How To Change Your Background Picture On Facebook: A Definitive Guide

Changing your background picture on Facebook, more specifically your cover photo, is a simple yet effective way to personalize your profile and express your current mood or interests. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do it, whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device. To change your cover photo, navigate to your profile, click on the existing cover photo (or the “Add Cover Photo” button if you don’t have one), and then select “Upload Photo” to choose a new image from your device, or “Select Photo on Facebook” to pick from your existing Facebook photos.

Changing Your Cover Photo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing your cover photo is a straightforward process on both desktop and mobile. Here’s a breakdown:

Desktop Instructions

1. Navigate to your profile: Log in to your Facebook account and click on your name in the top left corner to go to your profile page.
2. Access the cover photo options: Hover your mouse cursor over your existing cover photo. A “Update Cover Photo” button will appear. If you don’t have a cover photo yet, you’ll see an “Add Cover Photo” button instead. Click on this button.
3. Choose your action: A dropdown menu will appear with several options:
   • Upload Photo: This allows you to select an image from your computer’s files.
   • Select Photo on Facebook: This lets you choose a photo you’ve already uploaded to Facebook.
   • Reposition: This allows you to adjust the position of your current cover photo.
   • Remove: This removes your current cover photo entirely.
4. Upload or select your photo: If you chose “Upload Photo,” a file explorer window will open. Navigate to the image you want to use, select it, and click “Open.” If you chose “Select Photo on Facebook,” browse through your albums and select the photo you desire.
5. Adjust the position (if needed): Once the photo is uploaded, you can drag it up or down to reposition it within the cover photo frame. This is especially useful if your image is larger than the cover photo dimensions.
6. Save the changes: After you’re satisfied with the positioning, click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom right of the cover photo.

Mobile Instructions (iOS and Android)

1. Open the Facebook app and go to your profile: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone and tap on your profile picture in the top left corner (or the three horizontal lines, then your name).
2. Tap on your cover photo: Tap directly on your current cover photo. If you don’t have one, tap the “Add Cover Photo” button.
3. Select your action: A menu will pop up with several options:
   • Upload Photo: This allows you to select an image from your phone’s gallery.
   • Select Photo on Facebook: This lets you choose a photo you’ve already uploaded to Facebook.
   • Select Artwork: This gives you some pre-designed artwork options from Facebook.
   • Create Collage: This allows you to create a collage of your photos as your cover photo.
   • View Cover Photo: This will simply show you the current cover photo in full screen.
4. Upload or select your photo: If you chose “Upload Photo,” your phone’s gallery will open. Select the image you want to use. If you chose “Select Photo on Facebook,” browse through your albums and select the photo you desire.
5. Adjust the position (if needed): After the photo is uploaded, you can drag it up or down to reposition it within the cover photo frame using your finger.
6. Save the changes: Tap the “Save” button in the top right corner of the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about changing your background picture on Facebook, designed to provide additional information and address common concerns:

1. What are the ideal dimensions for a Facebook cover photo?

The ideal dimensions for a Facebook cover photo are 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels tall. For best results, upload a JPG file less than 100KB. Keep in mind that the displayed area might be slightly different on desktop versus mobile, so keep essential elements of your image centered.

2. Why is my cover photo blurry?

A blurry cover photo is often caused by uploading an image with dimensions smaller than the recommended 851×315 pixels. Compressing a larger image into a smaller space can lead to pixelation and blurriness. Try uploading a high-resolution image that meets the recommended dimensions. Ensure the image isn’t heavily compressed during the upload process.

3. Can I use a video as my cover photo?

Yes, you can use a video as your cover photo. The recommended size for a cover video is 820 x 312 pixels, and the recommended length is 20-90 seconds. Facebook automatically loops the video.

4. How often can I change my cover photo?

There is no limit to how often you can change your cover photo. Feel free to update it as frequently as you like. However, excessive changes might annoy your friends and followers.

5. Will changing my cover photo notify my friends?

Yes, changing your cover photo typically generates a news feed story that your friends may see. You can control the visibility of this update by adjusting the privacy settings on the post itself after it’s published.

6. How do I change the privacy settings of my cover photo update?

After uploading a new cover photo, a post will automatically appear on your timeline. Click the globe icon (or friends icon) on the post to adjust the visibility. You can choose “Public,” “Friends,” “Only Me,” or custom settings. “Only Me” will prevent the update from appearing in your friends’ news feeds.

7. Can I revert to a previous cover photo?

Yes, you can revert to a previous cover photo. Go to your profile, click on “Photos,” then “Cover Photos.” Find the previous cover photo you want to use and click on it. Then, click the three dots in the top right corner and select “Make Cover Photo.”

8. How do I remove a cover photo?

To remove your cover photo, hover over the existing cover photo on your profile (on desktop) and click “Update Cover Photo.” Then, select “Remove.” On mobile, tap your cover photo, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Remove.”

9. Can I use a cover photo for my Facebook Page (as opposed to my personal profile)?

Yes, the process for changing the cover photo on a Facebook Page is very similar to changing it on a personal profile. The steps are largely the same, but you’ll need to be an admin or editor of the Page to make the changes.

10. What kind of images are considered inappropriate for a Facebook cover photo?

Facebook has community standards that prohibit content that is hateful, threatening, sexually suggestive, or violent. Avoid using cover photos that violate these standards, as Facebook may remove them and potentially suspend your account.

11. Can I tag people in my cover photo?

Yes, you can tag people in your cover photo. After uploading the photo, click on it to view it in full size. Then, hover over the photo (on desktop) or tap on it (on mobile) and click “Tag Photo.” Tag the people you want to identify in the image.

12. How do I create a custom cover photo design?

There are many online tools and apps that can help you create a custom cover photo design. Canva is a popular and user-friendly option that offers templates specifically designed for Facebook cover photos. Other tools include Adobe Spark and PicMonkey. These platforms allow you to add text, graphics, and effects to create a unique and personalized cover photo.

Changing your Facebook cover photo is a small but impactful way to express yourself online. By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you can easily update your profile and keep it fresh and engaging. Remember to choose images that reflect your personality and adhere to Facebook’s community standards.