How to change your Gmail profile picture

In today’s digital age, you may interact with someone for years without ever seeing each other face-to-face. Your Gmail profile picture is sometimes the only mental image someone has of you.

Your Gmail profile picture isn’t just for your email, however — it’s your profile picture for your entire Google account. It’s used for Google Chat, Calendar, Photos, and any other Google services or apps you use. (Fun fact: We even use it as your photo in Streak pipelines.) 

Whether you want to update your profile photo or just remove the one you’re currently using, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions for every device. 

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How to change your Gmail profile picture on any device

You can change your Gmail profile picture on any computer, tablet, or phone. We typically find that using a phone or tablet app rather than an internet browser is easiest for this task, but if you’re only using Gmail on your computer, there’s a way to update it there, too. Let’s take a look.

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On a computer

Follow these steps to change your profile picture on a desktop or laptop.

1. Open Gmail.
2. In the top right corner, click on your profile picture. If you haven’t set a photo before, this will show as the initial of your first name. 

3. Click Manage your Google Account.

4. In the left menu, click Personal info. 

5. Under Basic info, navigate to that first section: Profile picture.

6. Click on the circle photo frame.

7. Follow the directions to select a photo or take a new one. 
8. Click Set Profile Photo. 

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On an iPhone or iPad

Follow these steps to change your profile picture on your iOS tablet or phone. 

1. Open the Gmail app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right.
3. Tap Camera.
4. Select Change or Add profile picture. 
5. Choose or take a new profile picture.
6. Drag your picture to the center of the square.
7. Click Save as profile picture. 

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On an Android

1. Open the Gmail app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right.
3. Tap Camera.
4. Select Change or Add profile picture. 
5. Choose or take a new profile picture.

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How to change your profile picture to a previous photo

Google saves all of the images you’ve ever used as a profile picture in a gallery, so you can easily revert back to a previous picture at any time following these steps. 

1. Open Gmail.
2. In the top right corner, click on your profile picture.
3. Click Manage your Google Account.
4. On the left, click Personal info. 
5. Under Basic info, select profile picture. 
6. In the top right corner, click More (the three dots), then Past profile pictures. 

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How to remove a Gmail profile picture

1. Open Gmail.
2. In the top right corner, click on your profile picture.
3. Click Manage your Google Account.
4. On the left, click Personal info. 
5. Under Basic info, select profile picture. 
6. Click Remove, then click Remove again to confirm. 

Removing your Gmail profile picture will return your circle profile icon to its original state, with just your first initial showing.

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FAQs about Gmail profile pictures

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What can you use for a Google profile picture?

To select a new profile picture, you can select from three options:

1. An illustration provided by Google
2. A photo from your Google Photos gallery
3. Your own uploaded photo or image

When you select Google Photos, photos of you will be suggested. You can scroll through until you find one you like. 

If you don’t feel comfortable using a photo of yourself, Google provides thousands of illustrations in categories including food, nature, hobbies, and recreation. Browse through the categories, or search for a specific image.

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What makes a good profile picture?

A good Gmail profile picture depends on how you use your account.

For professional accounts, consider how you want to be represented by clients and teammates. A professional headshot or logo is typically a safe option. However, if you work in a more laid-back industry, you may have some more creative freedom. 

For personal accounts, you can use any of your favorite images. Most people have a little fun and showcase something that matters to them. You could choose a picture of yourself hiking or with your cat.

Pro tip: Whether you’re choosing a personal or professional Gmail profile picture, be sure to select a photo with high resolution. If you want email recipients to be able to clearly see your face, choose an image that isn’t pixelated and won’t require anyone to zoom in on it.

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Can everyone see my Gmail profile picture?

If you are using a personal Gmail account, anyone you contact will be able to see your Gmail profile picture. 

If you are using a professional Gmail account through a business or organization, you can adjust your settings to limit who sees your photo. While editing your profile photo, select Choose who can see your profile picture, then select “Your organization and people you interact with” if you want to limit access, or “Anyone” if you don’t mind who can see your profile picture.

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Why isn’t my new profile picture showing up?

Once you select a new profile picture, it can take up to 24 hours to update. You may also need to refresh the page for your new profile picture to appear.

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What if I don’t have a photo to use?

If you want to use a photo as your Gmail profile picture but don’t have one you like, you can take a picture through Gmail. Follow the steps to change your picture, then select From computer when choosing a new photo. Click Take a picture, and allow Google to access your camera.

For the best results, take the photo in natural light using a plain background. 

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Want to update your Streak profile picture?

Good news: Your Gmail profile picture will automatically become your Streak profile picture. Once you set your profile picture in Google, you’ll be all set in Streak.

If you and your teammates all have clear profile pictures, it’s super easy to scroll through Streak and see who’s assigned to what deals, leave comments and questions, and assign tasks to teammates to keep work moving. In short, collaboration during complicated workflows, projects, and deals has never been so easy and organized.

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Think Streak could make your most complicated work feel simple? We think so, too.