Delete your profile picture in three steps
To remove your profile picture from Facebook, open your profile, click the photo, and select the delete option. The picture disappears from your profile immediately, though Facebook keeps a copy in your archive for 30 days in case you change your mind. During those 30 days, you can restore it. After 30 days, Facebook deletes it permanently.
You can do this on a computer, phone, or tablet. The steps are nearly identical across all devices — the main difference is where you tap or click to open the menu.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture is deleted immediately when you confirm, but Facebook stores it for 30 days so you can restore it if needed.
- You can delete a profile picture from any device — computer, iPhone, or Android phone — using the same basic steps.
- If you delete a picture by accident, go to your profile photo section and look for a "Restore" option within 30 days.
- Deleting your profile picture does not affect any other photos you have posted or tagged in albums.
Delete your profile picture on a computer
Start by going to Facebook.com and logging in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Profile" from the menu that appears. This takes you to your profile page.
Once you are on your profile, locate your profile picture in the upper left area. Hover your mouse over the picture until you see a camera icon appear in the corner. Click that camera icon. A menu will pop up with several options — click "Delete" at the bottom of that menu. Facebook will ask you to confirm. Click "Delete Photo" to finish.
Delete your profile picture on iPhone or Android
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Profile." You will see your profile picture at the top of the page.
Tap your profile picture directly. The photo will open in full screen. Tap the three dots (more options) in the top right corner of the screen. Scroll down in the menu that appears and tap "Delete." Facebook will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete Photo" to remove it.
What happens after you delete your profile picture
Your profile picture vanishes from your profile page right away. Friends cannot see it anymore, and it no longer appears next to your name in comments or messages. However, Facebook does not permanently erase it immediately.
For 30 days after deletion, Facebook stores the photo in a hidden section. If you realize you made a mistake, you can restore it during this window. After 30 days pass, Facebook permanently deletes the file and you cannot get it back. This 30-day window applies whether you deleted the picture yourself or Facebook removed it for violating community standards.
Restore a deleted profile picture within 30 days
If you deleted your profile picture by accident, you have 30 days to bring it back. Go to your profile and look for the profile picture area. You should see an option that says "Restore" or "See Deleted Photos." Click or tap that option.
A list of your recently deleted photos will appear. Find the picture you want to restore and click or tap it. Select "Restore as Profile Picture" or simply "Restore." The photo will reappear on your profile immediately. If you do not see a restore option, the 30 days have passed and the photo is gone for good.
The difference between deleting and changing your profile picture
Deleting your profile picture removes it entirely — your profile will show no picture at all. Changing your profile picture means you upload a new one to replace the old one. The old picture stays in your photo albums unless you delete it separately.
If you want to keep a picture on your profile but swap it for a different one, upload the new picture instead of deleting the current one. If you want no profile picture at all, follow the deletion steps above. You can always add a new picture later by clicking the profile picture area and selecting "Upload Photo."
Why you might not see a delete option
If you cannot find a delete option when you click your profile picture, the most common reason is that the picture is still loading or the page did not fully refresh. Try closing the menu and clicking your profile picture again. If you are on a phone, make sure you tapped the three dots menu icon — tapping the picture itself just opens it in full screen.
Another possibility is that your account is having a temporary glitch. Log out of Facebook completely, wait a minute, and log back in. Then try deleting the picture again. If the delete option still does not appear after a refresh, your internet connection may be unstable — try switching from WiFi to mobile data or vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see my profile picture after I delete it?
No. The moment you confirm the deletion, the picture disappears from your profile and no one else can see it. It will not appear next to your name in comments, messages, or anywhere else on Facebook. The only place it still exists is in Facebook's servers during the 30-day restoration window.
If I delete my profile picture, will it delete from my photo albums too?
No. Deleting your profile picture only removes it from your profile. If that same photo is saved in an album, it stays there. You would need to delete it separately from the album if you want it gone completely.
What if I restore my profile picture and then delete it again?
You get another 30-day window to restore it. Each deletion starts a new 30-day countdown. However, if you delete it a second time and do not restore it within 30 days, it is permanently gone.
Does deleting my profile picture affect my privacy settings?
No. Your privacy settings control who can see your profile and posts, but they do not change when you delete your picture. Deleting the picture itself is a separate action that only removes the image from view.
Can I delete my profile picture if my account is deactivated?
No. You cannot make changes to your account while it is deactivated. You would need to reactivate your account first, delete the picture, and then deactivate again if you want to.