Why is the Graph API returning different versions of a users profile pictures randomly?

Joe Jones 15

Hi,

I'm using the Microsoft graph API documented here - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/profilephoto-get?view=graph-rest-1.0&tabs=http#path-parameters to get a users profile picture. But it seems if I make the same request multiple times I will eventually get a different version of the user's profile picture.

Why would the API return a different image on different requests? It returns the same image most of the time but occasionally a different one is returned. Is there a bug here or anything I can do to stop this?

The URL I'm requesting is https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/EMAIL/photos/48x48/$value replacing EMAIL with a users actual email address.

The images that are returned look mostly the same except it appears that one is a higher quality than the other. Resolution and image size are the same.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

Carolyne-3676 201 Reputation points

2024-04-08T17:34:23.4166667+00:00

Hello Joe!
Thanks for raising this issue. The only scenario I would expect this to happen is if the user photo actually changed but from what you are describing, it is likely that you have not changed the user profile photo. You can use this at the end of the query $value?cache=remove to make sure that you bypass the cache version.
Additionally can you retry your scenario and let us know if you are still experiencing this on your end. That way we can take appropriate steps. This endpoint works well on my end. Kindly retest and update
Joe Jones 15 Reputation points

2024-04-09T08:41:11.23+00:00
Hi Carolyne,

Thanks for your reply! I've tried this again this morning and it's still happening. With and without the cache query parameter.

Here's some information about the requests incase that helps.
Request 1

Request ID - 24f08cb4-2a9f-4522-825b-84acc5731032

Response size - 2.19 KB

Image size - 1,746 bytes

Request 2

Request ID - 4eaee17b-bdd8-474c-94c1-75a793bbad09

Response size - 1.76 KB

Image size - 1,307 bytes

The images in the response are definitely different and if I continually make the same request to the endpoint I will get one of these 2 images back. Seemingly randomly.
Joe Jones 15 Reputation points

2024-04-09T08:44:37.4+00:00
Hi Carolyne,

I've tried again this morning and it's definitely still happening, with and without the cache query parameter

Here are a few details of the requests in case that helps.

Request 1

Request ID - 24f08cb4-2a9f-4522-825b-84acc5731032

Response size - 2.19 KB

Image size - 1,746 bytes

Request 2

Request ID - 4eaee17b-bdd8-474c-94c1-75a793bbad09

Response size - 1.76 KB

Image size - 1,307 bytes

Requests made at around 9:25 - 9:40 BST (+1) this morning the 9th of April 2024.
Sometimes I have to make a few requests to get the alternate images but it will happen within 10 requests usually. It seems like I will always get one of the 2 image variations.

Let me know if you need any more information.
Tobias 10 Reputation points

2024-04-19T09:22:11.56+00:00

I guess this issue is related to that one here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1571480/employee-photos-change-in-graph?comment=question#newest-question-comment

We have the same issue as mentioned. We also see that the return value changes randomly.