Imagine sitting in your favorite place and participating in a video call. You can create a somewhat similar experience using virtual backgrounds. We previously covered how to use the virtual background in Zoom. If you are using Google Meet for video calls, this post will help you change the background in Google Meet.
Previously, you needed Snap Camera or a third-party extension to use virtual backgrounds in Google Meet. Fortunately, that has now changed. Besides blurring the background, Google Meet also supports using custom backgrounds. Wondering how to change the background in Google Meet on Android, iPhone, iPad and computer? Find the answer here.
Let’s start with computers first, then mobile apps.
How to Add Virtual Background in Google Meet on PC
You can change the background before joining a video or during a video call. Let’s check the steps for both. However, before that, you should know a few important things.
- You can change the background on Windows, Mac and Linux using the steps outlined below.
- If your camera is turned off when you choose a virtual background, it will be activated automatically.
- If you’re joining a call without logging into a Google account or need to click the door to be accepted, you can change the background on the video call once.
- If you are participating in a Google Workspace for Education video call, you cannot select your background images.
- The background blur option is currently available in the Chrome browser (M84 and higher versions only). Other browsers do not support the feature.
- For Chromebooks, you must be using Chrome OS M86 or higher.
- You must enable Chrome Hardware acceleration. For this go to Settings in Chrome > Advanced > System. Enable Use hardware acceleration. Restart Chrome.
- Your browser must support WebGL 2.0.
Change Background in Google Meet Before Joining a Conversation
Stage 1: Go to the meeting join screen in Google Meet. You will see a preview of your video. Click on the change background icon.
Fly: If you don’t see the Change background icon, click the three-dot icon and select Change background.
Step 2: The previously exported backgrounds will appear. You can choose one of them or click the Add (+) icon to add your background from your computer.
Alternatively, you can only blur the existing background without using any virtual background. You get two blur options – slightly blurred or blur the background completely. Use them as needed.
You will see a preview of yourself in the background. Click Join Now to join the meeting.
Fly: Learn how to download fun backgrounds for Google Meet, Zoom, and other supported apps.
Changing Background in Google Meet During a Call
When you join a Google Meet meeting, click the three dots icon at the bottom. Select Change background from the menu.
You will now be greeted by some backgrounds offered by Google. You can choose one of them, upload your own, or just blur the background using the available options as we did above.
Fly: Check out various ways to fix Google Meet background blur not working.
How to Remove Virtual Background in Google Meet on PC
If at any point you decide to stop using the virtual background, you do not need to disconnect the call. Just press the three-dot icon at the bottom while searching. Select Change background. Next, click the Turn off backgrounds button.
How to Add Virtual Background in Google Meet on Android, iPhone and iPad
Unfortunately, you cannot completely change the background in the Google Meet mobile apps. However, you can blur the background as shown below. However, certain requirements must be met for this. Them:
- You must be using an Android device running Android 9.0 Pie or higher.
- You must have an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 12 and later.
- Your Android device should have at least 3GB RAM, 4 CPU cores, 1.6GHz CPU clock speed and ARM64 architecture.
Select the meeting or add the meeting code to blur the background before entering the video. You will see your appearance. Tap on Blur your background icon. A preview will appear. If you like it, click Join now to enter the meeting. Alternatively, press the same button to turn it off.
If you’ve already joined a meeting, tap your video preview. Then tap the Blur your background icon to enable background blur. Use the same option to disable it.
Try New Backgrounds
While it may be tempting to use a virtual background or blur the background, there are disadvantages. Your computer may slow down when using a virtual background. Similarly, its use will affect the battery on mobile devices. We recommend using it if you are not doing any other work on your computer and you have enough juice left in your phone. A better option would be to charge your phone while you use it.
