Are you looking to change your profile picture on Messenger but you don’t know how to?
Many Messenger users have no idea how to change their profile picture as there isn’t a feature for it on the app.
When you’re on the app, tapping on your profile will bring you to your settings.
The settings page has multiple options such as dark mode, switch account, active status, and so on.
However, there isn’t a function that allows you to edit your profile picture.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change your profile picture on Messenger in 3 steps.
- How to change your profile picture on Messenger
- Why can’t I change my profile picture on Messenger?
- Can you change your profile picture on Messenger without Facebook?
- Can I have a different profile picture on Messenger?
How to change your profile picture on Messenger
To change your profile picture on Messenger, you need to use Facebook for it.
Messenger is a messaging app by Facebook, so both platforms are connected with one another.
Hence, to change your profile picture on Messenger, you need to change your profile picture on Facebook.
Once you’ve changed your profile picture on Facebook, your profile picture on Messenger will be changed as well.
Currently, there isn’t a feature on Messenger that allows you to change your profile picture.
In addition, Messenger uses your profile picture from Facebook.
As both apps are connected, your profile picture will be similar to your profile picture on Facebook.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can change your profile picture on Messenger (from Facebook).
1. Open Facebook and tap on your profile picture
Open Facebook > log in > menu > see your profile > profile picture > select profile picture or video.
The first step is to open Facebook and change your profile picture there.
To begin with, open the Facebook app on your mobile device.
You can also do this on a desktop, but the screenshots shown in this guide are meant for the Facebook app.
Once you’ve opened Facebook, log in to your account if you haven’t already,
The account that you’re logging into should be the same account that you’re using on Messenger.
After you’ve logged into Facebook, tap on the menu icon on the bottom navigation bar.
On the first tab of the menu, you’ll see your name along with your profile picture and a caption that says “See your profile”.
Tap on “See your profile” to view your Facebook profile.
On your profile, tap on the camera icon on your profile picture.
Then, tap on “Select profile picture or video” to change your profile picture.
In the next step, you’ll learn how to change your profile picture via your camera roll.
2. Select a photo
Select an existing photo/video from your camera roll or take a photo/video on the spot by tapping on the camera icon.
After you’ve tapped on “Select profile picture or video”, you’ll land on your camera roll.
Facebook allows you to select a picture or video that you’ve taken in the past.
Alternatively, you can take a photo or video on the spot and set it as your profile picture.
If you want to select an existing photo or video in your camera roll, tap on “More” next to the “Camera roll” header.
Then, tap on the photo or video that you want to use.
However, if you want to take a photo or video on the spot, tap on the camera icon on the top-right corner of your screen.
Then, allow camera access for Facebook by tapping on “Ok” followed by “Ok” again.
Lastly, take the photo or video by hitting the circle button.
Proceed to the final step to learn how to save the photo or video that you’ve selected as your profile picture.
3. Tap on “Save”
Tap on “Save” to change your profile picture (this will change your profile picture on Messenger).
After you’ve selected a photo or video, you’ll land on the editing page.
There are several editing options that you use such as cropping the photo, adding a frame, or making it temporary.
If you want to make it temporary, you can either choose it to last for an hour, a day, a week, or for a custom duration.
You’re also given the option to share your update to your News Feed.
This option will be enabled by default.
If you don’t want others to know that you’ve changed your profile picture, you can disable the option by tapping on it.
If you’ve enabled the “Share your update to News Feed” option, you might want to add a caption to the picture as well.
Lastly, tap on “Save” to save the photo or video as your profile picture.
After you’ve changed your profile picture on Facebook, your profile picture on Messenger will be changed as well.
To double-check this, close Facebook and open Messenger.
Once you’ve opened Messenger, you’ll see that your profile picture will be the same as the one you have just changed on Facebook.
Congrats, you’ve successfully changed your profile picture on Messenger!
Why can’t I change my profile picture on Messenger?
You can’t change your profile picture on Messenger as there isn’t a feature for it.
You can only change certain settings on Messenger such as your message delivery settings.
If you want to edit your profile (e.g., profile picture, profile information), you need to go to Facebook for that.
Can you change your profile picture on Messenger without Facebook?
No, you cannot change your profile picture on Messenger without Facebook.
You cannot change your profile picture directly on Messenger as there isn’t a feature for it.
The settings that you can edit on Messenger are limited to that of Facebook’s.
Messenger is connected to Facebook, so if you want to change your profile picture on Messenger, you have to change your profile picture on Facebook.
Can I have a different profile picture on Messenger?
No, you cannot have a different profile picture on Messenger.
Your profile picture on Messenger will be the same as your profile picture on Facebook.
This is because Messenger is connected with Facebook, and they have the same database.
On the other hand, WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, but it has a separate database.
Since it has a separate database, you can have a different profile picture on WhatsApp than your profile picture on Facebook.
Conclusion
Frequently changing your profile picture can be a good thing and a bad thing.
Changing your profile picture is a good thing because it keeps people updated on how you look.
If you use a picture of yourself from years ago, people might not be able to recognize you in real life.
However, the argument is that you should keep your profile picture consistent as people are easily able to find you on various social media platforms.
Either way, not changing your profile picture is fine, but if you haven’t changed after several years, that’s a problem.
In this guide, you’ve learned that Messenger is connected with Facebook.
Hence, your profile picture on Messenger will be the same as your profile picture on Facebook.
Further Reading
How to Disable Likes And Comments on Your Facebook Profile Picture
What Does “Other Viewers” Mean on Facebook Story?
What Does Bump Mean on Facebook? And How to Use It
Lim How Wei is the founder of Followchain. Feel free to follow him on Instagram.
