Overview

Zoom’s virtual background feature allows you to blur or replace your surroundings during meetings. There is a minimum hardware requirement for virtual backgrounds. Zoom may display a message if you attempt to select a virtual background and your computer does not meet the requirements.

Important: Keep your desktop app up to date to help prevent issues with virtual backgrounds.

Set Virtual Background (iOS or Windows Computer)

1. Launch the Zoom desktop application on your computer.

Pro Tip: pin the app to your Dock or Taskbar to make it easier to find and open Zoom in the future.

2. Select the gear icon in the upper right corner to open the Settings menu.

3. Select Background and Filters from the menu options on the left.

4. Select a virtual background from the provided images, or upload your own image or video file by selecting the plus sign (+) to the right. The image you select will be your background for all subsequent Zoom sessions until you change it.

5. You can change or turn off the virtual background during a meeting by selecting the up arrow next to the video camera icon in your Zoom control bar, then selecting Choose Virtual Background.

Set Virtual Background (iOS Devices)

1. Launch the Zoom app on your iPhone or iPad. Sign in to your Smith Zoom account, if necessary.

2. Start a New Meeting (or Join a meeting, but we recommend setting up virtual backgrounds on mobile ahead of time).

3. Select More from the Zoom control bar.

4. Scroll down to Backgrounds and Filters and tap to open. Select from one of the provided options, or select the plus button (+) to upload a photo from your camera roll. You will be prompted to give Zoom permission to access your photos.

Set Virtual Background (Android Devices)

1. Launch the Zoom app on your device. Sign in to your Smith Zoom account, if necessary.

2. Start a New Meeting (or Join a meeting, but we recommend setting up virtual backgrounds on mobile ahead of time).

3. Select More from the Zoom control bar.

4. Scroll down to Virtual Background and tap to open. Select from one of the provided options, or select the plus button (+) to upload a photo from your camera roll. You will be prompted to give Zoom permission to access your photos.