The quickest way to change your Facebook profile picture
Open Facebook on your computer or phone and click your profile picture in the top left corner (on mobile, tap the menu icon first, then your name). Select Profile. Hover over your current profile picture and click the camera icon that appears, then choose Upload Photo to pick a new image from your device, or Take a Photo to use your camera. Once you've selected or taken the photo, crop it if you want, then click Save.
The entire process takes less than a minute. Facebook stores your old profile pictures, so you can switch back to a previous one anytime without re-uploading it.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from your profile page by clicking the camera icon over your current photo.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo, take one with your device's camera, or choose from photos you've already posted.
- Your old profile pictures stay in your archive, so you can revert to any previous picture without uploading it again.
- Changes appear instantly to your friends and anyone who visits your profile.
Changing your picture on a phone or tablet
On mobile, the steps are nearly identical but the layout is slightly different. Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or top right on Android. Tap your name to go to your profile.
Tap your profile picture at the top of your profile. A menu will pop up with options to Take a Photo, Upload Photo, or Choose from Photos. Pick whichever option you prefer. After you select or take your photo, you'll see a crop screen where you can adjust the frame. Tap Save when you're happy with it.
Uploading a photo from your device
When you select Upload Photo, your device's photo library or file manager opens. Navigate to the folder where your photo is stored and tap or click the image you want. Facebook will then show you a crop screen so you can frame the picture the way you want it to appear.
You can zoom in or out by pinching on the image, and you can drag the photo around to position it. The circular frame shows you exactly what will be visible as your profile picture. Once you're satisfied with how it looks, tap or click Save. The new picture replaces your old one immediately.
Taking a photo directly from your camera
If you choose Take a Photo, Facebook opens your device's camera app. Take the photo you want to use, and it will automatically go through the same crop screen. You can adjust the framing before saving, just like with an uploaded photo.
This option is useful if you want to update your profile picture right away without hunting through your photo library. The photo is taken and saved to your profile in one flow.
Choosing from photos you've already posted
Facebook also offers a Choose from Photos option that shows pictures you've already uploaded to your profile or tagged in. This is faster if you want to use an existing photo rather than upload or take a new one. Scroll through your photos and tap the one you want. It will go through the crop screen like any other photo.
This feature is handy if you've posted a good photo before and want to make it your profile picture without storing it twice on your device.
What happens to your old profile pictures
When you change your profile picture, Facebook doesn't delete the old one. Instead, it stores it in your Profile Pictures album, which only you can see unless you change your privacy settings. You can view this album by going to your profile, clicking Photos, and looking for the Profile Pictures section.
If you want to go back to an old profile picture, click the camera icon over your current picture again and select Choose from Photos. Your previous profile pictures will appear at the top of the list. Click any of them to make it your current picture instantly. You don't have to re-upload or re-take the photo.
Privacy and who can see your profile picture
Your profile picture is visible to everyone on Facebook by default, including people who aren't your friends. If you want to limit who sees it, go to your profile, click the three dots next to your profile picture, and select Edit Public Details. From there you can adjust the privacy setting for your profile picture to Friends Only or Only Me.
Keep in mind that even if you set your profile picture to private, your name and other public information may still appear in search results. The profile picture privacy setting only controls who can see the actual image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture on Facebook Messenger?
No, you have to change it through the main Facebook app or website. Messenger pulls your profile picture from your Facebook account, so updating it in one place updates it everywhere automatically.
What image sizes work best for a Facebook profile picture?
Facebook recommends uploading an image that's at least 170 pixels wide and 170 pixels tall, though larger images work fine. Facebook will automatically resize and optimize your photo. The image will appear as a circle on most devices, so keep important details near the center of the photo.
How long does it take for my new profile picture to show up?
Your new profile picture appears instantly on your profile and in your friends' feeds. However, it may take a few minutes to update everywhere across Facebook's servers, so some people might still see your old picture briefly.
Can I set different profile pictures for different people?
No, Facebook shows the same profile picture to everyone (unless you've set it to private). You have one profile picture for your account. However, you can control who sees it by adjusting privacy settings to Friends Only or Only Me.
What if I accidentally deleted a profile picture I want to use again?
If you deleted it from your Profile Pictures album, it's gone. However, if it was posted to your timeline or in another album, you can still find it and make it your profile picture by selecting Choose from Photos and navigating to that album.