Open Facebook and go to your profile

Log into Facebook on your computer or phone. Click your name or profile icon in the top left corner (on mobile, tap the menu icon first). This takes you to your profile page, where your current profile picture appears in the top left area.

On a computer, you'll see your profile picture as a large circle or square near the top of the page. On a phone, it's smaller but in the same general location. Either way, you're looking for the image that represents you to other people on Facebook.

Click or tap your current profile picture

Move your cursor over your profile picture on a computer — a camera icon will appear in the corner. Click that icon. On a phone, tap your profile picture directly and look for the camera icon that appears.

This opens a menu with options to upload a new photo, choose from existing photos, or take a photo right then. The exact wording varies slightly between the Facebook app and the website, but the camera icon is always the trigger.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile picture is the image people see next to your name throughout Facebook, and you can change it anytime by clicking the camera icon over your current photo.
  • You can upload a new photo from your device, pick one you've already posted to Facebook, or take a photo immediately using your device's camera.
  • Facebook lets you set a temporary profile picture that reverts to your previous one after a set time, useful if you want to change it back without manually doing so.
  • Your profile picture change is visible to everyone on your friends list and to the public, depending on your privacy settings for that image.

Upload a photo from your device

Select "Upload Photo" or "Choose Photo" from the menu. Your device's file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is saved — usually Pictures, Downloads, or your phone's photo library. Tap or click the photo you want to use.

Facebook will show you a preview and let you crop or adjust the image before you confirm. You can zoom in, move the photo around, and choose what part of the image appears in the circle or square. Once you're satisfied, click "Save" or "Confirm."

Choose a photo you've already posted

If you select "Choose from Photos," Facebook shows you pictures you've uploaded before — either to your timeline, albums, or in past posts. This is faster if you already have a photo on Facebook you like. Scroll through your photos, click the one you want, and confirm your choice.

Facebook will crop it to fit the profile picture frame. You can adjust the crop before saving, just as you would with a new upload. This option is useful if you want to use a photo that's already part of your Facebook history.

Take a photo right away

On a phone, you can select "Take a Photo" to use your device's camera immediately. Facebook opens your camera app, you take the shot, and the photo goes straight to the crop screen. This is the quickest route if you want to snap a new picture on the spot.

On a computer, this option may not be available unless your device has a built-in camera. If it does, clicking this option will activate your webcam.

Set a temporary profile picture

After you upload or choose a photo, Facebook offers the option to make it temporary. You can set it to revert to your previous profile picture after a certain time — usually 24 hours, 3 days, or a week. This is useful if you want to change your picture for an event or season without having to remember to change it back manually.

To use this feature, look for a checkbox or toggle that says "Make this temporary" or "This is a temporary photo." Select your timeframe, then save. When the time runs out, Facebook automatically switches back to your previous picture.

Understand who sees your profile picture

Your profile picture is visible to everyone on Facebook by default — your friends, people who aren't your friends, and people viewing your profile. If you want to limit who sees it, go to your privacy settings and adjust who can see your profile photos. You can restrict it to friends only, or to specific groups.

Keep in mind that even if you delete a profile picture, Facebook may keep a copy in your photo archive. If you want to remove an image entirely, go to your Photos section, find the picture, and delete it from there as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that's not on my device or already on Facebook?

Yes. When you select "Upload Photo," you can browse to any image file on your computer or phone — including photos from email, cloud storage, or any folder. Facebook doesn't limit you to photos already on the platform.

What size should my profile picture be?

Facebook automatically crops your image to fit the profile picture frame, which is square on desktop and circular on mobile. The platform recommends uploading an image at least 400 pixels wide, though smaller images will work. Facebook will resize it for you.

How often can I change my profile picture?

You can change it as often as you want. There's no limit to how many times per day or week you can update it. If you change it frequently, your friends may see notifications about the change depending on their settings.

What happens to my old profile picture?

Facebook keeps all your profile pictures in your Photos section under "Profile Pictures." You can view them, download them, or delete them anytime. Your old picture remains on Facebook unless you actively remove it.

Why does my profile picture look different on mobile than on desktop?

Facebook displays profile pictures as a square on desktop and a circle on mobile. The same image is used, but the shape changes how it appears. When you crop your photo, you're choosing what part shows in both formats.