The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top left corner. Look for your current profile picture — it appears as a circle near the top of your profile. Click or tap on it, then select Upload Photo or Change. Choose a photo from your device, crop it if you want, and click Save. The new picture goes live when ready and appears everywhere on Facebook where your profile picture shows.
On a phone, the steps are the same but the buttons are slightly larger. If you're using the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to find your name, tap it to open your profile, then tap your profile picture to change it.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture updates when ready across Facebook once you save it, including in comments, posts, and messages.
- You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, or use a photo already on Facebook.
- Facebook automatically crops square profile pictures, so choose an image where your face or main subject is centered.
- Your old profile pictures stay in a folder called "Profile Pictures" that only you can see unless you change the privacy settings.
Using photos you've already uploaded to Facebook
You don't have to upload a new photo every time. When you click on your profile picture and select Change, you'll see an option to Choose from Photos. This opens a list of every photo you've ever uploaded to Facebook. Scroll through and click the one you want to use as your profile picture.
This is faster than uploading if you've already shared photos on Facebook. It also means you can switch between old profile pictures without uploading them again. Just remember that Facebook crops profile pictures into a circle, so some photos that looked good as a regular post might not frame your face the way you want.
Cropping and positioning your profile picture
After you choose a photo, Facebook shows you a preview and lets you move or zoom the image before you save it. The preview shows a circle — that's the exact shape your profile picture will be. Drag the photo around so your face or the main subject is centered in that circle. Use the zoom slider if you need to make the image larger or smaller.
Take a moment to look at the preview. If your head is cut off or the framing looks wrong, adjust it now. Once you click Save, that's how it will appear on your profile and everywhere else on Facebook. You can always change it again later if you're not happy with how it looks.
What happens to your old profile pictures
Facebook keeps every profile picture you've ever used in a folder called Profile Pictures. Only you can see this folder unless you change the privacy settings. To find it, go to your profile, click Photos, and look for the "Profile Pictures" album.
You can make an old profile picture your current one again by opening that album, clicking the photo, and selecting Make Profile Picture. You can also delete old profile pictures from this album if you don't want them stored on Facebook anymore. Deleting a profile picture from the album doesn't affect your current profile picture — it just removes that old version from your history.
Changing your profile picture on mobile vs. desktop
The process works the same way on phones and computers, but the layout is slightly different. On a desktop computer, your profile picture appears in the top left area of your profile page. On a phone, it's centered near the top. In both cases, you tap or click the picture itself to open the menu.
If you're using the Facebook app on iPhone or Android, the steps are identical to the mobile website. If you're using Facebook Messenger, you can also change your profile picture from there — tap your profile icon at the top, then tap your current picture to change it. The change syncs across all Facebook apps and the website within seconds.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is not centering your face in the preview circle. Facebook crops profile pictures into a perfect circle, so if your head is off to one side, part of it will be cut off. Always check the preview before you save.
Another mistake is uploading a photo that's too small or blurry. Profile pictures appear small on most screens, so a photo that looks fine on your phone might look pixelated on a computer. Choose a clear, well-lit photo at least 400 pixels wide if you can. You can also upload a larger photo and let Facebook resize it — it will keep the quality better than uploading something tiny.
Don't worry about accidentally making your profile picture public. Facebook lets you set who can see your profile picture separately from who can see the rest of your profile. Even if your profile is private, your profile picture is usually visible to everyone, but you can change that in your privacy settings if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that's not of my face as my profile picture?
Yes. Your profile picture can be anything — a pet, a landscape, a logo, or an object. Facebook doesn't require it to be a photo of you. Keep in mind that people use profile pictures to recognize you, so a clear image of your face helps others find and connect with you.
What size photo should I upload?
Facebook accepts photos of any size, but it works best with images at least 400 pixels wide. Larger photos give Facebook more detail to work with when it crops and resizes your picture. You can upload a photo from your phone's camera roll without worrying about the exact size — Facebook handles the resizing.
Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?
No. Changing your profile picture doesn't send a notification to your friends. However, your new picture appears on your profile when ready, and friends who visit your profile will see it. Some people post about changing their picture to let others know, but Facebook doesn't do this automatically.
Can I see who viewed my profile picture?
No. Facebook doesn't show you a list of people who looked at your profile picture. You can see how many people viewed a photo you posted to your timeline, but profile pictures work differently — Facebook doesn't track or report those views.
What if I want to remove my profile picture entirely?
You can't have a Facebook profile without a profile picture. If you delete your current picture, Facebook will show a generic silhouette icon instead. You can always add a new picture later. If you want to hide your profile picture from certain people, adjust your privacy settings instead of deleting it.