A TikTok profile picture is the image that represents you on the platform and appears next to your username all over TikTok. Setting a custom profile photo adds personality and allows users to express themselves. However, some users prefer reverting back to the default silhouette icon for various reasons, like desiring more anonymity or disliking their current photo. This guide will explain how to change your TikTok profile picture back to the default on both mobile and desktop.
Reasons to Change Profile Picture Back
There are a few common reasons a TikTok user may want to revert their profile picture back to the default silhouette:
Want a fresh start on TikTok – Changing back to the default photo can represent a clean slate on the platform if a user wants to reinvent their presence or separate from an old identity. Removing a personal photo helps create distance and anonymity.
Remove personal photo – Some users prefer not to use personal photos for privacy reasons and would rather have the generic default silhouette instead. This prevents strangers from seeing their appearance.
Banned account – If a user’s account gets banned, TikTok will automatically change their profile photo back to default. Changing it back manually can help get a fresh start after a ban.
Didn’t like custom photo – Users may simply not like their custom profile photo anymore and want to revert to the basic default one.
App issues – Sometimes due to app bugs or updates, a custom profile photo can revert back to default against the user’s wishes. Manually changing it back is often the fix.
How to Change Back on Mobile
Changing your profile photo back to default on mobile requires just a few simple steps:
First, open the TikTok app on your mobile device and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner. This will take you to your profile page.
Next, tap on the “Edit Profile” button. This will open up your profile editing page.
Now tap on your current profile photo. A menu will pop up giving you options to take a new photo, choose from your camera roll, or remove the current photo.
Select the “Remove” option to go back to the default silhouette profile picture. TikTok will immediately change your profile photo back to the default.
That’s all there is to it! With just a few taps in the TikTok app you can easily revert your profile picture to the default on mobile.
How to Change Back on Desktop
To change your profile picture back to default on the desktop version of TikTok:
- Go to TikTok.com and log into your account.
- Click on the user icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- In the drop down menu, click “Edit Profile”.
- On the Edit Profile page, click the edit icon next to your current profile picture.
- This will open up photo options. Click on the default grey silhouette icon to revert back to the default profile picture.
- Click “Save” to confirm the change.
Once you save the changes, your profile picture will be changed back to the default grey silhouette on TikTok. This change applies across the TikTok website and mobile app.
What Happens After Changing
Once you change your profile picture back to the default silhouette, your previous custom photo will be deleted from TikTok. The app does not keep old profile photos on file. Your profile picture will revert to the default gray silhouette that all new TikTok accounts start with.
This silhouette is a generic, gender-neutral outline of a person’s head and shoulders. You will no longer have a custom photo set as your profile picture. Other users visiting your profile will only see the default silhouette, not your old profile photo.
If at any point you want to set a new custom photo as your profile picture, you will have to upload a fresh image. You cannot retrieve your old deleted profile photos.
Changing Back Multiple Times
One of the great things about your TikTok profile photo is that you can change it back to default as often as you want. There is no limit on how many times you can toggle between a custom photo and the default silhouetted head. You can change your profile photo daily or even multiple times a day if you choose.
TikTok makes it simple to revert to the default silhouette or swap back to a custom photo at any time. Just follow the steps above to change your profile photo through the mobile app or desktop site. The process takes only a few seconds, so you can quickly try out different looks for your profile as the mood strikes.
Don’t be afraid to switch back and forth between your favorite shots. Changing to your customized profile photo is just a tap away. And if you ever want to go back to the default, that’s easy too. TikTok gives you complete flexibility to update your profile picture as often as you desire.
Alternatives to Default Photo
If you don’t want to use the default silhouette as your profile picture but still want something other than a photo of yourself, there are a few creative alternatives to consider.
One option is to use a custom illustration or cartoon avatar as your profile photo. Apps like Bitmoji or Memoji allow you to create a personalized caricature to represent yourself. This can be a fun, playful way to customize your profile while still maintaining some anonymity.
You could also opt for using your initials as your profile picture. Design your initials in a stylish font or add graphics and effects to make them more eye-catching. This is a simple but distinct way to identify yourself without fully revealing your identity.
Some people use animals, objects, or symbols that represent their personality as their profile photo. Get creative and choose something you connect with. Just ensure it abides by TikTok’s community guidelines.
Ultimately, you have lots of options besides a headshot photo to make your profile unique. Pick something that resonates with you and aligns with how you want to present yourself on TikTok.
Profile Photo Size and Specs
TikTok has specific requirements for profile photos in terms of dimensions, aspect ratio, and file types:
The recommended dimensions for a TikTok profile photo is 200 x 200 pixels (SocialSizes). This creates a square image with an aspect ratio of 1:1. The minimum dimensions required are 20 x 20 pixels, but smaller images may appear blurry or pixelated on profile pages.
Accepted file types for profile photos include JPG, JPEG, PNG, and GIF. The file size limit is 5 MB.
It’s important to follow these specifications to ensure your profile photo looks crisp and displays properly on TikTok across different devices and platforms. Using the recommended 200 x 200 pixels square image will provide the best quality.
Customizing Your Default Silhouette
While TikTok’s default profile picture is a basic black silhouette, you can customize it to personalize your profile. Some ways to customize the default silhouette include changing the background color, outline, or adding visual effects.
To change the background color, go to your profile page and tap on the default silhouette. Then select a new background color from the options like red, blue, pink, white, etc. This will change the solid color behind the silhouette.
You can also customize the outline of the default profile picture. Tap on the silhouette and select an outline option to add a border around your profile photo. Choose thick, thin, or glittery outlines in different colors.
Some other effects you can add to the default silhouette include gradients, patterns, and stickers. Tap the silhouette and select the effects tab to browse TikTok’s options. Add a subtle gradient, fun pattern print, or cute stickers to personalize your profile.
Customizing the default black silhouette with colors, outlines, and effects is a great way to show off your personality without needing to upload a custom profile photo. Get creative with the options to make your profile stand out!
Conclusion
Changing your TikTok profile photo back to the default silhouette is easy to do in just a few steps. To recap, on mobile, go to your profile, tap Edit Profile, tap the profile photo icon, then tap Default Photo. On desktop, click the user icon, choose Edit Profile, click the profile picture, then select Default. This will revert your profile photo back to the standard TikTok silhouette.
The key points to remember are that changing to the default photo will remove your existing custom profile picture, so be sure you want to do this before proceeding. Your profile photo will immediately change across TikTok once you select the default photo option. You can repeat this process multiple times to toggle between a custom photo and the default. If you want to customize the default further, you can edit the silhouette shape, color, and accessories.
Overall, TikTok makes it simple to revert your profile photo back to the recognizable default silhouette. With just a tap or click, you can restore your profile to its original form.
