How to Remove Your Google Profile Picture: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to remove your Google profile photo and delete it from Google’s archives to maintain your privacy. Follow our easy, step-by-step guide.

Google account pictures are used across all services, including Gmail, Google Plus, Google Drive, YouTube, etc. Though they are an effective method of making an account unique, some people would better avoid revealing the information and our guide on how to remove Google profile photo will be handy for them. It is easy to cancel your decision to share a certain photo or even change your Google profile picture.

As you’ll see in this piece, there is a way to cancel that and remove the picture from your Google Profile and Google databases once and for all. Let’s get started on how to remove Google profile photo!

Table of Contents

Why Use a Web Browser?

As much as this is true, you should understand that it is impossible to delete your profile picture while using the Google mobile application. Rather, you will have to use a web browser; only Windows’ basic GUI contains no built-in access to it. It applies to Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

Step 1: Log In to Your Google Account

First, open a browser on your device and go to the Google Account website. If this is your first time there, you will need to log in using your Google account details.

If you are already signed in then look at the options on the left side of the Google Account page and click ‘Personal Info”.

Step 2: Access Your Profile Picture

On the next page, that is the “Personal Info” page, scroll down to find the “Basic Info” tab. Here, under “Photo,” you will see the thumbnail of the current profile picture. Click on it to return a full-sized rendition of your profile picture.

Step 3: Remove the Profile Picture

Once the larger version of the profile picture loads, click on the bottom of the same picture and select the option labeled ‘Remove.’ Click on it to begin the process of eliminating it from the PC.

If you are in the decision-making process about changing the profile picture instead of taking it entirely, choose “Change.”

Step 4: Confirm the Removal

When Google asks you to confirm the action you have just taken, you will be required to enter your Google account password. Again, click “Remove” in the dialog box to continue with the elimination.

In this regard, Google will provide a success message stating that a user’s profile picture will be deleted across its products within 24-48 hours. To close the message box, click the button “Got It.”

Step 5: Verify the Removal

Go back to your Google Account and locate the option Personal Info. You will have observed that now, the picture that you have changed as a profile picture is the initial of your name. Well done—you have successfully signed out of your Google account and deleted your profile picture.

Bonus: Delete the Profile Picture From Google’s Archives

While your profile picture is no longer visible, Google retains a copy of it in its archive. If you want to remove it completely, follow these additional steps:

On the “Personal Info” page, click your profile picture again.
Click the three dots in the top-right corner in the picture window and select “Past Profile Pictures.”
A new screen titled “Profile Photos” will open. Click on the “Profile Photos” album.
Select the photo you want to delete. When the photo opens in full-screen mode, click the three dots in the top-right corner and choose “Delete Photo.”
Confirm your choice by clicking “Delete” in the pop-up box.

And that’s it—your profile picture is now completely removed from Google’s archives as well.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Privacy: Removing your Google profile picture helps protect your privacy across all Google services.
Archived Photos: Google retains past profile pictures unless you delete them from the archive.
Timing: It may take up to 48 hours for your profile picture to be removed from all Google services.

Conclusion

From the above procedures we can be certain that your Google account has been set to the level of privacy as required. If you need to look more business-like or are just growing tired of having someone stare back at you every time you log into Facebook, it is empowering to learn how to undo things like deleting your profile picture.

With this new knowledge on how to remove the Google profile picture, it is advised you click other options to learn how to further enhance or make your Google account more secure.

Also Read: How to Get the “My Computer” Icon on the Desktop in Windows 10 and Windows 11