An Instagram avatar is a custom digital character that you can use in parts of the Meta ecosystem, including profile experiences and stickers. It is not a replacement for your profile photo, but you can choose to show it alongside your photo so visitors can swipe between the two.

Create or edit an Instagram avatar

Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu in the top-right corner, then look for the avatar option in Settings and activity or your profile editing tools. If you have not created one yet, choose Create avatar and follow the on-screen prompts to personalise features such as appearance, hair, clothing and accessories.

The exact route may differ slightly between app versions. If the option is missing, update Instagram first. Avatar creation is designed for the mobile app, so it may not be available from a desktop browser.

Add the avatar to your profile picture

After creating it, open Edit profile and choose Edit picture or avatar. You can enable the option to add the avatar to your profile picture. Visitors can then swipe between your photo and avatar on your profile.

Remember that an avatar attached to your profile is visible to anyone who can view the profile, including people who are not logged in to Instagram. Keep it consistent with the level of privacy you want for your account.

Use it where it makes sense

Avatars can make casual stories, replies and messages feel more personal. For a business profile, use one only if it supports the tone of the brand; a clear real profile image is often still the better choice when trust and recognition matter.

For practical Instagram growth tools and services, visit our Instagram SMM panel. Keep the visual identity simple and recognisable, whether you use an avatar, a photo, or both.