Tech Reference

How to change the profile picture on your Mac computer for a customized display

Macbook Air
You can change your profile picture on your Mac using System Preferences. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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Customizing your Mac, by doing things like changing your desktop background or profile picture, can be a fun way to make it feel more familiar and comfortable. 

And if you're interested in changing your Mac's profile photo — that's the icon you see every time you log into your computer — you'll only need to set aside a minute or so to get it done.

Here's every step you'll need to take to accomplish the task.

How to change your profile picture on a Mac

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.

HOW TO CHANGE PROFILE PICTURE MAC
Select “System Preferences” from the menu.  Devon Delfino/Business Insider

2. Click Users & Groups.

The Mac System Preferences panel with the Users & Groups option highlighted.
Click "Users & Groups".  Kyle Wilson/Insider

3. Click on the lock icon, located in the bottom-left corner of the window.

The Users & Groups menu with the lock icon highlighted.
Clicking the lock will allow you to make changes to your Mac profile picture.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

4. Enter your Mac's password in the pop-up window and click Unlock.

The Users & Groups menu with the unlock button highlighted.
Make sure to click "Unlock" after entering your password.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

5. Hover your mouse over the profile picture, and click it when you see the word Edit.

The Users & Groups menu with the edit button highlighted.
While hovering over your profile photo, click the "edit" button.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

6. Select your new profile photo from the options available through the left sidebar sections.

The profile picture selection screen with the available options highlighted.
You can select your profile photo from the folders in the left sidebar.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

7. Click Save.

8. If you want to change the scale of the photo, you can go back into the editor and use the sliding scale below the photo to adjust how zoomed in or out it appears.

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Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.