The quickest way to change your profile picture
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile icon in the top left corner. Select "Profile" from the menu. On your profile page, hover over or tap your current profile picture, then click or tap the camera icon that appears. Choose "Upload photo" to pick an image from your device, or "Take a photo" if you want to use your camera right now. Select the image you want, adjust it if needed by dragging to frame it, then tap "Save".
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your new picture appears instantly on your profile and in comments and messages you send going forward. Everyone on Facebook sees the change right away — there is no delay.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your profile picture from your profile page by clicking the camera icon over your current picture.
- Facebook lets you upload a photo from your device, take a new one with your camera, or choose from photos you have already posted.
- You can add a frame or filter to your profile picture before saving it, or skip that step and save it plain.
- Your profile picture change is public and visible to everyone on Facebook unless you have restricted who can see your profile.
- You can change your profile picture as often as you want with no limit.
Uploading a photo from your device
When you tap the camera icon and select "Upload photo," Facebook opens your device's photo library. On a phone, you see your camera roll or photo app. On a computer, a file browser opens so you can navigate to any folder. Pick the image you want to use as your profile picture.
After you select the photo, Facebook shows you a preview and lets you adjust how it is framed. You can drag the image around to position it, or pinch to zoom in or out on a phone. Once the framing looks right, tap or click "Save" to make it your profile picture. If you do not like the framing, tap "Cancel" and start over with a different photo.
Taking a new photo with your camera
If you choose "Take a photo" instead of uploading, Facebook opens your device's camera app. On a phone, you can switch between the front and back camera by tapping the camera flip icon. Take the photo you want, then tap the checkmark or confirm button to use it.
Facebook then shows you the same framing preview as it does with uploaded photos. Adjust the position and zoom until it looks right, then tap "Save." If the photo does not turn out the way you wanted, tap "Cancel" and take another one.
Using photos you have already posted
You do not have to upload or take a new photo. When you tap the camera icon, you can also select "Choose from photos" to pick from images you have already posted on Facebook. This is useful if you want to use an old profile picture again, or if you like a photo from one of your posts.
Facebook shows you a grid of your recent photos. Scroll through to find the one you want, tap it, and then adjust the framing the same way you would with a new upload. Tap "Save" when you are done.
Adding frames and filters to your profile picture
Before you save your new profile picture, Facebook offers the option to add a frame or filter. Tap "Frames" to see decorative borders and designs you can add around your photo. Tap "Filters" to adjust the color, brightness, or mood of the image. You can use a frame, a filter, both, or neither — it is entirely up to you.
Frames are especially common around holidays or for causes — Facebook regularly adds new ones. Filters range from simple black-and-white effects to more dramatic color shifts. Try a few to see what you like, then tap "Save" to apply your choice and make the photo your profile picture.
What happens when you change your profile picture
Your new profile picture appears on your profile page immediately. It also shows up next to your name in comments, posts, and messages you send. Anyone who visits your profile or sees your activity on Facebook sees the new picture right away.
Your old profile picture does not disappear — Facebook keeps it in a folder called "Profile Pictures" on your profile. You can view all your past profile pictures by going to your profile, clicking the three dots next to your cover photo, and selecting "View profile pictures." This is useful if you want to change back to an old picture later, or if you just want to see how your profile picture has changed over time.
Changing your profile picture on mobile vs. desktop
The steps are the same whether you use Facebook on your phone or computer, but the buttons and menus look slightly different. On a phone, you tap icons and swipe through menus. On a computer, you click with your mouse and hover over buttons to see options. The camera icon always appears in the same place — over your current profile picture — and the upload, camera, and frame options are always available in the same order.
If you start changing your profile picture on one device and want to finish on another, you can close the window and come back later. Facebook does not save a half-finished change, so you will have to start from the beginning, but your old profile picture stays in place until you save a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my profile picture back to an old one?
Yes. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your cover photo, and select "View profile pictures." You see all your past profile pictures in a folder. Click or tap any one of them and select "Set as profile picture" to make it your current picture again.
What size should my profile picture be?
Facebook automatically resizes any image you upload to fit the profile picture space. You do not have to resize it yourself beforehand. The image will look best if it is square or close to square, since Facebook crops it into a circle on most devices, but you can upload any size and Facebook handles the rest.
Can I hide my profile picture from certain people?
Your profile picture is always public on Facebook — you cannot hide it from specific people or groups. If you want to control who sees your profile picture, you can change your overall profile privacy settings to limit who can see your profile at all, but the picture itself cannot be hidden separately.
Does changing my profile picture notify my friends?
Facebook does not send a notification when you change your profile picture. Your friends see the change when they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they do not get a message saying you changed it. Some friends may notice on their own, but there is no automatic alert.
How often can I change my profile picture?
You can change your profile picture as many times as you want with no limit. Some people change it daily, others keep the same one for years. Facebook does not restrict how often you make changes.