Instagram Tests Option to Hide or Show Avatars as Profile Pictures

Summary Box

New Toggle Feature: Lets users choose whether to display their avatar as their profile picture.

Where to Find It: Under the avatar editing section in Instagram settings.

Status: Feature in testing; not officially announced by Instagram yet.

Instagram Introduces New Avatar Visibility Option

Instagram is quietly testing a feature that gives users more flexibility over how their profile pictures appear. The update introduces a toggle labeled "Add to profile picture", allowing users to show or hide their avatar as part of their main profile image.

The feature was first highlighted by social media analyst Ahmed Ghanem, who shared a screenshot of the setting on X (formerly Twitter). The setting appears under the avatar editing section, accessible via the pencil icon next to the profile picture.

What Has Changed

Once the toggle appears, users can activate or disable it by sliding the switch. A note below the option reads:

“Your profile picture is visible to everyone on and off Instagram.”

This message clarifies that while users can customize their profile image using an avatar, the profile photo remains publicly viewable regardless of the toggle's position.

Source and Verification

Michael B. Norris, editor of tech site Trendingalone, independently verified the feature. After contacting Ghanem to confirm the post’s authenticity, Norris also reviewed metadata from the shared screenshot and found no indication of tampering or digital alteration.

Ghanem, known for tracking social media developments, has a reputation for spotting unreleased platform features and posting them ahead of official announcements.

Scope of Availability

As of now, the feature appears to be part of a limited test. Instagram has not issued a formal statement or rollout timeline. Such quiet testing is typical for Meta’s platforms, which often run A/B experiments before a broader launch.

There is no confirmation yet on whether this avatar toggle will be rolled out globally or remain a small-scale trial.

Why This Feature Matters

The toggle aligns with Instagram’s broader push toward greater identity flexibility. By giving users the choice to include or exclude avatars from their profile images, Instagram may be preparing its platform for deeper Metaverse or augmented reality integrations in the future.

This update may particularly benefit:

Content creators who maintain separate personal and branded identities.

Privacy-focused users who want more control over their public appearance.

Younger users, especially those familiar with avatars on platforms like Snapchat or Bitmoji.
Expert Insight

"Even small changes like this reflect how platforms are preparing for more immersive, avatar-driven digital environments,” said a social media strategist who tracks Meta's product shifts. “It’s about giving users more agency in how they appear online."

What to Watch Next

Instagram has a history of rolling out experimental features in stages. If this toggle proves successful or generates positive user feedback, a wider release could follow. For now, only a select group of users can access it.

Instagram’s development roadmap increasingly includes tools that offer personalization without compromising visibility. Whether avatars become more central to user identity on the platform remains to be seen, but this move is a step in that direction.

Disclaimer

This feature has not yet been officially announced by Instagram. Details shared here are based on early testing and may change before a full release.
About the Author

Michael B. Norris is a tech journalist and the founder of Trendingalone. He reports on platform changes, interface updates, and digital media trends, with a focus on accuracy, transparency, and firsthand sourcing.