Set a Background Image in a Zoom Video Conference

Overview

If you want to change what appears behind you in a video conference, you can either blur your background or replace it entirely.

Notes:

• Blurring or replacing your background might not prevent sensitive information from being visible to other meeting participants.
• Background effects won't be available to you if you're using Zoom through virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).
• If you don't see Show background effects as an option in th menu, the feature might not be available on your device yet.

How do I use this technology?

• Prerequisites
• Enable Virtual Background for Account
• Using Virtual background
• Enable Virtual Background during a meeting

Prerequisites

• Make sure your compuer meets Zoom's system requirements for Virtual Background.
• To achieve the best results, Zoom recommends using a solid color background, preferably green.
• Higher quality cameras result in a better virutal background.
• Use uniform lighting and color.
• Do not wear clothing that is the same color as the virtual background

Enable Virtual Background for Account

In order to use virtual backgrounds you must first enable it within your Zoom account preferences.

1. Sign in to the University of Alaska Zoom web portal.
2. Click Meeting Settings.
3. Navigate to the Virtual Background option on the Meeting tab, and verify that the setting is enabled.

Note: You must logout of the Zoom Desktop Client, and login to it again for this setting to take affect.

Using Virtual Background

Set background on Windows & macOS

1. Login to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the profile picture in the upper right corner.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Virtual Background.
5. Click on an image to select the desired virtual background, or add your own image by clicking the + and choosing if you want to upload an image or video.
   • If prompted, click Download to download the package for virtual background without a green screen.

Note: To disable Virtual Background, choose the option None.

Set background on iOS

1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
2. While in a Zoom meeting, tap More in the controls
3. Tap Virtual Background.
4. Tap the background you would like to apply, or tap + to upload to a new image. The background will be automatically applied.
5. Tap Close after selecting the background to return to the meeting.

Note: To disable Virtual Background, open the virtual background options again, and choose the option None.

Enable Virtual Background during a meeting

If you have already enabled virtual background for your account, you can turn it on during a meeting.

1. In a Zoom meeting click the ^ arrow next to the Start/Stop Video button.
2. Click Choose a virtual background...
   • If prompted, click Download to download the package for virtual background without a green screen.

Is there any additional information I should know about?

For additional assistance contact the IT Services Technical Support Center via phone at (907) 786-4646, toll-free at (877) 633-3888, email us at uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu, or visit the Services section to open a support ticket.