How to Change Background in Microsoft Teams: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Navigate to the Meeting Control Panel

While you are in a meeting, go to the “Control panel.” Here, you will see the option “More actions,” which is actually three little dots. When you tap on this, you will find a whole list of options. Among them, select the “Show background effects.” 

Step 2: Select the Background

Select the background that seems to be the most practical for you. The good thing is that the “Preview” option lets you see the background before you actually apply it to the video. 

Step 3: Apply the Background

Once you are happy with the preview, tap the “Apply and turn on video” option. Then, you can continue the meeting without any distractions. 

Step 4: Remove or Change the Background

If you are dissatisfied with the currently selected meeting background, you can change or remove it. Go to More actions > Show background effects and tap on the circle with a diagonal line to remove the background. You can tap on any other given options to use as a background. 

3 Simple Ways to Customize Backgrounds for Teams

Microsoft Teams is pretty versatile with the background options. Besides choosing the background from the given options, you can upload a custom image and even blur the existing one. How? Let’s check that out. 

1. How to Use a Custom Background on Microsoft Teams?

If the default background doesn’t suit your needs, you can upload a custom background of your choice for a more professional look. Here’s how to change the background in Microsoft Teams using your preferred image.

• Join the MS Teams meeting and turn on the camera. 
• Select the “Background filters” button. 
• When the “Background settings” appear on the right side, you will see the “Add new” option on the top. Tap on it. 
• This will allow you to choose the background from your device; make sure you have a preferred image saved beforehand. 

Once you choose a custom image, it will be saved in your background options. This way, you can easily select the same background again. 

2. How to Blur Background on Microsoft Teams?

If you don’t like how backgrounds appear in the meeting, you can also blur it without any extra effort. This makes your original background less distracting and, at the same time, makes it look more professional. 

Follow these steps to blur the background on Microsoft Teams.

• Hop onto a new meeting, turn on your camera, and select the “Background filters” option. 
• The “Background settings” will appear on the right of the screen.
• The second image you see here is actually the “Blur background” option; select that. 
• Your background will appear blurred, and your image will become more focused.  

3. How to Set a Default Background for All Meetings?

Once you add a virtual background in teams, it will be set as default for all your future meetings. The background will not change until you change it again. To be on the safer side, you can always make a test call to check the background before officially joining the meeting. 

To do this, tap on your profile picture at the top of Microsoft Teams > Settings > Devices. You must choose the “Make a test call” option. Once there, you can test your mic, camera, and speaker. 

How to Change the Background in Microsoft Teams on a Mobile Phone?

Changing the background in MS Teams on a mobile phone is as easy as changing it on a laptop. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so. 

• Launch the Microsoft Teams app and join the meeting. 
• Click on the “More Actions” option at the bottom of the screen. 
• When the menu pops up, select the “Background effects.”
• Select the background you like the best. 
• To choose a custom background, tap “Add New” and upload the image from the device. 
• Once selected, tap “Done” to apply it. The new background will be visible to everyone.

Pick the Best Moments!

Microsoft Teams is indeed a helpful tool for communication and real-time collaboration. With so many collaboration features, it has made it easier to carry out team projects. 

One of its top features is the background-changing option. You can blur your background for privacy, choose from the pre-set images, or upload your custom background. And the best part? You can do this both before and during the meeting.  If you also want to learn how to do these stuff on Zoom, check out our blog. 

Now that you know how to change the background in Microsoft Teams, go ahead with your preferred background and see how they take your Teams meeting to a new level. 

If you want to save the highlights of your meetings and edit them quickly, try Framedrop.ai. It automatically finds the best moments, the key highlights of the meeting, without any extra effort.