Change your background in Microsoft Teams meetings

Applies To
Microsoft Teams

Keep your background private during Teams meetings by blurring or changing your background. Upload your own images, or choose from background images already in Teams.

In Teams Premium, apply branded logos or images to your background.

Note

Blurring or replacing your background may not prevent sensitive information from being visible to other people in the call or meeting.

Change your background

Before a meeting

  1. Go to your Teams calendar.

  2. Select a meeting and select Join.

  3. From the pre-join screen, select Effects and avatars Pre-meeting Effects and avatars icon .

    1. To blur your background, select the dropdown arrow next to Blur and choose Standard blur or Portrait blur.

      Screenshot highlighting background blur options in the meeting pre-join screen.

    2. Select a Teams background to apply it to your video feed, or upload and apply your own.

      • To use an image of your own, select More video effects > Add new 358ec935-76b6-477f-8c6d-5813b150ebec and then select one to upload from your computer. Make sure it's a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file.

To turn off background effects, select None No symbol image . Your background will persist in all your meetings and calls until you change it again.

Note

If you don't see this option in the menu, the feature might not be available on your device.

During a meeting

  1. Join a Teams meeting.

  2. In your meeting controls, select More actions Microsoft Teams more options icon > Video effects and settings Pre-meeting Effects and avatars icon .

  3. Select Video effects.

    1. To blur your background, select the dropdown arrow next to Blur and choose Standard blur or Portrait blur.
    2. Select a Teams background to apply it to your video feed.
    3. Select Add new 358ec935-76b6-477f-8c6d-5813b150ebec to upload and use an image from your computer. Make sure it's a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file.

  4. Select Preview to view the background before you apply it.

  5. Select Apply.

Note

  • Linux users aren't able to use this feature.
  • Background effects aren't available if you're using Teams through optimized virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

Use AI to decorate your background in a meeting

Take advantage of the new AI-generated Decorate effect in Teams to further personalize your backgrounds. There are five options to choose from:

  • Clean up: Tidies up your surroundings, removing clutter and creating a more streamlined and minimalistic aesthetic.
  • Fancy: Incorporates lavish and elegant decorative elements, like wallpaper, candles, and chandeliers.
  • Greenhouse: Adds plants and greenery into your space.
  • Celebration: Includes festive decorations like balloons, streamers, and lighting.
  • Surprise me: Cycles through a variety of styles and themes to transform your space, including 2D animation, underwater, a block-style design reminiscent of Minecraft, and a space shuttle theme.

To turn on this feature, follow the same steps as noted above to change your background either before or during the meeting.

  1. Once in the video effects menu, select Decorate.
  2. If your camera is currently on, it'll turn off while you choose a new background. Select Start when prompted to turn off the camera and see your options.
  3. Once you've chosen a theme, select Generate to preview options.
  4. Select Generate more for more choices. You can also select a different theme before generating more. Your previously generated option will still remain available.
  5. Select Apply and turn on video to apply a background.

decorate your space