How to Change Background in Teams Video Call

Zoom has taken lead in video conferencing in recent few months. And it has provided great video conferencing solutions for both individual users and enterprises. Microsoft has decided to not be left behind in this field. So, they are also trying to implement most of Zoom features in Microsoft Teams. Following Zoom in providing free video conferencing services, Microsoft has also added the feature to allow users to change background in Teams app just like virtual background feature in Zoom.

SEE ALSO: Download Free Custom Background Images for Zoom & Microsoft Teams.

So, in this article we are going to show you how to use virtual backgrounds feature in Microsoft Teams. Initially, Microsoft didn’t allow users to add custom backgrounds. But, now you can add your custom background images to Teams. Just update your Teams app to the latest version. So, in this tutorial we will also show you how to upload custom background image in Microsoft Teams.

A) Change Background in Microsoft Teams Video Conferencing

As announced by Microsoft, you can now change the background in Microsoft Teams jut like you do in Zoom. However, you can only use images as background as of now, not videos. Another point, the feature is limited to Windows and macOS only currently. This feature is not available for mobile apps and the web version of Microsoft Teams, so, maybe it will be there in some time. You also need to update Microsoft Teams app to the latest version use this feature. You can download latest version from here.

Step 1: Open Teams and Start Video Call

First of all, open Microsoft Teams App and move to the Calls or Chat menu and select any of your contacts. Click on video call button to place a call.

Step 2: Open Virtual Backgrounds Settings

After the call has been connected successfully, click on the three-dot menu and select Apply background effects to open Virtual Backgrounds settings.

Step 3: Change Background in Microsoft Teams

Now, in Background Settings you will be able to choose from background images provided by Microsoft on the right pane. Here, select the image and click on Preview to test it before applying it to live video.

If you find the background image satisfactory, click on Apply and turn on video to apply the selected background image. And this is how you can change your background using virtual backgrounds in Microsoft Teams.

Step 4: Blur the Background in Microsoft Teams

You also have option to Blur the background instead of using virtual background image. To do so, simply select the Blurred background at the top in Background Settings and you are done.

B) Upload Custom Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

While announcing the background feature, Microsoft didn’t provide an option to upload custom backgrounds. But Microsoft has recently added the feature to allow users to upload their own backgrounds and use them as virtual backgrounds in Teams app. So, here is how you can upload and use your own custom backgrounds in Microsoft Teams.

Step 1: Upload Custom Background to Teams

In Background Settings, click on “+ Add new” to browse for your own custom images.

Now, browse and select your favorite picture (preferably in .jpg, .jpeg format) and click Open.

Step 2: Use Your Custom Image as Teams Background

It’s time to use this uploaded new image as Microsoft Team’s background. Go to Background Settings again and scroll down to bottom in the list of virtual backgrounds. Here, you will find the image that you have just uploaded to Microsoft Teams. Now, simply click on the newly uploaded image and click Preview. Then, click on Apply and turn on video to use this image as custom background in Microsoft Teams.

SEE ALSO: How to Use Virtual Backgrounds in Zoom Video Call?

Use Virtual Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

Above tutorial explained two ways of using the background feature in Microsoft Teams app. Either you can choose from provided default images or you can use your own custom images as background in Microsoft Teams app. Thanks to custom background upload feature, you can directly upload your own images to Microsoft Teams and use them as virtual backgrounds.

We found, the background feature in Microsoft Teams up to the mark but it was surely not as good as Zoom. Microsoft is working on improving the Microsoft Teams App and you can now use custom background feature in Android and iOS as well.

If you are having trouble using this feature or uploading background images to Microsoft Teams, feel free to drop a comment below. And if you are looking for a free alternative for Zoom, that does not require sign-up or app downloads, you can check Skype Meet Now.