Blurring your background makes your surroundings appear out of focus so people can't see the details of what's going on behind you. Alternatively, you can completely replace your surroundings with one of the preset backgrounds, or add one of your own.

Your Webex site administrator must enable virtual backgrounds for your site in order to use them.

Having issues or don't see the Change Background option? Check the list of requirements to make sure your Webex version and computer or device support virtual backgrounds.


Using a virtual background increases the CPU usage of your computer or mobile device and therefore may impact your battery life.

On Mac or Windows, you can use virtual backgrounds in meetings and events using the Webex Meetings desktop app.

Changing your background isn't supported in Webex Training.

Before You Join

Click Change Background and then do one of the following:

  • To blur your surroundings while remaining in focus, click Blur.

  • To use a default virtual background, click the one you want.

  • To use your own image for the virtual background, tap the + icon.

    We recommend that you use an image that's 1280 × 720 pixels in size or larger. Images must be in the .jpg or .png format.

Virtual background options

During a Meeting

  1. In your self-view window, click the Video options icon, choose Change Virtual Background, and do one of the following:

    • To blur your surroundings while remaining in focus, click Blur.

    • To use a default virtual background, click the one you want.

    • To use your own image for the virtual background, tap the + icon.

    Change virtual background from Video Options

  2. When you're ready for everyone in the meeting to see your background, click Apply. Webex remembers your selection for your next meeting.

You can use virtual backgrounds in meetings, events, and training sessions using the Webex Meetings mobile app. You can change your background after you join. If you don't want anyone to be distracted by your surroundings before you set your virtual background, join the meeting with your video turned off.

To use virtual backgrounds for WBS40.4.12 sites and later, your site administrator only needs to select Enable virtual background in Common Site Settings. For earlier sites, they must also enable Display user avatars in the meeting client (Meetings).

1

Tap Video Video, and then tap Virtual Background.

2

Do one of the following:

  • To blur your surroundings while remaining in focus, tap Blur.

  • To use a default virtual background, tap the one you want.

  • To use your own image for the virtual background, tap the + icon.


     

    We recommend that you use an image that's 1280 × 720 pixels for landscape, and 1280x1920 pixels for portrait. Images must be in the .jpg or .png format.

    The image you choose saves to your computer or mobile device so you can use it again for later meetings. Images only save to the device you add them to. If want to use the same image on another device, you need to add it to your new device.Change your video background in Webex Meetings
3

When you're ready for everyone in the meeting to see your background, tap Apply. Webex remembers your selection for your next meeting.

On Android devices, you can use virtual backgrounds in Webex meetings using the Webex Meetings mobile app. You can change your background after you join. If you don't want anyone to be distracted by your surroundings before you set your virtual background, join the meeting with your video turned off.

Changing your background isn't supported in Webex Training and Webex Events.

1

Tap Video Video and then tap Virtual Background.

2

Do one of the following:

  • To blur your surroundings while remaining in focus, tap Blur.
  • To use a default virtual background, tap the one you want.
  • To use your own image for the virtual background, tap the + icon.

     

    We recommend that you use an image that's 1280 × 720 pixels for landscape, and 1280x1920 pixels for portrait. Images must be in the .jpg or .png format.

    The image you choose saves to your computer or mobile device so you can use it again for later meetings. Images only save to the device you add them to. If want to use the same image on another device, you need to add it to your new device.

Change your video background in Webex Meetings
3

When you're ready for everyone in the meeting to see your background, tap APPLY. Webex remembers your selection for your next meeting.

Requirements

We've put together information about the Webex versions, operating systems, and computers and devices that support virtual backgrounds. The option to change your background doesn't appear if these requirements aren't met.

If you're using Windows, Change Background may not work, even though the option appears.

Windows

Webex Version:

  • WBS40.6.6—Blurred background and background replacement

  • WBS40.8 and later—Blurred background, background replacement, and custom backgrounds

Operating System:

  • Windows 8 or Windows 10 64-bit

Processor:

  • Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 4000 series processor or higher

  • Intel Core i9 dual-core processor or higher***

  • Intel Xeon dual-core processor or higher***

  • Other Intel processors: 6 cores or higher***

  • AMD Ryzen 5, 7, 9 processor, or higher

  • Other AMD processors: 6 cores or higher***

  • Non-Intel and non-AMD processors: 8 cores or higher

  • Apple M1***

Memory:

  • 4GB or more of RAM

Mac

Webex version:

  • WBS40.6.6—Blurred background and background replacement

  • WBS40.8 and later—Blurred background, background replacement, and custom backgrounds

Operating system:

  • macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) and later

Processor:

  • Apple M1***

  • Intel Core i9 dual-core processor or higher**

  • Intel Core i7 quad-core processor or higher

  • Intel Core i7 5000 series dual-core processor or higher*

  • Intel Core i5 6000 series dual-core processor or higher*

  • Intel Core i5 3000 series quad-core processor or higher**

  • Intel Core i3 8000 series dual-core processor or higher***

  • Intel Xeon dual-core processor or higher**

  • Intel Core m3 7000 series dual-core processor or higher**

  • Other Intel processors: 6 cores or higher**

  • Non-Intel and non-Apple processors: 8 cores or higher**

    *Requires Webex version WBS40.9 or later

    **Requires Webex version WBS40.10 or later

    ***Requires Webex version WBS41.1 or later

iOS

Webex version:

  • WBS39.8 and later

Device:

  • iPhone 7 and later

  • iPad (5th generation) and later

  • iPad Pro and later

  • iPad mini (5th generation) and later

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) and later

Android

Webex version:

  • WBS40.7 and later

Operating system:

  • Android 9.0 (Pie) and later

Processor:

  • Snapdragon 845

  • Samsung Exynos 9810

  • Equivalent processors with eight or more cores

Memory:

  • 3.5 GB or more of RAM

Only Android devices that meet these requirements are supported.

Best Practices

These tips can help make sure you distinguish yourself from your surroundings so that you get the most out of using virtual backgrounds.

  • Make sure the area you're in is well lit.

  • Sit in front of a wall or other static backdrop.

  • Wear clothes that are a different color than your surroundings.

Depending on the capabilities of your computer, you may want to close any programs that have high CPU or GPU usage that are running in the background. Doing so can improve performance when using virtual backgrounds.