Microsoft Account Errors

How to Allow Microsoft 365 Users to Update Their Contact Information

Amos Gikunda Oct 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

Administrators need to configure settings that allow Microsoft 365 users to self-update their personal contact details and profile pictures.

How to Let Microsoft 365 Users Update Their Own Contact Information

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying user permissions in the Exchange Admin Center to enable self-service profile and contact detail updates.
Observed behavior: Users are unable to edit their contact information, job titles, or profile pictures, and clicking the camera icon has no effect in the dashboard or apps.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged in with an account that has Global Administrator or Exchange Administrator privileges before attempting to modify role assignment policies.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Profile Updates via Exchange Admin Center

Modify the default role assignment policy to grant users permission to edit their own profile details.

In Microsoft 365, user capabilities are managed through Role Assignment Policies in the Exchange Admin Center. Enabling the 'MyContactInformation' role allows users to modify their address, phone numbers, and profile photos via Delve or their profile page.

Access the Exchange Admin Center

Navigate to User Roles

In the Exchange Admin Center, go to 'Roles' and click on 'User roles'. Depending on your portal version, this may also be found under 'Permissions' or 'Other features'.

Edit the Role Assignment Policy

Click on the 'Default Role Assignment Policy' and select the 'Edit' icon to modify the permissions applied to standard users.

Enable Contact Information Updates

Check the boxes for 'MyContactInformation' and 'MyProfileInformation' to grant users the ability to update their details, then click 'Save'.

Policy Application: Once saved, it may take a few hours for the updated policy to propagate. After syncing, users can visit their Microsoft 365 profile or Delve page to update their information.

Solution 2

Check Active Directory Synchronization Limits

Determine if your organization uses on-premises Active Directory sync, which restricts cloud-based edits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the camera icon for updating the Microsoft 365 profile picture not working?

This issue occurs when a user's mailbox policy prevents photo uploads, or there is a delay in SharePoint syncing. Additionally, if the account is synced from an on-premises Active Directory, profile photos may need to be uploaded locally by an admin.

Can users update their job title in Microsoft 365?

By default, sensitive fields like Job Title and Department are restricted to administrators to maintain the integrity of the organizational chart. Admins must explicitly create or modify a custom role assignment policy to allow these specific updates.

How long does it take for profile updates to reflect across Microsoft 365?

Changes made in Delve or the user profile interface can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to fully synchronize across all Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Why can't I find the User Role settings in the new Exchange Admin Center?

Microsoft frequently updates its admin portal interfaces. If user-role settings are not under 'Roles', check the legacy Exchange Admin Center by clicking 'Other features' in the navigation menu, or use Exchange Online PowerShell to modify the policies.

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