Microsoft Teams includes several useful features that make it easier and more fun to use. One such feature is the ability to change backgrounds in Teams. In Teams, you don’t have to explain your surroundings or your home background in a video call. Working from home can bring its own set of challenges, such as pets, family members, and other things you don’t want others to notice. You can also add cool backgrounds to Teams, and in this post we’ll tell you how.
Using a custom background for a video call in Teams will make your look stand out and look attractive. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how to set a background in Teams, and I will share the resources to create as well as create custom backgrounds.
Let’s start.
How to Change Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams
There are two things you can do with your past. For starters, you can blur your background so you can defocus your surroundings and accentuate your look. The other is using a virtual background. As of now, the feature is not available on the web and mobile app. Currently, only Windows and macOS desktop clients are supported.
Open the app and connect or make a video call. Click on the three-dot menu icon that says More actions when you hover your mouse over it and select Background effects.
The first option is the fuzzy one, but as you scroll further you’ll find offices, parties, Minecraft and a few more options. Options are limited. That said, I’ve compiled a list of resources where you can find some great backgrounds for Microsoft Teams (see next section).
Click the Preview button to see how it looks before applying it so other participants will notice it too.
Pro Tip: Turn off your video before joining a meeting to prevent anyone from viewing your real background. It may take a few seconds to select and apply a new background. Click the video icon to disable the video. Some laptops, such as the ThinkPad, also come with a physical webcam shutter button.
How to Add Custom Backgrounds to Teams
You can download the coolest backgrounds, but how do you use them? Unlike Zoom, there is no direct way to upload these background images to Microsoft Teams. Fortunately, there is a clever workaround you can follow.
Windows users will need to navigate to the following folder structure to save your downloaded or custom background images.
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads
Mac users will have to follow this folder structure to place their background images.
~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/Backgrounds
Note: You may need to set a background before the necessary folders are created. This solution is for people who cannot navigate to the above folder structure. Set the background and then try again.
Let’s take a look at a few resources to get some great custom backgrounds.
1. WallpaperHub
WallpaperHub offers a selection of wallpapers taken from different image hosting sites. You’ll find a collection of backgrounds for Microsoft Teams divided into different categories such as showroom, grumpy cat, Tiger King, Star Wars, Pixar, and more.
Most of you won’t have to look elsewhere as their collections are quite large. They also took some of this background from the official Twitter handles of these franchises.
2. History of Teams
A site dedicated to collecting and presenting some of the best Microsoft Teams backgrounds on the web. I found some really cool graffiti pictures, home and office designs, MCU and DCEU pictures and even some old but iconic and funny cartoon characters.
Since these are free sources of background images for Teams, there will be some conflicts. But you will also find some new categories and images here. Remember, fans of these apps and franchises are always working hard to create new backgrounds.
3. NASA
NASA offers a collection of backgrounds for its Zoom and Teams video conferencing apps. These are high quality images of our solar system and some galaxies far, far away.
There’s a handy search bar at the top for filtering out background images.
4. BBC World
The BBC turned things crazy with the release of some HD footage of Mother Nature.
Shots include both land and marine life in their natural habitat. Nature and pet lovers will definitely love these Microsoft Teams background images.
5. Canva
Canva is an excellent cloud-based image editor that we use all the time at GT. They host a huge collection of templates, elements, and background images for all occasions. Below is a link to virtual background templates for Teams.
You can replace the Teams keyword with Zoom to find more images. The images are excellent, but you can use Canva’s editor to add or remove elements as you wish.
Subtle Changes
Now that you know how to change the background image in Microsoft Teams, apply it to your Teams account. While I have shared several resources for downloading virtual background images of all types, you can tap on no-stock image hosting sites to search for more photos. Alternatively, you can create a custom image and share it with the world.
Next: Can’t view all channels in Microsoft Teams? Learn how to show/hide channels in any app with a simple step-by-step guide.
