How to Blur Your Zoom Background on Multiple Devices

Is your home office also your kids' playroom? Or maybe you woke up five minutes before a meeting and your workspace is a mess? We’ve all been there. That’s when blurring your Zoom background really saves the day!

Let’s walk through how you can quickly blur your background, no matter what device you're on so that you can focus on your meeting and not what’s behind you.

How to blur your Zoom background on multiple devices

Joining a Zoom meeting from your computer, tablet, or phone? Blurring your background is super easy, no matter the device.

Just make sure your device is up to date with the latest version of Zoom—trust me, you don’t want to deal with tech issues in the middle of a meeting.

Before you jump into blurring your Zoom background, let’s make sure your device is all set. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Windows: If you’re on a Windows computer, you’ll need at least an Intel i3 processor (5th generation or higher), with Zoom version 5.5.0 or higher. 
• macOS: For Mac users, an Intel i5 (4 cores or more) or one of the newer Apple Silicon processors like the M1 or M2, with the Zoom version 5.5.0 or higher.
• Enable virtual backgrounds: One last thing—make sure the virtual backgrounds feature is switched on in your Zoom settings (Head to Settings > Backgrounds & Filters). You’ll need that enabled to blur things out.

Whichever handheld device you’re on, double-check that Zoom is at least version 5.6.6—otherwise, the blur feature won’t show up.

Before a meeting

If you’ve got a few minutes before your meeting starts, that’s the perfect time to sort out your background. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Zoom app on your device and sign in.

2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.

3. Go to Settings.

4. Select Backgrounds & effects from the menu on the left.

5. Under Virtual Backgrounds, choose Blur.

And that’s it—your background will be a nice, clean blur when you join the meeting.

During a meeting

Already in the meeting and just realized the pile of laundry is still in view? No worries, you can blur your background mid-call too:

Just click the up arrow next to the Start/Stop Video button in the bottom-left corner of your video window, then select Blur My Background. Done!

1. Once you’ve joined a Zoom meeting or a webinar as a panelist, hover your mouse over the screen and look for the toolbar.

2. Click the ^ next to the Start/Stop Video button in the bottom-left corner of your video window.

You’re all set—no one has to know what's going on behind you.

On your mobile device

If you’re on the go and using Zoom from your mobile device, don’t worry. You can still blur your background with just a few taps:

1. Open the Zoom mobile app and join your meeting.

2. Tap the screen to bring up the meeting options.

3. Tap More in the bottom-right corner.

5. Choose Blur and your background is instantly hidden.

And that’s it!

Should you blur your Zoom background?

It’s completely up to you. Some people prefer to blur their backgrounds, while others don’t!

A blurred background adds a touch of privacy and professionalism when you’re working in a less-than-ideal environment. It’s perfect when you want to keep distractions out of the frame but don’t have time to tidy up or set up a more polished background.

However, sometimes you might want to consider other options, depending on your situation.

Blur your background vs. background image vs. natural

So, should you blur your background, use a virtual image, or just leave it as is? Here’s how to decide:

• Blur your background: Best for quick, last-minute meetings where you need to hide your surroundings without any fuss. It keeps things simple, ensuring the focus stays on you without drawing attention to what's behind you.
• Background image: If you want to personalize your meeting space or create a more branded experience, using a background image might be the way to go. You can find plenty of free Zoom backgrounds online, or you can use a company logo or a sleek office setting for a more professional look. Just ensure the image isn’t too distracting during the conversation.
• Natural background: Sometimes, authenticity wins. If your real background is tidy and professional, there’s no harm in showing it. In fact, for certain meetings, it can help build rapport and make things feel more casual or personable than some virtual backgrounds for Zoom.

At the end of the day, it’s all about matching the background to the tone of the meeting.

Connect Zoom to your scheduling software

Managing meetings can often feel like a full-time job. Zoom links, email reminders, rescheduling headaches—it can all pile up. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

Now that your background is taken care of, let’s talk about making the whole process of setting up meetings smoother. Connecting Zoom to a scheduling software tool like YouCanBookMe takes a lot of the stress out of your day-to-day.

Here’s how it helps:

• Instant Zoom link generation: As soon as someone books a meeting, Zoom creates the meeting link automatically. You don’t have to remember to send it or worry about losing track of the details—it’s already included in the confirmation email, so you’re always ready to go.
• Streamlined scheduling: You know the drill. “Does this time work for you?” “No, how about this time?” It’s a frustrating back-and-forth. With a scheduling link, people see when you’re free and choose a time that works for them. Easy, efficient, and no more headaches.

• Automated reminders: We’ve all dealt with no-shows. But with automated reminders sent out before the meeting, you’re much less likely to face that issue. Either through email or SMS, your clients or team members will get a reminder with the Zoom link and the details they need.
• Syncs with your calendar: Your calendar is your lifeline, and the last thing you need is double bookings. When your scheduling software syncs with Google or Apple, everything stays up to date, and the Zoom meeting, complete with the link, is added to your calendar automatically.
• Less admin, more action: The best part? You’re no longer bogged down by scheduling tasks. Instead of worrying about sending links or reminding people, you can focus on simply attending your meetings.

It's a wrap!

Blurring your Zoom background is a small trick, but it can make a big difference—whether you're jumping into a quick meeting or presenting to clients. And with Zoom connected to your scheduling software like YouCanBookMe, the whole process of setting up and running meetings becomes a lot more manageable.

Think about it: no more fumbling with last-minute Zoom links, no more endless email chains trying to find a time that works, and no more forgotten meetings. It’s all handled automatically, giving you more time to focus on the meeting itself.

For a smoother meeting experience, try using YouCanBookMe with Zoom’s background blur feature. Sign up free today!