How to Add a Virtual Background in Zoom

Replace your actual background with a photo or solid color during Zoom calls — keep your home private and look more professional on video calls.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Join or start a Zoom call
2.Open the background settings
3.Choose a background
4.Upload your own photo (optional)
5.Use blur instead of a full replacement

Join or start a Zoom call

~15s

Open Zoom on your computer or phone. Join a meeting or start a test meeting. You need to be in a meeting (or waiting room) to access background settings.

Open the background settings

~18s

On a computer: click the small arrow next to the camera icon at the bottom left → Choose Virtual Background. On iPhone/Android: tap the three dots (•••) → Virtual Background.

Quick Tip

You can also set your background before joining a meeting. On the Zoom desktop app, go to Settings (gear icon) → Background & Effects.

Choose a background

~15s

Zoom shows several built-in options including solid colors, office scenes, and nature photos. Click or tap one to apply it immediately.

Upload your own photo (optional)

~15s

Click the plus (+) icon in the virtual background panel and select a photo from your computer or phone. Your photo will be added to the list and applied as the background.

Use blur instead of a full replacement

~18s

If virtual backgrounds look choppy, try the "Blur" option instead. It blurs only the background while keeping you in focus. It looks natural and works on almost any device.

Quick Tip

Blur is the most reliable option if your background tracking looks rough. It hides clutter without needing a precise outline detection.

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Virtual backgrounds in Zoom let you replace what appears behind you during a video call. Instead of showing your living room, bedroom, or kitchen, you can display a neutral color, a professional office setting, a scenic photo, or a blurred version of your actual background.

This is useful for privacy — family photos, papers, or clutter in the background are hidden. It is also useful for looking professional on work or telehealth calls without needing a special setup.

Zoom offers several built-in background options, or you can upload your own photo. The best results come from sitting in front of a plain, well-lit wall. Zoom's software can detect your outline even without a green screen, though the edge detection works better with a solid background behind you.

The virtual background feature works on the Zoom desktop app (Mac and Windows) and the mobile app (iPhone and Android). It may not appear on very old devices because it requires some processing power to run.

If your outline looks choppy or the background "bleeds" through you, try turning on more light in front of you (facing you, not from behind), wearing clothing that contrasts with your background, and avoiding sitting in front of a window.

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