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Zoom has become an essential tool for meetings, classes, and social gatherings in our increasingly digital world. One way to personalize your Zoom experience is by adding a background to your video calls. This can help you express your personality, maintain privacy, or create a professional atmosphere. If you’re using Zoom on your iPhone, you might be wondering how to add a background to your video. In this blog post, we will explore several methods to help you achieve that.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding Background on Zoom on iPhone
While Zoom offers built-in options to add virtual backgrounds on desktop platforms, the mobile app has certain limitations. Unfortunately, the feature to add a background directly on the Zoom app is not available on iPhones. However, there are workarounds that can help you achieve the desired effect. In the following sections, we will discuss various methods to add a background on Zoom using an iPhone, along with their respective pros and cons.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start adding a background on Zoom, there are a few things you should have prepared:
1. An iPhone with Zoom app installed: Ensure that you have the Zoom app installed on your iPhone and it is updated to the latest version.
2. Virtual backgrounds: Prepare the virtual backgrounds you want to use in advance. These can be images or videos saved on your iPhone.
3. Access to Zoom settings: Make sure you have access to the Zoom settings in the app.
Method 1: Using Zoom Virtual Backgrounds
Zoom offers a variety of virtual backgrounds that you can use during your video calls. While the option to add custom backgrounds from your iPhone is not available, you can still use the pre-installed backgrounds provided by Zoom. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Zoom app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Join or start a meeting.
Step 3: Tap on the "More" button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Select "Virtual Background" from the menu.
Step 5: Choose one of the pre-installed backgrounds from the list.
Step 6: The background will be applied to your video.
Pros:
– Easy to use with pre-installed backgrounds.
– No need to prepare custom backgrounds in advance.
Cons:
– Limited to the pre-installed background options.
– Cannot add custom images or videos.
Method 2: Using Snapchat Filters
Snapchat is a popular social media app known for its wide range of fun filters and effects. While Zoom does not have a direct integration with Snapchat, you can still use Snapchat filters and apply them to your Zoom video on your iPhone. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Apply the desired filter to your face.
Step 3: Tap and hold on your face until the filter is locked.
Step 4: Without closing Snapchat, open the Zoom app.
Step 5: Join or start a meeting.
Step 6: The Snapchat filter will be applied to your video in Zoom.
Pros:
– Access to a wide range of fun filters from Snapchat.
– Can create unique and eye-catching backgrounds.
Cons:
– Requires the use of both Snapchat and Zoom simultaneously.
– Limited to the filters available on Snapchat.
Method 3: Using Green Screens and Third-Party Apps
If you want to use custom images or videos as backgrounds on your Zoom calls, you can utilize a green screen and third-party apps. Here’s how:
Step 1: Set up a green screen or a solid color backdrop behind you.
Step 2: Open the Zoom app on your iPhone.
Step 3: Join or start a meeting.
Step 4: Tap on the "More" button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 5: Select "Virtual Background" from the menu.
Step 6: Tap on the "+" icon to add a new background.
Step 7: Choose the image or video you want to use from your iPhone’s photo library.
Step 8: Adjust the settings and position of your video to match the green screen.
Pros:
– Allows for complete customization of backgrounds.
– Can use any image or video from your iPhone’s library.
Cons:
– Requires additional equipment like a green screen.
– May need to purchase or download a third-party app for green screen effects.
Method 4: Via Zoom on PC or Mac
While this method involves using a computer, it provides a way to add custom backgrounds to your Zoom calls, which can then be viewed on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open Zoom on your PC or Mac.
Step 2: Join or start a meeting.
Step 3: Click on the arrow next to the "Stop Video" button.
Step 4: Select "Choose Virtual Background" from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Customize your background by selecting an image or video file.
Step 6: Close the Zoom app on your computer.
Step 7: Open the Zoom app on your iPhone.
Step 8: Join or start a meeting.
Step 9: The background you set on your computer will be applied to your video on the iPhone.
Pros:
– Can use custom images or videos as backgrounds.
– No need for a green screen or third-party apps on the iPhone.
Cons:
– Requires access to a computer with Zoom installed.
– The background customization needs to be done on a computer.
Why Can’t I Add Background on Zoom on iPhone?
There are a few reasons why you might be unable to add a background directly on the Zoom app on your iPhone:
1. Limited mobile features: The mobile version of the Zoom app does not currently have the option to add virtual backgrounds. This feature is primarily available on desktop platforms.
2. Processing power and performance: Adding virtual backgrounds can be a resource-intensive task, requiring significant processing power. Some older iPhone models may not have the necessary hardware capabilities to support this feature.
3. Software limitations: The Zoom app for iPhone is designed to prioritize stability and reliability for smooth video conferencing. Adding complex background effects may not be a priority for the mobile app’s development.
To fix these limitations, you can explore alternative methods, such as using pre-installed virtual backgrounds, Snapchat filters, or utilizing a green screen and third-party apps.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to enhance your background experience on Zoom on iPhone:
1. Opt for a clutter-free background: Choose a background that is clean and free from distractions to keep the focus on the meeting or presentation.
2. Good lighting is crucial: Ensure that you have adequate lighting in the room to enhance the visibility and quality of your video.
3. Test the background beforehand: Before joining an important meeting, test the background to ensure it appears as intended and doesn’t interfere with your video.
5 FAQs about Adding Background on Zoom on iPhone
Q1: Can I add a custom background using the Zoom app on my iPhone?
A: No, the Zoom app for iPhone does not currently support the direct addition of custom backgrounds. However, you can use alternative methods such as Snapchat filters or a green screen setup.
Q2: Are there any recommended dimensions for custom backgrounds?
A: Zoom recommends using images with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of at least 1280×720 pixels for the best results.
Q3: Can I use Zoom’s virtual background feature on older iPhone models?
A: Older iPhone models with limited processing power may not support the virtual background feature due to hardware limitations. Consider using alternative methods like pre-installed virtual backgrounds or green screen setups.
Q4: I don’t have a green screen. Can I still use custom backgrounds on Zoom?
A: While a green screen setup provides the most flexibility, you can still use custom images or videos as backgrounds without a green screen. However, the results may not be as seamless.
Q5: Can I use the Zoom virtual background feature on Android devices?
A: Yes, the Zoom virtual background feature is available on Android devices. You can follow similar steps as mentioned in the methods above to add backgrounds on Zoom via Android.
In Conclusion
Though adding custom backgrounds on the Zoom app for iPhone might not be as straightforward as on desktop platforms, there are still various methods available to achieve a similar effect. Whether you choose to use pre-installed virtual backgrounds, Snapchat filters, or a green screen setup, you can add a personal touch to your Zoom video calls. Experiment with different methods and have fun customizing your background to create a unique and professional video conferencing experience.