How to make a temporary Facebook profile picture

Have you ever been on Facebook and noticed that your friends’ profile photos had changed to something similar to their original photo but with a rainbow background? There is a Facebook feature that allows users to set temporary profile pictures. Users can set a temporary profile picture to show their support for various causes or groups, or simply to express themselves. The idea is that users can set a temporary image, but that after a period of time set by the user, the image will revert to their previous profile image. This is to prevent that temporary “St. Your St. Patrick’s Day party photo accidentally became the permanent profile photo of someone who forgot to change it after the hangover wore off.

Introducing Temporary Profile Picture Frame

Users can also set frames or filters on their temporary images, so that when the next political cause comes along, you can be a part of it with the click of a button. Again, these are temporary. Over time, the frame or filter will disappear and you will have your old profile photo again.

How can I set a temporary profile picture or frame?

Setting up a temporary profile picture is easy. Start by following the steps you would take to set up a regular profile picture.

1. Sign in to your Facebook account.
   
2. Select your profile at the top right of the screen.
   
3. Click the camera icon at the bottom right of your profile.
   
4. Do one of the following to select a new photo:
   • Select from the photo options provided.
   • Click Upload photo to choose from photos saved on your computer.
     
5. Click Make temporary.
   
6. Select the time period for which you want the image to be active.
   
7. Click Save.
   

If you want to add a time frame to your new or existing picture, follow steps 1-3 above to access your current profile photo. Then do the following:

1. Click Add frame.
   
2. Scroll through the frame options on the left side. Click on one to view it.
   
3. If you don’t see something you like, search for a keyword in the search bar above the list of topics. More themes will be revealed.
   
4. When you have selected the theme you like, determine how long you want the theme to be active using the drop-down menu below the image.
   
5. Click Use as profile image.
   

What if I want to change it before the expiration date?

If you’ve grown tired of your temporary profile photo before time runs out, don’t worry. You can easily adjust the duration of your photo.

1. Go to your profile page.
   
2. Click on your profile photo as if you want to change it.
   
3. Select from the drop-down menu if you want to change the time duration, go back to your previous photo now, or keep this photo as your permanent profile photo.
   

What if you want to make it permanent, but you’re too late and your image has already reverted to the original image? No problem: find the temporary image in your profile picture photo album.

Access your profile photo album:

1. Go to profile page.
   
2. Click Photos.
   
3. Click Albums.
   
4. Scroll until you find the Profile pictures album. It’s probably one of the first available. Click it.
   

You can select any of the images in this album to reaffirm it as your profile photo.

No longer will you be the distracted friend who always leaves his 4th of July holiday photo on well into winter. Facebook will hold you accountable and delete your special occasion photos after the fact. After all, you’re busy creating more memories to share.