How to change your TikTok profile picture
A profile picture can tell a lot about a person. Depending on how often you change it, it could mean a change in someone's mood or if you are having a particularly good hair day that shouldn't go unnoticed.
Some people don't even bother to upload one, dismissing that practice as irrelevant. Others may think a lot about it. After all, a profile picture on your social media account is part of how you present yourself to the world.
All social media platforms are more or less spaces for posting images. Instagram has taken the lead in that department, but TikTok rules the world of short videos. It's the ultimate social media app to introduce yourself and your audiovisual creativity.
The world of TikTok
It seems like either you dive right in or you're worried about it. TikTok is an entertainment marvel to some and a terrifying stranger to others. Which means that kids love it, but their parents are confused.
When you download the TikTok app, it immediately draws you in with videos of mostly young people lip-syncing, dancing, performing comedy, or generally goofing around. As you search for where to go from there, you might hear at least part of Rihanna's song and another snippet from someone you've never heard of. Perfectly normal. That is TikTok.
Your profile
When we find ourselves using a new application for the first time, it takes some time to discover all the possibilities. So we are likely to use it for a while without realizing certain settings that we would have preferred. But, the basics are generally covered. So if you want to continue exploring TikTok and discover its cool features, it would be a good idea to add details to your profile first. Mainly your username and profile picture.
To change your username, which is also a big part of your online presentation:
Open your TikTok app and click the Profile button in the lower right corner of the screen.
Then click on "Edit Profile".
You will be directed to the page where you can enter your new username.
Change the picture
When it comes to your profile picture, this is how you upload and change it:
- Open your TikTok app and go to your profile page. You can access your profile by tapping the "Me" icon in the lower right corner.
- Touch "Edit Profile" just below your profile picture.
- Touch "Change Photo." Of course, you can also upload a profile video by tapping 'Change video'.
- Select one of the options that appear in the pop-up window. You can upload a photo, take a photo, or just view your current photo and crop it again to improve it.
- Tap 'Confirm'
You will be asked to confirm if that is actually the photo you want to use as your profile photo, and if it is, click the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen.
Now you can choose if you want to upload a photo or a short video on your profile.
You will be able to crop the photo and make it fit the best possible in TikTok's round profile picture slot.
Here's another way to change your profile picture on TikTok. When on your profile page, skip clicking "Edit Profile" and just:
- Tap your profile picture.
- Your current profile photo will appear. Below, at the bottom of the screen, you will find 'Change'.
- Go ahead and press and you can take a new photo or upload one from your gallery.
However, if you want to post a short video as your profile, TikTok offers that option as well. This is the short video clip app and it makes sense that TikTok users want to choose a movie clip for their profile. Setting it up is very similar to changing your profile picture. All you do is:
- Open TikTok and go to your profile page.
- Next to the "Change photo" option, you will see "Change video".
- Your device's video gallery will open and you can select which video you'd like to use.
- Now you can trim and select 6 seconds of that video to use on your profile.
- Click "Save" and the video will load.
Deleting the video is easy too - just long press on the uploaded profile video. You can click "Delete" in the menu that appears.
Completing your profile
Now that you have the perfect profile picture, let's talk about other things to update on your profile.
Whether you are looking for more followers or you want people to better understand your content niche, you need to add a description in your bio. This is a small tag line that lets other users know what to expect from your TikTok account. Just keep in mind that you only have 80 characters to make an impact.
Another thing you can update is your username. An attractive username that is easily recognizable and represents your content is vital for others to easily recognize (or find) your page.
A full profile page is a great way to encourage others to hit the follow button on TikTok. But you'll also want to update it periodically to stay relevant. Just be careful, too many changes can make it difficult for your followers to keep up.
Frequent questions
If you're new to TikTok or just have more questions, we've included this section just for you! Read on for the answers to more of your most frequently asked questions.
What profile picture should I use?
It might seem like a small thing, especially on TikTok, where your potential followers choose to hit the Follow button based on your videos, so you're probably overthinking which profile picture to choose.
When choosing your profile picture, you'll want to choose an image that makes you look good, summarizes what your TikTok page is about, and stands out (there are millions of creators). From lighting to poses, the image should be of high quality and easily recognizable as people scroll through the many videos on TikTok.
How often can I change my profile picture?
Fortunately, TikTok allows you to change your profile picture as many times as you want. The company only allows name changes once every 30 days, but there is no limit to the number of times you can change your profile photo.
However, if you change your image multiple times a day or a week, it can be difficult for your potential followers to keep up, so it's probably best to think hard about one and stick with it before switching to a new one.
Can I change my profile picture on the TikTok website?
TikTok users who prefer the web browser cannot change their profile picture on this platform. Unfortunately, you will need to use the mobile app to update your profile picture.
Some say tick, some say check (or is it, knock?)
The TikTok app can be a bit hectic for some, but it's a never-ending sea of fun for others. Setting up your profile only takes a few quick steps to make it easier for you to go ahead and direct, record and upload your videos.
Let us know in the comments below if you prefer an image or video for your TikTok profile.