Change Your Profile Picture on Facebook
To change your Facebook profile picture, tap or click your profile icon in the top left or right corner of Facebook, select "Profile," then click the camera icon over your current photo. Choose "Upload Photo" to pick an image from your device, or "Choose Photo" to select from photos already on Facebook. Once you pick the image, crop it to frame your face, then tap "Save." The new picture appears when ready on your profile and in comments and messages.
The process takes about one minute on desktop or mobile. You can change your profile picture as often as you want, and Facebook keeps a record of all your past profile pictures in case you want to switch back to an earlier one.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture updates when ready across all of Facebook once you save it, including in your profile, comments, and messages.
- You can upload a new photo from your device or choose one already saved on Facebook.
- Facebook stores all your past profile pictures, so you can revert to an old one without re-uploading it.
- The camera icon appears directly over your current profile picture on your profile page.
- You can crop and adjust the image before saving to make sure your face is framed the way you want.
Finding the Camera Icon on Desktop
On a computer, go to your Facebook profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top navigation bar. Once you land on your profile page, look for your current profile picture in the upper left area. A small camera icon appears in the bottom right corner of that photo when you hover your mouse over it.
Click the camera icon to open a menu with two options: "Upload Photo" and "Choose Photo." If you do not see the camera icon, make sure you are on your own profile page, not someone else's — you can only change your own profile picture.
Finding the Camera Icon on Mobile
On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then tap your name to go to your profile. Your profile picture appears near the top of the screen. Tap the camera icon that overlays the bottom right corner of your photo.
A menu pops up with options to take a new photo with your phone's camera, upload a photo from your device, or choose from photos already on Facebook. Tap whichever option matches what you want to do.
Uploading a Photo from Your Device
Select "Upload Photo" from the menu. Your phone or computer opens a file browser showing your photos. Navigate to the folder where your image is saved, then tap or click the photo you want to use. On mobile, this is usually your Camera Roll or Photos app. On desktop, it is typically your Downloads or Pictures folder, but the location depends on where you saved the file.
Once you select the photo, Facebook opens a cropping tool. A square frame appears over your image with handles you can drag to adjust which part of the photo shows. Position the frame so your face is centered and clearly visible. Tap or click "Save" when you are happy with how it looks.
Choosing a Photo Already on Facebook
If you have already uploaded photos to Facebook — in albums, posts, or your cover photo — you can use one of those as your profile picture without uploading again. Select "Choose Photo" from the menu. Facebook shows you albums and recent photos you have posted. Scroll through and tap or click the photo you want.
The same cropping tool appears. Adjust the frame to show your face the way you want it, then tap or click "Save." This is faster than uploading if you already have a good photo on Facebook.
What Happens After You Save
Your new profile picture appears on your profile page right away. It also shows up when ready in your comments, posts, messages, and anywhere else your profile picture displays across Facebook. Friends see the new photo in their feeds and notifications.
Facebook keeps a history of all your profile pictures. To see past photos or switch back to an old one, go to your profile, click the camera icon again, and select "See All Photos." A gallery of your previous profile pictures appears. Click or tap any of them to make it your current profile picture again — you do not have to re-upload it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not crop your photo so tightly that your face is cut off at the edges. Leave a little space around your head so the picture looks balanced when it appears as a small icon in comments or messages. If your photo is blurry or too dark, Facebook will still let you save it, but it will look poor in small sizes — test how it looks before confirming.
Remember that your profile picture is public by default unless you change your privacy settings. If you want only certain people to see it, go to your profile settings and adjust who can see your profile picture. Also, avoid uploading someone else's photo as your profile picture without their permission, even if it is funny or a meme — stick to photos of yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of me as my profile picture?
Yes, Facebook allows any image as your profile picture — a pet, a landscape, a logo, or anything else. However, if you use a photo that is not of you, some people may not recognize you in messages or comments. For a professional or personal account where people need to identify you, a clear photo of your face works best.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes your photo to fit the profile picture space, so you do not have to worry about exact dimensions. The image will look best if it is at least 400 pixels wide, but Facebook handles smaller photos too. The cropping tool lets you frame it however you want before saving.
Can I see who viewed my profile picture?
No, Facebook does not show you a list of who has viewed your profile picture. You can see how many people have reacted to it or commented on it if you click the camera icon and select "See All Photos," but there is no view counter like on Stories.
How do I delete my profile picture?
You cannot completely remove your profile picture — Facebook requires one. However, you can replace it with a blank or generic image, or switch to an old profile picture from your history. Go to the camera icon, select "See All Photos," and choose any previous picture to make it current again.
Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?
Facebook does not send a direct notification when you change your profile picture, but the change may appear in your friends' feeds as a story or activity update depending on their settings. Your new picture shows up when ready everywhere on Facebook, so people will see it the next time they visit your profile or interact with you.