How to Change the Background in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams video conferencing has a handy feature that lets you change your background. This is useful when you don't want your actual background to be visible. You can have a beach, a mountain, or another room as your background. It gives you more privacy, especially when you're meeting with a lot of people you might not even know.

Changing the background only takes a few steps. In this article, we will show you how to change background in Microsoft Teams on different devices.

How to Change the Background in Microsoft Teams on Android

Using an Android phone for Microsoft Teams meetings can be very convenient. You can be on the go and still in touch with the office. But that also means your location may not be the one you want to share at the time. Teams gives you the ability to change your background before and during a meeting.

You can select a background effect in the background settings before entering a conference. Your background selections are displayed below your image.

You can also replace the background image with one of the available photos or one of your own.

To use your own image, the steps are:

1. Click on the + symbol.
2. Choose a photo from your device. Check that it is a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP file.
3. Choose "Done".

Until you change it again, your new backdrop will appear in all your meetings and phone conversations.

To disable background effects, tap the "no symbol" icon.

To change the background during a meeting, the steps are as follows:

1. Go to meeting controls and tap "More options".
2. Select "Background Effects".
3. Select one of the images provided or choose your own image.
4. Tap "Done".

Keep in mind that your Android phone must meet certain technical requirements to change the background. These requirements are:

• Teams mobile app for Android (version 1416 / 1.0.0.2022143402 or later)
• Android version 10 or later
• GPU (Qualcomm Adreno 610 or later, Arm Mali-G71 or later, Arm Mali-T720 or later

How to Change the Background in Microsoft Teams on an iPhone

In April 2022, Microsoft Teams began supporting unique backdrops for video calls and meetings on iOS. The steps to change a background are similar to those used on an Android phone.

1. Go to Backdrop Effects to change your background before you attend or start a Teams meeting.
   
   • If you're already in a video chat, scroll all the way down and click or tap the three dots to access your meeting controls.
     
2. Select "Background Effects" from the "More" action menu.
   
   • Either "Select Blur" to blur your background or replace it with an image from the available options. You can even create your own graphics, post them to Teams, and use them as a background image for your video chats. Simply choose “Add New”. You will be able to see what your backdrop will look like by previewing it.
     
3. If you like it, click the "Apply" button.

How to Change the Background in Microsoft Teams on an iPad

Changing your Microsoft Teams background on an iPad is very similar to changing it on the iPhone.

1. Before you attend or start a Teams meeting, go to Backdrop Effects and change your backdrop.
   
   • If the video chat is in progress, scroll down the screen and locate the three dots to access the meeting controls, then tap it.
     
2. From the "More Actions" menu, choose "Show Background Effects."
   
   • Choose "Blur" to blur your background or replace it with one of the available images. You can also create your own images and upload them to Teams to use as a background image for your video chats. Simply choose “Add New”. By previewing your background, you will be able to see how it will look.
     
3. Click the "Apply" button if you like it.

How to Change Background in Microsoft Teams on PC

Changing the Microsoft Teams background while using a PC is quite simple. You also have the option of doing this during or before a meeting. Keep in mind that this is not available if you are using a Linux operating system.

Select Background Filters while setting up your video and audio before attending a meeting. It's just below the video image. On the right you will see your background selections.

To blur your background, choose “Blur”. You'll look bright and clear while everything behind you is discreetly hidden.

You can also replace the background image with one of the available photos or one of your own. To use your own image, choose "Add New," then choose one to upload from your computer. Check that it is a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP file.

Until you change it again, your new backdrop will appear in all your meetings and phone conversations. Click the "no symbol" icon to disable background effects.

To change your background during a meeting, follow these steps:

1. Open "More options" and select "Apply background effects".
   
2. Select "Blur" to blur your background or replace it with one of the available photos.
   
3. To upload your own image, click "Add New" and select a .jpg, .png or .bmp file from your computer.
4. Select Preview to see what your desired background will look like before applying it, then click "Apply".
   

Additional FAQs

Are there any requirements to upload an image as a background?

Yes there is. Not all photos can be used as backgrounds. They must match the following criteria, and you won't be able to add them to your set if they don't:

• Minimum resolution: 360 × 360 pixels

• Maximum resolution: 2048 × 2048 pixels

• File format: .jpeg, .png and .bmp

• Image format: more than four

Why can't I blur or change my background?

If you don't see the Blur background option or the option to change your background under More choices, it's because your device isn't supported yet. Microsoft is always trying to make this feature available for all devices as it may depend on device capability. Don't worry if you don't see it; it may take a while for them to activate the support.

Try updating your app if you're using your phone. You can try updating the program on your Windows 11/10 computer, logging out of the application, logging back in, etc. You cannot blur the background while your camera is not working for obvious reasons.

Be creative

You don't have to settle for conventional decor. If you are a creative person, you can create your own. Adobe Photoshop and Wallpaper Engine are two tools that allow you to design graphics or wallpapers. When you are done creating your new unique backgrounds, you can download them using one of the methods listed.

In addition to giving you more creativity, this feature allows you to be more professional and have more privacy. The view of the scenery behind you may be disorganized, or people may be moving behind you and distracting your colleagues or peers. Or you might just want to make your experience seem interesting no matter where you are, especially if the meeting is informal.

Have you ever tried changing your background? Do you have a favourite? Let us know in the comment section below!