your new information, and tap "Save."
How to Change Your Privacy Settings
Privacy settings control who can see your profile, posts, and information. On a computer, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Privacy" on the left side. You will see options for "Who can see your posts," "Who can contact you," and "Who can look you up." Each one has a dropdown menu where you can choose "Public," "Friends," "Friends Except," or "Specific Friends."
On a phone, tap your profile icon, then the three lines, then "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll to "Privacy" and tap each setting you want to change. The same options appear. Changes take effect right away — you do not need to confirm them.
You can also control privacy for individual posts. When you create a post, click the audience selector (it shows "Public," "Friends," or your current setting) and choose who sees that specific post. This overrides your default privacy setting for that post only.
What Happens When You Delete or Change Information
When you delete a profile picture or cover photo, it goes to your archive, not the trash. You can restore it later by going to your profile, clicking the three dots next to your name, and selecting "View Archive." Find the photo you want and click "Restore" to make it your profile picture or cover photo again.
When you change your name, email, or phone number, Facebook keeps a record of the change in your account history. You can see this by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Personal Information," then "Name." It shows your current name and all previous names you have used on this account. This history is private — only you can see it.
If you change your email address, Facebook will use the new one for login and notifications going forward. Your old email address will no longer work to log in, though you can add it back as a secondary email if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I change my Facebook name?
You can change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it sooner, Facebook will show you the date when you are allowed to change it again. This limit exists to prevent fraud and account takeovers.
What if Facebook rejects my name change?
Facebook rejects names that include numbers, symbols, repeated letters, or words that violate their policies. If your change is rejected, try a different spelling or format. You can also contact Facebook through Settings and Privacy to appeal if you believe your name was rejected by mistake.
Can I change my profile picture without posting it as a photo?
Yes. When you set a profile picture, it does not post to your timeline or appear in your friends' feeds. Only people who visit your profile will see the new picture. You can also hide your profile picture from specific people using privacy settings.
What if I forget the email address connected to my Facebook account?
You can still change it if you can log in. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Contact Information," and add a new email. You will need to confirm the new email by clicking a link Facebook sends to it. If you cannot log in, use Facebook's account recovery tool on the login page.
Do changes to my profile show up in my friends' notifications?
No. Changing your profile picture, name, or bio does not send notifications to your friends. They will only see the changes if they visit your profile. Posts you make do send notifications, but profile edits do not.