I created this video to show exactly how to erase your profile picture from your Google account, across all Google services like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Meet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IurxHrs3gmc

If you’ve ever tried removing your Google profile photo, you’ve probably noticed there’s no big red “delete” button. Google makes it a little tricky — but the good news is, you absolutely can remove it and go back to a blank default avatar.

Here’s how to do it step by step.

Step 1: Go to your Google Account settings

Start by heading to: https://myaccount.google.com

Make sure you’re signed in to the Google account you want to update.
Once you’re in, click on “Personal Info” from the left-hand menu.

You’ll see your profile picture listed under “Basic info.” Click on it.

This will take you to the image management screen where you can either change or remove the picture.

Step 2: Access your Google Profile Photos album

Google stores your past profile pictures in a special album on Google Photos, even if you’ve updated them multiple times.

Go to: https://get.google.com/albumarchive

From there:

  • Click into the “Profile Photos” album

  • Find your current profile picture

  • Click on it to open

  • Then click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right

  • Select “Delete photo”

Deleting the photo here removes it from your profile completely. You’ll immediately revert to the default blank avatar.

In the video, I show you exactly how this looks and how to confirm that the change went through across Gmail, YouTube, and other platforms.

Step 3: Check the change across Google

Now head back to Gmail or YouTube and refresh your page. You should see your default grey avatar again — no image.

If the photo still appears:

  • Clear your browser cache

  • Log out and log back in

  • Try viewing your account from another device

Google sometimes caches profile images temporarily, but the removal will go into effect across all services.

Why remove your profile photo?

There are a few good reasons:

  • You want more privacy

  • Your old image is outdated or unprofessional

  • You use your account for business emails or multiple roles

  • You just prefer a cleaner, anonymous look

Whatever the reason, it’s totally valid. And once removed, Google won’t auto-add a new photo unless you upload one again.

Bonus: Want to replace it instead?

If you don’t want a blank avatar, you can always upload a new image using the Personal Info section of your Google Account dashboard. Just be sure it’s square, well-lit, and represents you how you want to be seen — especially if you’re using your Google account professionally.