Delete your profile picture in three steps

To remove your profile picture on Facebook, open your profile, click your current photo, select "Delete," and confirm. The photo disappears from your profile immediately, though Facebook keeps a copy in your archive for 30 days in case you change your mind. Your profile will show a blank silhouette where the photo was.

If you want to replace the photo instead of leaving it blank, you can upload a new one at the same time you delete the old one. Facebook does not require you to have a profile picture — many people run accounts with the default silhouette.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using Facebook on a computer or phone, but the end result is the same. Below are the exact steps for each device.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete your profile picture by clicking it from your profile, selecting "Delete," and confirming the action.
  • Deleted photos stay in your archive for 30 days, so you can restore them if you change your mind within that window.
  • Your profile will display a blank silhouette if you do not upload a replacement photo after deleting.
  • The process takes less than a minute and can be done from either a computer or mobile phone.

Delete your profile picture on a computer

Start by going to your Facebook profile. Click your profile picture in the top left corner of your cover photo — the large banner image behind your name. A window will open showing your photo in full size.

Look for the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of the photo window. Click them. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Delete." Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Delete Photo" again. The photo is now removed from your profile.

If you want to add a new profile picture right away, click the camera icon that appears where your old photo was. You can then upload a new image from your computer or choose one from your existing photos.

Delete your profile picture on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Tap your profile picture at the top of the page.

A full-screen view of your photo will open. Tap the three dots (•••) in the bottom right corner. A menu will pop up. Tap "Delete." Facebook will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete Photo" again. Your profile picture is now gone.

To add a new photo instead, tap the camera icon that appears after deletion. You can take a new photo with your phone's camera or select one from your phone's photo library.

What happens to your deleted photo

When you delete a profile picture, Facebook moves it to your archive rather than erasing it completely. You have 30 days to restore it if you change your mind. After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes the photo from its servers.

During those 30 days, only you can see the archived photo. Your friends and other people on Facebook cannot see it. If you want to restore it before the 30 days are up, go to your profile, click the silhouette where your photo was, and look for "See All Photos" or "Your Photos." Find the deleted photo in your archive and click "Restore."

The difference between deleting and changing your photo

Deleting leaves your profile blank with a silhouette. Changing your photo means uploading a new one to replace the old one. Most people change rather than delete because a profile picture helps others recognize you on Facebook.

If you delete and later decide you want a photo again, you can upload one at any time. There is no penalty for having a blank profile, and you can switch between having a photo and not having one as often as you want.

Why your profile picture might not be deleting

If you click "Delete" but the photo stays on your profile, try refreshing the page. Sometimes Facebook takes a few seconds to update. Close the app completely and reopen it, or refresh your browser if you are on a computer.

If the photo still appears after refreshing, check that you actually clicked "Delete Photo" in the confirmation window — many people click away by accident. You can also try a different device. If deletion works on your phone but not your computer, the issue is usually a browser cache problem. Clear your browser's cache and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see my deleted profile picture?

No. Once you delete your profile picture, it disappears from your profile immediately. Other people see only the blank silhouette. Your archived copy is visible only to you for 30 days.

What if I delete my profile picture by accident?

You have 30 days to restore it. Go to your profile, click where your photo was, find "Your Photos," and look for the deleted photo in your archive. Click it and select "Restore." After 30 days, Facebook permanently deletes it and you cannot get it back.

Does deleting my profile picture affect my privacy settings?

No. Your privacy settings control who can see your posts, friends list, and other information — not your profile picture. Deleting the photo does not change any of your privacy controls. You can still control who sees other parts of your profile separately.

Can I delete my profile picture without deleting the photo from Facebook entirely?

Yes. When you delete a profile picture, it moves to your archive, not to permanent deletion. You can restore it anytime within 30 days. After 30 days, Facebook removes it permanently.

What size should my new profile picture be if I upload one?

Facebook automatically resizes any photo you upload to fit the profile picture space. You do not need to resize it yourself beforehand. A photo that is at least 400 by 400 pixels works best, but Facebook accepts smaller images too.