The quickest way to change your Facebook 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). Click or tap the profile picture itself, then select "Upload photo" or "Choose photo". Pick an image from your device, crop it if you want, and click "Save". The change appears when ready across your account.
On mobile, the steps are nearly identical: tap the menu (three horizontal lines), select your name, tap your current profile picture, and choose "Upload photo". Facebook stores your old profile pictures, so you can switch back to a previous one anytime without re-uploading.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from your profile page by clicking your current picture and selecting "Upload photo".
- Facebook keeps all your old profile pictures in an album called "Profile Pictures" that only you can see unless you change the privacy setting.
- The new picture shows up on your profile and in comments, posts, and messages within seconds.
- You can use a photo from your device, take a new one with your camera, or choose from photos already on Facebook.
- Profile pictures are always visible to anyone who can see your profile, regardless of your privacy settings for other content.
Where to find the upload button on desktop
On a computer, go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top navigation bar. Your profile picture appears in the upper left area of your cover photo. Hover over it and you will see a camera icon with a plus sign. Click that icon to open the upload menu.
The menu gives you three choices: "Upload photo" (to pick a file from your computer), "Choose photo" (to pick from photos already on Facebook), or "Take a photo" (if your browser has camera access). Select whichever matches where your image is stored.
Uploading and cropping your new picture
Once you select a photo, Facebook opens a cropping tool. A square frame appears over your image. Drag the frame to position it where you want, or pinch to zoom in and out on mobile. The part inside the frame is what people will see as your profile picture. Click or tap "Save" when you are happy with how it looks.
If you want to change it again later, the process is identical — you do not have to delete the old one first. Facebook stores every profile picture you have ever used in your "Profile Pictures" album, which sits in your Photos section and is private by default.
Using photos already on Facebook
If you have already uploaded photos to Facebook, you can use one as your profile picture without uploading it again. Click the camera icon over your profile picture, then select "Choose photo". Browse your albums or search for a specific photo. Click the image you want, crop it if needed, and save.
This is useful if you have a photo in an album from a trip or event that you want to use. You can also choose from photos that friends have tagged you in, though you will need to navigate to those separately through your tagged photos section.
What happens to your old profile pictures
Every profile picture you set is automatically saved in a Facebook album called "Profile Pictures". This album is private — only you can see it unless you change the privacy setting. To view it, go to your Photos section and look for the "Profile Pictures" album in your list.
You can switch back to any old profile picture anytime. Just click the camera icon over your current picture, select "Choose photo", navigate to your Profile Pictures album, and pick the one you want. You can also delete old profile pictures from this album if you do not want them stored, though this does not affect posts or comments where they may have appeared.
Profile picture privacy and visibility
Your profile picture is always visible to anyone who can see your profile, no matter what privacy settings you have on other photos or posts. Even if your profile is set to private, anyone with a Facebook account can see your profile picture and name. This is by design — Facebook needs your picture visible so people can recognize you in comments, messages, and search results.
If you want to hide your profile picture from specific people, the only option is to block them or adjust who can see your profile overall. You cannot set a profile picture to be visible to friends only while keeping it hidden from the public.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the upload button does not appear, make sure you are logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only change your own profile picture. If you are on mobile and the camera icon is not showing, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app.
If your new picture does not appear after you save it, wait a few seconds and refresh the page. Facebook usually updates when ready, but occasionally there is a short delay. If the picture still does not show after a minute, try uploading a different image to rule out a problem with the file itself. Very large files or unusual formats sometimes cause issues — a standard JPG or PNG under 5 MB almost always works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a picture that someone else took of me?
Yes. You can upload any photo from your device, whether you took it or someone else did. You can also use a photo that a friend tagged you in — just navigate to your tagged photos and choose one from there. Facebook does not require you to be the photographer.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes your image to fit the profile picture space, so the exact size does not matter. A square image works best because the profile picture frame is square, but Facebook will crop any rectangular image for you. Most phones take photos that work fine without any resizing on your end.
Can I change my profile picture on the Facebook app?
Yes. Tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right, select your name, tap your profile picture, and choose "Upload photo". The process is the same as on desktop, just with touch controls instead of clicks.
Will my old profile picture show up in my friends' feeds?
No. When you change your profile picture, it does not create a post in your friends' feeds. The change only appears on your profile and in places where your picture is displayed, like comments or messages. Your friends will only see the new picture if they visit your profile or interact with you after the change.
Can I set different profile pictures for different people to see?
No. Everyone who can see your profile sees the same profile picture. Facebook does not have an option to show different pictures to different groups of people. Your only option is to change your picture for everyone or block specific people from seeing your profile.