The quickest way to change your Instagram picture
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, and select Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then Edit profile. You'll see your current profile picture at the top — tap it to replace it with a new photo from your phone's camera roll, or take a fresh photo with your camera.
The entire process takes about 30 seconds. Instagram stores your old profile picture in your account history, so you can switch back to a previous photo if you change your mind later.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture by going to Settings and privacy > Account > Edit profile and tapping your current photo.
- Instagram lets you upload a photo from your phone, take a new one with your camera, or use a previous profile picture you've already posted.
- The new picture appears on your profile and in search results within seconds, but may take a few minutes to show in other people's direct message threads.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want with no limits or restrictions.
Using a photo from your phone's camera roll
After you tap your profile picture in the Edit profile screen, Instagram shows you three options: Take photo, Choose photo, and Remove photo. Select Choose photo to browse your phone's photo library. You can pick any image saved on your device — a selfie, a photo someone else took of you, a picture of your pet, or anything else.
Once you select a photo, Instagram lets you crop and position it before you save. Use your fingers to pinch and zoom until the part you want is centered in the circle. Tap Next, then Done to confirm. The new picture replaces your old one when ready.
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you want to take a fresh picture instead of using an old one, tap Take photo from the same menu. Instagram opens your phone's camera and lets you snap a picture right there. You can take as many shots as you need — Instagram shows you a preview of each one, and you only save the one you want.
After you take the photo, you get the same cropping and positioning screen. Adjust the frame so your face or the part you want is centered, then tap Next and Done. The photo is taken and set as your profile picture without being saved to your phone's camera roll unless you choose to save it.
Switching back to an old profile picture
Instagram keeps a record of every profile picture you've used. To see your history and pick an old one, go back to Settings and privacy > Account > Edit profile and tap your current picture. Below the three main options, you'll see Your photos — this shows thumbnails of all the profile pictures you've posted before.
Tap any thumbnail to use that photo again. You don't need to re-upload it or crop it again — Instagram remembers the exact version you used last time. This is useful if you changed your picture on impulse and want to go back to one people recognized.
What happens after you change your picture
Your new profile picture shows up on your profile page within seconds. It also appears next to your name in search results, in the followers and following lists, and on any comments or likes you post. However, the picture may take a few minutes to update in direct message threads, especially if you have many active conversations.
People who already follow you will see the change the next time they visit your profile or refresh their feed. There's no notification sent to your followers when you change your picture — they'll only notice if they happen to look at your profile.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is cropping too tightly. Instagram's profile picture is a small circle, so if you zoom in too far on a detail, the picture may look blurry or cut off your face. Leave some space around the main subject so the picture looks good even when it's tiny in someone's direct message list.
Another mistake is uploading a photo that's too dark or too small. Instagram works best with photos that are at least 400 × 400 pixels and well-lit enough to see clearly. If your photo looks dim on your phone screen, it will look even dimmer as a profile picture. Test it by looking at your profile from a friend's account to see how it actually appears to other people.
Removing your profile picture entirely
If you want to remove your profile picture and show the default blank circle instead, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Edit profile, tap your current picture, and select Remove photo. This erases your picture from your profile but doesn't delete it from your phone or from Instagram's servers — you can add a new picture back anytime.
Removing your picture is sometimes useful if you're taking a break from Instagram or want a temporary blank profile while you decide on a new picture. Your account will still be fully functional, and people can still find and message you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a picture that's not of me as my profile picture?
Yes. Instagram doesn't require your profile picture to be a photo of yourself. You can use a picture of your pet, a landscape, a logo, a cartoon character, or anything else. Many businesses and organizations use logos instead of photos.
What size should my profile picture be?
Instagram recommends at least 400 × 400 pixels, though most phones take photos much larger than that. Instagram automatically resizes any photo you upload, so you don't need to resize it yourself before uploading. Larger photos give Instagram more detail to work with, so the final picture looks sharper.
Does changing my profile picture affect my followers or posts?
No. Changing your picture doesn't change your follower count, delete any posts, or affect anything else on your account. It only changes the small circle that appears next to your name. All your old posts stay exactly as they are.
Why does my new profile picture look blurry?
The most common reason is that the original photo is too small or low-quality. If the photo is smaller than 400 × 400 pixels, Instagram has to stretch it, which makes it look blurry. Try using a larger, higher-quality photo instead. Also check that your phone's camera is in focus when you take the picture.
Can I schedule a profile picture change for later?
No. Instagram doesn't have a scheduling feature for profile pictures. You can only change it right now. If you want to change it at a specific time, you'll need to do it manually at that moment.