Use virtual backgrounds in Webex Meetings and Webex Webinars
By using a virtual background, you can limit distractions in your current environment, and you can maintain your privacy as well. Your background can be blurred or changed, or you can add your own background if you wish.
By blurring your background, you allow people to see the details of what’s going on behind you in a more difficult way, so they can’t see the details of what is happening around them. It is also possible for you to completely change the background of your site by selecting from one of the preset backgrounds, adding your own, or even using one provided by your site administrator.
Are you having problems with the Change Background option or are you unable to find it?
-
Make sure you have enabled virtual backgrounds for your Webex site by contacting your Webex site administrator. A background change option does not appear if the virtual background option is not enabled. Your site administrator will be able to tell you what kind of backgrounds you can choose for your site based on what he or she allows.
-
Please check the list of requirements in order to ensure that your Webex version and your computer or device are capable of supporting virtual backgrounds.
-
It is not possible to use virtual backgrounds in Meetings web app or on Linux systems.
-
Virtual backgrounds are not supported by Webex Training.
-
If you use a virtual background on your computer or mobile device, the CPU usage of your device may increase and you may not be able to get the best battery life from it.
Desktop in Webex Meeting
Using the Meetings desktop app on your Mac or Windows, you can use virtual backgrounds in meetings, webinars, and events.
- When you are preparing to join a meeting, you can use the Preview screen to select the background you want to use on your virtual background, then click Change background on the preview screen to select it:
- The Blur button on the toolbar will blur the surroundings around you while maintaining focus on your own image.
- Click on the virtual background you would like to use in order to set it as your default.
- Click on the plus (+) icon if you wish to use your own image, animated GIF, or video file as the virtual background.
- Please ensure that your image or video is 480 pixels by 360 pixels or larger in size when preparing your video or image. In order to upload an image, you must save it as a .jpg, .png, or .gif file type. It is important that you save your video files as .mp4 or .mov files.
- When you are in a meeting, you can change your background by clicking on the Video options icon , choosing the Change virtual background option, and selecting the background you would like to use.
- Click on the Apply button when you are ready to share your background with everyone in the meeting. For your next meeting, Webex remembers your selection so that you will not have to do it again.
iOS in Webex Meeting
Using the Meetings mobile app, you can set up virtual backgrounds for meetings, webinars, and events in a variety of ways. When you join, you will have the option of changing your background. It is recommended that you join the meeting without your video turned on if you do not want to distract anyone before you decide on your virtual backdrop.
- The first thing you need to do is tap Video, and then tap Virtual Background.
- Depending on your preference, you can use the following background:
- By tapping Blur, you will be able to blur your surroundings while remaining in focus at the same time.
- Select the virtual background that you would like to use and tap on it to use it.
- Tap the + icon if you would like to use an image that you have created for the virtual background.
- Please ensure that your image or video is 480 pixels by 360 pixels or larger in size when preparing your video or image. Please make sure that the images are in the .jpg, .png, or .gif format. It is necessary that the video file format is mp4 or mov in order for it to be used.
- You can choose the image you would like to use and it will be saved onto your mobile device so that you can use it again in future meetings. The images are only saved to the device to which they are added. When you want to use an image on another device, you will need to add it to the new device in order to use it.
- As soon as you are ready, tap the Apply button so that everyone in the meeting can see your background. Whenever you schedule a new meeting on Webex, it remembers your previous selection.
Android in Webex Meetings
In Webex meetings and webinars that are held using Webex on Android devices, you are able to use virtual backgrounds by using the Meetings mobile app. When you join, you will have the option of changing your background. Join the meeting with your video turned off if you do not want anyone to be distracted by your surroundings before you set your virtual background. This will ensure that you will not be distracted by your surroundings.
We are not able to change the background of your Webex Training or Webex Events (classic) sessions.
- After tapping Video, you will be able to select Virtual Background.
- Depending on which option you choose, you can:
- It is possible to blur the surroundings while staying in focus by tapping the Blur button.
- Tap on the virtual background you wish to use to use it as the default.
- By tapping the + icon, you will be able to use your own image as the virtual background of the program.
- The best way to create an image or video file that will work on your computer is to use one that has a size of 480×360 pixels or larger. A .jpg or a .png file must be included with the image. There are two formats that you need to use for video files: .mp4 and .mov.
- The image you choose will be saved to your mobile device so that you can use it again in the future. Adding images to a device only allows them to be saved to that device. As a result, if you want to use the same image on a different device, you will need to add it to that device as well.
- Whenever you are ready to share your background with everyone in the meeting, tap APPLY so they can see it. In the future, Webex will remember the selection you made for your next meeting.
Requirements
As a result, we have compiled information about Webex versions, operating systems, as well as devices and computers that can support the use of virtual backgrounds. If you’re using a device that does not meet the minimum requirements listed above, you won’t be able to change the background if it doesn’t meet the minimum requirements listed above.
You may be unable to change the background even though you see the option on the window if you are using Windows.
Operating Systems (Windows)
Operating system:
-
Windows 10 64-bit (x86-64 and AMD64)
Processor:
-
Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 4000 series processor or higher
-
Intel Core i9 dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Xeon dual-core processor or higher
-
Other Intel processors: 6 cores or higher
-
AMD Ryzen 5,7,9 processor or higher
-
Other AMD processors: 4 cores at 3Ghz or higher, or more than 4 cores
-
Non-Intel and non-AMD processors: 8 cores or higher
Memory:
-
4GB or more of RAM
GPU mode:
-
Intel® HD Graphics Driver version 26.20 and later
Mac
Operating system:
-
macOS High Sierra (version 10.13) and later
Processor:
-
Apple M1
-
Intel Core i9 dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Core i7 5000 series dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Core i7 3000 series quad-core processor or higher*
-
Intel Core i5 6000 series dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Core i5 3000 series quad-core processor or higher
-
Intel Core i3 8000 series dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Xeon dual-core processor or higher
-
Intel Core m3 7000 series dual-core processor or higher
-
Other Intel processors: 6 cores or higher
It is not possible to create virtual backgrounds on Macs that are powered by Intel Core i5 5000 series processors (such as the 2017 MacBook Air).
iOS
Device:
-
iPhone 7 and later
-
iPad (5th generation) and later
-
iPad Pro and later
-
iPad mini (5th generation) and later
-
iPad Air (3rd generation) and later
Android
Operating system:
-
Android 9.0 (Pie) and later
Processor:
-
Snapdragon 845
-
Samsung Exynos 9810
-
Equivalent processors with eight or more cores
Memory:
-
3.5 GB or more of RAM
These requirements are the only ones that are supported by Android devices.
The best practices to follow
It is important to distinguish yourself from your surroundings in order to make sure that you get the most out of using virtual backgrounds so that you make the most of them.
-
It is important to make sure that you are in a well-lit area while you are doing this.
-
Make sure you have a wall or another static backdrop in front of you when you are sitting down.
-
Make sure you wear clothes that contrast with your surroundings in terms of color.
In some cases, depending on your computer’s capabilities, you may want to shut down any programs that are running in the background and taking up a lot of CPU or GPU resources. In the case of virtual backgrounds, you may be able to improve performance by doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why my Webex Cannot use virtual background?
Make sure you have enabled virtual backgrounds for your Webex site by contacting your Webex site administrator. Virtual backgrounds are not enabled by default and therefore you cannot select the Change background option if they are not enabled. Your site administrator will be able to tell you what types of backgrounds are available for your website and what you can choose from them.
What are the requirements for virtual background in Webex?
You must ensure that the following requirements are met by your device:
-
A 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 10 is supported. Make sure that you’re using a platform that supports virtual backgrounds if you’re working in a VDI environment.
-
It should have an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 4000 series processor or higher. …
-
There should be 8 GB of RAM or more on the computer.
How do I enable background change in Webex?
Upon logging into the Webex Site Administration interface, go to Configuration > Common Site Settings > Options and click on the Advanced tab. In the Site Options section, locate the box next to Enable virtual background and check it to enable the virtual background.
Why does my laptop does not support virtual background?
Check the system requirements
In order to be able to utilize virtual backgrounds, you need more processing power, which means if you have a low-spec computer, chances are you won’t be able to use this feature. If you want to use a virtual background on Zoom, then your computer must meet the required system requirements. Please refer to this support page for more information.
Does Webex have touch up appearance?
As part of all Zoom plans, you will have access to touch-up filters for lighting and appearance, which you will not be able to access through Webex
All images and contents credit goes to help.webex.com