How to change instagram profile picture on android

  • You can change your profile picture on Instagram at any time using the website or mobile app.
  • Every Instagram user has a profile picture, even if their account is set to private.
  • The recommended Instagram profile picture size is at least 1000 by 1000 pixels.

Your profile picture on Instagram is a small snapshot you upload to represent your account. If your account is just about you and your life, chances are your photo will be a selfie or a shot of yourself with a friend, partner, or pet.

If you have a business account, you might feature a photo of a product you're selling. Whatever you decide to use as your profile photo, the good news is that it can be changed quickly and as often as you'd like. 

If you decide to change your Instagram profile picture, you can do so via the app or via the Instagram website in a few steps. Here's how to do it.

Instagram profile picture size 

Your Instagram profile picture should be at least 1000 by 1000 pixels.

Instagram profile pictures are compressed until they measure 320 by 320 pixels — and a circular cutout is displayed that is a mere 110 by 110 pixels. The higher resolution the photo that you start out with is, the better the compressed outcome will be. 

As such, it is advised that you upload a picture that is at least 1000 by 1000 pixels and has the elements you want featured in the center, so as to avoid being cropped out.

How to change an Instagram profile picture on mobile

1. Locate the Instagram app icon on your iPhone or Android and tap to open it.

2. Tap on your profile button in the far-right corner of the menu bar running along the bottom of your screen.

3. On your profile page, tap Edit Profile

Tap Edit Profile. Isabella Paoletto/Insider

4. On the Edit Profile screen, tap Change profile photo.

5. From the pop-up menu that appears, choose to either import a photo from Facebook, take a new photo on your phone's camera, or choose one from your phone's photo library.

Choose how you want to select your new Instagram photo. Jennifer Still/Insider

6. Choose the photo you wish to upload and move it within the round circle to crop it. 

Crop your photo, then tap Done. Jennifer Still/Insider

7. Click Done to complete the change.

How to change an Instagram profile picture on desktop

1. Go to the Instagram website on your Mac or PC and login using your account username and password.

2. Click on your username on the right-hand side of your home screen to go to your profile page. Alternatively to this, you can skip to step 4 by clicking on your existing profile picture located on the menu bar running across the top of your screen and then clicking on Settings.

3. On your profile page, click Edit Profile

4. Under your username, click on Change Profile Photo.

Click Change Profile Photo. Kyle Wilson/Insider

5. Click Upload Photo.

6. Select the photo you want to upload as your new Instagram profile picture from your computer, then click Open. Once the button is clicked,, your profile photo will then be uploaded and applied to your account. 

Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.

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Social media sites are so crowded that it can be difficult to stand out. Instagram alone has more than a billion monthly active users and 500 million daily active users. That makes it even more challenging to get noticed on the app. However, there are several ways you can cut through the noise.

Apart from posting interesting, high-quality content, you can focus on your bio to make it worthy of people's attention. A quick way to achieve that is by uploading a good profile image. This article will show you how to upload a profile picture on Instagram—whether you're a new user or it's due for a change.

How to Change Your Instagram Profile Picture on Mobile

Whether you use Instagram on an iPhone or Android device, the steps you need to follow to change your profile picture are identical.

Here's what you need to do on your phone:

  1. Open the Instagram app and tap on your Profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  2. Now tap Edit profile at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Change profile photo.
  4. At this point, you can either tap Take Photo to take a selfie or Choose from library. If you go with the latter, Instagram will take you to your phone's library, where you'll have to pick a suitable image. (More on choosing a profile picture for Instagram below.)
  5. Finally, tap Done in the top-right corner. Instagram will now start displaying your new picture.

That's all it takes. This is one of the things new Instagram users should do first to complete their profiles. Having said that, you can also benefit from it if you've been on Instagram for a while, in case you need to switch things up. And if you want to try something different, you can opt to use an avatar as your Instagram profile picture instead of the age-old selfie.

A unique avatar is a sure way to make your Instagram profile stand out and instantly grab people's attention, as most people use real photos of themselves as their profile pictures. After you've created an avatar, follow the steps above and tap Use avatar to set it as your profile photo.

How to Change Your Instagram Profile Picture on the Web

screenshot of edit profile page on instagram

Changing your Instagram profile on the web is slightly different but just as easy. Here's what to do:

  1. Log into your Instagram account in your browser.
  2. Click on your Profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
  3. Now click on Profile, followed by Edit profile.
  4. Click on Change profile photo at the top of the screen, followed by Upload Photo in the pop-up menu.
  5. This will bring up the file explorer on your computer. Use it to find the picture you like, and then click on Open in the bottom-right corner of the window.

You're all set! Now, you know how to upload a profile picture to your Instagram account, no matter your device. Repeat this process whenever you want to change your profile picture on Instagram.

Tips for Choosing a Good Instagram Profile Picture

Woman using phone at a cafe

As we've mentioned before, your profile picture is one of the elements that can help your Instagram profile stand out—or any social media platform, for that matter. That's why you should be intentional and smart about the picture you upload.

First and foremost, consider your niche. Unless it's pets, nature, or something completely different, you should upload a picture of yourself. This also helps other Instagram users connect with you and know who's behind the account they're engaging with.

Because your Instagram profile appears as a small icon on your profile, it wouldn't make sense to upload a full-body picture. You can reserve that for your Instagram grid. In fact, you can pin your three best photos to your Instagram profile.

Go for a clear photo of yourself from the neck up instead. Choose a photo where you're smiling and appear warm and welcoming. Unless you use your Instagram profile for work or business purposes, try not to pick a photo where you look serious or unapproachable—leave that for your LinkedIn profile picture.

A lady taking a
selfie on her smartphone

Finally, avoid uploading a profile picture that is heavily edited or has a filter on it unless it is consistent with the theme of your profile. For instance, if your profile has a black-and-white aesthetic, then it would make sense to upload a black-and-white profile picture. Otherwise, keep it bright and clear.

Stand Out With the Perfect Instagram Profile Picture

Every day, millions of profiles vie for people's attention on Instagram. Your profile picture is often the first thing people notice while scrolling through their feed or when they land on your profile. You only have a few seconds to grab and keep their attention, so make them count with a clean, crisp profile picture.

Why I can't change my profile picture on Instagram?

To fix “Sorry we couldn't update your profile picture” on Instagram, log in to Instagram from a mobile browser (e.g. Safari/Chrome), and change your profile picture there. Once you've changed your profile picture from the web version of Instagram, go back to the Instagram app, and refresh your profile.

How do I change Instagram profile picture?

Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile. Tap Edit Profile. Tap Change profile photo. Tap Upload Photo, then select your picture to import.

How do I change my profile picture on Android?

Add or change your profile picture.
On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app ..
Tap Google Manage your Google Account. Personal info..
Under "Basic info," tap Photo. You may be asked to sign in..
Tap Set Profile Picture. ... .
Tap Accept..