Change background and use effects in Google Meet

To help limit distractions or make video calls more fun, you can now blur your background or replace your background with an image.

Filters or Styles are available on mobile devices for Google Workspace users in meetings organized by Google Workspace users.

Important: Sensitive information might be visible when you change your background.

Requirements for Change background on Desktop

If you can’t use the Change background option, you may not meet the following requirements:

• A browser version that supports Change background:
  • Chrome version M87 or above on Windows, Mac or Linux. Learn how to check your browser version.
  • Version M87 or above on Chrome OS. Learn how to upgrade your Chromebook.
  • Edge (Chromium) 87 or above on Windows or Mac.
• Chrome with Hardware acceleration turned on.
• A Browser that supports WebGL 2.0. 
• A 64-bit operation system. 

Enable Hardware acceleration 

Turn on hardware acceleration on Windows or Mac: 

1. On the top right of a Chrome window, click Menu  Click Settings. 
2. On the left, next to Advanced, click Down .
3. Click System .
4. Turn on Use hardware acceleration when available.
5. Restart Chrome.

Check WebGL 2.0 support

Check if your browser supports WebGL 2.0 at webglreport.com and verify that “Major Performance Caveat” is marked as “No”. Your browser might disable WebGL if the device is unstable or cause crashes. You can’t enforce WebGL on unstable WebGL devices. In some cases, it may help to update graphic card drivers or restart your browser. Learn more about WebGL support. 

Change your background 

Important: Users who join the video call while not logged into a Google account and users which need to knock to get admitted, can only change their background once in the video call. Users who join a Google Workspace for Education video call can’t select their own background images. 

Before a video call 

1. Go to Google Meet select a meeting.
2. On the bottom right of your self view, click Change background .
   • To completely blur your background, click Blur your background .
   • To slightly blur your background, click Slightly blur your background .
   • To select a pre-uploaded background, click a background.
   • To upload your own image for your background, click Add .
3. Click Join Now. 

During a video call 

1. On the bottom, click More .
2. Click Change background .
   • To completely blur your background, click Blur your background .
   • To slightly blur your background, click Slightly blur your background.
   • To select a pre-uploaded background, click a background.
   • To upload your own image for your background, click Add .

Tip: Your camera is automatically turned on when you click Change background.

Changing your background may slow down your device. You may want to turn this feature off to allow other apps to run faster on your computer.