Change Background in Google Meet: Easy Steps

Virtual communication is essential for both professional and personal interactions. The background you present on Google Meet can significantly influence the quality and professionalism of your interactions. Customizing your background on Google Meet helps reduce distractions, protect privacy, and add a touch of fun to ensure the perfect meeting every time.

This article will guide you through the simple steps to change your background on Google Meet.

Why Change Your Background on Google Meet?

Image from Google

Changing your background on Google Meet is not just about aesthetics—changing your background has practical benefits too.

• Reducing distractions in meetings: When you're on a call, everything in your background can be seen by others. If your room is cluttered or if there's movement behind you, it can draw attention away from the conversation. By changing your background, you can ensure that the focus stays on you and what you’re saying.
• Enhancing professionalism: A clean, neutral background can help you appear more professional. If you're in a job interview or an important business meeting, a tidy background can give a better impression than a messy room. Virtual backgrounds offer a quick fix, enabling you to choose settings that reflect a professional atmosphere. This can range from a simple white wall to an office setup.
• Adding a fun element to meetings: Not all meetings need to be serious. Sometimes, adding a bit of fun can lighten the mood and make the session more engaging. Google Meet allows you to use various backgrounds, including themed ones like a beach or a forest. This can be particularly enjoyable for team-building activities or casual catch-ups with friends.
• Protecting privacy and sensitive information: Your home is your private space; not everyone should see everything in it. By using a virtual background, you can prevent others from seeing personal or sensitive items in your home. This is especially important for those who work with confidential information or have personal photos and documents visible in their workspace.

Enhance your Google Meet experience by making thoughtful choices about your virtual background.

How to Change Background on Google Meet

How to change background on desktop

Changing your background on Google Meet using a desktop is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Access Background Settings:

• Open Google Meet and join a meeting.
• Click on the three dots (More Options) at the bottom right of the screen.
• Select "Apply visual effects."

2. Options for Background Effects:

• Choose from various background effects, like blurring your current background.
• Select slightly blur or fully blur to minimize distractions.
• Pick from pre-uploaded images available in Google Meet for a quick change.

3. Uploading Custom Backgrounds:

• Click on the “+” button to upload your own background.
• Choose an image file from your computer.
• Ensure the image is high-resolution for better quality.

4. Removing Background Effects:

• To remove any applied effect, go back to the "Apply visual effects" menu.
• Click the button shown below and select “Remove All” to revert to your original background.

How to change background on Android

Using Google Meet on an Android device also allows background changes, but there are requirements and steps to follow:

1. Device Requirements:

• Ensure your device is compatible. Your device must be running Android version P or higher.

2. Steps to Access and Apply Effects:

• Open the Google Meet app. Before joining a meeting, tap “Effects” at the bottom of your self-view screen.

• During a meeting, tap the screen to access the same menu.

3. Types of Effects Available:

• Choose from blurring options, pre-uploaded images, or custom uploads.
• Tap on “Slightly blur” or “Blur” for different blur intensities.
• Select from available images or tap the + symbol to add your own.

4. Saving and Removing Effects:

• Once you select an effect, it remains active until you change it.
• To remove a background effect, tap the button below, then “Background.” Tap “Remove All” to remove all backgrounds and filters applied.

How to change background on iPhone & iPad

If you're using an iOS device, here’s how to change your background in Google Meet:

1. Steps for iOS Devices:

• Open the Google Meet app and select a meeting.
• Tap “Effects” at the bottom of your self-view before joining the meeting.

• During a meeting, tap the screen to bring up the menu.

2. Available Background Options:

• You can blur your background by selecting “Slightly blur” or “Blur.”
• Pick from Google Meet’s library of backgrounds or upload your own by tapping the “+” button.

3. Customizing Video Appearance:

• Adjust lighting and color filters for a more polished look.
• Use the “Appearance” tab to touch up your video.

4. Removing Applied Effects:

• To remove a background effect, tap the button below, then “Background.” Tap “Remove All” to remove all backgrounds and filters applied.

Common Issues with Changing Backgrounds on Google Meet

Why can't I change my background on Google Meet?

Several factors might prevent you from changing your background on Google Meet. Here are some common reasons:

1. Unsupported Browser: Google Meet background effects require a browser that supports WebGL.

• Ensure you're using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

2. Hardware Limitations: Your device might not meet the minimum requirements.

• Devices need to have hardware acceleration enabled and a compatible GPU.

3. Account Restrictions: If using a Google Workspace account, your admin might have disabled background changes.

• Contact your Google Workspace admin to check and possibly enable these features.
  

Troubleshooting background changes

If you encounter issues when trying to change your background, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Update Your Browser:

• Ensure your browser is up-to-date. Outdated versions might not support all features.

2. Enable Hardware Acceleration:

• For Chrome:
• Go to Settings > Advanced > System.
• Toggle on "Use hardware acceleration when available."
• Restart your browser after enabling this setting.

3. Check WebGL Support:

• Visit webglreport.com to verify if your browser supports WebGL.
• If "Major Performance Caveat" is marked "Yes," update your graphics drivers or switch to a different device.
  

Device compatibility issues

Not all devices support background changes in Google Meet. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Desktop Requirements:

• Windows/Mac/Linux: Use Chrome version M114 or Firefox 110 and up.
• ChromeOS: Version M114 and up.

2. Mobile Device Requirements:

• Android: Requires devices like Samsung Galaxy S9, Pixel 3, or newer with Android version P or higher.
• iOS: Requires iPhone 8 or newer, iPad 5th generation or newer running iOS 12 or higher.
  

Account and admin settings affecting background changes

For users with Google Workspace accounts, certain admin settings can affect your ability to change backgrounds:

1. Admin Permissions:

• Google Workspace admins can enable or disable background effects.
• If you can't change your background, request your admin to check settings under Admin Console > Apps > Google Workspace > Google Meet > Meet video settings.

2. Feature Availability:

• Some features, like cloud-based effects processing, are only available in specific Google Workspace editions.
• Check if your account includes these features: Google Workspace Individual, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, etc.

3. Region Restrictions:

• Background effects might be limited to certain regions. Ensure your Workspace account is in a supported region.

Advanced Background and Visual Effects

Using filters to enhance video

Filters can transform your video, adding fun or professional elements to your Google Meet sessions. Here’s how to use them:

1. Access Filters:

• Before joining a meeting, click on “Apply visual effects” at the bottom of your self-view.
• During a meeting, click the three dots (More Options) and select “Apply visual effects.”

2. Choose a Filter:

• Scroll through the available filters under the “Filters” tab.
• Tap or click on the filter you want to apply. Some filters might be interactive, like adding hats or glasses that move with your face.

Applying lighting adjustments

Lighting adjustments can make you look more professional by ensuring your face is well-lit, even in low-light conditions. Follow these steps:

1. Open Lighting Settings:

• Click on “Apply visual effects” and navigate to the “Appearance” tab.

2. Adjust Lighting:

• Enable the “Adjust video for low light” option. This setting optimizes your video quality by enhancing brightness and contrast.
• You can also change the appearance to grayscale, cloudy day, sunlight, or moonlight.

• Tip: If your background is too dark, try changing to a lighter background to balance the overall look.
  

Combining multiple effects

Stacking effects can help you create a unique and engaging video presence. Here’s how to combine different effects:

1. Select Effects:

• Apply a background effect first, like a blur or a custom image.
• Add filters by clicking on the “Filters” tab and selecting your preferred filter.

2. Stack Effects:

• Click on the stack icon on the right of your self-view to see all applied effects.
• Note: Stacking too many effects might slow down your device. Remove unnecessary effects if performance issues arise.
  

{{rt_cta_ai-convenience}}

How Tactiq Can Enhance Your Google Meet Sessions

If you want to optimize your video call environment and enhance your virtual meetings, consider using Tactiq for real-time transcription and summarization of your meetings. This transcription summary means you can focus on the discussion without worrying about taking notes. Tactiq's AI features make it even more powerful by providing intelligent analysis and insights. Key features include:

• Real-time Transcription: Automatically transcribes your Google Meet meetings as they happen.
• Meeting Summarization: Provides concise summaries of key points and actions.
• Highlighting Important Points: Allows you to highlight critical parts of the discussion.
  

Benefits of using Tactiq for meeting transcription

Using Tactiq for transcription offers several advantages that can greatly improve your meeting efficiency:

• Focus on Engagement: Instead of dividing your attention between note-taking and participating, let Tactiq handle the transcription.
• Accurate Records: Ensures that all meeting details are captured accurately, reducing the risk of missing important information.
• Searchable Transcripts: Transcripts are searchable, allowing you to find specific points of discussion quickly.
  

How Tactiq helps in capturing meeting details

Tactiq captures every detail of your meeting, making it an invaluable tool for effective communication and follow-up:

• Action Items: Automatically identifies and summarizes action items, ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities.
• Meeting Highlights: Highlights key points and decisions, making it easy to review the meeting's outcomes.
• Shared Notes: Transcripts can be shared with all participants, promoting transparency and collaboration.
  

Integrating Tactiq with Google Meet for improved productivity

Integrating Tactiq with Google Meet is straightforward and can significantly boost your productivity:

1. Install Tactiq:

• Install the extension on Chrome.

2. Connect to Google Meet:

• Once installed, Tactiq will automatically connect to your Google Meet sessions.

3. Start Transcribing:

• During your Google Meet session, Tactiq will begin transcribing in real-time.
• Tip: Use the highlight feature to mark important points during the meeting.

4. Review and Share:

• After the meeting, review the transcript and summaries.
• Share the transcript with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page.

By integrating Tactiq with Google Meet, you can enhance your meetings, ensuring that all details are captured and reviewed efficiently.

Improving Your Google Meet Experience with Custom Backgrounds

Incorporating custom backgrounds can improve your Google Meet sessions. By personalizing your background, you can create a professional and distraction-free environment, adding both a personal touch and a layer of privacy to your meetings.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily customize your virtual background and integrate Tactiq into your Google Meet workflow, ensuring your virtual presence is always polished and effective.

Integrate Tactiq into your Google Meet sessions today. Download the Chrome extension here for free.