How do you change the background in zoom

The virtual background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom Meeting. This feature works best with a green screen and uniform lighting, to allow Zoom to detect the difference between you and your background.

You can also upload your own images or videos as a virtual background. There are no size restrictions when adding your own virtual backgrounds, but we recommend cropping the image to match the aspect ratio of your camera before uploading it.

The Communication Office has prepared 4 Zoom virtual background templates for use. EdUHK members are welcome to use it. These 4 templates are preloaded into the Zoom app. If you cannot find it or accidentally delete it, you can download it at EdUHK Zoom Virtual Background Templates.

System Requirements

There are some prerequisites for using Virtual Background. Below is an abstract of the requirements. For details, please visit "Using Virtual Background in Zoom meeting".

PC Requirements

• Image only without a physical green screen
  • Zoom Desktop Client for PC, version 5.2.0 or higher
  • Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Intel i3 - 4-cores or higher, gen 8 or higher (Note: Starting with Zoom windows client 5.4.0, Virtual Backgrounds are now supported for i3 5th-gen and above, i5/i7/i9 3rd-gen and above, all including Y-series. These CPUs will support Virtual Backgrounds at 15fps and 360p.)
  • AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 or higher
  • Note: Due to compatibility issues, devices with an Intel HD 620 graphics processor must use a physical green screen.
• Image only with a physical green screen
  • Zoom Desktop Client for PC, version 3.5.53922.0613 or higher
  • Intel Dual Core 2Ghz or higher (i5/i7 or AMD equivalent) processor
  • AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 or higher

Mac Requirements

• Image only without a physical green screen
  • Zoom Desktop Client for Mac, 4.6.0 (13614.1202) or higher
  • 4th generation i7 quad-core or higher processor
  • 6th generation i5 dual-core or higher processor
  • Note: 6th generation i5 dual-core processor, requires MacOS 10.14 or higher
• Image only with a physical green screen
  • Zoom Desktop Client for Mac, version 3.5.53922.0613 or higher
  • Dual Core 2Ghz or Higher (i5/i7 or AMD equivalent) processor

iOS requirements

• Zoom Mobile App for iOS, version 4.1.27541.0627 or higher
• iPhone 8, 8+, or X or higher
• iPad Pro and the 5th and 6th generation iPad 9.7 or higher

Android requirements

• NOT supported.

Enabling Virtual Background During a Meeting

Recommendation on using Virtual Background

• To achieve the best virtual background effect, Zoom recommends using a solid color background, preferably green. Recommended green screens from Webaround or Amazon.
• Higher quality cameras result in a better virtual background. See camera recommendations for details.
• Use uniform lighting and color.
• Do not wear clothing that is the same color as the virtual background.
• A background image with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and minimum resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels. Sources for royalty-free images: Pexels, Unsplash, Pixabay.
• A video (MP4 or MOV file) with a minimum resolution of 480 by 360 pixels (360p) and a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p).

Knowing how to change your background on Zoom is almost essential these days. Not only does a virtual background help you hide your messy room, but it also gives you something fun to talk about during your meetings. Here’s how to add a virtual background on Zoom, before or during your meeting, and how to use video filters and studio effects to customize your video even more.

Read More: How to set up a Zoom meeting

How to Change Your Background Before a Zoom Meeting

To change your background on Zoom, open the desktop app and click your profile icon in the top-right corner. Then select Background & Filters from the left sidebar. Finally, choose one of the default backgrounds or click the plus sign and select Add Image to upload your own image.

1. Open the Zoom desktop app and sign in. If you don’t already have the desktop app, you can download it from Zoom here. Once you click the link, the app will automatically start downloading the installation package.
2. Then click your profile icon. You will see this in the top-right corner of the window. It might have a picture of you or your initials.
   
3. Next, select Settings.
   
4. Then click Background & Filters. You will see this in the left sidebar of the Settings window that pops up.
   

   Note: If you don’t see this option, go to zoom.us/profile/setting and sign in to your account. Then scroll down to Virtual background under In Meeting (Advanced) and click the slider to the right to enable it. You should also check the box under Virtual background if you want to use a video background.

   
5. Finally, change your background using one of Zoom’s default images or click the plus sign to upload your own image or video.

Note: If you select Blur, it will make your background opaque, but it will also blur out any objects that are too close or far from your camera, including objects you are holding.

If you click the plus sign on the right side of the Zoom window, select Add Image to use any picture stored on your computer. You can add as many pictures or videos as you want, and all of them will be there the next time you open the app.

Note: Zoom recommends using a background image with a minimum resolution of 1280×720. Also, you should only use MP4 or MOV video files with a minimum resolution of 480×360 and a maximum resolution of 1080×1920.

If your background is bleeding onto your clothes or there are empty spaces in the image, try unchecking the box next to I have a green screen. You should still get the same green-screen effect, but your outline might not be quite as sharp in some cases. Unchecking this box will also use more resources, which could cause your computer to slow down.

You should only check the green screen box if you are sitting in front of a green screen or a wall that is one solid color (a green background is best). To make your outline look sharper, click the color square above Mirror my video and select the color you want to change with your Zoom background.

Note: Clicking this box will cause your cursor to be locked inside your video window until you select a color.

Once you select a color from your background, it will replace everything in your video that is the same color as your chosen Zoom background. So, make sure not to wear any clothes that are the same color as your background. Otherwise, they will also be keyed out and disappear into the background.

For best results, Zoom also recommends your background be bright and evenly lit.

$17.99

$29.99

in stock

2 new from $17.99

19 used from $15.29

as of November 9, 2022 7:41 am

$79.95

$84.69

in stock

4 new from $79.95

4 used from $59.98

as of November 9, 2022 7:41 am

Last updated on November 9, 2022 7:41 am

How to Change Your Background During a Zoom Meeting

To change your background while you are already in a Zoom meeting, tap the upward-facing arrow next to the camera icon near the bottom-left corner of your window. Then select Choose Virtual Background and select the background you want to use.

How to Add Video Filters and Studio Effects on Zoom

In addition to changing your background on Zoom, you can also change the way your video looks. To do this, go to Settings > Background & Filters and select Video Filters. You can also click Studio Effects in the bottom-right corner for other ways to change your appearance.

Now that you know how to add a virtual background in Zoom, check our list of the best webcams to make your video as clear as possible.

HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.