Learning how to change your Zoom background is a must in today’s world of digital meetings.
The days of being “camera shy” during virtual conferences are long over. In fact, one worrying study found that 92% of executives think people who don’t use cameras during meetings probably don’t have a long-term future at the company.
While you don’t necessarily need a virtual background to participate in a Zoom video meeting, it’s hard to deny the visual flair these images bring to a meeting. Plus, if your home office or co-working space is a little messier than you’d like, a virtual background looks much better than a blurred screen.
So, how do you change Zoom background images and effects? Read on for the complete guide.
An Introduction to Zoom’s Virtual Backgrounds
When apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams first launched video conferencing into the spotlight during the pandemic, they didn’t give you many “background altering” options. Usually, the best you could get was a simple background blur feature.
Now, we’re in an entirely new world, complete with high-definition virtual background images, videos, and even background animations. With Zoom, you can replace your background with a pre-set image (chosen by Zoom), upload your own pictures, or even use looping videos for your background. You can also use the “background masking” feature in the Zoom web client.
While you’ll still get the best results if you have a green screen lying around, you don’t need one. All you need is a decent camera and the right computer performance specs.
How to Change Zoom Background Effects: Prerequisites
Any Zoom customer can use virtual backgrounds on the platform, regardless of whether you’re a paying user on a plan like Zoom One or you’re using the free app. However, you will need to ensure that virtual backgrounds are enabled on your app.
Enabling Zoom Backgrounds: The Guide for Admins
If you’re a Zoom admin, you can enable virtual backgrounds for all users on your enterprise account, or you can simply give the feature to select groups of employees. To allow backgrounds for everyone, sign in to your Zoom web portal as an administrator and choose Account Management, followed by Account Settings. Next:
- In the Meeting tab, click on Virtual Background under the Meeting (Advanced)
- If the feature is disabled, click the toggle to enable it.
- If you want to make virtual backgrounds mandatory for everyone, click the Lock.
You can also enable a range of optional settings, such as:
- Allowing the use of videos for virtual backgrounds.
- Allowing users to upload their own custom backgrounds.
- Requiring users always to use a virtual background
The process is relatively similar if you only want some people in your team to use virtual backgrounds. Instead of going to the Account Management page, click User Management followed by Groups, then select the group name for which you want to enable backgrounds. Click on the Meetings tab, followed by Settings, and check virtual backgrounds are enabled.
Once again, you’ll be able to implement all the optional extras mentioned above, such as allowing users to use custom or video backgrounds.
Managing Virtual Backgrounds (for Admins)
Admins can also use the Manage virtual background option on Zoom to upload virtual backgrounds for all users in an account or group to use. Just click on Manage virtual background, then Choose Files to select the images you want employees to use.
Notably, this feature does require you to have a Pro, Business, Education, or Enterprise account. If you’re using the free version of Zoom, you won’t be able to manage custom backgrounds.
Enabling Zoom Backgrounds: The Guide for Users
As an individual user, you can also enable the virtual background feature for yourself. All you need to do is sign into the Zoom web portal and click Settings in the navigation menu. Go to the Meetings tab and scroll to the Virtual Background option to check it’s toggled on.
If the option is greyed out, this means that virtual backgrounds have been locked at an account or group level, so you’ll need to reach out to your administrator.
As a user, you can also choose between leveraging existing Zoom backgrounds or uploading your own images and videos (if your administrator allows it).
There aren’t any size restrictions for uploading photos for virtual backgrounds, but Zoom does recommend cropping images to match your camera’s aspect ratio. You’ll also need to ensure your images are 24-bit PNG or JPG/JPEG format.
If you want to change Zoom background videos, you’ll need an MP4 or MOV video file with at least a resolution of 360p and a maximum resolution of 1080p.
How to Change Zoom Background Effects on All Devices
Now you’ve got your Zoom backgrounds set up, the next step is choosing the background you want to use and accessing it during your meeting. Here’s how to change your Zoom background on the app’s desktop, web, and mobile versions.
Change Zoom Background on Desktop
On a desktop, if you’re changing your background before a meeting, download the Zoom app for Mac or Windows, then sign in. Click on profile, then the Settings option, then:
- Click on Backgrounds & Filters
- Select I have a green screen if you have one set up.
- Click on an image or video to select your virtual background.
- Alternatively, click the “+” button to upload a new image.
If you want to change your background during a meeting, click the “up” arrow next to the “Stop Video” option and select Change Virtual Background.
To disable a virtual background again, open the Virtual Background options section and select “none.” This will restore your natural surroundings.
Change Zoom Background on the Web
By default, Zoom’s web client provides users with a slightly simpler virtual background experience called “Mask background.” According to Zoom, this uses fewer system resources, making it a better option for most devices.
To leverage the “Mask background feature, you’ll need to join or start a new meeting through the web client, then click the Settings button in the control bar. From there:
- Click the Background
- Select the Virtual Background option and hit the checkbox.
- Click Mask Background.
- Choose an image for your virtual background or upload your own.
Change Zoom Background on Mobile Devices
To change your background when using Zoom for mobile, sign into the mobile app and join or start a meeting. From within the meeting, click on More in the controls section, then:
- Tap on Backgrounds and Effects
- Select the background you want to apply, or use the “+” button to upload a new one.
- Tap Close to return to the meeting.
After selecting a background option, it will appear as default in future meetings. You can disable your background again by opening the Virtual Backgrounds options page and selecting None.
How to Change a Zoom Background in Zoom Rooms
If you’re using Zoom Rooms for a team meeting, you can add custom images as backgrounds for all the Rooms connected to your account. You can adjust content on Zoom’s digital signage platform to display information when the room isn’t in use. You can also use the scheduling display option to create a custom image on your scheduling display device.
To change a background on Zoom Rooms, you’ll need the Global minimum version of Zoom Rooms or higher, and account owner or admin privileges. Zoom recommends using a JPG/JPEG or PNG image with dimensions of 1080 x 1920 portrait or 1920 x 1080 landscape.
If you want to upload a default background image for all Zoom Rooms, sign into the Zoom web portal, click on Room Management, and then Zoom Rooms. Next:
- Click on Account Settings and Account Profile.
- Under Setup look for Background Image for Zoom Rooms.
- Click Upload image, then select your image and click
- You can then use the Lock button to lock the default image for all Rooms.
If you just want to change the Zoom Rooms background for a specific space, click on Room Management, then Zoom Rooms in the Zoom web portal. Use the tabs and search function to find the floor, room, or location to which you want to add the background, and click Edit.
Next, click the Rooms Profile tab and locate the Background Image for Zoom Rooms under the Setup tab. You can apply your new image here.
Quick Tips for Changing Zoom Backgrounds
Learning how to change a Zoom background is pretty straightforward. However, there are some tips worth keeping in mind when you’re getting started. First, we recommend carefully choosing your background options.
Studies have shown that different Zoom backgrounds make you seem more trustworthy or competent. For instance, bookcases, plants, and blank walls give you a more professional appearance. Other quick tips to keep in mind include:
- Don’t wear clothes that match your background.
- Ensure the background in your physical room is a solid color with minimal shadows.
- Make sure you have plenty of lighting for the right results.
- Ensure that HD video is enabled in your video settings.
- If you don’t see the option to apply a virtual background in your desktop client despite enabling it, sign out of your account and back in (to refresh the app).
And there you have it! You’re ready to start collaborating with Zoom backgrounds.
