Change your profile photo in three steps

To change your profile photo on Facebook, tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner, select "Change profile picture," choose a photo from your phone or computer, and confirm. The new photo appears when ready on your profile and in comments and messages. You can change it as often as you want — there is no limit.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a phone, tablet, or computer, though the exact button locations shift slightly between devices. This guide walks you through each method so you know exactly where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile photo updates when ready across Facebook once you confirm the change, and appears in all your comments, posts, and messages.
  • You can upload a new photo from your phone's camera roll, your computer's files, or take a fresh photo using your device's camera.
  • Facebook stores old profile photos in an album called "Profile Pictures" that only you can see unless you change the privacy setting.
  • If you upload a photo by mistake, you can delete it from the Profile Pictures album or set a different photo as your current one.
  • You can add a frame or filter to your profile photo, or set a temporary profile photo that reverts after a set number of days.

Change your photo on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap your profile icon — a small circle with your current photo in the bottom right corner of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, you will see your profile photo. Tap directly on the photo itself.

A menu appears with three options: "Take a photo," "Choose from photos," or "Upload photo." Tap "Take a photo" if you want to use your device's camera right now. Tap "Choose from photos" to pick an existing photo from your phone's camera roll or saved images. Tap "Upload photo" if you have a photo file saved elsewhere on your device. Select the photo you want, and Facebook shows you a preview. You can zoom, move, or rotate the image to frame it the way you want. Tap "Use" or "Save" to confirm.

Change your photo on a computer or laptop

Go to Facebook.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen — it appears next to your name. This opens your profile page. Hover your mouse over your large profile photo at the top of the page. A camera icon and the words "Update profile picture" appear over the photo.

Click the camera icon. A window opens with options to "Upload photo," "Choose photo," or "Take a photo." Click "Upload photo" to select a file from your computer. A file browser opens — navigate to the folder where your photo is saved, select it, and click "Open." Facebook shows you a preview where you can crop or adjust the image. Click "Save" when you are ready.

Where Facebook stores your old profile photos

Every profile photo you upload goes into an album called "Profile Pictures" on your profile. Only you can see this album by default — your friends cannot view it unless you change the privacy setting. To find it, go to your profile, scroll down to the "Photos" section, and look for the "Profile Pictures" album.

You can set any old profile photo as your current one by opening the Profile Pictures album, clicking the photo you want, and selecting "Set as profile picture." You can also delete photos from this album if you no longer want them stored. Right-click the photo (on a computer) or tap and hold (on a phone), then select "Delete." Deleting a photo from the Profile Pictures album does not affect your current profile photo.

Add a frame or filter to your profile photo

Facebook lets you add decorative frames or filters to your profile photo without uploading a new image. On a phone, tap your profile picture, then tap the camera icon that appears. Select "Add frame" to browse frames organized by theme, holiday, or cause. Tap the frame you want, and it appears around your photo. Tap "Use frame" to explore it.

On a computer, click your profile photo, then click the camera icon. Select "Add frame" from the menu. Browse the available frames and click the one you want. Click "Use frame" to explore it to your profile. Frames are temporary — you can remove one at any time by clicking the camera icon again and selecting "Remove frame."

Set a temporary profile photo that expires

If you want to use a profile photo for a limited time — for example, during a holiday or event — you can set it to expire automatically. On a phone, tap your profile picture, then tap the camera icon. Select "Change profile picture" and choose your photo. Before you confirm, look for an option that says "Make temporary" or "Set expiration." Tap it and choose how long the photo should stay active: 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days. After that time, Facebook reverts to your previous profile photo.

On a computer, click your profile photo and select the camera icon. Choose your new photo and upload it. Before you click "Save," look for a checkbox or link that says "Make this a temporary profile picture" or similar. Click it, select your expiration time, and then save. This feature is useful if you want to test a new photo or mark a special occasion without making a permanent change.

Troubleshoot common problems

If your new profile photo does not appear after you upload it, refresh the page or close and reopen the Facebook app. Sometimes the change takes a few seconds to show up across all devices. If the photo still does not appear, check that the file is in a supported format — Facebook accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. If you uploaded a very large file, try compressing it first using your phone's built-in tools or a free online image compressor.

If you see an error message saying the photo is too small, Facebook requires profile photos to be at least 400 pixels wide. If you accidentally uploaded the wrong photo, go to your Profile Pictures album, set a different photo as your current one, and delete the mistake. You can change your profile photo as many times as you want, so there is no penalty for correcting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who viewed my profile photo?

Facebook does not show you a list of people who viewed your profile photo. You can see how many people have reacted to it (liked, loved, etc.) by clicking on the reaction count, but you cannot see individual viewers. If someone comments on or reacts to your photo, you will see their name in the notification.

What happens to my old profile photos when I delete my account?

If you delete your Facebook account, all your photos — including your profile pictures — are deleted within 90 days. During the 90-day window, you can reactivate your account and restore everything. After 90 days, the photos are permanently removed from Facebook's servers.

Can I use a photo of someone else as my profile picture?

Technically, yes — Facebook does not prevent it. However, using someone else's photo without permission may violate their privacy or Facebook's community standards if it is done to impersonate them or mislead others. If someone is using your photo as their profile picture without consent, you can report it to Facebook.

Why is my profile photo blurry after I upload it?

This usually happens if the original photo is low resolution or if you uploaded a very small image. Facebook compresses images to save space, which can reduce quality. Try uploading a higher-resolution version of the photo, or make sure the image is at least 400 pixels wide. Taking a fresh photo with your phone's camera typically produces better results than using an old, compressed file.

Can I upload a video as my profile picture?

No, Facebook profile photos must be still images. You cannot upload a video or animated GIF as your main profile picture, though some accounts may have access to animated profile frames that loop. Your best option is to upload a high-quality photo or use a frame or filter to add visual interest.