The quickest way to change your Instagram cover photo
Your Instagram cover photo is the image that appears at the top of your profile, behind your username and bio. To change it, open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the camera icon in the top-left corner of your current cover photo, choose a new image from your phone, and tap "Done". The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
If you do not see a camera icon, you may be viewing someone else's profile or using an older version of the app. Make sure you are logged into your own account and that your Instagram app is up to date.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the camera icon directly on your current cover photo to open the image picker without navigating through menus.
- You can use any photo from your phone's camera roll, including screenshots, downloaded images, or photos you took yourself.
- Instagram crops cover photos to a specific size, so test how your image looks before confirming the change.
- Your cover photo is visible to anyone who visits your profile, including people who do not follow you.
Where to find the camera icon and what it looks like
When you are on your own profile page, look at the top of your screen where your profile picture and username appear. Just below that is your cover photo — the larger image that spans the width of your profile. In the bottom-left corner of that cover photo, you will see a small camera icon inside a circle.
Tap that icon once. Instagram will immediately open your phone's photo library, showing all the images saved on your device. You do not need to navigate through settings or menus. The camera icon is the direct route.
Choosing and positioning your new cover photo
Once you tap the camera icon, your phone shows all available photos. You can select any image — a photo you took, a downloaded picture, a screenshot, or anything else in your camera roll. Tap the photo you want to use.
Instagram then shows you a preview of how that image will look as your cover photo. The app crops the image to fit the cover photo dimensions, which are wider than they are tall. You will see a frame showing exactly what part of your image will be visible. If you want to adjust which part of the photo appears, you can drag the image around within that frame to reposition it. Once the framing looks right, tap "Done" to save the change.
What happens after you change your cover photo
The new cover photo appears on your profile immediately. Anyone who visits your profile — whether they follow you or not — will see the new image. There is no delay or approval process. The change is live as soon as you tap "Done".
You can change your cover photo as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you update it, and Instagram does not notify your followers when you make a change. If you change your mind, simply tap the camera icon again and select a different image.
Why your cover photo might not be showing correctly
If your new cover photo looks cropped strangely or cuts off important parts of the image, the problem is usually the aspect ratio — the relationship between the width and height of the photo. Instagram cover photos work best with images that are wider than they are tall, similar to a landscape photo. If you use a portrait-oriented photo (taller than it is wide), Instagram will crop it significantly, and you may lose important details.
Before you finalize a cover photo, always check the preview frame that Instagram shows you. If the preview cuts off something you want to keep visible, try a different image or reposition the current one by dragging it within the frame.
Differences between cover photos and profile pictures
Your cover photo and your profile picture are two separate images. Your profile picture is the small circular image next to your username — the one people see in comments, likes, and messages. Your cover photo is the large rectangular image behind your username on your profile page. You change them in different places and they serve different purposes.
To change your profile picture instead, tap your profile picture itself (the circular image), and Instagram will open the same photo picker. The process is identical, but the image will be cropped to a circle rather than a rectangle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a video as my cover photo instead of a still image?
No. Instagram cover photos must be static images. You cannot use video clips, GIFs, or animated content. You can only select photos from your camera roll or library.
Will my followers get notified when I change my cover photo?
No. Instagram does not send notifications to your followers when you update your cover photo. The change is visible only to people who visit your profile after you make it.
What size should my cover photo be?
Instagram automatically crops your image to fit, so you do not need to resize it beforehand. However, images that are roughly 1200 pixels wide by 600 pixels tall will fit with minimal cropping. If you want to avoid losing parts of your image, use a landscape-oriented photo rather than a portrait one.
Can I delete my cover photo and have no image there?
No. Instagram requires a cover photo on your profile. You cannot remove it entirely. If you want a blank or minimal appearance, you can upload a solid-color image or a very simple design instead.
Why does the camera icon sometimes not appear?
The camera icon only appears when you are viewing your own profile while logged in. If you are looking at someone else's profile, or if you are logged out, the icon will not show. Make sure you are on your own profile and that your Instagram app is fully updated.