Changing your Facebook background picture is an easy way to customize your profile and express your personality. With a few simple steps, you can upload a new background photo or choose one of Facebook’s available background images.
Can I upload my own photo for Facebook background?
Yes, you can upload your own photos to use as a custom Facebook background image. You are not limited to using the default background images provided by Facebook. Any photo you upload can be configured as your profile’s background image.
What are the recommended dimensions for a Facebook background photo?
The recommended dimensions for a Facebook background photo are:
- Width: 820 pixels
- Height: 312 pixels
Photos that are 820 pixels wide will display edge-to-edge on desktop screens. Photos with a height of 312 pixels will display edge-to-edge on mobile screens. The minimum width is 640 pixels.
What file types can I use for a Facebook background photo?
Facebook supports the following file types for background photos:
- JPEG
- PNG
- GIF
- BMP
For best quality, save your background photo as a JPEG file. JPEG files have excellent compression that will help keep your photo’s file size down.
Is there a file size limit for Facebook background photos?
Yes, Facebook does limit the file size for background images. The maximum file size allowed for a background photo is 5MB.
If your photo is over 5MB, it will be automatically compressed or resized to meet the limit when uploaded. To avoid unwanted compression or resizing, check your image size before uploading.
Where do I go to change my Facebook background image?
To change your Facebook background photo, follow these steps:
- Go to your Facebook profile
- Click on your profile picture in the top left
- Select “View Profile”
- Click on the pencil icon to edit your profile
- Click on the background photo section
This will open up options to upload a new photo, search existing photos, or browse background images provided by Facebook.
Can I change my background directly from the homepage?
Unfortunately there is no way to change your Facebook background photo directly from your homepage. You need to access your profile page and use the profile editing tools to change the background image.
How do I upload and set a new Facebook background photo?
Uploading your own custom photo is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Click the “Upload Photo” button
- Select a photo from your computer to upload
- Click “Open”
- Click “Save Changes” to set the uploaded photo as your new background
The photo will upload and immediately set as your new Facebook background. You can upload a photo in horizontal or vertical orientation – Facebook will automatically fit it to the page.
Does Facebook resize or compress background photos?
Yes, Facebook may compress or resize your uploaded background photo to optimize display across different devices.
Photos larger than 820 pixels wide will be resized to 820 pixels. Photos larger than 312 pixels tall will be resized to 312 pixels. Very large photos may be compressed as well.
For best quality, upload photos at the recommended 820 x 312 pixel dimensions if possible.
Can I use the same photo for both my profile picture and background image?
Yes, you can use the same photo for both your profile picture and background photo if you wish. The background will simply extend the photo across the entire profile.
This can create a clean, seamless look on your profile. However, it may also look repetitive to your friends.
How do I find and use Facebook’s background images?
Facebook provides a selection of background images you can use for free. To find them:
- Click “Select from Photos” after opening the background photo editor
- Click “Facebook Background Images” to browse the available images
- Click on a background image to preview it
- Click “Use as Background Photo” to set the chosen image
Facebook adds new background images periodically, so check back for new options. The images span many topics and styles.
Can I search for certain types of background images?
Unfortunately there is currently no search function for Facebook’s background images. You simply have to browse through them and look for relevant images manually.
The backgrounds are organized into categories like Nature, Textures, Travel, Patterns, and Holidays. Browse through the categories to narrow down images related to certain topics.
How do I set a Facebook background using one of my existing photos?
You can select a photo you’ve already uploaded to Facebook to use as your new background image. Here’s how:
- Click “Select from Photos” after opening the background photo editor
- Click “Your Photos” to browse your uploaded photos
- Select the album you want to browse
- Click a photo to preview it on your profile
- Click “Use as Background Photo” to set the chosen photo
This lets you quickly choose from the photos you’ve already uploaded. You can also access photos you’re tagged in.
Can I select a background from a friend’s profile photo album?
Unfortunately you cannot browse your friends’ photo albums to select a background image. The “Your Photos” section only gives you access to photos and albums uploaded by you.
If you want to use one of your friend’s photos, you will need to download and save it first. Then upload the saved photo as your own when editing your background image.
How do I align my profile picture on a custom background?
When you upload a custom photo as your Facebook background, you can choose the alignment of your profile picture:
- Center: Profile picture centered over the background
- Left: Profile picture aligned left
- Right: Profile picture aligned right
Click the alignment dots below your profile picture preview to choose your alignment.
Centering your profile picture generally looks best with custom background photos. But you can experiment with left or right alignment for an asymmetrical look.
Can I adjust the vertical position of my profile picture?
Unfortunately you cannot manually adjust the vertical alignment of your profile picture on a custom background photo. It will always be vertically centered.
To move your profile picture higher or lower, you would need to edit the background photo itself in an image editing program first.
What’s the easiest way to remove or change my Facebook background image?
If you want to quickly remove or change your current Facebook background photo, follow these simple steps:
- Click the pencil icon to edit your profile
- Click the background photo section
- Click “Remove Current Background”
This will immediately remove the current background photo and replace it with a plain white background.
You can then upload a new photo or select a new background image.
What happens if I delete my custom background photo from my profile?
If you uploaded a custom photo as your Facebook background, deleting the photo from your profile will also remove it as your background image.
Your background will revert to plain white after you delete the photo file. You will need to upload a new background image.
Can I set a background photo for Facebook Messenger?
Unfortunately it is not possible to set a custom background photo for Facebook Messenger. The background color in Messenger conversations is determined by the color theme you select.
Your profile background photo only displays on your Facebook profile page. It does not carry over to Messenger or any other part of Facebook.
Why doesn’t my new Facebook background show in Messenger?
Messenger has a simple white or gray background and does not use your profile’s background image. So even after changing your profile background, Messenger will appear the same.
Think of Messenger as an entirely separate app. Any changes made to your Facebook profile or settings do not affect the appearance of Messenger.
Can I set a background on Facebook mobile app?
The Facebook mobile app does not currently support customized background photos. Your profile will display with a plain background color.
Background photos are only supported on the desktop website version of Facebook. Mobile apps use a more streamlined design without backgrounds.
Why does my Facebook background not show up on mobile?
When viewing Facebook profiles on the mobile app, background images are not displayed. You will only see a plain white or gray background color.
This is because background photos are not part of the mobile design and interface. Facebook profiles on mobile have a cleaner, more minimalist look.
Any background photo you set will only be visible to users who view your profile on the desktop website version. Mobile users will simply see a plain background.
Can I set different background photos for my Facebook Pages?
Yes, Facebook Pages have their own background photo sections that can be customized separately from your personal profile.
To change a Facebook Page’s background:
- Go to your Page
- Click “Update Public Info” on desktop or “Edit Page Info” on mobile
- Click on the background photo section
- Upload a new photo or select from existing ones
You can give each of your Pages a unique background photo relevant to that brand, business, or organization.
Do my Facebook Groups have backgrounds?
No, Facebook Groups do not support customized background photos like Pages do. Groups will display with a plain white background that cannot be changed.
Only Pages and personal profiles allow you to configure background images. Groups have a more basic design and layout.
Can I set a background on someone else’s Facebook profile?
No, only the owner of a Facebook profile can change their own background photo. You cannot set or edit the background image on someone else’s profile.
The ability to add a background photo is only available in the profile editing tools. You would need access to that person’s account to change their background.
Is there any way to hack someone’s Facebook background?
No, there is no way to change or hack someone else’s Facebook background photo without accessing their account. Doing so would be unethical and illegal.
Each user has full control over customizing their own profile. Do not attempt to access accounts belonging to others without express permission.
Can I design my own Facebook background theme?
Unfortunately Facebook does not allow you to install custom themes for backgrounds and other profile elements. The only customization option for backgrounds is uploading your own photo.
You cannot modify the Facebook profile layout or design your own background theme from scratch. Customization is limited to the options provided by Facebook.
Does Facebook allow coding HTML/CSS on profiles?
No, Facebook profiles do not support custom HTML, CSS, or any other code. All profile editing is done through Facebook’s built-in tools.
Adding your own code to a Facebook profile would be considered a violation of their policies and is not possible through standard use of the platform.
Why does my background show up stretched/distorted on some screens?
If your background photo appears stretched or distorted on some desktop screens, it likely does not have the recommended dimensions of 820×312 pixels.
Photos not meeting the size requirements may appear stretched or warped on some monitors. To avoid distortion, upload photos at the ideal 820×312 pixels whenever possible.
How can I create a background that works on all device screens?
To create a Facebook background photo that displays properly on both desktop and mobile, follow these tips:
- Size it to 820×312 pixels
- Use a high resolution image
- Make sure the focal point is centered
- Test it on different screen sizes
- Upload as a compressed JPEG
With the ideal size, resolution, composition, and compression, your background photo will look great on all screens viewers use to access Facebook.
Conclusion
Changing your Facebook background photo is easy – simply go to your profile, click the background image, and upload a new photo or choose one of Facebook’s defaults. Be sure to size and optimize your custom images for best quality. Express yourself with a background that represents your personality!