Change your profile picture in Outlook in three steps
Your profile picture in Outlook is the small image that appears next to your name in emails you send and in your Outlook account settings. You can change it to a different photo whenever you want, whether you use Outlook on your computer, phone, or the web version.
The steps differ slightly depending on which version of Outlook you use, but the process takes less than a minute in any of them. This guide covers the three most common ways people access Outlook: the desktop app on Windows or Mac, the mobile app on iPhone or Android, and Outlook.com in a web browser.
Key Takeaways
- In Outlook on your computer, go to File, then Account Settings, then click your current picture to upload a new one.
- On Outlook.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select "View profile," then choose "Edit" to change your photo.
- On the Outlook mobile app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, then Account, and select your profile picture to change it.
- Your new picture syncs across all devices where you use the same Outlook account within a few minutes.
- The image file should be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format and smaller than 4 MB for best results.
Change your picture in Outlook on Windows or Mac
If you use the Outlook desktop application on your computer, start by opening Outlook and clicking the File menu in the top left corner. From the dropdown menu, select Account Settings, then click Account Settings again in the submenu that appears.
A window will open showing your account information. At the top of this window, you will see your current profile picture — it appears as a small circle or square with your image or initials. Click directly on this picture. A dialog box will open asking you to choose a photo from your computer. Navigate to the folder where your image is saved, select the file, and click Open. Outlook will upload the image and display it immediately in the account settings window.
The new picture will appear next to your name in emails you send and in your account settings on all devices where you use this Outlook account. It usually takes a few minutes to sync across all your devices.
Change your picture on Outlook.com
If you use Outlook through a web browser at Outlook.com, look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it to open a menu with several options. Select View profile from this menu.
Your profile page will open. Look for an Edit button or pencil icon near your profile picture. Click it to enter edit mode. You will then see an option to change your photo — click on your current picture or look for an "Add photo" or "Change photo" button. Your browser will open a file picker where you can select an image from your computer. Choose your new photo and confirm the upload.
Once you upload the image, it becomes your profile picture across Outlook.com and syncs to your other devices within a few minutes. You can return to your profile page anytime to change it again.
Change your picture on the Outlook mobile app
On iPhone or Android, open the Outlook app and tap the menu icon — usually three horizontal lines in the bottom right or top left corner, depending on your device. Scroll down and tap Settings. From the Settings menu, tap Account or the name of your email account.
You will see your profile information on this screen. Tap your current profile picture. The app will open your phone's photo library, where you can select an existing photo or take a new one. Choose the image you want to use and confirm. The app will crop and upload it as your new profile picture.
Your new picture will appear in your account settings and in emails you send from the mobile app. It syncs to your other devices within a few minutes.
What image format and size work best
Outlook accepts most common image formats: JPG, PNG, and GIF files all work. The image should be smaller than 4 MB — most photos from phones or cameras are well under this limit, so you rarely need to worry about file size.
For the best appearance, use a square image or be prepared for Outlook to crop your photo into a square shape. If you use a rectangular photo, Outlook will automatically crop it from the center, which may cut off parts of the edges. If you want full control over what appears in your profile picture, crop the image to a square before uploading it.
Troubleshooting: your picture won't change or won't upload
If you click your picture but nothing happens, make sure you are fully signed into your Outlook account. If you are using Outlook on your computer, sign out completely and sign back in, then try again. On Outlook.com, refresh the page in your browser and try uploading the photo again.
If the upload fails or shows an error message, check that your image file is in JPG, PNG, or GIF format and is smaller than 4 MB. If you are unsure about the file size, right-click the image file on your computer, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and look for the file size. If the image is too large, you can use an online image resizer or your computer's built-in photo editor to make it smaller before uploading.
On mobile, if the app will not let you select a photo, check that you have given the Outlook app permission to access your phone's photo library. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Photos and make sure Outlook is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Permissions and enable Photos.
Your picture across different Outlook services
When you change your profile picture in one version of Outlook, it updates across all the places you use that account. If you change it in the desktop app, it will appear on Outlook.com and the mobile app within a few minutes. The same is true in reverse — a picture you upload on your phone will show up on your computer and in the web version.
The only exception is if you use multiple Outlook accounts. Each account has its own profile picture, so changing the picture for one account does not affect the others. Make sure you are signed into the correct account before uploading a new photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo that is not a picture of myself?
Yes. Outlook does not require your profile picture to be a photo of you. You can use any image you want — a logo, a landscape, a cartoon character, or anything else. The only limits are the file format (JPG, PNG, or GIF) and file size (under 4 MB).
What happens to my old profile picture after I change it?
Your old picture is replaced and no longer appears in your Outlook account. It is not saved anywhere in Outlook. If you want to use it again in the future, you will need to keep a copy of the original image file on your computer or phone.
Why does my picture look cropped or cut off?
Outlook displays profile pictures as squares, so if your image is rectangular, Outlook crops it automatically from the center. To avoid losing important parts of your photo, crop the image to a square shape before uploading it using your phone's photo editor or a free online tool.
Will people see my profile picture in emails I send them?
It depends on their email client. Some email programs, like Outlook and Gmail, display sender profile pictures automatically. Others may not show them. Your profile picture is always visible in your Outlook account settings and on Outlook.com.
How long does it take for my new picture to show up everywhere?
Your new profile picture usually appears within a few minutes on all your devices and in all versions of Outlook. If it has not updated after 10 minutes, try signing out and signing back in, or refresh your web browser if you use Outlook.com.