To blur or not to blur - that is the question. The answer - mostly seen as a matter of personal preference, but maybe there is more to it.

That's because blurring your background in Zoom isn't just a way to hide what's going in your Zoom background, but it's an effective way to maintain privacy, reduce distractions, and create a professional appearance during video calls. Whether you're working from home and attending daily standup with your team or attending a virtual presentation, this guide will walk you through the steps to blur your background on both desktop and mobile devices, as well as troubleshoot common issues.

Why Use the Blurred Background Feature in Zoom?

You landed here, so chances are you already have your reasons. However, we want to point out that the blurred background feature is especially useful in several situations, such as:

• Professionalism: If you're working in a cluttered or casual environment, using a blurred background can make your meeting look more polished and professional.
• Privacy: For those who don’t want to reveal personal spaces, the blur feature helps hide anything in your background.
• Focus: People should be looking at your when you are speaking, so this is a great way to direct attention towards you rather than what's behind you.

How to Blur the Background on Zoom Desktop Client

Step-by-Step for Windows and macOS

1. Open Zoom Desktop Client: Launch the Zoom desktop app and sign in to your Zoom account.
2. Go to Settings: Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings from the dropdown.
3. Navigate to Backgrounds & Filters: In the settings window, click Background & Filters. Under this section, you'll see options for Virtual Backgrounds.
4. Select Blur: Scroll through the available backgrounds, and you'll find the Blur option. Click on it to blur your background during the meeting.
5. Ensure Correct Camera Settings: Make sure your video is enabled and set to the correct camera if you have multiple cameras.
6. Note: For the blur effect to work smoothly, ensure you are using the most updated version of the Zoom desktop client. If you're experiencing issues, try to update Zoom to the latest version.

Enabling Blur During a Zoom Meeting

If you're already in a meeting and forgot to set the blurred background:

1. Click the Arrow Next to Stop Video: In the meeting control bar, click the small arrow next to the Stop Video button.
2. Click Blur My Background. You should be all set now, but please note that this option requires version 5.9.3 or higher.

System Requirements for Blurring Backgrounds on Zoom Desktop

Ensure your system meets the following requirements for this feature to work:

• For Windows: Zoom version 5.5.0 or later.
• For macOS: Zoom version 5.5.0 or later.
• For Linux: Zoom version 5.7.6 or later.
• All of these operating systems require compatible hardware for virtual background effects without a green screen.

How to Blur Background on Zoom Mobile App

For those using the Zoom mobile app, you can also blur your background while on-the-go, which is great for virtual meetings that you are choosing to join on your phone:

Steps for Android and iOS Devices

1. Open the Zoom Mobile App: Sign in to your Zoom account on your mobile app (available for iOS and Android).
2. Start or Join a Meeting: Begin or join a Zoom meeting.
3. Tap More Options: In the meeting controls, tap the three dots labeled More at the bottom right corner of your screen.
4. Select Virtual Background (Android)/Background and Filters (iOS).
5. Choose Blur: Select the Blur option and your background will immediately blur, hiding any distractions behind you.

System Requirements for Mobile Devices

• Ensure you're using Zoom version 5.6.6 or later on iOS or Android.
• Mobile devices should be updated to the latest operating systems (iOS 11 or later, Android 8.0 or later) to access background effects.

Zoom Meeting Quick Tip - Using an AI Note Taker

To improve your Zoom experience even further, integrating an AI note taker tool like Bubbles Notetaker is essential. Bubbles is an AI-powered note taker that automatically joins your Zoom meetings, records, transcribes, and even generates detailed meeting minutes. This tool helps you keep track of action items and provides a summary post-meeting via a follow-up email, allowing you to focus on the discussion without distractions.

How Bubbles Works with Zoom:

• Invite Bubbles with the Chrome/Edge Extension: Simply paste your Zoom meeting link into the Bubbles extension to invite the Notetaker to join the call. Otherwise, you can connect your calendar through the Bubbles app, which will allow automatic joining, recording, and transcription.
• Automatic Transcription and Meeting Minutes: Once the meeting ends, Bubbles processes the recording and provides a detailed summary with action items.
• Post-Meeting Email: Receive follow-up emails with all key discussion points and action items, a great feature for keeping your team informed.