Changing your Facebook cover photo is a simple way to refresh your profile and express yourself. Your cover photo is the large banner image displayed across the top of your profile page, providing a visual representation of your personality or interests. Whether you’re using a computer or the Facebook mobile app, updating this image is straightforward. This guide will walk you through the process on both platforms, ensuring you can easily change your Facebook cover photo.
Changing Your Facebook Cover Photo on Desktop
Updating your cover photo on a computer offers a quick and immediate way to revamp your Facebook profile’s appearance. This prominent image is separate from your profile picture, offering a larger space for visual expression.
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Navigate to Your Profile: Open the Facebook website and click on your name, usually located at the top left or in the center navigation bar, to access your profile page.
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Access the Cover Photo Edit Options: Scroll to the top of your profile page until you see your current cover photo. Hover your mouse over the cover photo, and you’ll notice Edit cover photo appearing in the bottom right corner. Click on this option.
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Choose Your Action: A dropdown menu will appear with several options:
- Select Photo: This option allows you to choose an image you’ve previously uploaded to Facebook, including photos from your albums.
- Upload Photo: Select this to upload a new photo directly from your computer to use as your cover photo.
- Create Avatar Cover Photo: This lets you design a personalized avatar with a background for a more unique and digital representation.
- Reposition: If you are satisfied with your current cover photo but it is not displayed optimally, choose this to adjust its position within the frame.
- Remove: This option will remove your current cover photo entirely, leaving a default grey banner.
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Select and Upload Your New Cover Photo: Depending on the option you chose, follow the on-screen instructions. For instance, if you selected Select photo, you’ll be presented with your existing Facebook photos. Choose the desired image. If you selected Upload photo, your computer’s file explorer will open, allowing you to select an image from your local files.
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Adjust the Positioning: After selecting or uploading your photo, you may be able to drag it to reposition it within the cover photo frame. This ensures the most important part of your image is visible.
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Save Changes: Once you are satisfied with the positioning, click the Save changes button, usually located at the bottom right of the cover photo area. Your new Facebook cover photo is now live!
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Changing Your Facebook Cover Photo on the App
Updating your cover photo is equally simple using the Facebook mobile app. The steps are slightly different but just as intuitive, allowing you to personalize your profile on the go.
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Open the Facebook App and Go to Your Profile: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) located at the top right (on Android) or bottom right (on iOS). Then, tap on your profile picture or name to access your profile page.
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Tap the Camera Icon: On your profile page, look at your current cover photo. You will see a camera icon superimposed at the bottom right corner of the image. Tap this camera icon to access the cover photo options.
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Choose Your Upload Method: A menu will pop up with several choices:
- Create Avatar Cover Photo: Design a digital avatar of yourself to use as a cover photo.
- Upload Photo: Choose a new photo from your phone’s gallery to upload.
- Select Photo on Facebook (or Select from Album): Pick a photo you have previously uploaded to Facebook from your albums.
- Create Cover Collage: Create a collage of multiple photos from your device to use as your cover photo.
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Select Your Image: Navigate to and select the photo you want to use as your new cover photo based on the option you chose (from your phone’s gallery or Facebook albums).
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Adjust and Save: You might be able to drag the image to adjust its position within the cover photo area on the preview screen. Once you are satisfied with the placement, tap SAVE or Use (the button text may vary slightly depending on your device).
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Tips for Choosing the Best Facebook Cover Photo
While changing your cover photo is technically easy, selecting a visually appealing and effective image requires a bit more thought. Your cover photo is prime real estate on your profile, and choosing the right one can significantly enhance your personal brand or profile aesthetic.
- Optimal Dimensions: For the best display quality, Facebook recommends cover photos be 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall on computers and 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall on smartphones. Using images close to these dimensions will minimize cropping and ensure a crisp display.
- Represent Your Personality or Brand: Choose an image that reflects your personality, interests, or, if it’s a business page, your brand identity. This could be anything from a scenic landscape to a photo representing your hobbies or professional work.
- High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images that are clear and not pixelated. A blurry or low-quality image can detract from your profile’s overall impression.
- Consider the Composition: Think about how your profile picture will overlay the cover photo. Choose a cover photo where key elements won’t be obscured by your profile picture, especially on the mobile app where the profile picture often overlaps more significantly.
- Keep it Updated: Regularly updating your cover photo keeps your profile fresh and engaging. Consider changing it seasonally, to promote events, or simply to reflect your current mood or interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the ideal Facebook cover photo size?
Facebook recommends 820×312 pixels for desktop and 640×360 pixels for mobile for optimal viewing. -
Can I set a temporary cover photo on Facebook?
Yes, Facebook allows temporary cover photos. To set one, when changing your cover photo, look for options like “Make Temporary” or “Add Frame” and set a duration for the temporary cover photo. -
How can I resize my photo to fit the Facebook cover photo dimensions?
Use image editing tools like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or free online resizing tools. These tools usually have preset dimensions for Facebook cover photos, making resizing simple. Look for “crop” or “resize” options within these tools to adjust your image accordingly.
Updating your Facebook cover photo is a simple yet effective way to personalize your profile and make a visual statement. By following these steps and tips, you can easily change your cover photo and choose images that best represent you.
