Change your Facebook picture from your phone or computer

To change your Facebook profile picture, open Facebook on your phone or computer, click your profile photo in the top left or top right corner, select "Change profile picture," choose a photo from your device or take a new one, and confirm the change. The whole process takes about one minute. Your new picture appears when ready to everyone on Facebook.

Facebook stores your last few profile pictures, so you can switch back to an old one without re-uploading it. You can also control who sees your picture and whether people can read it—those settings live in the same menu where you upload.

Key Takeaways

  • Click your current profile picture, then select "Change profile picture" from the menu that appears.
  • You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, take a new photo with your camera, or choose from photos you have already posted.
  • Facebook keeps your old profile pictures in a folder you can access anytime, so you can switch between them without uploading again.
  • Your new picture shows to everyone on Facebook right away unless you change the privacy setting to "Only me" or a specific group.

Steps to change your picture on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Tap your name at the top of the menu. On your profile page, tap your current profile picture. A menu will pop up with three options: "Take a photo," "Choose from photos," or "Upload photo."

If you choose "Take a photo," your phone's camera opens and you can snap a new picture right then. If you choose "Choose from photos," you see all the photos on your phone—pick the one you want. If you choose "Upload photo," you browse your phone's photo library and select an image. Once you pick or take a photo, tap "Use" or "Next," review how it looks, and tap "Save" or "Set as profile picture." Your new picture is live within seconds.

Steps to change your picture on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and log in. In the top left corner, click your profile picture. Your profile page opens. Click your profile picture again. A menu appears with the option "Change profile picture." Click it.

A window opens showing three choices: "Upload photo," "Choose a photo," or "Take a photo." Click "Upload photo" to browse your computer's files and select an image. Click "Choose a photo" to pick from photos you have already posted on Facebook. Click "Take a photo" if your computer has a camera and you want to take a new picture. After you select or take a photo, click "Next," review the preview, and click "Save" or "Confirm." Your picture updates right away.

How to use an old profile picture without re-uploading

Facebook saves every profile picture you have ever used. To switch back to an old one, click your profile picture and select "Change profile picture." Instead of uploading a new photo, click "Choose a photo." A section labeled "Your profile pictures" or "Previous profile pictures" shows all the photos you have used before. Click the one you want to use again, then click "Set as profile picture." It appears on your profile when ready.

This feature saves time if you liked a picture you used months ago and want to use it again. You do not have to find the original file on your computer or phone—Facebook keeps it stored.

Control who can see your new picture

By default, everyone on Facebook can see your profile picture. If you want to limit who sees it, click your profile picture and select "Change profile picture." After you choose your photo and click "Next," look for a privacy button (usually a globe icon or the word "Public"). Click it to change who can see the picture. Your options are usually "Public" (everyone), "Friends" (only your friends), or "Only me" (just you).

Select your choice and click "Save" or "Confirm." The privacy setting applies only to that profile picture—your other settings stay the same. You can change the privacy of your profile picture anytime by going back to "Change profile picture" and adjusting the setting before you save.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not click "Update info" or "Edit profile" expecting to find the profile picture option—those menus lead to different settings. Always click directly on your profile picture itself to get the "Change profile picture" menu. If you do not see that option, make sure you are logged into the right account.

Another common mistake is uploading a photo that is too small or blurry. Facebook works best with photos that are at least 400 pixels wide. If your photo looks pixelated or stretched after you upload it, try a higher-quality image. Also, remember that your profile picture is public by default, so if you want it to be private, change the privacy setting before you save—you cannot hide it after the fact without uploading a new one.

What happens after you change your picture

Your new profile picture appears on your profile page, in comments you make, in posts you share, and next to your name in other people's friend lists. The change is when ready. People do not get a notification that you changed your picture, but they will see it the next time they visit your profile or see your name in their feed.

If you change your mind within a short time, you can switch back to your old picture using the "Choose a photo" option. Facebook keeps your old pictures in that folder for as long as your account exists, so you can go back to any picture you have ever used as your profile photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my profile picture on Facebook Messenger?

No, you cannot change your profile picture directly in Messenger. You must use the main Facebook app or website. Open Facebook, go to your profile, and follow the steps above. The change will show in Messenger automatically since it pulls from your main Facebook profile.

What size should my profile picture be?

Facebook recommends at least 400 pixels wide for the best quality. Most phones take photos larger than that, so you usually do not have to worry. If you are uploading an old photo and it looks blurry, try a newer, higher-resolution image instead.

Can I use a video as my profile picture?

No, Facebook profile pictures must be still images. You can use a photo, but not a video. If you want a moving image on your profile, you can set a video as your cover photo instead, which is the large banner at the top of your profile.

Will my old profile pictures be deleted if I change it?

No, Facebook keeps all your old profile pictures in a folder you can access anytime. You can switch back to any of them without losing them. They stay stored even if you do not use them for years.

Why does my new profile picture look different than the original?

Facebook crops and compresses profile pictures to fit the circular frame on your profile. If your photo looks zoomed in or cut off, try uploading it again and adjusting the crop before you save. You can usually drag the image around to center it the way you want.