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How to Set a Virtual Background for Video Calls

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Open Background & Filters in Zoom

    In the Zoom desktop app, click the gear-shaped settings icon in the top right, then select "Background & Filters."

  2. Choose a virtual background or blur

    Pick one of the built-in images, or select the blur option to soften just what's behind you while keeping you in focus.

  3. Apply visual effects in Google Meet

    Click the three-dot menu at the bottom of the call screen and select "Apply visual effects" to see background blur and image options.

  4. Set a background filter in Teams

    Before joining a meeting, click the "Background filters" button under the camera preview to choose blur or a background image.

  5. Improve quality with lighting and camera position

    Soft, even light on your face and a camera set at eye level help the software trace your outline much more cleanly, even without a green screen.

  6. Use a plain wall as your backdrop

    A solid-colored wall or curtain behind you gives the software a clearer edge to work with, which noticeably improves the quality of the effect.

Look put-together from a messy room or a noisy cafe

When you have to join a call from a cluttered room or a loud coffee shop, turning on a virtual background or blur lets you focus on the meeting itself instead of worrying about what's visible behind you.

Check the preview before you join the call

Most video call apps let you preview your camera with the effect already applied before you join -- take a moment to check that the edges around your hair and shoulders look natural, and adjust your lighting or position if the effect looks glitchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a green screen to use a virtual background?

No -- modern video call apps use AI to recognize a person and separate them from the background, so a reasonably natural-looking effect works without any green screen.

Does turning on a virtual background slow down my computer?

Background compositing does use some processing power, so on a lower-spec computer you may notice more slowdown with an image background than with a simple blur effect.