Change your background in three steps

Open Microsoft Teams and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Devices, then Camera. Under "Background settings," choose Blur, None, or pick an image from the gallery — or upload your own photo. The change takes effect when ready in your next call or meeting.

If you are on a Mac, the path is the same. On mobile (iPhone or Android), tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Devices, then Camera, and the background options appear in the same place. Teams remembers your choice, so you will not have to reset it for every meeting.

You can also change your background during an active call. Look for the three dots (more options) in the meeting controls at the bottom of your screen, select Show background effects, and pick a new background without leaving the meeting. This is useful if you realize mid-call that your real background is messy or distracting.

Key Takeaways

  • Background settings live in your profile picture menu under Settings > Devices > Camera, and the change applies to all future calls automatically.
  • Teams offers blur (which softens your real background), none (which shows your real background), or a solid color or image from the built-in gallery.
  • You can upload your own image as a background, which is useful if you want a branded backdrop or a specific photo instead of the default options.
  • During an active meeting, you can change your background without disconnecting by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting Show background effects.
  • Mobile devices (iPhone and Android) have the same background settings in the same location as the desktop version.

Using the built-in background gallery

Teams comes with a set of pre-made backgrounds you can use without uploading anything. These include solid colors, abstract designs, and professional-looking office scenes. To see them, go to Settings > Devices > Camera and scroll through the gallery under "Background settings."

The gallery changes occasionally as Microsoft updates Teams, so you may see new options if you have not checked in a while. These backgrounds are designed to look professional in video calls without being distracting. If none of them match what you want, you can upload your own image instead.

Upload a custom background image

To use your own photo as a background, go to Settings > Devices > Camera and look for an Add new or + button near the bottom of the background gallery. Click it and select an image file from your computer. Teams accepts JPG, PNG, and BMP files.

The image should be at least 360 pixels wide and 360 pixels tall, though larger images work better. If your image is too small, Teams will stretch it, which can look blurry. Once you upload it, the image appears in your background list and stays there until you delete it.

You can upload multiple images and switch between them for different meetings. This is helpful if you want a branded background for client calls and a different one for team meetings. Delete an image by right-clicking it in the background list and selecting delete.

Blur your background instead of replacing it

If you want to keep your real background but make it less visible, select Blur instead of choosing an image. Blur softens everything behind you so people can still see that you are in a room, but they cannot read text on your wall, see what is on your desk, or make out details in the background.

Blur is lighter on your computer's processor than using a custom image, so it may perform better on older machines or slower internet connections. If your camera or internet is struggling, blur is often a good middle ground between showing your real background and using a custom image.

Why your background might not be working

Background effects require your camera to be on and working. If you have disabled your camera in Teams settings, background effects will not appear. Check Settings > Devices > Camera and make sure the camera is enabled.

Some older computers or cameras do not support background effects at all. If the background settings are grayed out or missing, your hardware may not meet the requirements. In that case, blur is usually the only option available.

If you uploaded a custom image and it is not showing up, the file may be too large or in an unsupported format. Teams accepts JPG, PNG, and BMP only — not GIF, TIFF, or other formats. Try converting the image to JPG and uploading it again.

Background settings for different meeting types

Your background choice applies to all Teams calls and meetings, whether you are in a one-on-one chat, a team meeting, or a large webinar. You cannot set different backgrounds for different people or groups — the same background appears in every call until you change it.

If you want to use a different background for a specific meeting, you can change it during the call using the three-dot menu. This does not change your default setting, so your original background will be back for your next meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see my background before I join a meeting?

No. Your background only appears once you are in the meeting or call. Before you join, other participants see your profile picture and name. Once you turn on your camera, your background effect takes over.

Does using a background slow down my internet or computer?

Custom images and blur both use a small amount of processing power, but the effect is usually not noticeable on modern computers. If your internet is very slow or your computer is old, blur uses less power than a custom image. If you are having trouble with video quality, try disabling the background effect and see if the call improves.

What happens if I delete a custom background image?

The image is removed from your background list and you cannot use it again unless you upload it a second time. If you were using that image in a meeting, your background will switch to whatever your default setting was before the meeting started.

Can I use a video or animated GIF as a background?

No. Teams only supports still images in JPG, PNG, and BMP format. Animated backgrounds are not available, even if you upload a GIF file.

Why does my background look blurry or pixelated?

If your custom image is smaller than 360 by 360 pixels, Teams stretches it to fit, which makes it look blurry. Use a larger image, at least 1920 by 1080 pixels if possible. If the blur effect itself looks bad, your camera resolution may be low — try adjusting your camera settings in Teams or your operating system.