There are many reasons why you would want to learn how to change Zoom background. One will need it for a cluttered home office, others for branding, and others might just need a professional appearance during calls. Whichever the case is for you, you’re in the right place.
Since we all still love using Zoom for virtual calls, it’s helpful to make the most of the background change feature and maximize our impact as professionals.
Thus, without further ado, let’s first discuss the different scenarios when you’d need to change Zoom background.
Why Do You Need to Change Zoom Background?
Knowing how to change Zoom background is not just about aesthetics. Your virtual background plays a crucial role in how you are perceived, how effectively you communicate, and even how comfortable you feel during online interactions.
Whether in a client meeting, giving a presentation, or simply catching up with colleagues, the right background for Zoom meetings can significantly improve your virtual presence.
Let’s explore the practical reasons why changing your simple Zoom background can make a difference.
Professionalism in Virtual Meetings
These days, professionals often attend virtual meetings from home in a remote or hybrid work environment. Changing the background for Zoom meetings can help present a more professional appearance, especially if the natural one is cluttered or distracting.
Privacy Concerns
Many people value their privacy and may not want to reveal their home or personal space during online meetings. A virtual background allows them to maintain privacy without compromising their engagement in the meeting.
Branding or Marketing
Individuals representing a company or brand during webinars, online conferences, or client meetings might use custom Zoom backgrounds to feature their logo or promotional material, ensuring brand visibility.
Thematic Events
For events like virtual parties, workshops, or themed gatherings, changing the Zoom background to match the theme can enhance the experience and make it more enjoyable for participants.
Environmental Distractions
If there are unavoidable distractions in the background, such as pets, children, or ongoing household activities, a virtual background can help minimize these interruptions during important calls.
Teaching or Presentations
Educators, trainers, or presenters might use specific backgrounds related to the subject matter they’re discussing. They might want to create Zoom backgrounds to showcase a more engaging or informative visual context for their audience.
Improving Focus And Attention
In some cases, a plain Zoom background can help reduce visual distractions for others in the meeting, making it easier for participants to focus on the speaker and content.
If you choose the right Zoom background, you can control your virtual environment, making it work to your advantage in any setting.
Enabling Zoom Backgrounds as an Admin
Admins can enable and manage virtual backgrounds for their entire organization with the following steps:
- Log into the Zoom web portal as an administrator,
- Navigate to “Account Management” > “Account Settings,”
- Under the “Meeting” tab, locate the “Virtual Background” option,
- Toggle the setting ON to enable it.
Optional: Lock the setting to make it mandatory for all users, and upload specific backgrounds for users or allow them to upload their custom backgrounds.
How to Change Background in Zoom on The Desktop in 2024
Changing your Zoom background on the desktop app is similarly uncomplicated:
- Ensure your Zoom desktop client is up to date and working properly,
- Sign in to your account,
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select “Settings,”
- Go to the “Background & Filters” tab,
- Choose a pre-existing background or upload your custom image,
Optional: Select a video background for dynamic visuals. If your device struggles with processing power, consider using a still image to avoid lag.
How to Change Background in Zoom Meeting
Sometimes, the need to switch up your simple Zoom background strikes after the meeting has already started—whether it’s to add a touch of professionalism, hide an unexpected mess, or simply to match the mood of the conversation.
Fortunately, Zoom makes it easy to adjust your background on the fly without interrupting the flow of your meeting.
Here’s how you can quickly change your Zoom background during a live session:
- At the bottom of the Zoom window, click the up arrow next to the “Stop Video” button,
- From the menu that appears, choose “Choose Virtual Background,”
- In the “Virtual Background” tab, select one of Zoom’s pre-loaded options or click the “+” icon to upload your custom image or video from your computer,
- If you’re using a green screen, check the option to enhance the quality and sharpness of your virtual background.
This quick adjustment allows you to present your best self, no matter where you are or what’s happening in your surroundings.
How to Change Zoom Background on Phone Android or iOS
Zoom’s mobile app offers similar background-changing features as the desktop version. Here’s how to do it on iOS or Android:
- Join or start a meeting on your Zoom mobile app,
- Tap the screen to reveal the toolbar,
- Select “More” (usually represented by three dots)
- Tap on “Virtual Background” or “Background and Filters” (depending on your app version,)
- Choose from Zoom’s default backgrounds or upload your own image.
Note: Video backgrounds may not be supported on all mobile devices. Ensure your Zoom app is updated to version 5.3.0 or higher for these features.
Make The Most of Your Zoom Interactions With Krisp
As you explore how to change Zoom background to stand out in virtual meetings, it’s equally important to consider the overall quality of your online interactions.
Beyond just visuals, the clarity of your audio and the efficiency of your meetings play a crucial role in how you are perceived. This is where Krisp, an AI-powered meeting assistant, comes into play.
Krisp is designed to refine your Zoom experience by offering real-time noise cancellation, meeting transcription, and automated note-taking without additional plugins or extensions. When you integrate Krisp with Zoom, you automatically ensure your meetings are not only visually appealing with the right background but also audibly clear and productive.
Here’s how Krisp can help you stand out in your Zoom meetings:
Real-Time Noise Cancellation
With Krisp, background noise fades away, ensuring your voice is always clear and free from distractions, no matter what’s happening around you.
Accurate Transcriptions
You can capture every word with up to 96% accuracy using Krisp’s AI-powered transcription feature. The latter allows you to easily review and refine these transcripts post-meeting, making your follow-ups and action items a breeze.
Automatic And Precise Meeting Notes
Let Krisp handle the note-taking for you as it automatically generates concise summaries and action items, keeping you organized without the hassle of manual reviews.
Zoom Background Ideas
Creating and sourcing the perfect Zoom background can be a game-changer for your virtual presence. Here are some ideas for you:
Create Zoom Background on Your Own
If you want a polished, professional look, consider designing a custom background using tools like Canva or Adobe Spark.
These platforms offer easy-to-use templates where you can add your branding, company logo, or any other elements that reflect your personality or work environment.
Source Ready-Made Backgrounds
For those who prefer ready-made options, you can source high-quality backgrounds from websites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay, which offer free, royalty-free images.
Additionally, Zoom provides its own library of backgrounds within the app, ranging from minimalist office settings to scenic landscapes.
Experiment With Video Backgrounds
For those who want to learn how to change Zoom background to push the boundaries of creativity, you can use short video clips as your background. However, you must ensure the movement is subtle enough not to distract from the conversation.
Other Ways
If you want to add a personal touch, consider taking a high-resolution photo of your own workspace or a favorite spot in your home. This not only adds authenticity but also helps you stand out in meetings. The image must be in a 16:9 aspect ratio without overly busy designs that might distract from your presence on screen.
Finally, you always have the option to blur your background if you don’t fancy any other visual imagery. Here’s how:
- Start or join a meeting in Zoom,
- Click on the arrow next to the “Stop Video” button at the bottom of the screen,
- Select “Choose Virtual Background” from the menu,
- In the Virtual Background settings, choose the “Blur” option. This will subtly blur everything behind you while keeping you in clear focus.
The above feature is perfect for maintaining privacy while keeping a professional appearance in meetings.
Final Thoughts
Virtual meetings play a central role in professional and personal communication. Thus, your Zoom background becomes a vital tool for self-expression and professionalism. By knowing how to change Zoom background like a pro, you can create a visual narrative that supports your message and sets you apart in any virtual setting.
Experiment with different options, tailor your environment to each scenario and watch how a simple background change can upgrade your virtual presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
