How to Set Custom Background in Microsoft Teams

Follow this step-by-step guide to add your own custom backgrounds to Microsoft Teams video calls.

1Before Joining a Meeting

Download a background image from our free collection
Open Microsoft Teams and go to the Calendar tab
Click on a meeting to join it
On the pre-join screen, click Background filters (person icon)
Click + Add new at the top right
Select the downloaded background image from your device
Click on the uploaded image to select it, then click Apply
Join your meeting with your new background

2During a Meeting

Click the More actions button (three dots) in the meeting toolbar
Select Video effects or Apply background effects
Click + Add new to upload your downloaded background
Select the background and it will apply immediately

3On Mobile (iOS & Android)

Open Microsoft Teams app and join a meeting
Tap the three dots menu (More actions)
Select Background effects
Tap + Add new to upload your downloaded background
Select your image and tap Done

✓Image Requirements

Recommended resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Supported formats: JPG, PNG, BMP
Minimum resolution: 360 x 360 pixels
Maximum file size: 20 MB

All backgrounds on this site are already optimized for Microsoft Teams with the recommended 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution in JPG format. Just download and upload - no resizing needed.

?Where Are Custom Backgrounds Stored?

Windows:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads

Mac:

~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/Backgrounds/Uploads

Teams automatically copies uploaded images to these folders. You can also manually place images in these directories.

Pro tip: Your selected background will persist across all your future meetings until you change it again. You can also blur your background instead of using a custom image by selecting the blur option in the background effects menu.

Ready to Get Started?

Browse our free collection of Microsoft Teams backgrounds - no signup required.

Browse Free Backgrounds Create Branded Background

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Microsoft Teams backgrounds really free?

Yes, all backgrounds on Backgrounds For Teams are completely free to download and use. No signup, credit card, or subscription required. Simply click the download button and use the image in Microsoft Teams.

What is the recommended image size for Teams backgrounds?

Microsoft Teams recommends background images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio). All backgrounds on this site are already optimized to this exact specification, so they're ready to use without any resizing.

Where are custom Teams backgrounds stored on my computer?

On Windows, custom backgrounds are stored in: %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads. On Mac, they're located in: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/Backgrounds/Uploads. Teams automatically copies uploaded images to these folders.

Can I use these backgrounds on Teams mobile app?

Yes, Microsoft Teams mobile app (iOS and Android) supports custom backgrounds. Open Teams, join a meeting, tap the three dots menu, select 'Background effects', then tap '+ Add new' to upload your downloaded background image.

Why isn't my custom background showing in Teams?

Make sure your image is in JPG or PNG format and at least 1920 x 1080 pixels. Also verify that background effects are enabled by your IT administrator. Try restarting Teams if the background doesn't appear after uploading. All images on this site meet Teams' requirements.