The quickest way to change your Instagram profile picture
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) at the top right, and select Settings and privacy. Go to Account, then Edit profile. Tap your current profile picture, and you'll see options to take a new photo with your camera or choose one from your phone's photo library. Select your image, crop it if you want, and tap Save.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your new picture appears on your profile right away, and everyone who visits your account will see it when ready.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from the Edit profile section, which you reach through Settings and privacy on your profile menu.
- Instagram lets you take a new photo on the spot or pick one from photos you already have saved on your phone.
- You can crop and adjust your image before saving it, so you don't have to edit it beforehand.
- The change shows up when ready on your profile and in search results, and your followers will see it the next time they visit your account.
Using a photo from your phone's library
If you already have a photo you want to use, the library route is faster than taking a new one. When you tap your profile picture in the Edit profile screen, Instagram shows you two options: Take photo and Upload photo. Choose Upload photo, and your phone opens your photo library or gallery app.
Scroll to find the image you want. Tap it once to select it. Instagram then shows you a preview with a square frame around the part that will appear as your profile picture. You can pinch to zoom in or out, or drag the image to reposition it inside that square. Once it looks right, tap Save or Next (the button name varies by phone type).
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you don't have a photo ready, you can take one directly from the Edit profile screen. Tap your profile picture, then choose Take photo. Instagram opens your phone's camera and shows you a square frame—that's the exact size and shape your profile picture will be.
Position yourself or your subject inside that frame and tap the circle button to take the shot. You'll see a preview right after. If you like it, tap Save. If you want to try again, tap the back arrow and take another photo. You can take as many as you need until you get one you're happy with.
Cropping and positioning your image
After you choose a photo, Instagram always shows you a cropping screen before you save. The square frame in the middle is what people will see as your profile picture. Anything outside that frame gets cut off, so make sure the part you care about is inside the square.
You can pinch your fingers together or apart on the image to zoom in or out. Drag the image around to move it left, right, up, or down. Some phones also let you rotate the image by turning two fingers on the screen. Take your time here—this is your final note to adjust before the picture goes live.
What happens to your old profile picture
When you save a new profile picture, the old one disappears from your profile when ready. Instagram doesn't keep a visible archive of your past profile pictures on your account. However, the image stays in your phone's photo library or camera roll, so you can always find it there if you want to use it again later.
If you change your mind within a few seconds, you can go back to Edit profile and switch it back—but Instagram doesn't store a history you can browse. You'll need to re-upload the old photo from your library if you want to restore it.
Removing your profile picture
You don't have to have a profile picture at all. If you want to remove yours, go to Edit profile and tap your current picture. Instead of choosing a new photo, look for an option that says Remove photo or Delete (the exact wording depends on your phone and Instagram version). Tap it, and your profile picture disappears.
Your account will show a blank circle or a default placeholder where your picture was. You can add a new picture anytime by following the same Edit profile steps. Removing your picture doesn't affect anything else on your account—your posts, followers, and messages all stay the same.
Troubleshooting if the change won't save
If you tap Save and nothing happens, or the old picture stays on your profile, try closing Instagram completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start to register the change. Make sure you're connected to WiFi or mobile data—a weak connection can interrupt the upload.
If the problem continues, check that you have the latest version of Instagram installed. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and see if an Update button appears. If it does, tap it and let the update finish before trying again. Older versions sometimes have bugs that newer ones fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that's not square?
Yes. Instagram will show you a square frame over any photo you choose, and you can zoom and move the image to decide which part appears in that square. The rest of the photo gets cropped out, but the original stays in your phone's library unchanged.
Will my followers get a notification when I change my profile picture?
No, Instagram doesn't send notifications for profile picture changes. Your followers will see the new picture the next time they visit your profile or see you in search results, but they won't receive a push notification or message about it.
Can I change my profile picture from a computer?
Yes. Go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select Edit profile, and click your current picture. You can then upload a photo from your computer. The steps are the same as on the phone app, just with a mouse instead of taps.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram automatically crops any photo into a square, so you don't need to resize it beforehand. The app handles the sizing for you. Just make sure the part you want visible is in the center of the photo so it doesn't get cut off when Instagram makes it square.
Can I use a video as my profile picture?
No, Instagram profile pictures must be still images. You can only use photos, not videos. If you want a moving profile picture, you would need to use a different social media platform that supports video profiles.