Changing Your Background in Microsoft Teams Meetings

Microsoft has introduced a background feature in Microsoft Teams, similar to virtual backgrounds in Zoom. However, Microsoft Teams doesn't officially support custom backgrounds from third parties yet. The initial release comes with around 20 different backgrounds, which might be more than enough for many, but not for everyone. Here's how to change your background in Teams on your phone or computer.

Guide on How to Change Your Background in Microsoft Teams Meetings
 

1. How to Change Background in Microsoft Teams on PC

- Get Microsoft Teams from this link

Step 1: Open File Explorer and copy the background image you want to use for Microsoft Teams meetings.
Step 2: Now, navigate to the Uploads folder in Microsoft Teams on your computer.
- On Mac: Go to Users > (username) > Library > Application > Support > Microsoft > Teams > Backgrounds > Uploads.
- On Windows: Navigate to drive C (or where Windows is installed), and go to Users > (username) > AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Teams > Backgrounds > Uploads
Or you can open My Computer or any file browser window and paste the following path into the address bar.
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads
Then, press Enter and you'll be taken to the Uploads folder of Microsoft Teams.

Step 3: Paste your image into the Upload folder and close File Explorer.
Step 4: Launch the Microsoft Teams app on your computer.
Step 5: Start a video call or meeting and click on the 3 dots and choose Show background effects.

Step 6: Check the right-hand sidebar and you'll find various backgrounds available there. Scroll down to find your own background.
Step 7: Click on a background to select it and click the Preview button to see how it will look or the Apply button to set the chosen image as your background immediately.

2. How to Change Background in Microsoft Teams on Mobile

- Get Microsoft Teams for Android
- Get Microsoft Teams for iPhone

Changing background in Microsoft Teams on Samsung, Xiaomi, iPhone, and other phones is as follows:

Step 1: After accessing the meeting link on Microsoft Teams. While waiting, click 'Background effects' (Image 1). Click the '...' icon in the bottom right corner (Image 2) when you want to change the background.  

Step 2: Click 'Background effects' (Image 3). Now, backgrounds will appear, and you can choose one from them (Image 4).

Or you can choose these options to change the background:
- Click the Blur feature (Image 5) to blur the background behind. 
- Click the plus sign (Image 6) to add your desired background image from your photo library. 
- Click the circular icon with a diagonal line (Image 7) if you no longer want to use a background. 

That way, you can change the background in Microsoft Teams with your custom image through a few simple steps. Also, check out the list of Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Teams here.