A Guide to Changing Your Profile Picture on Instagram

January 03, 2024Amanda Brown

Your profile picture on Instagram is your first impression of the world. It's a tiny square that encapsulates your essence, your vibe, and maybe even a hint of your personality. So, it's no surprise that sometimes, you might feel like it's time for a refresh.

With all the features and options Instagram throws at you, you may feel daunting to add or update your avatar. This post will show you how to change your Instagram profile picture on both mobile and desktop.

Change Instagram Profile Picture

Part 1. How to Change Your Profile Picture on Instagram

Before changing your Instagram avatar, you should pick the perfect profile picture first. You should know your goal: What do you want to say? Are you going for a professional vibe, a fun and quirky look, or something in between? Also, you should consider your audience. Who are you trying to reach with your Instagram? If it's friends and family, a casual selfie might do the trick.

Tips to Select the Best Instagram Profile Picture

You can use a close-up as your profile picture on Instagram. Show off your eyes, smile, or a unique feature. A good selfie with flattering lighting can work wonders.

Capture yourself doing something you love, whether it's playing a sport, cooking, or exploring nature.

If you are a social butterfly, include your friends or family in the picture. Just make sure you are the central focus. Let your furry friend show in the Instagram avatar. Pets are guaranteed to melt hearts and grab attention.

Use a high-resolution photo that's clear and well-lit. Instagram shows your profile photo as a circle, so ensure your chosen photo looks good within that format. Get creative with filters, editing tools, or even a professional photoshoot to showcase your artistic side.

Changing Your Profile Picture on Instagram Mobile App

Step 1.
Open Instagram and tap your profile picture to enter the profile page.
Step 2.
Tap the Edit Profile button below your bio. This operation opens your profile information for editing, including your username, name, and your profile picture.
Step 3.
Tap Change profile photo to reveal the menu for updating your visual identity. You can use an existing picture from your camera roll, import one from Facebook, or snap a selfie in real-time.
Step 4.
Use its tools to perfect your profile picture. Ensure your focus is centered for a professional look. Once you are happy with your framing, tap Done to update the soon-to-be profile picture on Instagram.
Change Profile Picture on Instagram App

Changing Your Instagram Profile Picture on Web

Step 1.
Updating your Instagram profile picture on the web is just as easy as on its mobile app. Navigate to the Instagram website and log in to your account. Click your profile picture to enter your profile page. You can also click Profile on the left sidebar.
Go to Instagram Profile on Web
Step 2.
Click the Edit Profile button to access your profile information for editing. Click Change photo next to your current avatar. A file explorer window will pop up. Navigate to the photo you want to use as your new profile picture and click Open. Your Instagram profile photo will be updated. You don’t get options to edit your picture. Click here to learn how to recover deleted Instagram photos.
Change Profile Photo on Instagram Site

Part 2. How to Edit Your Instagram Profile Picture

Your added picture may be directly set as your new Instagram avatar, and you don’t get options to edit it. In that case, you’d better edit and optimize the profile photo before updating.

Upscale Your Instagram Profile Picture

Aiseesoft AI Photo Editor can be a good option for editing your profile photo for Instagram. It lets you enlarge your picture and improve its image quality. Advanced AI technology is used to enhance your Instagram avatar.

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Before After Comparison

Remove or Replace the Background of Your Profile Photo Online

If you want to create custom backgrounds and add fun graphic elements, you can rely on some online tools like Aiseesoft Free Background Remover, Canva, or Befunky. Just upload your image file, and they will automatically remove your background content. You can replace it with a new color or image.

Change Profile Photo Background Online Free

Mobile Apps to Edit Your Instagram Profile Photo

When it comes to editing your Instagram profile picture on mobile, you have a plethora of fantastic apps at your fingertips. Here are a few top choices to consider, including Snapseed, VSCO Cam, and PicsArt. They offer all the necessary editing functions to crop, rotate, and edit your photo and optimize its image effects.

Part 3. FAQs on How to Change Your Instagram Profile Picture

Why can't I change my Instagram profile picture?

There could be several reasons why you are unable to change your Instagram profile picture. An outdated app or website version might cause glitches and make you fail to update your profile photo. A bad internet connection may disrupt the upload process. If your account has been temporarily or permanently restricted by Instagram, changing your profile picture might be disabled. When you change the profile picture, ensure Instagram has permission to access your photos and camera. Instagram prohibits profile pictures containing violence, nudity, hate speech, or other violations of their Community Guidelines. Check your picture for any potentially offensive elements. Moreover, you should ensure your image is in JPEG or PNG format.

How to enlarge your Instagram profile picture?

Instagram currently doesn't allow directly enlarging your profile picture. However, you can use the introduced Aiseesoft AI Photo Editor above to easily enlarge your Instagram profile picture without losing quality.

Does Instagram crop your profile picture?

Yes, Instagram does crop your profile picture to fit a specific format. It displays profile pictures in a circular format. Larger images will be automatically resized and cropped to fit the required size.

Conclusion

This post gives you a detailed guide to changing your profile picture on Instagram. Don't be afraid to change your profile photo from time to time. Keep it fresh and reflect your evolving personality and interests.

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