How to Change Your Cover Photo on the LinkedIn Mobile App

Updating your LinkedIn cover photo directly from your phone is a simple change that packs a major punch for your personal brand. This guide will walk you through the exact steps to change your banner image on the LinkedIn mobile app, and more importantly, how to choose a photo that truly represents your professional identity and goals.

Why Your LinkedIn Cover Photo Matters More Than You Think

That large banner space at the top of your LinkedIn profile is prime real estate. Think of it as a personal billboard. When someone lands on your page, your profile picture tells them who you are, but your cover photo tells them what you’re about. It’s your first and best opportunity to visually communicate your value, your industry, or your personality before a visitor reads a single word of your headline or summary.

A generic, default background suggests you haven’t put much thought into your profile. It's a missed opportunity. A well-chosen cover photo, however, can immediately add context and professionalism.

• For the job seeker, it can showcase skills or passion for a specific industry. A graphic designer might use a clean, abstract design from their portfolio, while a software engineer might use a subtle code-inspired graphic.
• For the sales professional, it can build trust by featuring a company logo, a tagline about solving customer problems, or a professional image of a team in action.
• For the freelance consultant or entrepreneur, it’s a brilliant marketing tool. You can use it to display your key services, a compelling client testimonial, or a direct call-to-action to visit your website or book a call.

Ultimately, your cover photo works with your headshot and headline to create a cohesive professional narrative. Neglecting it is like leaving the front window of your storefront empty. It works, but it could be doing so much more to attract the right people and opportunities.

LinkedIn Cover Photo Specs &, Best Practices

Before you start searching your camera roll for the perfect image, it’s helpful to know the technical requirements and design best practices. Getting these right ensures your profile looks sharp and professional on any device.

The Technical Details

• Recommended Dimensions: 1584 x 396 pixels.
• File Type: JPG, GIF, or PNG.
• File Size: Maximum of 8MB.

While you can upload an image that doesn't match the dimensions perfectly, LinkedIn will force you to crop it. To maintain control over the final look, it is always best to create or resize your image to the recommended specifications before uploading.

Design Best Practices for a High-Impact Banner

Creating an effective cover photo goes beyond just meeting the size requirements. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your banner connects with your audience.

1. Know the "Safe Zone"

Your profile picture will overlap the cover photo on the left side (on desktop) and often in the center (on mobile). Because the positioning of your headshot changes between the desktop site and the mobile app, it’s best to avoid placing critical text or graphical elements like a logo in the bottom center or bottom left of your banner. Keep the most important visual information towards the top and right side of the image to keep it visible on all devices.

2. Prioritize High Quality and Simplicity

A blurry or pixelated photo can make your entire profile feel amateurish. Always use a high-resolution image that’s crisp and clear. Beyond quality, aim for simplicity. A busy, cluttered background can distract viewers from your headline and important message. A clean, minimalist design or a professional photo with plenty of "negative space" is often more effective than a photo crammed with too much visual noise.

3. Stay Consistent with Your Brand

Your LinkedIn cover photo should feel like it belongs to you. Use colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your personal brand or your company’s branding. Are you a minimalist designer? Let your banner reflect that clean aesthetic. Do you work for a company with distinctive brand colors? Incorporate them. This consistency makes your professional identity more memorable.

4. Use It as a CTA (Call To Action)

Don't be afraid to add a little text to your cover photo. It can be a very effective way to guide visitors to your desired action. You could include:

• Your website URL or portfolio link.
• A short tagline that summarizes your value proposition.
• A promotion for your latest book, podcast, or keynote speech.
• An invitation to connect or follow you for industry insights.

How to Change Your LinkedIn Cover Photo on the Mobile App (Step-by-Step)

Now for the main event. Switching out your cover photo on the app takes less than a minute. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Open the LinkedIn App: Tap the LinkedIn icon on your phone’s home screen to launch the app.
2. Go to Your Profile: In the top-left corner of your home feed, you'll see your profile picture. Tap on it.
3. Select "View Profile": A menu will slide out from the left. Tap on "View Profile" at the top, right below your name and headline.
4. Find the Edit Icon: Once you're on your profile page, look for the small pencil icon. It's usually located on the right side of your main profile section, just below your cover photo.
5. Tap the Banner Icon: Tapping the pencil icon will take you to the "Edit Intro" screen. At the top, you'll see your existing cover photo with another camera icon or a plus (+) icon on it. Tap this icon to change the photo.
6. Choose Your New Photo: You’ll get a prompt to either "Upload a photo" from your phone’s gallery or "Take a photo" with your camera. Unless you’re taking a live shot, tap “Upload a photo.”
7. Adjust and Save: Navigate your phone's photo library and select your new banner image. LinkedIn will then let you position, drag, and zoom in on the image to get the crop just right. You may also have options to straighten it or add filters. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap the "Save" button in the top-right corner.

That's it! Your profile will update immediately with your brand-new, professional cover photo.

Ideas for a Killer LinkedIn Cover Photo

Stuck on what to actually use for your image? Here are some ideas tailored to different professions to get your creative gears turning:

• Authors &, Writers: A stylish photo of your book cover(s), a quote from a positive review, or a simple banner listing where to buy your work.
• Realtors: A high-quality photo of a signature property listing, a banner showcasing "Sold" signs you've managed, or your professional tagline with your brokerage logo.
• Photographers &, Videographers: Let your work speak for itself! Use a stunning landscape, a powerful portrait, or a panoramic image from your portfolio.
• Consultants &, Coaches: Your core value proposition in a bold, easy-to-read font. For example, "Helping B2B SaaS Companies Double Their Inbound Leads." You could also include logos of well-known clients (with their permission).
• Event Planners: A vibrant action shot from a successful event you organized, showing engaged attendees and a great atmosphere.
• Engineers &, Architects: Showcase your work, like a shot of a finished building, a CAD drawing, or a compelling blueprint-style design with your name and specialty.
• Students &, Recent Graduates: A picture of your university campus, a banner with your major and year of graduation, or icons representing the key skills you've acquired (e.g., Python, Adobe Suite, public speaking).

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Your LinkedIn Banner

A great cover photo is good, but avoiding a bad one is just as important. Steer clear of these common missteps:

Using a Blurry or Busy Image

This is the number one mistake. A low-resolution photo looks unprofessional, and a cluttered one is impossible to decipher. Always go for crisp visuals and clean layouts.

Important Text is Obstructed

Always double-check how your banner looks on both your phone and a desktop computer after uploading. Your perfectly placed email address might be completely hidden behind your centered profile picture on mobile.

It's Completely Unrelated to Your Profession

While that photo from your vacation is lovely, it probably doesn’t communicate much about your professional skills (unless you’re a travel blogger). Keep it relevant to your career and industry to maintain a professional tone.

Leaving an Outdated Banner Up

If your banner promotes an event from six months ago or features a company logo from a job you left last year, it looks like you aren't active or detail-oriented. Make a habit of reviewing your cover photo every few months to keep it fresh and relevant.

Final Thoughts

Your LinkedIn cover photo is a dynamic part of your professional introduction, giving you a powerful way to frame your skills, mission, and brand. By following these simple steps and design tips, you can transform that space from a passive backdrop into an active asset for your career.

Keeping your LinkedIn profile sharp is just one piece of creating a strong brand online. We know managing that consistency across every channel - from LinkedIn posts to Instagram Stories and TikTok videos - can feel like a full-time job. That’s why we built Postbase, a social media tool that helps you schedule, plan, and analyze all your content from one visual calendar, so your brand's voice stays powerful and coherent everywhere.