The fastest way to change your Facebook photo
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Change profile picture from the menu that appears. Choose whether you want to upload a photo from your device, take a new one with your camera, or pick one you have already uploaded to Facebook. Once you select your photo, Facebook will ask you to confirm — tap or click Set as profile picture and you are done.
The whole process takes less than a minute. Your new photo will show up immediately on your profile and in comments you make, though it may take a few seconds to appear everywhere across Facebook at once.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile photo from your profile picture in the top left corner of Facebook on any device.
- Facebook lets you upload a new photo, take one with your camera right then, or use a photo you have already posted.
- Your new profile photo appears instantly on your profile and in your comments, though it may take a few seconds to show everywhere.
- You can add a frame, filter, or caption to your photo before you set it as your profile picture.
- If you change your mind, you can revert to a previous profile photo by going to your profile photos and selecting an older one.
Changing your photo on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app and look for your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen — it is usually a small circle with your face or initials in it. Tap that picture. A menu will pop up with several options, including Change profile picture. Tap that option.
Facebook will then show you three choices: Upload photo (to pick a photo already on your phone), Take photo (to use your camera right now), or Choose from photos (to pick from photos you have already posted to Facebook). Select whichever one matches what you want to do. After you choose your photo, tap Set as profile picture to confirm.
Changing your photo on a computer
On a desktop or laptop, go to Facebook.com and look for your profile picture in the top left corner of the page. Click on it. A dropdown menu will appear with the option Change profile picture — click that. You will see the same three options as on a phone: upload a photo from your computer, take a new photo with your webcam, or choose from photos you have already posted.
Once you pick your photo, a preview window will open showing you how it will look. Click Set as profile picture to save the change. If you want to adjust the photo — crop it, add a frame, or apply a filter — Facebook gives you those options before you confirm.
Adding frames, filters, or captions to your new photo
Before you set a photo as your profile picture, Facebook lets you customize it. After you select your photo but before you tap or click Set as profile picture, look for options to add a frame (a decorative border), apply a filter (a color or style effect), or add text. These options appear as icons or buttons near the photo preview.
Frames are especially popular — Facebook offers seasonal frames, frames for causes or holidays, and frames from pages and organizations you follow. Filters let you adjust brightness, add a vintage look, or change the color tone. Captions are text you can add directly to the photo. All of these are optional, and you can skip them if you want to keep your photo plain.
What happens when you change your profile photo
Your new profile photo appears on your profile page right away. It also shows up next to your name in comments you make, messages you send, and posts you create. Friends will see the new photo in their news feed if they visit your profile or interact with you.
Facebook keeps a record of your previous profile photos. If you want to go back to an older photo, go to your profile, click or tap your profile picture, and select See all photos. Find the photo you want and click or tap it, then choose Set as profile picture. You can switch back and forth between old photos as many times as you want.
Fixing common problems when changing your photo
If your new photo is not showing up, wait a few seconds — Facebook sometimes takes time to update across all its servers. If it still is not there after a minute, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app. If you uploaded a photo and got an error message, the file may be too large or in a format Facebook does not accept. Try a different photo or compress the file before uploading again.
If you accidentally set the wrong photo as your profile picture, do not worry — just follow the same steps to change it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change your profile photo. If you want to remove your profile photo entirely and go back to the default Facebook silhouette, go to your profile picture, select Change profile picture, and choose Remove if that option appears.
Privacy and who can see your profile photo
Your profile photo is public by default — anyone on Facebook can see it, even if they are not your friend. This is different from other photos you post, which you can set to be visible only to friends. Facebook does this because your profile photo is how people recognize and find you.
If you want to limit who sees your profile photo, you have limited options. You cannot make it private, but you can control who can see your full profile by adjusting your privacy settings. Go to Settings, then Privacy, and change who can see your profile. Keep in mind that your profile photo will still be visible to anyone who searches for you or sees you in comments and messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not of my face as my profile picture?
Yes. Facebook does not require your profile photo to be a picture of you. Many people use photos of pets, artwork, logos, or anything else. Just keep in mind that your profile photo is how friends and people searching for you will recognize your account.
What if I upload a photo and Facebook says it violates community standards?
Facebook may reject photos that contain nudity, violence, hate speech, or other content that breaks its rules. If this happens, try a different photo. If you believe the photo should be allowed, you can appeal Facebook's decision, but the decision usually stands.
Does changing my profile photo notify my friends?
Facebook does not send a notification when you change your profile photo, but friends may see it if they visit your profile or if it shows up in their news feed. There is no way to hide a profile photo change from your friends.
Can I set a video as my profile picture instead of a photo?
No. Facebook only allows still images as profile photos. If you want to use a video, you can post it to your profile or set it as your cover photo instead, which is the large banner image at the top of your profile.
How do I remove my profile photo completely?
Go to your profile picture, select Change profile picture, and look for a Remove option. If you select it, your profile photo will be replaced with Facebook's default silhouette. You can always add a new profile photo later by following the same steps.