Whether you’re working from home and need to hide that pile of laundry before an important call or you’re at the office and want to minimise any background distractions, Zoom has you covered. 

Zoom allows you to change or blur your background in meetings to protect your privacy. Changing your background is incredibly easy and takes a matter of seconds. To learn how, read on to follow our step by step guide.

What you’ll need

  • Zoom account

The short version

  1. Sign into your Zoom account
  2. Click your profile picture
  3. Select Settings in the drop down menu
  4. Choose Background & Effects
  5. Choose Virtual Backgrounds
  6. Select your background

  1. Step 1.

    Sign into your Zoom account

    We’ll be demonstrating the steps through the Zoom Desktop Client app for Mac but the steps are similar on a PC. Scroll down to our Troubleshooting section below to see the steps for changing your background on an Android or iOS device or through the Zoom Web Client.

  2. Step 2.

    Click your profile picture

    You’ll find this in the top-right corner of the Zoom app. Clicking your profile picture will open a dropdown menu which lists a few options.

  3. Step 3.

    Select Settings in the dropdown menu

    You’ll find Settings towards the end of the list of options. Selecting Settings will launch a pop-up menu with numerous options.

  4. Step 4.

    Choose Background u0026amp; Effects

    Just over halfway through the list of options on the side panel you’ll find Background & Effects.

  5. Step 5.

    Choose Virtual Backgrounds

    This should open up automatically once you’ve selected Background & Effects, but if not then just click on Virtual Backgrounds.

  6. Step 6.

    Select your background

    You can choose one of the preset backgrounds found on Zoom, or you can add your own by clicking the plus (+) option highlighted here. You’ll see a preview of your background here too, so you’ll be able to pick and choose which one you’d like.

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Troubleshooting

How do I change the Zoom background on a mobile app or through the Web Client?

The steps to change your Zoom background on either your Android or iOS app or Web Client are slightly different to a computer app, but rest assured it’s still straightforward. 

Firstly you’ll need to either join an existing Zoom meeting or start a new one yourself. Once you’re in, tap More in the controls and then select Background and Effects. From here you can choose which background you’d like to apply or tap the plus (+) icon to upload a new image. Note that the background will be applied automatically.

How do I turn off my virtual background?

To turn off your virtual background, open the Background & Effects option and choose Virtual Backgrounds. From here, simply click None and this will turn off your background.