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Microsoft Teams lets you blur your room, choose a built-in image, or upload your own background before or during a meeting. The exact menu names depend on whether you use work or school Teams, Teams Free, mobile, or Teams for Education.
Custom backgrounds must be .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP files. Teams does not document a download button for exporting its built-in backgrounds, so save a free image to your device first and add it through Add new.
Change your background before a Teams meeting on desktop
For the current work or school version of Microsoft Teams:
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- Select the meeting and click Join.
- On the pre-join screen, select Effects and avatars.
- Choose one of the displayed Teams backgrounds.
- Join the meeting when you are ready.
You can also choose a blur effect instead of an image. Select the arrow beside Blur, then choose Standard blur or Portrait blur.
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The selected effect normally stays active for later meetings and calls until you change it.
Change the background during a desktop meeting
- Move the pointer over the meeting window to show the controls.
- Select More actions (…).
- Choose Video effects and settings.
- Open Video effects.
- Select a built-in background or another effect.
- Choose Preview to check it, then select Apply.
If the camera is off, turn it on before trying to preview the background. Teams needs the camera feed to show the effect.
Upload your own Teams background on desktop
You do not need to copy an image into a special Teams folder. The supported method is the file picker:
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- Open the background controls before joining or while in the meeting.
- Before joining, select Effects and avatars, then More video effects. During a meeting, go to More actions → Video effects and settings → Video effects.
- Select Add new.
- Browse to the image on your computer and select it.
- Choose the uploaded image from the background gallery.
- Select Preview, then Apply.
Microsoft currently documents these custom-file types:
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| Supported format | Typical use |
|---|---|
| .JPG or .JPEG | Photographs and compressed artwork |
| .PNG | Graphics, text, and artwork |
| .BMP | Uncompressed bitmap images |
Microsoft’s current documentation specifies the file types but does not state a maximum pixel dimension or file-size limit. If an image will not upload, convert it to JPG or PNG and try again rather than relying on an undocumented Teams size requirement.
Remove a Teams background
Open the same background-effects menu and select None. This disables the blur or replacement image and returns your actual surroundings to the camera view. The choice remains in effect until you select another background or effect.
Use Teams Free
Teams Free uses different labels from the standard work and school interface.
Before joining on desktop
- Open the Meet tab.
- Select the meeting and choose Join.
- Select Video effects.
- Open Backgrounds.
- Choose a built-in image, or select More video effects → Add new to upload one.
- Select None if you want to disable the background effect.
During a Teams Free meeting
- Select More actions.
- Choose Video effects and settings.
- Under Backgrounds, select an image, Add new, or None.
- Select Preview.
- Choose Apply and turn on Video.
Teams Free backgrounds and AR effects require at least 2 GB RAM and a dual-core processor from 2018 or later, according to Microsoft. Filters are desktop-only; that restriction does not remove the basic ability to select or upload a meeting background.
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Change your background in the Teams mobile app
Before joining
- Open Teams calendar and tap the meeting.
- Tap Join.
- Tap Background effects.
- Choose a video effect, tap Add new to select an image, or choose None.
- Tap Done.
During a meeting
- Tap the screen to display the meeting controls.
- Tap More.
- Choose Background effects. In Teams Free, this may instead be labeled Change background.
- Select an effect, choose Add new, or tap None.
- Tap Done. If Done is not visible in Teams Free, tap the X at the top of the screen.
For Android, Microsoft documents support beginning with Teams version 1416/1.0.0.2021143402, Android 10 or later, and one of these GPU families: Qualcomm Adreno 610 or later, Arm Mali-G71 or later, or Arm Mali-T720 or later. Microsoft does not list equivalent iOS hardware requirements on the cited support page.
Teams for Education
Education accounts can still show older menu labels. Before joining, open Calendar → Join → Effects and avatars. To add a file, open Background filters and select + Add new. Education documentation lists .JPG, .PNG, and .BMP as supported formats.
During a class meeting, use More actions → Apply background effects. Select a background, choose Preview, and then select Apply and turn on video.
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Where to download free Teams background images
Microsoft’s Teams Free documentation links to Microsoft Create for customizable background effects. You can also use other reputable free-image or design services, provided you have permission to use the image. Look for a clean landscape, office, room, abstract pattern, or branded design that works well behind a person.
The practical workflow is:
- Download or save the image to your computer or phone.
- Check that it is a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file.
- Open Teams and choose Add new.
- Select the saved file in the file picker.
- Preview it and apply the background.
Teams does not document a command, URL, or built-in Download button for exporting images from its included background gallery. If you want one of Microsoft’s built-in designs outside Teams, use a separately downloadable image from Microsoft Create or another source instead of trying to locate an internal Teams folder.
Tips for making a custom background work
- Keep important text away from the center. Your body may cover it, and Teams can mirror your self-view.
- Use a simple, uncluttered image. Fine patterns and thin lines can look unstable around your outline.
- Check the image in Preview. A design that looks correct as a file may appear reversed or cropped in the camera view.
- Do not use a background as a privacy guarantee. Blurring or replacing the background may not hide every sensitive detail.
- Use a branded option only when appropriate. Teams Premium supports branded logos or images on backgrounds; uploading an ordinary personal image is available through the standard background workflow.
Use Teams’ AI Decorate effect
Some Teams accounts include an AI-powered Decorate effect. Open the video-effects controls, select Decorate, and choose Start if Teams prompts you. Pick a theme such as:
- Clean up
- Fancy
- Greenhouse
- Celebration
- Surprise me
Select Generate, review the result, and use Generate more if needed. Select Apply to use the chosen design. Teams turns off the camera while it generates the background; turn video back on after applying it.
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Why Teams background effects are missing or unavailable
| Symptom | Likely explanation or fix |
|---|---|
| The button is missing on mobile | The feature may not be available on that device. |
| The button is gray in Teams Free | Turn on the camera first. |
| A custom image is rejected | Use JPG, PNG, or BMP and try again. |
| Effects do not work on Linux | Microsoft states that background effects are unavailable to Linux users. |
| Effects disappear in a virtual desktop | Background effects are unavailable when Teams is used through optimized VDI. |
| There is no Add new option in Education | Your school may have disabled custom background uploads. |
FAQ
Can I upload any picture as a Teams background?
No. Microsoft currently documents JPG, PNG, and BMP files for custom meeting backgrounds. Other formats may not be accepted by Add new.
How do I download a built-in Microsoft Teams background?
Microsoft does not document a download button or supported export command for the built-in gallery. Download a separate image from Microsoft Create or another source, save it locally, and upload it with Add new.
Why is the Teams background option disabled?
In Teams Free, the control can be gray when the camera is off, so turn on Camera first. On some devices the feature is unavailable. Linux and optimized VDI environments do not support background effects, and schools can disable custom uploads.
Do Teams backgrounds remain selected for future meetings?
Yes. Microsoft says the selected background persists across meetings and calls until you change it or select None.
Can I use a custom Teams background on my phone?
You can add a background from the mobile Background effects menu when the feature is supported on your device. Android support requires the documented Teams version, Android version, and compatible GPU requirements. Teams Free backgrounds also require at least 2 GB RAM and a dual-core processor from 2018 or later.
The Bottom Line
For standard desktop Teams, open Effects and avatars before joining, or use More actions → Video effects and settings → Video effects during a meeting. Choose a built-in image, select Add new for a JPG, PNG, or BMP file, and use None to remove it. Teams Free, mobile, and Education accounts use slightly different labels, but the workflow is the same: open the effects menu, choose or upload an image, preview it where available, and apply it.
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