How to change your background in Zoom (or blur it)

Applies to the Zoom Workplace desktop app on Windows and Mac and the Zoom mobile apps. Virtual backgrounds must be allowed by your account or your organisation's admin.

Change your Zoom background

Before a meeting (desktop)

1. Open the Zoom app and click the gear icon (Settings).
2. Select Background & effects.
3. Click a background, a video background, or Blur.
4. To add your own, click + > Add image (or Add video) and choose a file.
5. Tick I have a green screen only if you really have one.

During a meeting (desktop)

1. Click the ^ next to the Video button.
2. Choose Blur my background or Choose virtual background.
3. Pick a background; the change is immediate.

iPhone, iPad and Android

1. Join the meeting with video on.
2. Tap More (...).
3. Tap Background & effects (or Virtual Background) and choose a background or Blur.
4. Tap Close to return to the meeting.

Background option is missing

• Update Zoom: click your profile picture > Check for updates.
• Enable it on the web: sign in at zoom.us > Settings > Meetings > In Meeting (Advanced) > turn on Virtual background. Then sign out of and back in to the app.
• Organisation settings: if it's greyed out with a lock, your admin has disabled it.
• Hardware: very old computers may not support virtual backgrounds without a green screen.

Tips for a clean result

• Use an image that matches your camera ratio (16:9, for example 1920 x 1080).
• Sit in front of a plain, evenly lit wall, and avoid clothes that match the background colour.
• If text in your image appears reversed, that's mirroring - only you see it that way. Untick Mirror my video in Settings > Video to check.