- How to change your profile picture on Instagram in the app
- How to change it on a computer
- The second route: Accounts Center
- App, desktop or Accounts Center: which one to use
- Adding your avatar to the other side
- Who can see your profile picture
- If the new picture doesn't show
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
To change your profile picture on Instagram, go to your profile, tap Edit profile, then tap Edit picture or avatar and choose a new photo. It takes about four taps, and you can pick a new photo, one from your phone or the one you already use on Facebook.
One thing most people don't realise before they change it: your profile picture is visible to anyone, on or off Instagram, even if your account is private. So pick something you're happy for a stranger to see.
Below are the steps for the app and the desktop site, the second route through Accounts Center, the avatar option, and what to check if the change doesn't seem to stick. Everything comes from Instagram's own Help Center, read in October 2026.
How to change your profile picture on Instagram in the app
- Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile.
- Tap Edit profile.
- Tap Edit picture or avatar.
- Choose where the new picture comes from: take a new photo, pick one from your phone's library, or import from Facebook.
- Tap Done after making your changes.
If you import from Facebook, Instagram uses the same picture you're already using as your Facebook profile photo. That's handy if you want your brand to look identical on both, but it won't let you pick a different Facebook photo through that option.
How to change it on a computer
On the desktop site the wording is slightly different:
- Click your profile picture on the left to go to your profile.
- Click Edit Profile.
- Click Change photo.
- Click Upload Photo, then select the picture on your computer.
Desktop is the easier route if your best headshot lives on your laptop rather than your phone. You don't have to email it to yourself first, and it's easier to check the crop on a big screen before you commit.
The second route: Accounts Center
Instagram says it's gradually moving people to Meta Accounts, so you may see either Accounts Center or Meta Account settings as the place where your account settings live. If you manage more than one profile there, this route lets you pick which one you're changing.
- Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
- Tap Accounts Center, then tap Profiles.
- Tap the profile you want to update.
- Tap Profile picture and upload a new photo.
- Follow the on-screen steps to save it.
On a computer, the same route starts from More in the bottom left, then Settings, then See more in Accounts Center.
App, desktop or Accounts Center: which one to use
| Route | Where it starts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram app | Profile, Edit profile, Edit picture or avatar | Quick swaps from your phone's photos |
| Desktop site | Profile, Edit Profile, Change photo | Using a photo stored on your computer |
| Accounts Center | Menu, Accounts Center, Profiles | Choosing which of several linked profiles to update |
Adding your avatar to the other side
Instagram also lets you put your avatar on the flip side of your profile picture. Visitors can swipe left or right between the photo and the avatar. To add it, go to Edit profile, tap Edit pictures or avatar, and if you haven't made one yet, tap Create avatar.
Instagram's note on this is worth reading twice: anyone, on or off Instagram, can see your avatar. To take it off again, open your profile picture in Edit profile, tap Edit avatar, then Options and Delete avatar. If you're still deciding whether an avatar suits you, my guide to the Instagram avatar covers how to build one.
Who can see your profile picture
This is the part that catches people out. Instagram's comparison of public and private accounts says your profile information, including your profile photo, name, username and bio, can be seen by anyone on or off Instagram, whichever setting you use.
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Making your account private hides your posts from people who don't follow you. It doesn't hide your picture. If you'd rather keep your face off the open web, use a logo, an illustration or your avatar instead.
If you see a coloured ring around someone's picture and wonder what it means, I've explained the blue ring around an Instagram profile separately.
If the new picture doesn't show
- Give it a moment and reopen your profile. The old picture can linger in other people's feeds and chats for a while.
- Check you saved. On mobile, leaving the screen before tapping Done can drop the change.
- If you used the Facebook import, remember it pulls your current Facebook picture, so change that one first if it's the wrong photo.
- Try the other route. If Edit profile isn't working, Accounts Center reaches the same setting.
My advice
Use a clear, close-cropped face or a simple logo. It shows up tiny next to comments, likes and messages, so detail gets lost. And because it's public no matter what, treat it like a shop sign: something you're happy for anyone to see. If you're tidying your whole profile at the same time, editing your Instagram bio is the natural next step.
Frequently asked questions
Does Instagram notify followers when you change your profile picture?
Instagram's help page on changing your profile picture doesn't mention any notification. Your new picture simply appears wherever your profile shows up, such as comments, messages and your profile page.
Can I hide my Instagram profile picture with a private account?
No. Instagram says profile information, including your profile photo, name, username and bio, is visible to anyone on or off Instagram for both public and private accounts.
Where can I get my new Instagram profile picture from?
You can take a new photo, add one from your phone's photo library, or import from Facebook. If you import from Facebook, Instagram uses the same picture you're already using on your Facebook profile.
How do I change my profile picture on Instagram on a computer?
Click your profile picture on the left, click Edit Profile, click Change photo, then click Upload Photo and choose your picture.
Can people see my Instagram avatar?
Yes. Instagram says anyone, on or off Instagram, can see your avatar if you add it to the other side of your profile picture. You can delete it from Edit profile at any time.
