The initials of a user's first and last name is the default Apple ID picture. While there's nothing wrong with using the default Apple ID picture, initials are pretty mundane and no fun.

We suspect that only a few Apple users know that you can change the Apple ID picture. This is why we composed this tutorial on changing and removing Apple ID pictures on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The techniques in this guide will help you personalize your Apple ID picture on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For example, you could use an image of yourself, emojis, custom letters, Memojis, etc.

Change Apple ID Picture on iPhone and iPad

There are two ways to change your Apple ID picture on your iPhone and iPad.

  • You can make the change from the Apple ID menu in the Settings app.
  • You can also edit your contact card in the Phone app for similar results.

Change Apple ID Picture from the Apple ID Menu

This isn't the easiest or fastest route to modify the Apple ID, but it's an option. Open the Settings app and follow the steps below.

  1. Tap your Apple ID account name.
  1. Tap the profile picture placeholder.
  1. Select Take Photo to shoot a picture with your iPhone or iPad camera. Or, select Choose Photo to choose a pre-existing photo or image from your device's photo library.

The Browse option lets you choose images from the Files app and cloud storage accounts like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, etc. Then, select or take a photo and proceed to the next step.

  1. Use the built-in photo editor to adjust and resize the image and tap Choose to proceed.

The image or photo is now your Apple ID picture. Also, the new picture will reflect across all other devices connected to your Apple ID account—as long as they have an active internet connection.

Change Apple ID Picture by Editing Your Contact Card

This method hands you robust image selection options. For instance, you can choose to use emojis, Memojis, or custom text as your Apple ID profile picture from your Contact card.

  1. Open the Contact app and tap the My Card label with your Apple ID name.

You can also access your contact card from the Phone app. Open the Phone app, go to the Contacts tab, and tap the My Card label located at the top.

  1. Tap Edit at the top-right corner.
  1. Tap Edit below the current profile picture.
  1. Tap the Camera icon to take a photo or select the Picture icon to use a pre-existing photo in your library as the Apple ID picture. Alternatively, tap the Happy face emoji to pick a preferred emoji from your iPhone or iPad's emoji keyboard. Finally, the Pencil icon lets you use custom texts or initials as your picture.

Note: Custom texts can not exceed two characters. It could be a combination of letters, digits, symbols, or punctuations.

  1. Tap Done to proceed to save the new picture.

Check the Apple ID menu in the Settings app, or check your iCloud devices to confirm if the new picture displays on all your Apple devices.

The iOS Contacts app has snazzy customization options that let you spice up your Apple ID picture. You can change the picture style, modify background color, and add filters.

Change Apple ID Picture on Mac

If you have multiple Apple devices using the same Apple ID, you only have to change the account's picture on one of the devices. Apple will synchronize and update the new photo on other connected devices. If you use a different account on your Mac, change the Apple ID picture from the Contact app or System Preferences menu.

Change Apple ID Picture from the System Preferences

  1. Open System Preferences and hover your mouse on the current picture at the top-left corner.
  2. Click Edit on the image.

That'll launch the image selection and editing window.

  1. Go through the categories on the left sidebar and select your preferred picture.

The Default option will list a couple of preset images (flowers, animals, musical instruments, etc.). Select Camera to take a picture with your Mac's FaceTime HD camera. In the Photos category, you'll be able to select a picture from your iCloud Photos folders as your Apple ID picture.

  1. Use the zoom slider to scale and move the picture. Click Save when you finish editing the image to your preference.

Change Apple ID Picture from the Contacts App

By changing the display picture in your contact card, you change your Apple ID picture again. Here's how to change your Apple ID picture on a Mac.

  1. Open the Contacts app on the Dock.
  1. Scroll to the top of the contacts list on the left sidebar and select your account name in the "My Card" section.
  1. Click the account picture.
  1. In the "Change profile picture" section, click edit on the picture.
  1. Select your picture from the categories or use the Camera option to take a photo with your Mac's webcam.
  1. Use the editor to scale and move the image and click Save when done.

Follow the steps above to change your Apple ID picture as many times as you want. But what if you want to remove or delete your Apple ID picture and leave the space blank? Proceed to the next section to learn how to do that.

How to Remove Apple ID Picture

On iOS and macOS, you won't find an option to remove your Apple ID picture in the Settings app or Apple ID menu. You can only delete your Apple ID picture from your contact card in the Contacts app.

Remove Apple ID Picture on iPhone

Follow the steps below to delete your Apple ID picture from your iPhone.

  1. Launch the Contacts app and select the contact card with your Apple ID name.
  2. Tap Edit at the top-right corner.
  1. Tap the Edit option underneath the current picture.
  1. Finally, tap the x icon to remove the Apple ID picture.

That'll delete the current picture and replace them with your initials.

Remove Apple ID Photo on Mac

Launch your Mac's Contacts app and follow the steps below.

  1. Select your contact card on the left sidebar and click the profile picture icon.
  1. Right-click or control-click the profile picture icon and select Delete.
  1. Click Done to save the changes.

New Apple ID Picture Not Showing? Try This Fix

Sometimes, the Apple ID picture may remain unchanged even after selecting a new image. This may be due to factors like poor internet connection/speed and other temporary system glitches. When you change the Apple ID picture from the Contacts app, close and reopen the Contacts app to check if the new picture is visible. Closing and reopening the Settings app should also resolve the problem.

Do let us know if you have any questions.