Zoom has emerged to be an essential mobile and PC application used to connect with friends, co-workers, students, and family. The app can be used on various devices, including Android phones. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, virtual meetings have become the norm, and Zoom has become a handy tool for remote work. However, some users often face the challenge of having a cluttered background during a virtual meeting. This can be solved by blurring the background.
In this blog post, we shall delve into how to blur the background in Zoom on your Android phone. We shall provide you with possible methods that can be used to achieve a perfect blur effect.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Blur Background in Zoom Android
Having a cluttered or unprofessional background can be distracting during a Zoom meeting. For instance, when taking an important business call from a coffee shop or being disturbed by your family pets during an online class. However, Zoom provides users with the option of blurring their background. The challenge, though, comes in when trying to blur the background on your Android phone. Some users don’t know how to access the feature, while others have difficulties in achieving a perfect blur effect in Zoom.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before blurring your background in Zoom, here are some of the things you need to put into consideration:
- Ensure you have the latest version of Zoom updated on your Android phone
- Choose the appropriate location with a clutter-free background
- Ensure adequate lighting to achieve a perfect blur effect
- Avoid wearing a color that blends with your background
- The built-in blur feature works best when the camera is stable and stationary
Method 1: Zoom Mobile Application
One of the quickest and easiest ways to blur your background in Zoom on your Android phone is through the Zoom mobile application. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Steps:
- Launch the Zoom mobile application and sign in to your account
- Click the ‘Settings’ icon at the top right corner of the app
- Select the ‘Virtual background’ option
- Click the ‘+Add Image’ icon to upload the background image from your gallery
- Select ‘Blur’ as your background to enjoy the blurring effect during Zoom meetings.
Pros:
- Quick and easy
- User-friendly
- Accessible on every Android device
Cons:
- It may not be as effective as other methods
- The quality of the image may affect the blur effect
Method 2: Snapseed Application
Snapseed is a photo editing application used to enhance your images. It has an effective blur tool that can also be used to blur your background during a Zoom meeting.
Steps:
- Access Google PlayStore and download Snapseed on your Android phone
- Launch the app and select the ‘Open’ option to upload the image you want to blur
- Click the ‘Tools’ icon at the bottom right corner of the app
- Select the ‘Lens Blur’ option to enhance the blur effect
- Edit the image by sliding the range bar from left to right to adjust the blur intensity
- Click on ‘Save’ to save the edited image
- Upload the image as a virtual background in zoom by following Method 1 from the above section.
Pros:
- The snap seed app is free
- Ability to Edit Images
- Achieve high-quality blur effect
Cons:
- It requires another app
- Editing process may take some time
Method 3: Remove.bg
Remove.bg is an online editing tool that’s handy for removing the background from images. It is efficient, easy to use, and can create a smooth and seamless blur effect that can be used as a virtual background in Zoom.
Steps:
- Access remove.bg website from your browser on Android phone
- Click the ‘Upload Image’ button to upload the desired photo that you want to edit
- The site will automatically remove your original background and replace it with a transparent background
- Select the ‘Blur’ option to apply the blur effect to the new transparent background
- Hit the ‘Download’ button to download the edited image.
- Upload the image as a virtual background in zoom by following Method 1 from the above section
Pros:
- Ability to fully customize the background
- User-friendly
- Efficient and time-saving
Cons:
- It requires a stable internet connection
- May require a premium subscription to access full features
Why Can’t I Blur My Background in Zoom Android?
Several reasons might hinder users from blurring their background in Zoom on their Android phones. Here are some possible reasons and fixes:
Q1: The ‘Blur’ option on my android phone is disabled
A: This could be because your phone’s hardware may not meet the requirement for the feature. Ensure your Android phone has a minimum of Snapdragon 625 processor and Android Operating System 8.0 and above.
Q2: The background is not blurring entirely
A: Check that there’s adequate lighting on the foreground, adjust placement, or wear clothing that stands out from your background.
Q3: The blur effect is low quality
A: Ensure your background image has high resolution.
Additional Tips
- Avoid cluttering your virtual background with too much information, it may distract the other attendees or make the image look unprofessional
- Also, avoid moving your camera since this may interfere with the blurring effect
5 FAQs about How to Blur Background in Zoom Android
Q1: How can I customize my virtual Zoom background in Android?
A: You can use images such as company logos, favorite desktop pictures, nature photography, or any other desired image. Take a photo from your phone camera or download preferred photo editing applications such as Snapseed or Adobe filters to enhance the image.
Q2: Does Zoom come with built-in background images for blurring?
A: Zoom has built-in virtual backgrounds that desktop users can use, but they are not specifically for blurring backgrounds features. Mobile app users can only upload their custom background images.
Q3: Can I use virtual background with any phone camera?
A: For the virtual background feature to function properly, ensure to have the latest version of our Zoom mobile application installed on your phone. Please note that custom background works well for higher-end mobile devices. Most devices that have Snapdragon 625 processors or higher support the feature.
Q4: How can I prevent my app from freezing while using a virtual background?
A: Freezing occurs due to the high-performance power needed when blurring images. Ensure that your android has enough storage capacity, check background applications running on your phone and close them if necessary.
Q5: What is the importance of blurring my background during Zoom meeting?
A: Blurring your background during Zoom meetings ensures professionalism and eliminates distractions that might be present in your environment. It can also keep your work environment private from coworkers or in a public area.
In Conclusion
Zoom is a fantastic application for connecting in virtual meetings. With the above methods, we hope we have offered enough guidance on how to achieve the perfect background blur effect on your Android phone. You may try different tools to find the one that perfectly suits your specific needs. Always remember to prepare well and test before joining a meeting. With a clean background, you can keep the focus on the subject matter and communicate effectively during virtual meetings.