How to change the background on Zoom for meetings and parties to liven up your video calls

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How to change the background on Zoom for meetings and parties to liven up your video calls
Zoom logo.Reuters
  • As the coronavirus closes schools and workplaces, people are increasingly turning to Zoom video calls for work and fun.
  • Zoom lets you change backgrounds to a handful that come with the app, or any image you upload.
  • People have gotten creative, designing all sorts of Zoom backgrounds and putting them online for free or at a low cost.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Many are turning to video online calls thanks to COVID-19, the coronavirus disease.

With schools, businesses, and restaurants closed, people are increasingly moving to video calling platform Zoom for work and socializing. The company says its stock already increased more than 100% since the outbreak spread in the US.

One way to make a Zoom party or meeting a little more interesting is with a custom background. Here's how to do, and some places to find them.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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Now you have everything you need to make Zoom parties, classes, and work meetings more exciting.

Now you have everything you need to make Zoom parties, classes, and work meetings more exciting.

Some artists are even using their talents to make Zoom backgrounds and raise money for coronavirus relief.

Some artists are even using their talents to make Zoom backgrounds and raise money for coronavirus relief.

Find this background and others at Meeting Masterpieces

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There are plenty of funny images and memes to use as backgrounds, like this confessional background from the office. Check out the list from my Insider's Kat Tenbarge.

There are plenty of funny images and memes to use as backgrounds, like this confessional background from the office. Check out the list from my Insider's Kat Tenbarge.

Source: Business Insider

United Airlines also created some aviation themed backgrounds for anyone who misses flying.

United Airlines also created some aviation themed backgrounds for anyone who misses flying.

Source: Business Insider

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There are Zoom backgrounds for everyone — like travel ones including this resort in the Maldives,

There are Zoom backgrounds for everyone — like travel ones including this resort in the Maldives,

Source: Business Insider

Scroll down to the virtual background option, and make sure it's toggled on. Now your meetings can be filled with fun backgrounds.

Scroll down to the virtual background option, and make sure it's toggled on. Now your meetings can be filled with fun backgrounds.
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Select view advanced profile.

Select view advanced profile.

You might also want to turn on custom backgrounds for meetings you host. From the settings menu, select profile.

You might also want to turn on custom backgrounds for meetings you host. From the settings menu, select profile.
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I tested out Jerry's apartment from "Seinfeld." For some backgrounds, make sure to unselect "mirror my video" for certain backgrounds if they don't look right.

I tested out Jerry's apartment from "Seinfeld." For some backgrounds, make sure to unselect "mirror my video" for certain backgrounds if they don't look right.

Source: Seinfeld Current Day

Choose an image or video that you want to add.

Choose an image or video that you want to add.
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You'll be prompted to download the virtual background package. Click "download," and it should be ready in a few seconds.

You'll be prompted to download the virtual background package. Click "download," and it should be ready in a few seconds.

To add custom backgrounds, click the plus sign on the virtual background page.

To add custom backgrounds, click the plus sign on the virtual background page.
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There, you'll see the virtual backgrounds that come with the app. I tested out the tropical island.

There, you'll see the virtual backgrounds that come with the app. I tested out the tropical island.

Another list of settings options will pop up. Select virtual background.

Another list of settings options will pop up. Select virtual background.
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A list will expand. Select the settings tab.

A list will expand. Select the settings tab.

First, launch Zoom and select your profile in the top right.

First, launch Zoom and select your profile in the top right.
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