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." Go to "Account" and tap "Photo" under your profile picture. Choose "Upload photo" to pick an image from your phone, or "Take photo" to use your camera right now. Crop the image if you want, then tap "Done" or "Save."

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your new picture shows up on your profile and next to your name in comments and messages within seconds. If you change your mind, you can repeat these steps and pick a different image at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the photo upload screen through your profile menu: tap your profile icon, then the three lines, then "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Photo."
  • Instagram lets you upload a photo from your phone's camera roll or take a new one directly in the app.
  • You can crop and adjust your photo before saving it, and the change appears instantly across your entire account.
  • Removing your profile picture entirely is possible by tapping "Remove photo" instead of uploading a new one.

Using a photo already on your phone

When you tap "Upload photo," Instagram opens your phone's photo library. Scroll through your camera roll or albums to find the image you want. You can pick any photo — it does not have to be a portrait or a specific size. Instagram will let you crop it to fit the circular profile picture frame.

After you select a photo, a crop screen appears. Pinch to zoom in or out, and drag to move the image around until the part you want is centered in the circle. The preview shows you exactly what your profile picture will look like. Tap "Done" or "Save" when you are satisfied.

Taking a new photo with your phone's camera

If you do not have a photo ready, tap "Take photo" instead of "Upload photo." Instagram opens your phone's camera and you can take a picture right then. You can switch between your front and back camera by tapping the camera icon. Take as many shots as you need — you only save the one you want to use.

After you take the photo, you get the same crop screen. Adjust it the way you would with an uploaded image, then tap "Done" or "Save." The photo goes straight to your profile without being saved to your phone's camera roll unless you choose to save it.

Cropping and positioning your picture

The crop screen is where you control what part of your photo appears in your profile circle. Pinch your fingers together to zoom out and see more of the image, or spread them apart to zoom in on a specific area. Drag the image around to center the part you want people to see.

Keep in mind that Instagram crops your picture into a circle, so the edges of a square photo will be cut off. The preview on the crop screen shows you the exact circular frame, so you can see what will and will not appear. If your photo is a close-up of your face, make sure your eyes and mouth are in the center of the circle.

Removing your profile picture entirely

You do not have to have a profile picture. If you want to remove it, go through the same steps: tap your profile icon, then the three lines, then "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Photo." Instead of uploading or taking a new photo, tap "Remove photo." Your profile will show a blank circle where your picture was.

You can add a picture back at any time by following the regular upload steps. Removing your picture does not affect your account in any way — your username, bio, posts, and followers all stay the same.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the crop screen does not appear after you pick a photo, close the app and try again. Sometimes Instagram needs a moment to load. If your new picture does not show up after you tap "Done," refresh your profile by swiping down at the top of your screen.

If you cannot find "Settings and privacy" in your menu, make sure you are on the latest version of Instagram. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and tap "Update" if it is available. Older versions of the app sometimes have slightly different menu names or locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that is not of my face?

Yes. Your profile picture can be anything — a photo of a pet, a landscape, a logo, or an abstract image. Instagram does not restrict what kind of image you upload. Keep in mind that your profile picture appears small next to your comments and messages, so very detailed images may be hard to see at that size.

What size should my profile picture be?

Instagram automatically crops your photo into a circle, so the exact size does not matter. Any photo from your phone works. If you want the best quality, use a photo that is at least 1080 pixels wide, but Instagram will resize smaller photos automatically.

Does changing my profile picture notify my followers?

No. Your followers do not get a notification when you change your profile picture. They will see the new picture the next time they visit your profile, but there is no alert sent to them.

Can I change my profile picture on a computer?

Yes. Go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select "Settings." Click "Edit profile" and then click your current profile picture. You can upload a new photo from your computer the same way you would on your phone.