This wikiHow teaches you how to update your profile photo on YouTube on your computer and mobile device (phone or tablet). Since the YouTube account is linked to a Google account, the profile photo must be changed via Google account settings. This change will also change the profile photo in other Google apps, such as Gmail and Hangouts.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using a Mobile Device
Step 1. Launch YouTube on your tablet or phone
The icon is a red rectangle with a white sideways triangle in the center.
Step 2. Touch the current profile photo
You can find it in the circle in the upper right corner. If you haven't posted a photo, it will have your initials listed.
Step 3. Touch Manage your Google Account
It's at the top of the menu, below the email address. The Google Account screen will open.
Step 4. Touch the current photo
The photo is in the top center of the screen. This action will bring up a pop-up warning.
Step 5. Touch Set Profile Picture in the pop-up window
You will be given 2 new options.
Step 6. Touch Choose from photos to upload photos that are on your tablet or phone
Your mobile device gallery will be opened.
If you want to take a new photo with your device's camera, touch Take photo to open the camera application
Step 7. Select the desired photo and touch Accept
If you want to take a new photo, (not upload it), touch Use photo. Now your new profile photo will replace your old one on YouTube and all other Google apps.
Method 2 of 2: Using a Computer
Step 1. Launch a web browser and visit
You can use any web browser on Windows or Mac.
If you are not logged in to YouTube, click Sign In in the upper right corner and log in with the email address and password associated with your YouTube or Google account.
Step 2. Click your profile photo or initials in the top right corner
Step 3. Click Manage your Google Account
It's at the top of the menu, below the email address.
Step 4. Hover the mouse cursor over the profile photo
The profile photo is located in the large circle at the top center of the page. The camera icon will appear on the photo.
Step 5. Click the camera icon
in the profile photo.
The "Select profile photo" window will be displayed.
Step 6. Select the photo to use
- If the desired photo is on the computer, drag it into the " Drag a profile photo here " box, or click Select a photo from your computer to find the file.
- If you want to use photos found in Google Photos, click the tab Your photos, then select the desired photo.
Step 7. Click Set as profile photo
It's a blue button in the lower-left corner of the "Select profile photo" window. Once a photo for a Google account is replaced with a new one, it will also appear on your YouTube profile, Gmail, and across other Google services.
Tips
- Larger images in rectangles are "cover art" or cover art for your YouTube. This image can be replaced by clicking on it. However, this image will not appear next to your comment or in the identity of the video uploader.
- When you create a new YouTube channel, you agree to Google's policies. For example, you agree not to share your login information with anyone, and abide by the restrictions on running contests and renaming channels.
