How to Change Your Virtual Background in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet

A great virtual background makes a big difference on how you show up for your video calls. Whether you want a polished home office or a clean minimalist wall, updating your background is surprisingly quick. You just need to know where to go. 

Here’s how to change your virtual background on the three platforms people use the most: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

1. How to Change Your Virtual Background in Zoom

Zoom offers the most background flexibility of the three platforms, including still images and video backdrops.

On Desktop

• Open Zoom and click Settings (top-right gear icon).
• Select Background & Effects.
• Click + to upload your own image or video.
• Your background updates instantly.

On Mobile

• Join a meeting.
• Tap More (three dots).
• Tap Backgrounds & Effects.
• Tap + to add your own.

Troubleshooting:

If the background looks a little glitchy, make sure Green Screen isn't enabled (unless you actually have one).

2. How to Change Your Virtual Background in Microsoft Teams

Teams supports both background images and blur effects, but you must be in a meeting to switch backgrounds.

Before a Meeting

• In the pre-meeting lobby, click Effects and Avatars (sparkle icon).
• Select Backgrounds.
• Click 'Add new' to upload your own.

During a Meeting

• Click More (three dots) in the meeting controls.
• Select Effects and Avatars.
• Upload a new one.

Tips:

Teams handles soft, blurred backgrounds extremely well: consider our Out-of-Focus Backgrounds as a great option.

 

3. How to Change Your Virtual Background in Google Meet

Google Meet keeps it simple but effective with easy toggles for blur and custom images.

Before Joining a Meeting

• On the preview screen, click the Effects icon (sparkles).
  
• To upload your own, scroll to Backgrounds and click Upload.

During a Meeting

• Click More options (three dots).
• Select Apply visual effects.
• Pick a background or upload one.

Tips:

Meet handles lower-resolution images well, but aim for at least 1280x720 for your image size.