How to change your background on Zoom so people on your video call can't see inside your home

• You can change your background on Zoom to any image by adjusting your settings in the app.
• Zoom's backgrounds can be fun and have the added benefit of privacy.
• For the best results, you may want to use a green screen for your Zoom background.

While working from home, we've grown accustomed to using Zoom for work and for fun, so you've probably seen people change the scenery behind them while using Zoom's virtual backgrounds.

This feature allows you to change your background to one of Zoom's presets or to a photo or video you upload yourself.

While it's fun to change your surroundings to a funny photo, there is the added benefit of privacy. Working from home doesn't mean we want coworkers to gain a glimpse into our homes, and the feature is great if you haven't had time to declutter your workspace.

Changing your background is easy. For the best results, you may want to purchase a green screen but it's not necessary.

Also, for virtual backgrounds to appear, the admin of the call (which may be you) may have to enable the feature.

How to change your background on Zoom's desktop app

The process is the same for both Mac and PC users. There are no size limitations on background images, but Zoom recommends aligning image size with your camera's aspect ratio. If you're unsure, you can't go wrong with a 1280 by 720 pixel image.

1. Sign in to your Zoom app.
2. Click on your profile picture, then choose "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
   
   
3. Select "Backgrounds and Filters."
   
   
4. If you have a green screen, check the box next to "I have a green screen." Then click on your video to select the correct color of the screen.
   
   
5. Select an image from Zoom's presets or click on the plus symbol if you want to upload your own.
   
   
6. If prompted, download the package of images for use without a green screen.

   Quick tip: Once you make changes, Zoom will automatically save your selections.

How to change your background on Zoom's mobile app

Mobile users will be able to change their background once a meeting is started, but not before.

1. Sign in to your Zoom account.
2. After the meeting begins, tap "More."
3. Tap "Background and Filters."
   
   
4. Select one of the preset backgrounds or tap the plus symbol to select an image from your photos.
5. Tap the "X" to return to the meeting.
   
   

How a green screen can improve your Zoom backgrounds

If a clean, quality background is important for your work, you may want to consider using a green screen.

Green screening is an old filmmaking technique also known as "chroma keying." We'll save the history lesson, but the basic idea is a uniform background in high contrast with the color of human skin tones is easier to digitally paste over with another image.

Consistent, uniform lighting also helps separate you from the background, whether or not you have a green screen behind you.

You'll also want to avoid wearing green unless you prefer to look like a floating head with floating arms.

Without a green screen, your virtual background may look imperfect or "glitchy" at times with objects of the room you're in. For casual and most work settings, this is not a big deal.

But if you're giving a presentation or livestreaming, you probably want the viewer's focus centered on you instead of a distracting background.