The quickest way to change your profile picture

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, then select "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and tap "Account." Look for "Profile photo" and tap it. You'll see two options: take a new photo with your camera, or choose one from your phone's photo library. Pick whichever you prefer, crop or adjust if needed, and tap "Done" or "Save."

The whole process takes about 30 seconds on a phone. On a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Settings," find "Change profile photo," and upload from your computer the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your profile picture from your phone by going to your profile, tapping the menu, selecting Settings and privacy, then Account, then Profile photo.
  • Instagram lets you take a new photo on the spot or pick an existing one from your phone's photo library.
  • You can also change your profile picture from a computer by visiting Instagram.com and going to Settings.
  • Your new profile picture appears to everyone immediately after you save it.

Changing your profile picture from your phone

Start by opening the Instagram app and tapping your profile icon—it's the person-shaped icon at the bottom right of your screen. Once you're on your profile page, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu or hamburger icon) in the top right corner.

From the menu that appears, tap "Settings and privacy." Scroll down the list until you see "Account" and tap it. Inside Account settings, look for "Profile photo" and tap that option. Instagram will now show you two choices: "Take a photo" or "Choose from library." If you want to use your phone's camera to take a new picture right then, tap "Take a photo." If you want to use a photo you already have saved, tap "Choose from library" and browse your phone's photos.

Once you've picked or taken your photo, Instagram will let you crop it and position it how you want. Tap "Done" or "Save" when you're satisfied with how it looks. Your new profile picture will show up on your profile immediately.

Changing your profile picture from a computer

Go to Instagram.com in your web browser and log in if you're not already logged in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the page—it's a small circle with your current profile picture or a person icon.

From the dropdown menu, click "Settings." On the left side of the settings page, click "Edit profile." You'll see your current profile picture near the top. Click on it or look for a "Change profile photo" button. Instagram will prompt you to upload a file from your computer. Select the photo you want and click "Open." You can then crop and adjust it before saving.

What photo size and format works best

Instagram accepts photos in JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP formats. The platform automatically crops your photo into a circle, so make sure the part of the image you want visible is centered. If your photo is too small or too large, Instagram will resize it automatically, but photos that are at least 400 by 400 pixels will look sharpest.

Keep in mind that your profile picture appears as a small circle on your profile, in comments you make, and next to your name when you send direct messages. Test how your photo looks by checking your profile after you upload it. If it doesn't look right, you can change it again anytime.

Removing your profile picture

If you want to remove your profile picture entirely instead of replacing it, follow the same steps to reach "Profile photo" in your settings. Instead of choosing a new photo, look for a "Remove current photo" or "Delete" option. Instagram will replace your picture with a default person icon.

You can add a new profile picture back whenever you want by following the same process. There's no limit to how many times you can change or remove your profile picture.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your new profile picture isn't showing up after you save it, try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display the change. If you're using a computer, try clearing your browser's cache or logging out and back in.

If Instagram won't let you upload a photo, check that the file size isn't too large (Instagram typically has a limit around 8 MB for profile pictures). Also make sure you're using a supported format like JPG or PNG. If the problem continues, try using a different browser or device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see when I change my profile picture?

Instagram doesn't send a notification to your followers when you change your profile picture, but they'll see the new one the next time they visit your profile. Your new picture appears immediately for everyone.

What happens to my old profile pictures?

Instagram doesn't save a history of your old profile pictures. Once you replace your profile picture, the old one is gone unless you saved it to your phone separately. If you want to use an old profile picture again, you'll need to have saved it beforehand.

Can I use a video as my profile picture?

No, Instagram only accepts still photos for profile pictures. You can't upload a video or animated GIF as your main profile picture, though some accounts can use animated profile pictures through special features Instagram tests occasionally.

Why does my profile picture look blurry?

This usually happens when the original photo is too small or low resolution. Instagram crops your photo into a circle, so if your image is smaller than 400 by 400 pixels, it may appear pixelated or blurry. Try using a larger, higher-quality photo.