How to Change Zoom Background: Complete Guide for 2025

Ever been on a Zoom call where your background stole the show but not in a good way? Maybe it was a pile of laundry, a hyperactive pet, or a family member unintentionally making their Zoom debut!

Embarrassing? Absolutely. Relatable? 100%.

I’ve learnt my lesson, and now I always rely on Zoom’s virtual backgrounds. I can swap my messy living room for a polished office, a cozy cafe, or a serene beach. Whether I’m joining from my laptop or phone, Zoom keeps my background professional and distraction-free across all devices. Also, it’s a great way to maintain privacy.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change Zoom background on before and after a meeting. I’ll also cover how to do it for different devices. 

How to Change Background on Zoom Desktop (Windows and Mac)

Whether you’re using Windows or Mac, the steps for changing Zoom background are the same on desktop. 

1. Join a meeting on the Zoom desktop app

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2. Click the upward arrow icon next to the Video button in the bottom-left corner
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3. Select Adjust Background & Effects

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4. Choose from the following options to change or remove your virtual background:

• None: Removes your virtual background
• Blur: Blurs your background
• Default or uploaded media: Select from available images or videos
• Upload your own: Click the add (+) icon to upload an image or video. If prompted, click Download to install the required package for using a virtual background without a green screen
• AI-generated background: Enter a background idea in the text box and click Generate. To try a different look, click Try Again or select an artistic style

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5. If you have a physical green screen behind you, enable the I have a green screen toggle in the virtual background settings. Make sure to choose a solid background color, then click on your video to select the correct color

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Your selected background will apply automatically. If your video is on, changes will take effect immediately during the meeting.

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How to Add Background in Zoom Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Follow these steps to change your background during a meeting when using the Zoom app on iOS or Android devices: 

1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app

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2. Join a meeting

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3. Tap More in the meeting controls

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4. Select Background & Effects

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5. Under the Backgrounds tab, choose from the following options:

• None: Removes your virtual background
• Blur: Blurs your background
• Default or uploaded images: Select from available backgrounds
• Upload your own: Tap the plus (+) icon to add an image from your device

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6. Your selected background will be applied automatically. Once done, tap the close icon  to exit the menu

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❌ There’s one limitation with the Android app—you can’t change your background outside of a meeting. 

✅ But you can do it with the iOS app. Here’s how: 

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1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app

2. Tap More in the bottom-right corner

3. Go to Settings > Meetings

4. Under the Video section, select Background & Effects

5. Choose from the following options on the Backgrounds tab:

• None: Removes your virtual background
• Blur: Blurs your background
• Default or uploaded images: Select from available options
• Upload your own: Tap the plus (+) icon to add an image from your device.

6. Your background will be applied automatically. When finished, tap the close icon to exit the menu

How to Put a Background on Zoom Before Meeting?

The process to add a background on Zoom desktop is the same for Windows and Mac. Here’s how you can go about it: 

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app

2. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select Settings

3. Navigate to Backgrounds & Effects and open the Virtual Backgrounds tab

▶️If the Virtual Backgrounds tab is missing and you’ve enabled it on the web portal, try signing out and back into the Zoom desktop app

4. Choose from the following options to update your background:

• None: Removes your virtual background
• Blur: Blurs your background
• Default or uploaded media: Select from available default background images or videos
• Upload your own: Click the add (+) icon to upload your desired virtual background. If prompted, click Download to install the required package for virtual backgrounds without a green screen
• AI-generated background: Enter a background idea in the text box and click Generate. If you want a different version, click Try Again or choose an artistic style

4. This is an optional step. If you’re using a green screen, enable the I have a green screen toggle. Ensure your background is a solid color, then click on your video to select the correct color.

Your changes will apply automatically. If your video is on, the new background will update immediately during your meeting or webinar.

Tips to Effortlessly Set Your Zoom Background

To keep my meetings smooth and professional, I’ve picked up a few tricks that help me handle virtual backgrounds like a pro. Let’s quickly go over them: 

• Set up backgrounds in advance: Before the meeting starts, I choose a virtual background that fits the vibe—something professional for client calls or something fun for casual chats
• Save favorite backgrounds: I have a few go-to options saved in my personal library, so I don’t have to scramble for a suitable one last second
• Test before joining: Nothing’s worse than realizing mid-call that my background is glitching. A quick preview saves me from awkward moments

Keep these in mind and always stay meeting-ready!

How to Add a Virtual Background in Zoom Without Green Screen

I’ve played around with the virtual background feature without using a physical green screen set. They do work, but they’re not always perfect. Sometimes, Zoom struggles to separate me from the background, and I end up with a weird, fuzzy outline—like I’m halfway disappearing into another dimension. 

It’s fine if I sit still, but the moment I move, parts of me start glitching. It also takes a bit more power from my computer, so if my laptop is already juggling a dozen tabs (which is almost always the case), things can get a little laggy. However, it’s still a great way to hide the chaos behind me when I don’t have time to tidy up!

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Tips for a Better Virtual Background:

• Use a high-quality camera to ensure a sharper, more realistic virtual background
• Keep your lighting uniform to help Zoom detect you more clearly and prevent weird shadows or blurring
• Make sure that both your face and some of your background are well-lit—good contrast helps Zoom separate you from your surroundings for a cleaner virtual background effect

Creative Zoom Background Ideas for Professional Meetings 

Your Zoom background can set the tone for your meeting, whether you're pitching to a client, leading a team call, or networking with industry professionals. Here are some ideas for you to explore: 

1. A Modern Office or Workplace Setting

A sleek, well-lit office background makes it look like you're in a professional environment, even if you're working from your kitchen table. Opt for:

• Neutral tones and clean designs for a polished look
• A background with depth (like a blurred office space) to make it seem more realistic
• Subtle workplace elements like bookshelves or a work desk to add a natural touch

2. A Branded Background for Sales & Client Calls

For sales conversations and client meetings, a branded custom background adds credibility and keeps your company top of mind. Here’s how you can make it work:

• Use your company’s logo and colors, but they shouldn’t be too overwhelming
• Keep the design simple—avoid too much text or unnecessary designs
• Position branding in the corner, so it doesn’t take focus away from you

3. Industry-Specific Backgrounds

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, your background can reflect the work you do. Here are some examples: 

• Consultants and executives: A high-end office or boardroom for an authoritative presence
• Tech and SaaS professionals: A modern, professional-looking workspace with minimal distractions
• Marketing and creative professionals: A well-designed home office, co-working space, or an artistic backdrop that captures your personality

Where to Find or Create High-Quality Zoom Backgrounds

Zoom has a few default virtual background options, but in case you want to find better images, I can help you out. 

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1. Source High-Quality Background Images

If you want a quick and professional solution, there are multiple websites offering high-resolution, royalty-free images that work well as virtual backgrounds. My favorite ones are Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, and Canva. Among these, Canva allows you to customize the images with text, logos, and other branding elements.

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For industry-specific backgrounds, try searching with terms like ‘corporate office,’ ‘tech workspace,’ or ‘minimalist home office’ to find an image that suits your role.

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2. Create Your Own Professional Background

When you want a more personalized or branded look, creating your own background is a great option. Here’s how to make one that looks polished and professional:

• Use design tools like Canva or Photoshop to create a clean and visually appealing background
• Place your logo (if you’re using it) in a non-distracting corner rather than making it the focal point
• Open Zoom and check how it looks with your lighting and video quality to ensure it appears natural

Frequently Asked Questions About Zoom Backgrounds 

1. What file types does Zoom accept for virtual backgrounds?

Zoom supports 24-bit PNG or JPG/JPEG image format for images. The platform recommends using a background image with a minimum resolution of 1280x720 pixels. For videos, it supports MP4 and MOV formats (desktop only). Maintain a minimum resolution of 480x360 pixels (360p) and a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (1080p).

2. Do I need a paid Zoom account to use virtual backgrounds?

No, virtual backgrounds are available to all Zoom users, including those with a free account, on both desktop and mobile. 

3. Why does my Zoom background look choppy or cut off parts of me?

If your Zoom background appears choppy or cuts off parts of you, it’s usually due to poor lighting, similar clothing colors blending with the background, a cluttered real background, or limited device processing power. To fix this, ensure bright, even lighting, wear contrasting colors, sit in front of a plain wall or use a green screen, and close unnecessary apps to improve performance.

4. Can others save or download my custom Zoom background?

No, Zoom does not allow others to download your virtual background directly, but someone could take a screenshot. If you want to share your background, you'll need to send the image file separately.

5. How do I use a company logo as my Zoom background?

Create a 1920×1080 image with your logo positioned in a non-distracting corner using tools like Canva or Photoshop. Upload it in Settings > Backgrounds & Effects, click Add Image, and test it before your meeting to check if it looks professional.

6. How do I add profile picture on Zoom?

Go to Profile and select the pencil icon in the picture frame. Upload your own image by dragging and dropping the file or by clicking Choose Files (jpg/jpeg, gif, or png, under 2MB). Adjust the crop area if needed, then click Save.

Bonus: Get Perfect Zoom Meeting Notes with Jamie 

A polished Zoom background can improve your on-screen presence, but what about making your meetings more productive? Zoom offers its AI Companion for meeting summaries, but it’s locked behind a paywall and isn’t always as precise as you'd expect. 

That’s where our tool Jamie comes in—a powerful AI meeting assistant that works seamlessly with Zoom. It accurately transcribes your discussions and generates human-like summaries and action items. It takes away the hassle of manual note-taking and automates the entire process.

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Being a GDPR-compliant, EU-hosted tool, Jamie keeps your meeting notes secure, always. It’s entirely audio based, and once the audio gets processed, Jamie deletes the file so that your confidential data remains private. Another advantage is, you won’t have bots entering your meeting—Jamie works silently in the background and doesn’t interfere with your meeting experience. 

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Whether you're brainstorming with your team, leading client calls, or conducting interviews, Jamie captures every important detail and makes them easily accessible through its Sidebar. And thanks to speaker identification and topic-based structuring, reviewing your notes becomes effortless. 

And guess what, you can try Jamie for free! The Free Plan lets you transcribe and summarize up to 10 meetings per month (30 minutes each), so you don’t have to commit unless you absolutely love the tool. 

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Read More:

• Zoom Review: Evaluate Zoom’s features, pricing, security, user reviews, and more 
• How to Transcribe A Zoom Meeting: Learn how to transcribe Zoom meetings for free using Jamie
• How to Record a Zoom Meeting: Follow this guide to record zoom meetings seamlessly 
• Zoom Meeting Summary: Summarize your Zoom video calls with Jamie‍
• Zoom Tips & Tricks: Discover ways to make the most of Zoom's features‍
• Screen Sharing on Zoom: Learn how to share screen on Zoom for different devices

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