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How to Change Background on Teams on Desktop or Mobile

How to change background on teams

Are you bored of the same messy old Background in your Microsoft Teams meetings? Do you want to add a professional touch to meetings on your virtual workspace? If so, you are at the right place; in this article, we have shared how to change background on Teams, allowing you to customize your professional meetings and make them more appealing.

What is Microsoft Teams Background Feature

Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams are the option to replace particular backgrounds during a meeting. Teams identify people on a screen, then overlay a framework around them to conceal their Background, brilliantly setting the overlay as the users move. It is all done without any need for a green screen.

Microsoft Teams provides three options to change backgrounds:

  1. Blur the surroundings, keeping it out of focus but not replaced by any image.
  2. Replace the surroundings with an image that is available on the Teams library, including professional-looking backgrounds and pictures.
  3. Upload a custom image to use a Teams backdrop.

How to Change Background on Teams Before Starting a Meeting on a Desktop

  • Go to the Teams app and tap on the Meet Now option if you are the host of the meeting. If you are a guest, click on the meeting link.
go to teams app
  • Set up video and audio settings before starting the meeting, turn on the camera, and click on Background filters.
click on background filters
  • Choose Blur to blur your background surroundings. You will appear clear and nice everything behind you is softly concealed.
choose blur
  • You can also replace your framework with app-provided images or add your custom image.
  • To add your desired Background, tap on the add new and then select one to upload from your computer. Before uploading, make sure this image is in JPG, PNG, or BMP PNG format.
  • Once you have selected your preferred background, hit Join Now to start your meeting.
Note: Microsoft suggested uploading images with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080.

How to Change Background on Teams during a Meeting on a Desktop

If you are already in a meeting or recording Teams meeting and want to change your Background, it is pretty easy to do. Follow the below-mentioned steps.

  • Tap on the three dots on the upper side of the screen.
tap three dot icon
  • Select to apply background effects from the options.
select show background effects
  • Choose your preferred background option and tap the apply button.
choose background and tap apply
  • Check your Background before going live with the Preview button. So you can make sure you are satisfied with your background choice before other members see it.
Note: Whether you change a background before or during a meeting, you will still have the same options to blur your surroundings, select available images, or upload them from your library.

How to Change Background on Teams Mobile App

If you have joined a meeting via a smartphone and want to change your Background, the steps taken will be slightly different from desktop and web meetings.

Change Background Before the Meeting

  • Visit the Team’s app to start the new meeting or join the meeting with a link.
  • Click on the Background Effects button on the top of the screen.
  • You can either choose Blur or one of the provided image’s backgrounds. However, you can upload your image background by tapping the plus sign and uploading an image from your device gallery.
  • Click on the Done button after selecting the Background you like most.

Change Teams Background During the Meeting

  • Tap on your meeting or call controls and click on the More Options icon from the bottom of the screen.
  • Then, click on Background Effects when the option box pops up.
  • Select your desired Background and hit the Done button from the top-right corner of the screen to save the changes.

How to Set Default Background for All Meetings

  • Go to the Microsoft Teams app.
  • Tap on the Profile picture in the top-right corner.
  • From the drop-down menu, choose Settings, then Devices from the left-hand side.
  • Navigate to the Background settings option.
  • Choose from the system’s available images or click Add New to upload your preferred image.

After applying this setting, no matter what meeting you host or join, your selected Background will be applied.

Pro Tip: Select a background that is suitable for professional settings. Avoid distracting aspects or unprofessional images that can take away from the goal of your meeting.

How Shared Background Feature Works

If you are a host of the meeting and want everyone in the meeting to use the same Background? Sending everyone the same image and asking that they all change it to a custom Teams background is a simple but unprofessional way to put everyone on the same page.

Meetings made in Together mode can add to shared backgrounds, creating the impression of a shared space or building a sense of community. Meetings hosts can turn on Together Mode from their Team’s profile settings. From there:

  • Toggle on the New Meeting Experience.
  • Create a meeting or call with at least five people (add up to 49 members)
  • Tap on the three dots at the top of the screen and hit the Together mode.

From there, all the attendees of the meeting will be able to use the same shared backgrounds without requiring any extra effort from their sides.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shared the complete method of how to change background on Teams. However, backdrop filters are one of the best features of Microsoft Teams. It allows you to make meetings fun, or it can help you to look more professional if your actual Background needs to be covered.

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Zora Kemmer

Hi! I’m Zora Kemmer, and I’m passionate about all things tech. I love writing about AI, creating how-to- guides, and diving into the world of gaming. My goal is to make complex topics simple and helpful for everyone. When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me playing the latest games or getting excited about new tech trends.