How to use Zoom Virtual Backgrounds on iOS

If you’ve never done it before, it’s not always obvious how to enable the Virtual Backgrounds feature on iOS devices. Fortunately, it’s easy once you know how.

First, please check that your device and Zoom app version meet the minimum requirements specified by Zoom. You can check these system requirements here.

Now you’re ready to set your virtual background. If you haven’t already done so, this is a good time to download a Hello Backgrounds pack and save some images or videos (or both) to your iOS device.

The file will be downloaded as a .zip archive. Please extract the image files from this archive. To do so, launch the Files app, and find the zip file in the location you downloaded it. Press and hold the zip file, then select “Uncompress” from the context menu - the uncompressed files will be saved in the same location as the original zip file. Select the images that you want to use and save each to Photos.

1. Open the Zoom app and start a meeting.
2. At the right hand side of top menu bar, you’ll see three dots (…) and the word “More”, indicating there are more options available. Tap this.
   

   

3. One of the options in this menu is “Virtual Background”. Tap this option. Tip: if you don’t see this option, check your system meets Zoom’s system requirements for the Virtual Background feature; you may need to update your Zoom app.
   

   

4. You’ll see a list of background options along the bottom of the screen, including some default images provided by Zoom. Tap the plus icon to add your own image. The iOS image selection dialog will now be displayed.
   

   

5. Select your desired background image from the list. It will be marked with a check icon. Then tap the “Done” button.
   

   

6. Your selected background image will now be shown in the options list at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to apply this as your background. When selected, it will be surrounded by a blue border.
   

   

7. Your virtual background has now been applied. You can return to your normal surroundings by tapping the “None” option.

How to remove virtual background images

To remove background images after importing them to Zoom, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the image you want to remove.
   

   

2. A tooltip will be displayed, displaying the button text “Remove”. Tap this.
   

   

3. You can now choose to add a new image if you wish to, using the plus icon.
   

   

Read more guides