Facebook is built to connect and inform people, but there are times when you simply need to make a quick update without letting the whole world know. One of the most common examples? Changing your profile picture.

You may have discovered a better photo. Perhaps you have gone for a new haircut or fashion style. Or you may want to replace an older photo without calling a gathering. No matter the reason, here is the good news: Yes, you can change your Facebook profile picture, no, it will not post to your timeline (Facebook timeline) or notify all your friends. You just need to know how to work around Facebook’s default settings.

In this article, we will show you how to update your profile picture without posting or push notifications, whether you are on Facebook desktop or mobile.

Why You Might Want to Avoid Posting the Update

Several causes are that have been decided certainly not to share the profile pic:

• You’re not looking for attention. Not all photo changes require a reaction & comments.
• You’re updating something minor. Perhaps you are just re-uploading the same image or uploading a higher quality one.
• You prefer privacy. You may not wish to notify the entire friends list of the change.

By default, Facebook tries to share the new profile picture to your timeline. But you don’t have to let it.

How to Change Your Facebook Profile Picture Without Posting (Desktop)

1. Log in and go to your Facebook profile.
   Click on the Status bar in the top corner, like the person or picture of your profile.
2. Click your current profile picture.
   You will find the option to “Update Profile Picture.” Click it.
3. Choose a new photo.
   You can either upload a new photo or pick one from your Facebook photos.
4. Before you click “Save,” adjust the privacy settings.
   This is the critical step. Click on the audience selector, a small icon (either a globe, two heads, or a padlock) appearing at the bottom or next to the post preview. Click it, toggle the audience to “Only Me.”
5. Save your changes.
   Click “Save” or “Done” after setting it to “Only Me”. That way, it isn’t shown in your friends’ feeds or posted on your timeline.
6. (Optional) Double-check your timeline.
   Sometimes Facebook might still poster timeline even when you have set privacy. Go to your profile and scroll down to see if a post was made. If it shows, click on the three dots in the corner and remove it.

How to Do It on the Facebook Mobile App

The process is essentially the same on the mobile app, but the layout is a bit different there:

• Tap on your profile picture in the top left part of the app to open your profile.
• Tap your profile photo again and select “Select Profile Picture.”
• Select a picture from your device or albums.
• Once you link the image, scroll down, and find the privacy setting, which might say “Friends” or “Public” by default. Press it and switch it to “Only Me.”
• Save your changes.

Updating your profile picture this way will not publish a post.

Also Read: AIOTechnical.com Health & Beauty: Your Wellness Guide

Pro Tips

• Use an old photo quietly. If there is already a photo of your profile pic in one of your albums, you can go to it, the three dots, and “Make Profile Picture. Just be sure to edit the audience first before confirming.
• Steer clear of profile frames or stickers if you are after a low-key approach. Most of the time, it’s due to having the update more visible.
• You can always delete the post afterwards. If you happen to forget to alter the privacy setting, you can also erase it from your timeline.

Final Thoughts

Facebook won’t tell you, but you actually can change your profile picture without it being a public declaration. You just have to manually do some tweaks prior to hitting save. If you happen to be updating pretty freely, or you just prefer to stay under the radar, this little hack gives you a little more dictate over what’s shared–and what’s not anymore. 

Now, you don’t have to worry about followers getting notifications whenever you change your profile picture.