Most of us use WhatsApp every day, and profile pictures are how we instantly recognize friends, family, or colleagues. Sometimes you may want to save that picture, maybe a friend updated theirs, or you liked a group photo. The problem is WhatsApp doesn’t give a download option, and screenshots are blocked. Still, there are a few practical workarounds to get the picture when you need it.
Keep in mind, WhatsApp does this to protect privacy. Saving someone’s display picture isn’t against the rules, but misusing it is. Always respect others’ privacy and only use these methods responsibly. With that in mind, here are the most reliable methods.
1. Screenshot the Small Preview
WhatsApp blocks screenshots of the full profile photo on the info page, but you can still capture the smaller preview that appears in chats. This method is quick but the picture is low quality because it isn’t the full-sized image.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Chats.
- Open any chat and tap on the top bar of a conversation.
- Here, you can check the profile picture of them at the top.
- Take a screenshot with your phone’s shortcut (Power + Volume Down on Android, Side + Volume Up on iPhone).
- Crop the picture and keep only the DP.
2. Screenshot the Contact Popup (Android Only)
Android offers a special contact popup when you tap someone’s photo in chat. This shows their profile picture along with call and message shortcuts, and here screenshots are not blocked. It gives a clearer copy than the small preview.
- Open WhatsApp and a chat with the person.
- Tap their profile photo once to bring up the popup card.
- Take a screenshot of the popup.
- Crop out everything except the picture.
3. Take a Picture With Another Device
This is the simplest but most old-school option. It works everywhere, whether on mobile, web, or desktop apps, and it avoids restrictions. The downside is reduced clarity.
- Open the person’s profile picture full screen on one device (phone, laptop, or PC).
- Use another phone or camera to photograph the screen. Turn off flash and increase screen brightness to reduce glare.
- Crop and adjust the photo for the best result.
5. Group Profile Pictures
Unlike individual DPs, WhatsApp doesn’t restrict group icons. That means you can save them as easily as taking a screenshot.
- Open the group chat and tap the group photo.
- Tap again to open the larger version.
- Take a screenshot and crop it to the picture.
5. Check the WhatsApp Profile Photos Folder (Android)
Some Android devices still store cached profile photos in a hidden folder, though newer versions of WhatsApp have tightened this. If you’ve viewed someone’s profile before, their photo may still be stored.
- Open your phone’s File Manager app.
- Search for “WhatsApp Profile Photos.”
- If the folder exists, browse it and check for the image you want.
- Move or copy the file to your gallery.
Also Read: How to Stop WhatsApp from Saving Photos on iPhone and Android
6. Use WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web doesn’t block screenshots or saving images, making it one of the easiest methods. However, saved files sometimes use the .enc extension, which you need to rename to .jpg to open normally.
- Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer and log in using the QR code or phone number linking option.
- Open the chat, click the contact’s name, and then their profile picture.
- Right‑click and select “Save image as” or take a screenshot. If the saved file ends in .enc, rename the extension to .jpg or .jpeg.
- On a phone, you can also enable Desktop Mode in the browser, open WhatsApp Web, and follow the same process.
7. Use WhatsApp Desktop App
The desktop app for Windows and Mac provides a full preview of profile pictures, along with a Zoom to Actual Size feature. Screenshots taken here are clearer and closer to what you actually see.
- Install WhatsApp Desktop and log in.
- Open the chat, click the contact’s name, and then their profile photo.
- Use Zoom to Actual Size for maximum clarity.
- Take a screenshot (Win + Shift + S on Windows, Shift + Command + 3 on Mac) and crop the result.
8. Online Tools (Last Resort)
There are third‑party websites like Toolzin and WATools.IO that claim to download WhatsApp profile pictures. They only work if the contact’s photo visibility is set to “Everyone.” These tools require you to enter a phone number, so they come with serious privacy concerns and should be used only as a last resort.
- First check if the profile photo is public: remove the number from your contacts and refresh WhatsApp. If the DP is still visible, it’s public.
- Open Toolzin in a browser, select the country code, and enter the phone number.
- Click Download Now, preview the picture, and select Save DP.
Final Word
WhatsApp makes it intentionally difficult to save individual profile pictures, and that’s because privacy is a priority. Just like its profile picture rules, the app also uses different icons and symbols to indicate status, calls, and messages. Here’s a guide to what they all mean.
Still, the methods above — whether quick previews, desktop workarounds, cached folders, or group icons — can help when you need a copy. Just remember, these photos belong to someone else. If it really matters, the safest and most respectful option is to simply ask the person to share their picture with you.
You might also like:
- What Is WhatsApp Advanced Chat Privacy and How to Enable It
- How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone and Android
- How to Add Music to Your WhatsApp Status on iPhone and Android
