Using Custom Backgrounds with Microsoft Teams and Zoom

How to upload a custom background in Microsoft Teams (new way)

Following a recent update, Microsoft Teams made it much easier to add custom backgrounds. Here's how to use your own images for backgrounds within Teams.

1. Within a video call, select the More actions button (three dots).

2. Select Apply background effects.

3. Select Add new.
4. Select the image you'd like to use as a background.
5. Select Open.

The image is now available to use as a custom background. We break down the steps on how to set a background below.

How to set a custom background in Microsoft Teams

Whether you're getting a background from an image you've uploaded or one of the images that are built into Microsoft Teams, the process is the same.

1. Within a video call, select the More actions button (three dots).
2. Select Apply background effects.
3. Scroll down and select the image you've uploaded.

4. Select Preview to preview how your background will look (optional).

5. Select Apply or Apply and turn on video if your webcam is currently off.

As of August 14, 2020, a Microsoft Teams custom background persists in all of your meetings and calls until you change it to something else.

How to blur your background Microsoft Teams

Instead of setting a custom background image, you can have Microsoft Teams blur your background. This is great for hiding any sensitive data you have in the background or blurring away anything you don't want on a call, such as a messy room.

1. Within a video call, select the More actions button (three dots).
2. Select Apply background effects.

3. Select Blur.

4. Select Apply or Apply and turn on video if your webcam is currently off.