Ask: Create a New OS X Profile Picture

Got an Apple, Mac, or iOS tech question? We've got the answer. In this week's Ask, we let you know how to create a custom picture for your OS X profile, as well as how to update your pic in Messages.

Question

When I first set up OS X, I selected one of the profile pictures provided by the setup wizard, but now I would like to switch to a custom photo. If I change this photo, will it also change my photo inside of the Messages application?

Answer

Whether you have a photo that is already on your computer, wish to select one of those included with OS X, or want to take a new picture, you can do so in System Preferences.

To change your picture, perform these steps:

1. Open Apple menu > System Preferences.

2. Open the Users & Groups preference pane.

3. Select your account from the list on the left.

4. Click the “Password” tab to the right.

5. Click the user profile photo that is currently set.

In the popover dialog that appears, you can choose from the many pictures provided with OS X in the “Default” category, which are perfectly sized to fit the allocated space.

To use a custom picture, drag and drop it from the Finder onto the slot that contains your current picture. Creating a new picture is also easy as pie. choose “Camera” on the left to see the view from your Mac’s camera and take a photo of yourself.

It’s easy to change your profile picture in System Preferences.

This will not change your photo in Messages, however. To change that, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Open Messages and select Window > Buddies.

2. In the list that appears, select your profile photo, and then select “Recents.”

3. Select the photo that you applied to your account in System Preferences, and then click “Done.”

Ask is written by Cory Bohon, a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer.

Got an Apple tech question? Email ask@maclife.com.