Change background and apply visual effects in Google Meet

To help limit distractions or make video calls more fun, you can now blur or replace your background or replace it with an image, an immersive background, or a video. You can also apply styles to customize your video with various light, color filters and stylized backgrounds. 

Important: 

• Sensitive information might be visible when you change your background.
• Availability of styles and backgrounds are subject to client type, account type, and settings applied by Google Workspace admins.

Change background 

Important: To use Change background and Effects on an iOS device, you must use one of the following devices:

• iPhone 8 and up
• iPad 5th generation and up
• iOS 12 or above

Before a video call  

1. Open the Meet app   select a meeting.
2. Before you join, on the bottom of your self view, tap Effects .
   • To slightly blur your background, tap Slightly blur .
   • To completely blur your background, tap Blur background .
   • To upload your own background, tap Add .
   • To select a pre-uploaded background, tap the background you want to use.
   • To select a style, at the bottom, tap Styles > the style you want to use.
   • To select a filter, at the bottom, tap Filters > the filter you want to use.
     • Tip: If the filter is interactive, follow the directions on the screen to activate it.
   • To remove the effect, tap No effects or tap .
3.  When you are done, tap Done. 
4. Tap Join.

During a video call 

1. On your self view, tap Effects .
   • To slightly blur your background, tap Slightly blur .
   • To completely blur your background, tap Blur background .
   • To upload your own background, tap Add .
   • To select a pre-uploaded background, tap the background you want to use.
   • To select a style, at the bottom, tap Styles > the style you want to use.
   • To select a filter, at the bottom, tap Filters > the filter you want to use.
     • Tip: If the filter is interactive, follow the directions on the screen to activate it.
2. When you are done, tap Close .

Background effects may increase your battery usage. You may want to turn the effects off if your battery is low. Your video may be cropped to view other participants so some of the background or effect may not be visible to other participants.

Tip: To see how you look with a different background, check your self view.