How to Add Virtual Background in Zoom: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
In today’s digital age, video conferencing has become a staple, especially through platforms like Zoom. One of the standout features Zoom offers is the ability to add virtual backgrounds, giving users the flexibility to change their background during meetings. Whether you’re trying to hide a messy room or want to make your meeting more visually engaging, adding a virtual background is an easy way to enhance your appearance on screen.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to add virtual backgrounds in Zoom across various devices, provide troubleshooting tips, and recommend the best platforms to find free Zoom backgrounds. Let’s dive in!
Why Use Virtual Backgrounds in Zoom?
There are plenty of reasons to use virtual backgrounds in Zoom. For many people working from home, it’s a lifesaver for keeping their messy living room or cluttered workspace out of view. But beyond the practical, it adds a level of creativity to your meetings. You can switch your background to anything—from a beautiful beach to a futuristic office space—adding an element of fun and professionalism to your video calls.
Now, let’s jump into the specific steps for how to add virtual background in Zoom on various devices.
How to Add Virtual Background in Zoom on Phone (iPhone and Android)
Wondering how to add a virtual background in Zoom on your phone? Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, Zoom’s mobile app allows you to use virtual backgrounds with a few easy steps.
Steps for iPhone:
- Open the Zoom app on your iPhone and sign in.
- Join or start a meeting.
- Tap on the “More” option (three dots) at the bottom right corner.
- Select “Background and Filters”.
- You’ll be presented with several preset backgrounds. You can also add your own by clicking on the “+” sign to upload an image from your phone’s gallery.
- Your selected background will now appear behind you during your meeting.
Steps for Android:
- Open the Zoom app and log in to your account.
- Enter or create a new meeting.
- Tap on “More” at the bottom right of the screen.
- Select “Background and Effects”.
- Choose one of the preset backgrounds, or upload your own by tapping the “+” button.
- Your new background will be applied.
Pro Tip: If you find that there is no virtual background option in Zoom on Android phone, try updating your app to the latest version. Some Android devices may have limitations, and older versions of Zoom might not support the feature.
Troubleshooting: No Virtual Background Option on Android
Sometimes, Android users may notice there’s no virtual background option in Zoom. This could be due to hardware limitations or using an outdated version of the app. If you encounter this issue:
- Ensure your Zoom app is up to date.
- Restart the app.
- Verify if your device supports virtual backgrounds (older devices may not).
How to Add Virtual Background in Zoom on Laptop (Windows and Mac)
Setting up a virtual background on your laptop is simple and provides you with more customization options compared to mobile devices.
Steps for Windows and Mac:
- Open the Zoom desktop client on your laptop and log in.
- Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Backgrounds & Effects”.
- Choose from Zoom’s preset virtual backgrounds or click on the “+” sign to upload your custom background image or video.
- Your virtual background will automatically appear behind you in all Zoom meetings.
If you’re using a Mac or Windows PC, you can add your own images and videos as backgrounds. Plus, Zoom has a feature that lets you blur your background if you want something more subtle.
System Requirements:
Keep in mind that Zoom requires certain system specifications for using virtual backgrounds without a green screen. If your laptop doesn’t meet these requirements, the virtual background feature may be unavailable or appear glitchy. In these cases, using a green screen can help improve the quality of the virtual background.
How to Add Virtual Background in Zoom on PC
Using Zoom on a desktop PC? The steps for adding a virtual background are nearly identical to those on a laptop. Here’s how to do it:
Steps for PC:
- Launch the Zoom desktop app and sign in.
- Navigate to Settings by clicking your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select “Backgrounds & Effects”.
- You’ll see a list of preset backgrounds. To add your own, click the “+” icon and choose an image or video from your computer.
- Once uploaded, the background will be applied during your Zoom calls.
Just like with laptops, it’s important that your PC meets the system requirements for using a Zoom virtual background without a green screen. Otherwise, the background feature might not work as smoothly.
Zoom Virtual Background Without Green Screen
One of Zoom’s standout features is the ability to use a virtual background without a green screen. However, to achieve the best quality, Zoom recommends a high-performance device and proper lighting.
Tips for Using Virtual Background Without Green Screen:
- Good lighting: Ensure you’re in a well-lit area so that Zoom can clearly differentiate between you and your background.
- Clear contrast: Avoid wearing colors that match your background, as Zoom may have difficulty distinguishing you from the virtual background.
- Check system specs: Using a virtual background without a green screen requires more system resources. Make sure your device meets Zoom’s system requirements for this feature.
If your system can’t handle it, you can still use a green screen for a cleaner and crisper effect. Zoom has excellent AI software, but having a green screen will improve the quality of your virtual background significantly.
Free Virtual Backgrounds for Zoom
Looking for free virtual backgrounds for Zoom? The internet is full of websites offering high-quality, royalty-free backgrounds. Whether you want a calming nature scene, a high-energy cityscape, or a clean and professional office space, there’s something for everyone.
Best Websites to Download Free Virtual Backgrounds:
- Pexels – Offers a wide variety of high-resolution images perfect for virtual backgrounds.
- Unsplash – Another excellent resource for free stock images that look great on Zoom.
- Pixabay – Provides free, high-quality images and videos for personal and commercial use.
Once you’ve downloaded your favorite backgrounds, you can easily upload them to Zoom via the virtual background settings.
Zoom Virtual Background Download
To access Zoom’s default virtual backgrounds, you can either select from the in-app options or download additional ones from Zoom’s website or external sources like the ones mentioned above.
How to Download and Add a Virtual Background:
- Go to Zoom’s official virtual background page.
- Browse through the collection and download any background you like.
- Open Zoom, navigate to “Settings”, and then “Backgrounds & Effects”.
- Click the “+” button and upload the image or video file you downloaded.
These Zoom virtual background downloads can instantly elevate the visual appeal of your meetings, giving you more control over how you present yourself online.
Common Issues with Virtual Backgrounds
1. No Virtual Background Option in Zoom Android Phone
As mentioned earlier, if you encounter the issue where there’s no virtual background option in Zoom on Android, it’s likely due to either:
- Your app version being outdated.
- Your phone not meeting the system requirements for virtual backgrounds.
Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of the app, and check the compatibility of your device with Zoom’s features.
2. Low System Performance
Using virtual backgrounds without a green screen can be taxing on your device’s CPU. If you notice your device overheating or becoming sluggish, try turning off the background or using a simpler image to reduce the strain.
3. Background Bleeding
Sometimes, parts of your actual background might show through the virtual one, especially if you’re not using a green screen. This can happen in low-light environments or if your clothing matches the background. To resolve this, ensure you have sufficient lighting and avoid wearing colors similar to your virtual background.
Read more about: Where Do My Zoom Recordings Go? and Can You Edit a Zoom Recording?
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to add virtual background in Zoom across different devices and the best practices for using them effectively. Whether you’re joining meetings from your phone, laptop, or PC, the virtual background feature is a great way to personalize your Zoom experience.
With the help of free virtual backgrounds from platforms like Pexels and Unsplash, you can add a creative touch to every meeting. Don’t let a messy room or a plain wall dampen your professional image—start using virtual backgrounds today!
For those who want a more polished look, consider using a green screen to enhance the quality of your virtual backgrounds. Happy Zooming!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How do I add a new virtual background in Zoom?
Sign in to the Zoom mobile app. While in a Zoom meeting, tap More in the controls. Tap Background and Effects. Tap the background you would like to apply or tap + to upload a new image.
How do I add a virtual background in Zoom without signing in?
In a Zoom meeting click the ^ arrow next to Start/Stop Video. If prompted, click “Download” to download the package for virtual background without a green screen. Select the picture you want. You can click the + button to add your own picture.
Where does Zoom store virtual backgrounds?
Virtual Backgrounds Custom:
This is where any images or movies that you add as Virtual Backgrounds for the Zoom desktop application are stored: macOS – /Users/USER_NAME/Library/Application Support/zoom.us/data/VirtualBkgnd_Custom. Win10 – C:\Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Roaming\Zoom\data\VirtualBkgnd_Custom.
What are the requirements for a Zoom background?
Zoom Virtual Background Requirements
Your background must be either an image or a video in GIF, JPG/JPEG, or 24-bit PNG format. …
Your virtual background must be between 960px and 1920px in dimension size. …
The maximum file size of your background upload is 5 MB.
Where do I put my logo on Zoom background?
In Zoom, go to “Settings,” select “Backgrounds & Effects,” then click on the “Video Filters” tab. The new corner image should appear in the list of filters.
