In this tutorial, we will show you how to download and use Zoom backgrounds. Up until last year or so, when it came to group video calls, Skype was the preferred choice. However, in the year 2020, there has been a drastic change in the landscape. Apps like the Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom have seen a tremendous rise in their userbase. While the former two already had a big brand name associated with them, it wasn’t the case with the latter. However, as it turns out, Zoom has managed to outdo all of its competitors.
The ability to add up to 100 participants in normal calls, and over 500 by using add-ons, has really made it the standout from the crowds. Add to the tons of customizations it has to offer, and one couldn’t have asked for more. In this regard, the app allows you to use numerous types of custom backgrounds that you could apply to your group calls. After all, you wouldn’t like to show your messy bedroom in the background, isn’t it? With that said, this guide will help you out to download and use fun Zoom backgrounds. Follow along for the steps.
How to Download Zoom Backgrounds
The app already offers some preset backgrounds that you could use in your group calls. However, the number is limited, and more importantly, doesn’t match everyone’s needs. Fortunately, they also have an option to upload your own custom backgrounds.
But it gets really challenging to find that perfect image from the plethora of backgrounds available online. To help you out, we are listing some of the websites that offer free high-quality royal images as well as some options that provide paid images. You could refer to the one that suits your requirements.
Websites offering Free and Paid Images
In this regard, there are quite a few websites that offer free images legally in full HD quality. You could download and use any of them and use it as your Zoom background. Some of the noteworthy ones include Pixabay and Unsplash. For most, Pixabay has been their go-to site for downloading images across varied domains without shelling out any bucks. It offers over 1.8 million+ high-quality stock images, videos, vector graphics illustrations, and more.
Just for downloading images in full HD quality, you might need to create a free account, for others, no account creation is required. However, if Pixabay cannot match your requirements, then Unsplash should definitely. It also beholds tons of free high-quality images that could be downloaded absolutely free. There are a large number of categories that you could make full use of as well.
In some cases. the free option might not prove to be the best bet. If both of the above options didn’t manage to provide the desired images, then you could try out the paid options. In this regard, Adobe Stock Images or Shutterstock are two big players in the market. So head over to any of the four free/paid alternatives given above and download the image/images of your choice. Once the download is done, refer to the below instructions to use these images as your Zoom backgrounds.
How to Add Wallpapers to Zoom
Now that you have downloaded the images, its time to apply them as your background. Follow the below steps for that. First of all, we will list out the steps to do so on Windows and Mac. This will then be followed by the steps for your smartphone. Follow along.
Applying Wallpapers on Windows/Mac
- Open the Zoom app on your PC or Mac.
- Then click on the Settings icon situated at the top-right corner.
- From the left menu bar, click on the Virtual Background option.
- Subsequently, click on the Plus icon situated at the extreme right, just beneath your video
- From the menu that appears, choose Add Image or Add Video as per the need, select the desired image and that is it.
These were the steps to download and use Zoom backgrounds on your Mac or PC setup. Let’s now turn our attention towards the steps for the same on your smartphones.
Applying Zoom Background Wallpapers on Mobile Devices
- Launch the Zoom app (iOS | Android) on your smartphone and sign in with your account details.
- Then tap on the More option situated at the bottom right.
- Select the Virtual background option from the menu that appears
- Now tap on the + icon to upload a new image and it will then be automatically applied.
Apply Backgrounds During a Live Zoom Meeting
If you have already downloaded the required Zoom background but haven’t yet applied, you could do so even in the middle of a live meeting. Here is how this could be done:
- While in the meeting, click on the upward arrow (^) next to the Start/Stop Video option.
- next up, click on Choose a virtual background.
- Select the desired image and that is it.
So with this, we conclude the guide on how to download and use Zoom backgrounds. We have listed the steps for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Furthermore, we have also shown how to apply these custom backgrounds while in the middle of the meeting. If you still have any doubts, do let us know in the comments below. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that you should check out as well.