Change your background before or during a call in three steps

You can swap your real background for a solid color, image, or blurred effect in Zoom on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. The steps are nearly identical across devices: open Zoom, go to Settings, find Virtual Background, choose what you want, and turn it on. On desktop, you can also change your background mid-call without leaving the meeting. The feature works best when you have decent lighting and a solid-colored wall behind you — if your background is too busy or the light is dim, Zoom may struggle to separate you from what's behind you.

You do not need a green screen or special equipment to use virtual backgrounds. Zoom's edge detection works on any device as long as there is enough contrast between you and what is behind you. If the edges look rough or your hair blurs into the background, the problem is almost always lighting or a busy wall, not the feature itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Virtual backgrounds are found in Zoom Settings under Virtual Background, and you can set one before you join a call or switch it during a meeting.
  • Solid colors and blurred backgrounds work on any device, but custom images and video backgrounds require more processing power and may not work on older phones.
  • A green screen is not required, but good lighting and a plain wall behind you make the edge detection much cleaner and less likely to blur your face or hair.
  • You can upload your own image as a background by clicking the plus sign next to the preset options and selecting a file from your computer.

How to set a background before joining a call on Windows or Mac

Open the Zoom app and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Virtual Background. You will see a row of preset options: solid colors, blurred backgrounds, and Zoom's built-in images. Click the one you want. A checkmark will appear next to your choice, and it will be active the next time you join a meeting.

If you want to use your own image, click the plus sign at the bottom of the Virtual Background panel. A file browser will open. Navigate to the image on your computer and click Open. Zoom will add it to your list of backgrounds. Click it to select it. The image should be at least 1280 by 720 pixels for best results, though smaller images will work.

If Zoom asks you to enable hardware acceleration or says your device does not support virtual backgrounds, your computer may be too old or lack the processing power. In that case, a solid color background is your most reliable option.

How to change your background during a Zoom call on desktop

While you are in a meeting, look at the bottom of your screen for the control bar. Click Stop Video or find the up arrow next to your video icon and select Choose Virtual Background. A panel will pop up showing your background options. Click the one you want. Your video will turn back on with the new background in place.

If the option does not appear, click the up arrow next to the video icon and look for Virtual Background Settings instead. This will open the full Settings panel, where you can choose or upload a new background. Close the Settings window when you are done, and your selection will take effect when ready.

How to set a background on iPhone or Android

Open the Zoom app and tap your profile picture at the bottom right. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Virtual Background. You will see preset options for solid colors and blurred backgrounds. Tap the one you want. A checkmark will appear next to it.

To upload your own image on a phone, tap the plus sign. Your phone's photo library will open. Select the image you want to use and tap Choose. Zoom will add it to your background options. Tap it to set up it. On older phones or phones with less memory, custom images may not work smoothly during a call. If your video lags or freezes when you turn on a custom background, switch back to a solid color or blur effect instead.

Why your background might look blurry or cut off at the edges

Zoom uses edge detection to figure out where you end and your background begins. If the edges look rough, your hair is blurred into the background, or parts of your body are cut off, the problem is usually lighting or contrast. Zoom works best when there is bright, even light on your face and a plain wall behind you. If you are backlit (light coming from behind you) or sitting in dim light, edge detection fails.

Move your desk or chair so a light source is in front of you or to the side. If you are near a window, close the blinds or move away from it. A plain, solid-colored wall behind you also helps — busy patterns, posters, and clutter make it harder for Zoom to detect your outline. If you still have trouble, a blurred background is more forgiving than a custom image, because blur does not require precise edge detection.

Using a green screen with Zoom

A green screen is not required for virtual backgrounds in Zoom, but it makes edge detection nearly perfect. If you buy one, look for a collapsible backdrop kit — they cost between $20 and $60 and fold up for storage. Set it up behind your chair so it fills the space behind you. Make sure it is evenly lit with no wrinkles or shadows.

With a green screen, Zoom can separate you from the background almost flawlessly, even in dim light. You can use any image or video as your background without worrying about your hair or shoulders being cut off. If you do not have a green screen, a plain white or light gray wall works nearly as well, as long as the lighting is good.

Troubleshooting backgrounds that will not turn on

If you select a background but it does not appear during your call, first check that virtual backgrounds are actually turned on. In Settings, go to Virtual Background and make sure the toggle or checkbox is enabled. Some Zoom accounts (usually free accounts on older versions) have virtual backgrounds disabled by default.

If the toggle is on but the background still will not show, restart the Zoom app completely. Close it, wait a few seconds, and open it again. Then join your call. If that does not work, restart your device. On Windows or Mac, also check that your graphics drivers are up to date — Zoom relies on your graphics card to process backgrounds, and outdated drivers can cause problems. If you are on a very old computer or phone, your device may not have enough processing power. In that case, you can only use solid color backgrounds, not images or blur effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my background instead of a still image?

Yes, Zoom supports video backgrounds on Windows and Mac. Upload a video file the same way you would upload an image — click the plus sign in Virtual Background Settings and select a video file from your computer. Video backgrounds use more processing power than images, so your computer needs to be fairly new. On phones, video backgrounds are not supported.

Will my background change if I switch cameras during a call?

No. Your background setting stays the same if you switch between your front and back camera on a phone, or between your built-in camera and an external camera on a desktop. The background will explore to whichever camera you are using.

Can other people see my real background if I do not turn on a virtual background?

Yes. If you do not enable a virtual background, everyone in the meeting will see whatever is actually behind you. You can blur your background instead of replacing it if you want to hide what is behind you but do not want to use a custom image.

What image file types does Zoom accept for backgrounds?

Zoom accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. Make sure your image is at least 1280 by 720 pixels. Very large files (over 10 MB) may slow down Zoom, so compress your image if it is huge.

Do I need to pay for Zoom to use virtual backgrounds?

No. Virtual backgrounds are available on free Zoom accounts. On very old versions of the free app, the feature may be turned off by default, but you can turn it on in Settings without paying.