Here's how to blur your background on a Zoom call...
Many of us have been there. You have been invited to a Zoom meeting, last minute perhaps. The issue is, you don’t have an appropriate space to take it in. It could be that you are working from home: the room is cluttered; you are multi-tasking, looking after poorly kids; or you have hung up your washing and have nowhere else to put it! Or perhaps you are in a public arena and mindful of not featuring strangers or passers by in the background.
You could use a custom virtual background, but sometimes they might not be quite right for the tone you want to set. In that case, a blurred background is a great alternative. The blurred background option does exactly what it says on the tin: it blurs everything behind you — people and objects — so they become indistinguishable.
In this blog, we will discuss how to blur your background on a Zoom call. However, before we do, it is wise to first check that your tech fits all of Zoom’s requirements before attempting our instructions. Save yourself a whole load of frustration!
Zoom’s requirements to use a blurred background
In order to use Zoom’s blurred background feature, you need to have downloaded the global minimum version or higher. Basically, Zoom consistently releases new and updated versions every 3 months. They get released on the first weekend of February, May, August and November. As well as introducing a new version every 3 months, it also gets rid of an old one. A one it, one out policy! Therefore, the minimum version is constantly changing.
Zoom warns its users 9 months in advance before a version will cease to exist. You can see the latest information on this here! If you have forgotten to update the Zoom app and the day has arrived for the version you are using to become defunct, you will be sent a reminder to update to the minimum version or higher.
As well as making sure you have a working version of Zoom, you will also need to check that your device’s operating system meets certain system requirements.
Users using the desktop apps:
And users using the mobile app:
How to blur your background before a meeting on Zoom desktop app
- Sign in to Zoom.
- Click your profile picture in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu which has appeared.
- Select “Backgrounds & Effects” from the navigation menu on the left-hand side.
- Select the “Virtual Backgrounds” tab, if it isn’t already.
- Select “Blur” from the list of options.
As soon as you enter a meeting, your background will be blurred.
How to blur your background during a meeting on Zoom desktop app
When you are in a Zoom meeting:
- Click the upwards arrow next to the “Start Video/Stop Video” icon in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen.
- Select “Blur My Background” from the list of options provided.
Your background should now be blurred.
How to remove blurred background before a meeting on Zoom desktop app
If on a previous call your background was blurred, but it is no longer required for your next call, you can remove the blur.
- Sign in to Zoom.
- Click your profile picture in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu which has appeared.
- Select “Backgrounds & Effects” from the navigation menu on the left-hand side.
- Select the “Virtual Backgrounds” tab, if it isn’t already.
- Select “None” from the list of options.
How to remove blurred background during a meeting on Zoom desktop app
When you are in a Zoom meeting and want to remove the blurred background:
1. Click the upwards arrow next to the “Start Video/Stop Video” icon in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen.
A tick will be featured next to “Blur My Background” indicating the blur feature is on.
2. Click “Blur My Background” to unselect the tick and turn off the blurred feature.
Your background should no longer be blurred.