How to change background in zoom? These days, with so many people still using Zoom video calls, it’s vital to understand how to change your Zoom background. A new Zoom background can add some flair to regular video conferences. It’s also great for themed virtual events, such as birthdays or happy hours.
Zoom’s ability to change backgrounds is one of its best features (and is copied by many other video chat programs). During the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, you are also using it to work from home. Maybe you want to hide the fact that your home office or bedroom is a bit cluttered right now. It’s easy when you change your Zoom background to appear like you’re flying on the Millennium Falcon or sitting on the Iron Throne.
Everybody has been using Zoom to participate in work meetings, take online classes and keep in touch with friends and family while staying at home over the last few months. Even if you know how to use Zoom, you may not know how to change the Zoom background. Many people have discovered and enjoyed changing the real-life background with a video or image by using the setting to add a virtual background. No green screen is required.
In our Google Hangouts vs Zoom face-off, Zoom stands out for its virtual background feature. Your call participants can see you on a tropical beach, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, or even in outer space. In addition to Zoom’s default virtual backgrounds, you can upload your own image to customize Zoom’s background.
How to customize your background.
How to change the Zoom background on the desktop app
Before joining a meeting:
- Install the Zoom app on your Mac or PC
- Open the app and sign in.
- From your profile picture, select Settings.
- Click on the Virtual Background tab (if you don’t see it, log in to Zoom, go to Settings, and enable it).
- In the Virtual Background tab, select one of Zoom’s defaults or upload your image.
- You can select this option if you have a green screen set up.
- To add your photo or video, click the + icon to upload from your computer.
After joining a meeting:
- At the bottom of the client, click the up arrow next to Stop Video.
- Select Change Virtual Background.
- In the Virtual Background tab, select one of Zoom’s defaults or upload your image.
- You can choose this option if you have a green screen setup.
- To add your photo or video, click the + icon to upload from your computer.
How to change the Zoom background on the mobile app
- Download the Zoom iOS app to your iPhone or iPad
- Sign in to the app and join a meeting.
- From the More menu, tap the three dots at the bottom right.
- Tap Virtual Background.
- Choose from Zoom’s defaults or upload your own.
Where to find free backgrounds to change your Zoom background
See our list of the best free Zoom backgrounds you can download. Some of the photos come from companies such as Nintendo, Disney, Netflix, and Marvel, as well as from sites such as Unsplash (a library of free stock photography), Canva (an online design tool), and Modsy (an e-interior design service) Adobe Express (design tool with background remover tool)
Why Can’t I Get Zoom Backgrounds?
Check to Make Sure You’ve Updated Zoom
To use a Zoom virtual background without a green screen, you’ll need an up-to-date version of the Zoom Desktop Client (4.6 or higher on macOS and 5.2 or higher on Windows). In order to use virtual backgrounds with a physical green screen, you need version 3.5 for both macOS and Windows. If you need to update your system manually, you can tap on your profile picture in your Zoom Desktop Client then select “Check for Updates.”
Meanwhile, if you are using Zoom on a mobile device, make sure you are running Zoom version 5.3 or higher. IOS users will need to be using an iPhone 8 or later, and at least a fifth-generation iPad 9.7-inch or iPad Pro, while Android users will need Android 8.0 or higher.
Check Your Device
If your device does not have a supported processor, you might not be able to use a virtual background without a green screen. The Zoom support page of system requirements contains in-depth information about your need to use a virtual background without a green screen.
There are different minimum requirements for both Windows and macOS processors, and you can quickly check to see if your computer is compatible by unchecking “I have a green screen.” If your computer or mobile device cannot do virtual backgrounds without a green screen, it will display a message that says as much, and you’ll need one in order to switch your background.
Make Sure the feature is turned on
In your account settings, you’ll need to enable the Virtual Background effect if it isn’t already enabled. To do so, you’ll need to log into the Zoom web portal. Go to Meeting Settings if you’re an account member, and to My Meeting Settings if you’re an account administrator.
To turn on the virtual background, select the Meeting tab, select the Virtual Background option, and toggle the status. It’s important to note that you need to log out of the Zoom Desktop Client and log in to it again for the Virtual Background to work.
You can join in on all the background fun once your effect is turned on. Just sign in to Zoom Desktop Client, click Settings in the top right corner, and select Backgrounds and Filter from the left-hand sidebar. If you have a green screen, make sure to check the set-up to select the correct color of your screen. You can then click on one of Zoom’s virtual backgrounds or upload your image or video by clicking the plus sign. Your new backdrop will begin displaying in your meetings as soon as you have chosen the media.
