Remove Profile Picture in Microsoft Teams (PC & Mobile)

This guide shows you how to remove your profile picture from Microsoft Teams on both the PC desktop app and the mobile app (Android and iOS). You’ll learn the exact menu paths for each platform, what to do if the remove option isn’t showing, and how to fix common issues like a stubborn photo that won’t delete.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your Microsoft Teams account (work, school, or personal).
• The Teams desktop app (Windows or Mac) or the mobile app installed on your phone.
• You must be signed in with the account whose profile picture you want to remove.

Step-by-Step

On PC (Windows or Mac Desktop App)

1. Open Microsoft Teams on your computer.
2. Click on your profile picture or the circle with your initials at the top-right corner of the app window. This opens the profile menu.
3. In the dropdown menu, click “Edit profile” (or your name and email, then the pencil icon). This opens the profile settings panel.
4. In the profile panel that appears, hover your mouse over your current profile picture. You’ll see a small camera icon in the corner. Click on it.
5. A menu pops up with options like “Upload photo” and “Remove photo.” Click “Remove photo”.
6. Teams will ask you to confirm. Click “Remove” again.
7. Your profile picture is now removed. Your initials will show in its place. The change syncs across all your devices.

On Mobile (Android and iOS)

1. Open the Microsoft Teams app on your phone.
2. Tap your profile picture or the initials circle at the top of the screen (usually top-left corner). This opens the navigation menu.
3. Tap on your name or the “Edit” pencil icon next to your name. This opens your profile.
4. Tap on your current profile picture. A full-screen view of the photo appears.
5. Tap the “Edit” (pencil) icon in the bottom-right corner of the photo.
6. In the bottom sheet that slides up, you’ll see options like “Take photo,” “Choose photo,” and “Remove photo”. Tap “Remove photo”.
7. Confirm the removal if prompted. The picture is deleted and your initials appear instead.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the wrong spot: On PC, clicking your profile picture once just opens the menu. You must click the camera icon that appears when you hover over the picture in the Edit Profile panel. On mobile, tapping the picture itself opens the photo viewer; you need to tap the edit pencil icon inside that viewer.
• Looking for a “Delete” button: Teams uses the word “Remove,” not “Delete.” Search for “Remove photo” in the menu.
• Removing from the wrong account: If you have multiple Teams accounts (work and personal), make sure you’re signed into the one whose picture you want to change. The profile menu shows which account you’re editing.
• Expecting instant sync everywhere: It can take a few minutes for the removal to propagate to all devices and to other people’s contact lists. Don’t assume it failed if you still see the old photo immediately.

Tips

• Use the web version as a backup: If the desktop or mobile app is acting up, you can also remove your profile picture by going to teams.microsoft.com in a browser and following the same steps as the PC app.
• Check your Microsoft 365 profile: Your Teams profile picture is often the same as your Outlook or Microsoft 365 profile picture. If you remove it in Teams, it may also be removed from those apps. If you want to remove it everywhere, do it once in Teams; if you only want to change it for Teams, you may need to remove it from your Microsoft account settings instead.
• Use a neutral image if you can’t remove: In some organizations, the admin blocks removing profile pictures. If the “Remove” option is grayed out, you can upload a solid-color image (like a blank gray square) as a workaround.
• Refresh to see the change: After removing, press Ctrl+R (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) in the desktop app to refresh your view and confirm the picture is gone.

Troubleshooting

The “Remove photo” option is not showing

• Check your Teams version: Make sure your app is up to date. Go to your profile picture > Settings > About (or check the app store for updates). Older versions may not have the remove option.
• Admin restrictions: If you’re using a work or school account, your IT admin may have disabled profile picture changes. In that case, the option will be grayed out or missing entirely. Contact your admin to request the change.
• Try the web version: Sometimes the web version has the option when the desktop app doesn’t. Sign in at teams.microsoft.com and try there.

The picture is removed but still shows in chats

• This is a caching issue. The old picture may be stored locally on your device or on other people’s devices. Wait a few hours, or ask others to restart Teams. You can also clear your Teams cache by closing Teams and deleting the contents of the cache folder (Windows: %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams; Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams). Be careful: this will sign you out and you’ll need to sign back in.

The picture reappears after a few minutes

• This often happens when your profile picture is synced from your Microsoft 365 account (e.g., from Outlook or Skype). You need to remove it from the central Microsoft account, not just Teams. Go to account.microsoft.com/profile, sign in, and remove your photo there. Then go back to Teams and remove it again if needed.

I don’t have a profile picture at all

• If you never set one, Teams shows your initials. That’s the default and there’s nothing to remove. If you want to remove a picture that someone else set for you (like an admin), you’ll need to ask them to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing my Teams profile picture affect my Outlook or Skype picture?

Yes, in most cases the same picture is used across Microsoft 365 apps. Removing it in Teams will likely remove it from Outlook, Skype, and other Microsoft services that use your profile photo.

Can I remove my profile picture on the free version of Teams?

Yes, the free version supports the same profile picture editing features. The steps are identical, but the option may be located slightly differently in some updates.

Why is the “Remove photo” button grayed out?

This usually means your organization’s admin has restricted profile picture changes. You’ll need to contact your IT department to have them remove it for you or grant you permission.

How long does it take for the removed picture to disappear for others?

It can take a few minutes to a few hours for the change to propagate across all servers and devices. Most people see the update within 15 minutes, but it can take longer.

Can I remove my profile picture from the mobile app if I’m using a work account?

Yes, but the same admin restrictions apply. If your admin has disabled changes, the option won’t appear on mobile either.

What does my profile picture look like after removal?

Your initials (first letter of your first and last name) will be shown in a colored circle instead of a photo.

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