How to Change Profile Picture in Gmail on Computer and Phone

That little circle next to your name in someone's inbox does more work than you'd expect. A clear, friendly photo makes an email from you feel like it's from a real person, and for freelancers and small business owners that can be the difference between being opened and being skipped. A blank letter or a blurry holiday snap from years ago doesn't help.

Your Gmail picture is the same as your Google Account picture, so you change it in your account settings, and it updates across Google. Here are the routes Google's help gives, plus what other people will see.

Changing your Gmail profile picture from your inbox

1. Open Gmail on your computer.
2. Click your profile picture or initial at the top right.
3. Choose Change profile picture.
4. Pick where the new photo comes from, then crop it and save.

This is the fastest way in when you're already in Gmail, and it opens the same picture settings as your Google Account.

Changing it through your Google Account settings

1. Go to the Personal info page of your Google Account at myaccount.google.com/personal-info.
2. Select Profile picture.
3. Choose Browse illustrations, Upload from Device, Take a picture, or Google Photos.
4. Rotate and crop the photo if you need to.
5. Select Next, then Save as profile picture.

Google gives the same steps for Android, and the Personal info page works in any phone browser too, which is handy on an iPhone where app menus vary by version.

Four places your new Gmail photo can come from

Option	Good for
Upload from Device	A headshot or logo saved on your computer or phone
Take a picture	A quick fresh photo using your webcam or phone camera
Google Photos	Picking a shot already backed up to your Google Photos
Browse illustrations	A drawing or pattern if you'd rather not show your face

Bringing back an old Gmail profile picture

Changed your mind? Google keeps your earlier pictures. In the Gmail app, tap your profile at the top right, tap Change profile picture, then tap More and Past profile pictures. On a computer, the same More option appears in the picture window. Choose the one you want and save it again.

Who sees your Gmail profile picture

According to Google, your picture can appear next to your name when you send an email or chat, and in notifications for messages you send to other Gmail users. Because it's your Google Account picture, it can show in other Google services too. Google is clear that your other photos aren't shared just because you used Google Photos to pick this one.

Two things to bear in mind. First, Google says changes can take some time to appear across all its products, so don't panic if an old photo lingers for a while. Second, your YouTube picture is separate: Google's account help says changing your Google name won't change your YouTube name or profile picture, so update that on its own if you need to.

If you have no profile picture at all

Google shows your initials when there's no photo. That's fine for a personal inbox, but in business emails a coloured letter is easy to mistake for a newsletter or a stranger. Adding even a simple, friendly photo tends to make your emails feel warmer.

Choosing a Gmail photo that works for business

• Use a recent photo where your face fills most of the circle. It shows up tiny on phones.
• Pick a plain background so you stand out.
• Use your logo only if your business is better known than you personally. For freelancers and consultants, a face usually builds more trust.
• Keep it consistent with your LinkedIn and website photos, so people recognise you everywhere.
• Update it when you change your look or rebrand. An old photo can make a first video call a little awkward.

Your profile picture and your email signature work as a pair. If you want the bottom of your emails to look as polished as the top, my guide to turning your email signature into a marketing tool has the details.

If your new Gmail picture isn't showing

• Give it time. Google says it can take a while to update everywhere.
• Check you selected Save as profile picture at the end.
• Make sure you changed the picture on the right account if you use more than one.
• Remember that people who saved you as a contact with their own photo may still see that on their side.
• On a work or school account, your organisation may manage profile photos, so ask your admin if the option is missing.

While you're in your settings, it's worth a quick look at the other options that make Gmail easier to live with. I've rounded up my favourites in my guide to Gmail productivity settings.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my profile picture in Gmail?

Open Gmail, click your profile at the top right and choose Change profile picture. Or go to myaccount.google.com/personal-info, select Profile picture, choose a photo, then select Next and Save as profile picture.

Can I change my Gmail picture on my phone?

Yes. Google's Android steps use the same Personal info page in your Google Account, and that page also works in a phone browser.

Who can see my Gmail profile picture?

Google says it can appear next to your name when you send an email or chat, in notifications for messages you send to other Gmail users, and in other Google services.

How do I get my old Gmail profile picture back?

In the Gmail app, tap your profile, tap Change profile picture, then More and Past profile pictures, and choose the one you want.

Will changing my Gmail picture change my YouTube picture?

No. Google's account help says changing your Google name won't change your YouTube name or profile picture, so update YouTube separately.