How to Create a Two-Sided Dynamic Profile Picture on Instagram: Show Off Your Photo and Animated Avatar!

Looking to add more personality to your Instagram profile picture? Now, you can create a dynamic profile that seamlessly displays both your static profile photo and a custom animated avatar—perfect for sharing a bit more of your personality.

Instagram’s dynamic profile picture feature, launched in January 2023, combines your standard profile photo with a customizable animated avatar. This allows followers to flip between your static image and your animated self-portrait with a simple swipe. If you’re not familiar with avatars on Instagram, they were first introduced in early 2022 for Stories and messages and are now available for profile pictures.

Customizing Your Avatar

Instagram’s animated avatars are customizable, similar to Apple’s Memoji and Samsung’s AR Emoji, with no fixed gender settings. You can personalize various features to match your style. Avatars are public by default, but privacy settings allow you to control who can see them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Dynamic Profile Picture

Step 1: Start Creating Your Avatar

1. Ensure you have the latest version of Instagram on your Android or iOS device.
2. Go to your profile page and tap “Edit Profile.”
3. If you haven’t created an avatar before, you may see a prompt inviting you to “Create Your Avatar.” Select it, or tap “Edit picture or avatar” to get started.

Step 2: Customize Your Avatar

1. Begin by selecting a skin tone, then dive into customizations such as hairstyle, face shape, and outfit.
2. The options are extensive, allowing adjustments from facial features to makeup, accessories, and body type.
3. Use a two-finger pinch to zoom in or rotate the avatar with a swipe for better detail viewing.
4. For more personalization options, select “More Personalization” for finer adjustments like brows, lashes, and facial hair.
5. Instagram includes a virtual store for additional personal touches; once satisfied, tap “Save” to finish your avatar.

Note: If your Instagram is synced with Facebook, it will offer the option to “Sync” avatars across both platforms.

Step 3: Add the Avatar to Your Profile Picture

1. Head back to the “Edit Profile” page.
2. Instagram may prompt you to “Enhance your profile picture with your avatar.” If not, select your avatar and enable the “Add to profile picture” option.
3. This action combines your profile photo and avatar into a double-sided profile picture that followers can swipe to see both versions.

Step 4: Personalize Background and Pose (Optional)

1. To add final touches, adjust the avatar’s background color and choose from various poses for a more personal look.
2. Swipe to show the avatar on the “Edit Profile” screen, tap to adjust, and select your preferred background and pose options.

If you ever want to remove the avatar, use the ellipsis (•••) menu in the profile editor to hide it.

Conclusion

Creating a dynamic profile picture on Instagram allows you to showcase both your static image and animated avatar, adding depth and personality to your online presence. This feature not only enhances user engagement but also provides an innovative way for individuals to express themselves creatively.

As this feature becomes more widely adopted, it will be interesting to see how users leverage it for personal branding and community interaction on the platform. By following these steps, you can easily set up your own dynamic profile picture and make your Instagram account stand out!