Spice Up Your Calls: How to Add a Custom Background to Your Phone and Video Calls
In today’s digital age, phone and video calls are more than just a way to communicate; they’re a window into our lives. Whether you’re attending a crucial business meeting, catching up with loved ones, or participating in a virtual class, your background can inadvertently broadcast aspects of your personal space that you might prefer to keep private or simply find distracting. A cluttered room, a noisy environment, or even just a plain wall can detract from the conversation. Fortunately, many platforms now offer the ability to add custom backgrounds, allowing you to present a polished, professional, or simply more engaging visual presence. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of adding custom backgrounds to your calls on various popular platforms, providing detailed steps and helpful tips to ensure a seamless and effective experience.
Why Use a Custom Background?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore the numerous benefits of using custom backgrounds:
* **Privacy:** Conceal your actual surroundings, protecting your privacy and preventing unwanted glimpses into your personal life.
* **Professionalism:** Project a polished and professional image during business calls, even when working from home.
* **Focus:** Minimize distractions for yourself and others by creating a clean and uncluttered background.
* **Branding:** Reinforce your personal or company brand by using branded backgrounds with logos and colors.
* **Creativity:** Express your personality and add a touch of fun to your calls with creative and engaging backgrounds.
* **Hiding a Mess:** Let’s be honest, sometimes life is messy. A custom background can be a lifesaver when you haven’t had time to tidy up.
* **Consistency:** Maintain a consistent visual identity across all your calls, regardless of your location.
Platforms That Support Custom Backgrounds
Several popular platforms offer the ability to add custom backgrounds. Here are some of the most widely used:
* **Zoom:** A leading video conferencing platform for businesses and individuals.
* **Microsoft Teams:** A collaboration platform integrated with Microsoft 365, widely used in professional settings.
* **Google Meet:** Google’s video conferencing solution, integrated with Google Workspace.
* **Skype:** A long-standing video calling and messaging platform.
* **Snapchat:** Known for its ephemeral messaging and filters, Snapchat also offers background replacement for video calls.
* **Cisco Webex:** A comprehensive collaboration suite often used by large enterprises.
* **FaceTime:** Apple’s native video calling app for iOS and macOS devices (limited background options).
How to Add a Custom Background on Zoom
Zoom is perhaps the most well-known platform for custom backgrounds. Here’s how to use this feature:
**Prerequisites:**
* Zoom desktop client installed on your computer (Windows or macOS).
* A Zoom account (free or paid).
* A suitable image or video for your background (recommended resolution: 1920×1080 pixels).
**Steps:**
1. **Open Zoom Settings:**
* Launch the Zoom desktop client.
* Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
* Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
2. **Navigate to Backgrounds & Filters:**
* In the Settings window, click on “Backgrounds & Filters” in the left-hand sidebar.
3. **Choose a Virtual Background:**
* Zoom provides several pre-loaded virtual backgrounds. You can select one of these by clicking on it.
4. **Upload a Custom Background:**
* To upload your own image or video, click the “+” (plus) icon above the existing backgrounds.
* Choose either “Add Image” or “Add Video” from the dropdown menu.
* Browse your computer to find the desired file and select it.
* The image or video will now appear as one of your background options. Click on it to apply it.
5. **Adjust Background Settings:**
* **”I have a green screen” Checkbox:** If you are using a physical green screen behind you, check this box. This will improve the quality of the virtual background.
* **”Mirror my video” Checkbox:** This option mirrors your video horizontally. Experiment with this setting to see what looks best for you.
* **Adjust lighting:** Zoom has an ‘Adjust for low light’ option. This can help improve your video quality if your room is dimly lit.
6. **Testing Your Background:**
* Start a test meeting to ensure your background looks correct and that your lighting is adequate. You can start a meeting with just yourself.
**Troubleshooting Zoom Backgrounds:**
* **Blurry Background:** Ensure you have sufficient lighting and a relatively plain background behind you (if you’re not using a green screen).
* **Background Not Working:** Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for virtual backgrounds. Close other applications that may be using your camera.
* **Green Screen Issues:** Ensure your green screen is properly lit and evenly colored. Position yourself a few feet away from the screen to avoid shadows.
## How to Add a Custom Background on Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams offers similar functionality for custom backgrounds, enhancing collaboration in professional environments.
**Prerequisites:**
* Microsoft Teams desktop app installed on your computer (Windows or macOS).
* A Microsoft Teams account (usually associated with a Microsoft 365 subscription).
* A suitable image for your background (recommended resolution: 1920×1080 pixels).
**Steps (Before a Meeting):**
1. **Open Teams Settings:**
* Launch the Microsoft Teams desktop app.
* Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
* Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
2. **Navigate to Background Effects:**
* In the Settings window, click on “Devices” in the left-hand sidebar.
* Scroll down to “Background effects”.
3. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* Teams provides a selection of pre-loaded backgrounds. You can select one of these by clicking on it, then click “Preview” to see how it looks.
* To upload your own image, click “Add new” button.
* Browse your computer to find the desired file and select it. The image will now appear as one of your background options.
**Steps (During a Meeting):**
1. **Access Background Effects:**
* While in a meeting, click on the “More actions” (three dots) icon in the meeting toolbar.
* Select “Apply background effects”.
2. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* The background settings panel will appear on the right side of the screen.
* Select a pre-loaded background or upload your own image using the “Add new” button.
* Click “Apply” to apply the chosen background.
**Options:**
* **Blur:** Teams also provides a blur option. This blurs your background without replacing it entirely.
**Troubleshooting Teams Backgrounds:**
* **Background Not Appearing:** Ensure your Teams app is up to date. Restart the app or your computer.
* **Poor Background Quality:** Check your lighting and ensure your background is relatively plain (if not using a green screen).
* **Performance Issues:** Using virtual backgrounds can sometimes impact performance on older or less powerful computers. Try closing other applications.
## How to Add a Custom Background on Google Meet
Google Meet offers a straightforward process for adding custom backgrounds, making it easy to enhance your video calls.
**Prerequisites:**
* A Google account.
* A compatible web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) or the Google Meet mobile app.
* A suitable image for your background (recommended resolution: 1920×1080 pixels).
**Steps (Before a Meeting):**
1. **Start or Join a Meeting:**
* Go to meet.google.com in your web browser.
* Start a new meeting or join an existing one.
2. **Access Background Effects:**
* Before joining the meeting, you’ll see a preview of your video.
* Look for the “Change background” icon at the bottom of your video preview. It looks like a person with stars behind them. Click on it.
3. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* A panel will appear with various background options.
* Google Meet provides several pre-loaded backgrounds, including blurs and static images. Select one by clicking on it.
* To upload your own image, click on the “+” (plus) icon.
* Browse your computer to find the desired file and select it. The image will now appear as one of your background options.
* Click “Join now” to enter the meeting with your selected background.
**Steps (During a Meeting):**
1. **Access Background Effects:**
* During the meeting, click on the “More options” icon (three dots) at the bottom of the screen.
* Select “Change background”.
2. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* The background settings panel will appear.
* Select a pre-loaded background or upload your own image using the “+” (plus) icon.
* Close the panel to apply your chosen background.
**Options:**
* **Blur:** Google Meet offers options to slightly or heavily blur your background.
**Troubleshooting Google Meet Backgrounds:**
* **Background Not Working:** Ensure your browser is up to date and that your camera is properly connected. Check your browser permissions to allow Google Meet access to your camera.
* **Performance Issues:** Using virtual backgrounds can strain your computer’s resources. Close unnecessary applications to improve performance.
* **Mobile App Issues:** On mobile devices, ensure you have the latest version of the Google Meet app installed.
## How to Add a Custom Background on Skype
Skype, another long-standing platform, allows you to customize your background for a more personalized experience.
**Prerequisites:**
* Skype desktop app installed on your computer (Windows or macOS) or the Skype mobile app.
* A Skype account.
* A suitable image for your background (recommended resolution: 1920×1080 pixels).
**Steps (During a Call):**
1. **Start or Receive a Call:**
* Begin a video call with one of your contacts.
2. **Access Background Settings:**
* During the call, hover your mouse over the video area.
* A “More” menu (three dots) will appear. Click on it.
* Select “Choose background effect.”
3. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* A panel will appear with background options.
* Skype provides a selection of pre-loaded backgrounds and a blur option. Select your desired background.
* To upload your own image, click the “Add image” button.
* Select the image you want to use as your background. The image will now be visible as your chosen background.
**Options:**
* **Blur:** Skype allows you to blur your background.
**Troubleshooting Skype Backgrounds:**
* **Background Not Showing:** Ensure your Skype app is updated to the latest version. Check your camera settings to make sure Skype has permission to access your camera.
* **Image Quality Issues:** Use high-resolution images for optimal background clarity.
* **Performance Problems:** If you experience performance issues, try closing other applications that are running in the background.
## How to Add a Custom Background on Snapchat
While primarily known for its filters and lenses, Snapchat also allows you to change your background during video calls.
**Prerequisites:**
* The Snapchat mobile app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
* A Snapchat account.
**Steps (During a Video Call):**
1. **Start a Video Call:**
* Open Snapchat and navigate to the chat with the person you want to call.
* Tap the video camera icon to initiate a video call.
2. **Access Background Options:**
* During the video call, tap on your face or the screen.
* A carousel of lenses and filters will appear at the bottom of the screen.
* Swipe through the carousel to find lenses that change or replace your background. Look for lenses that feature a background replacement effect.
3. **Select a Background:**
* Tap on a lens to apply it. The background will change accordingly.
**Limitations:**
* Snapchat’s background options are limited to the available lenses. You cannot upload custom images for backgrounds.
* Background replacement quality may vary depending on the lens and the lighting conditions.
## How to Add a Custom Background on Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex, a popular platform for enterprise-level video conferencing, also provides custom background options.
**Prerequisites:**
* Cisco Webex Meetings desktop app or Webex app installed on your computer (Windows or macOS).
* A Cisco Webex account.
* A suitable image for your background (recommended resolution: 1920×1080 pixels).
**Steps (Before or During a Meeting):**
1. **Start or Join a Meeting:**
* Launch the Webex Meetings desktop app.
* Start a new meeting or join an existing one.
2. **Access Background Settings:**
* Before joining the meeting, you may see an option to change your background on the pre-join screen.
* During the meeting, click on the “Background” icon in the meeting controls. It might be under the “More options” menu.
3. **Choose or Upload a Background:**
* A panel will appear with background options.
* Webex provides a selection of pre-loaded backgrounds and a blur option. Select your desired background.
* To upload your own image, click the “+” or “Add background” button.
* Select the image you want to use as your background. The image will now be visible as your chosen background.
**Options:**
* **Blur:** Webex allows you to blur your background.
* **Virtual Backgrounds:** Webex supports virtual backgrounds that can replace your actual surroundings with a selected image or video.
**Troubleshooting Webex Backgrounds:**
* **Background Not Showing:** Ensure your Webex app is updated to the latest version. Check your camera settings to make sure Webex has permission to access your camera.
* **Image Quality Issues:** Use high-resolution images for optimal background clarity.
* **Performance Problems:** If you experience performance issues, try closing other applications that are running in the background.
## How to Add a Custom Background on FaceTime
FaceTime, Apple’s native video calling app, has limited background options, primarily relying on Portrait Mode.
**Prerequisites:**
* An iPhone or iPad with Portrait Mode capabilities (typically iPhone 7 Plus or later).
* macOS Monterey or later for background blur on Macs.
**Steps (During a FaceTime Call):**
1. **Start a FaceTime Call:**
* Initiate a FaceTime call with one of your contacts.
2. **Enable Portrait Mode:**
* During the call, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to access the Control Center (on iPhones with Face ID) or swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on iPhones with a Home button).
* Tap the “Portrait” button. This will blur the background behind you.
**Limitations:**
* FaceTime primarily offers background blur through Portrait Mode, rather than allowing custom image uploads (macOS Monterey and later blurs the background).
* Portrait Mode requires sufficient lighting for optimal performance.
## Choosing the Right Background Image
Selecting the appropriate background image is crucial for a professional and effective appearance. Here are some tips:
* **Resolution:** Use high-resolution images (at least 1920×1080 pixels) for the best clarity.
* **Content:** Choose images that are visually appealing but not distracting. Avoid busy patterns or images with a lot of text.
* **Color:** Select colors that complement your skin tone and clothing. Avoid colors that clash or wash you out.
* **Professionalism:** For business calls, opt for professional-looking backgrounds, such as office settings, neutral colors, or branded images.
* **Lighting:** Consider the lighting in your room and choose a background that complements it. If your room is dimly lit, a brighter background may be more suitable.
* **File Format:** Ensure the background image is in a compatible format (e.g., JPG, PNG). Some platforms also support video backgrounds (MP4).
* **Copyright:** Be mindful of copyright restrictions when using images you find online. Use royalty-free images or obtain permission to use copyrighted material.
## Tips for a Seamless Background Experience
To ensure a smooth and effective background experience, keep these tips in mind:
* **Lighting:** Proper lighting is essential. Ensure your face is well-lit and that there are no harsh shadows. Use a soft, diffused light source.
* **Clothing:** Avoid wearing clothing that is the same color as your background, as this can cause your image to blend into the background.
* **Positioning:** Position yourself a few feet away from your background (or green screen) to avoid shadows and improve the background effect.
* **Stable Internet Connection:** A stable internet connection is crucial for smooth video and audio quality. Poor connection can cause your video to freeze or lag.
* **Hardware Requirements:** Ensure your computer or mobile device meets the minimum system requirements for virtual backgrounds. Older or less powerful devices may experience performance issues.
* **Close Other Applications:** Close any unnecessary applications that are running in the background to free up system resources and improve performance.
* **Test Your Background:** Before joining an important call, test your background to make sure it looks correct and that your lighting is adequate.
* **Practice:** Practice using virtual backgrounds to become familiar with the settings and troubleshooting techniques.
* **Update Your Software:** Keep your video conferencing software and operating system up to date to ensure compatibility and access to the latest features.
## Conclusion
Adding custom backgrounds to your phone and video calls is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your communication experience. Whether you’re looking to protect your privacy, project a professional image, or simply add a touch of creativity, custom backgrounds can help you achieve your goals. By following the steps outlined in this guide and keeping the tips in mind, you can seamlessly integrate custom backgrounds into your calls and make a lasting impression.