How to Enable Blur Background On Zoom

When a custom virtual background is unavailable or not suiting your needs, but you still want to maintain some privacy with regards to your surroundings, the blur background option can be a great alternative. This option simply blurs the background of your video, obscuring exactly who or what is behind you. It’s great for hiding a cluttered dorm room, taking a meeting in a coffee shop, or just keeping things professional. 

Prerequisites for using blurred background

• Zoom desktop client: 
  • Windows: 5.5.0 (12454.0131) or higher
  • macOS: 5.5.0 (12467.0131) or higher
  • Linux: 5.7.6 (31792.0820) or higher
• Zoom mobile app: 
  • Android: 5.6.6 (2076) or higher
  • iOS: 5.6.6 (423) or higher
• Meet the system requirements for Virtual Background
  • Desktop clients must meet the requirements in the “Images only without a green screen” sections
  • Mobile apps must meet the device requirements for Android and iOS.

How to enable blur background

The Blur option is just a variant of the virtual background options, and is directly controlled by the Virtual Background setting. Please refer to the Enabling Virtual Background section of the Virtual Background support article. 

Windows | macOS | Linux

How to enable blur background before a meeting

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click your profile picture, then click  Settings.
   
3. Select Backgrounds & Filters .
   Note: If you do not have the Virtual Background tab and you have enabled it on the web portal, sign out of the Zoom desktop client and sign in again.
4. Click the Blur option.
   Your background will become blurred behind you, obscuring your surroundings.

How to enable blur background during a meeting

1. Join a Zoom Meeting or a Webinar as a panelist. 
2. In the bottom-left corner of the video window, click the up arrow  button next to the Start Video  / Stop Video  button. 
3. Click Blur My Background. 
   Note: This option requires version 5.9.3 or higher. Please refer to the section above to control the blur background feature when using older versions. 

Android | iOS

How to enable blur background during a meeting

1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
2. While in a Zoom meeting, tap  More in the controls.
   
3. Tap Virtual Background (Android) or Background and Filters (iOS).
4. Tap the Blur option.
   Your background will become blurred behind you, obscuring your surroundings.