How to Change Album Cover in Facebook

Changing the cover photo of a Facebook album lets you control which image represents that album on your profile and in search results. This guide walks you through updating the cover on both the Facebook website and the mobile app, and covers common issues you might run into.

What You’ll Need

• A Facebook account with at least one photo album you own.
• Access to the album via the Facebook app (iOS or Android) or a web browser.
• If you want to use a photo that isn’t already in the album, you’ll need that image saved on your device or accessible from your computer.

Step-by-Step

On the Facebook Website (Desktop)

1. Log in to Facebook in your web browser.
2. Navigate to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top-left corner.
3. Click the Photos tab just below your cover photo, then select Albums from the left-hand menu.
4. Click the album whose cover you want to change. This opens the album’s main page.
5. Hover over the current cover photo (the large image at the top). A pencil icon (Edit) appears in the top-right corner of the cover. Click it.
6. From the dropdown, select Edit Cover Photo.
7. A dialog box opens displaying all the photos in the album. Click the photo you want to use as the new cover. It will be highlighted.
8. Click Save in the bottom-right corner of the dialog. The cover is updated immediately.

On the Facebook Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Open the Facebook app and go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the top-left corner of the home screen.
2. Tap the Photos tab, then tap Albums.
3. Tap the album you want to edit.
4. Tap the ••• (More) button in the top-right corner of the album page.
5. Select Edit Album from the menu.
6. In the edit screen, tap the current cover photo (it’s the large image at the top). A list of all photos in the album appears.
7. Tap the photo you want as the new cover. A checkmark appears on it.
8. Tap Save in the top-right corner. The cover updates.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing a photo not in the album: The cover must be one of the photos already inside the album. If you want to use a different image, you must first add it to the album, then set it as the cover.
• Editing the wrong album: Make sure you’re on the correct album page. If you have multiple albums with similar names, double-check the title and the number of photos.
• Looking for a “Change Coverâ€� button directly: There is no dedicated “Change Coverâ€� button on the album page. You must use the edit (pencil) icon or the “Edit Albumâ€� menu, depending on the platform.
• Forgetting to save: On the desktop, if you close the dialog without clicking Save, your selection is lost. On mobile, tapping outside the edit screen may cancel changes.

Tips

• Use a high-resolution image: The cover is displayed at a large size, so a blurry or low-quality photo will look poor. Choose a sharp, clear image.
• Consider the crop: Facebook displays the cover as a wide rectangle. The center of the image is typically visible, so avoid important details at the very edges.
• Reorder photos first: If you want a specific photo as the cover but it’s not in the album, add it first, then set it as the cover. You can also rearrange photos within the album before choosing the cover.
• Use the “Edit Cover Photoâ€� option on desktop: It’s the most direct method and shows you exactly which photo will be selected.

Troubleshooting

• No edit option appears: If you hover over the cover and see no pencil icon, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. On mobile, make sure you’re using the latest version of the Facebook app. If the issue persists, log out and log back in.
• Changes not saving: If you click Save and nothing happens, check your internet connection. Try again after a few minutes. On mobile, force-close the app and reopen it.
• Cover reverts to the old one: This can happen if you select a photo and then close the dialog before saving. Repeat the steps and make sure you click Save before closing.
• Can’t see the “Edit Albumâ€� option on mobile: The “•••â€� button might be hidden if the album is very long. Scroll to the top of the album page and look for it in the top-right corner. If it’s still missing, try the desktop version.
• Photo not appearing in the selection dialog: If you just added a photo and it doesn’t show, refresh the page or close and reopen the edit dialog. The photo must be fully uploaded and processed by Facebook before it can be selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo that’s not in the album as the cover?

No, the cover must be one of the photos already in the album. You’ll need to add the photo to the album first, then set it as the cover.

Does changing the cover affect the order of photos in the album?

No, changing the cover does not reorder the photos. The cover is just a separate designation; the photo order remains as it was.

Can I set a cover for an album I didn’t create?

No, you can only change the cover of albums you own. For albums you’re tagged in or that others created, you don’t have edit permissions.

Why is my new cover blurry?

Facebook compresses images. If the original photo is low-resolution or was uploaded in a compressed format, it may appear blurry when displayed large. Try uploading a higher-resolution version of the photo.

Will the cover change be visible to my friends immediately?

Yes, the change is public and visible to anyone who can view the album. There’s no delay.

Can I change the cover of a shared album?

If you are the creator of the shared album, yes. If you’re only a contributor, you may not have permission to change the cover.

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