Hey there! So, you’ve been using Google Meet to video chat with your friends or work buddies? And now you’re thinking, “Hmm, how cool would it be to change my background during the chat?” 🤔
We get it. Not all of us have the perfect spot at home for video calls. Maybe there’s a pile of laundry behind you, or your home office is just super busy. The good news is that you can easily hide all that mess with a fun virtual background! 🎉
Just like you can change backgrounds in Zoom, you can do the same thing in Google Meet. So, if you want to keep your actual location a secret or just have some fun, keep reading to find out how. We’re diving into this neat trick right here! 🚀
How to Change Your Virtual Background in Google Meet
So, you’re looking to change up your background in Google Meet? Well, you’re in luck because we’re going to walk through it step-by-step. And don’t worry, it’s pretty simple! 🌟
Step 1: Get Into Google Meet
First things first. We’re chatting about the Google Meet on your computer, not the app on your phone. I assume you already know how to hop into a video call on Google Meet. If not, don’t worry! You can quickly learn that elsewhere. But right now, let’s dive into the background stuff!
Step 2: Spot the Three Dots
Are you already in a video chat? Great! Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen. Do you see that little icon with three dots (it looks like an ellipsis)? Click on that!
Step 3: Explore More Options
After you click on the three dots, a new menu will pop up with a bunch of choices. From there, you’ll want to click on the option that says “Change background.” Easy peasy!
Step 4: Pick Your Background
When you click to change your background, a panel will appear on the right side of your screen. Google gives you some cool backgrounds to pick from, but if you’re feeling creative, you can add your very own! To do this, just click on the “+” sign and upload a picture from your computer. Or if you’re feeling a little shy, you can just blur the background you have.
Step 5: Change It Up Before Joining
What’s that? You’re not in a meeting yet? No problem! Even before you join a meeting, you can pick your background. When you’re about to join a call and you’re on that “Ready to join?” page, look at the video preview. Down at the bottom-right corner, you’ll see the “Change Background” option. Go ahead and click it!
And… Ta-da! 🎉
Now you’re a pro at switching up your background in Google Meet! Whether you’re joining an online meeting, class, or a catch-up with friends, you can now do it with a fun background. Cheers to making video calls a little more exciting! 😊
A Few More Things About Google Meet Backgrounds
Hello again! Before you jump into your next Google Meet video call with your snazzy new background, let’s cover a few more cool things and some tiny details. 🕵️♂️
1. Blur It Out! 🌫️
So, there’s another neat feature in Google Meet: blurring your background. If you don’t feel like showing your surroundings but don’t want a custom image, this might be your go-to choice. However, take note! To use this blur feature, you’ll need an iPhone 6S or a newer model and it should be running iOS 12 or above.
2. Apps Have Joined the Party 📱
Initially, changing the virtual background was only for folks using Google Meet on their computers. But now, guess what? It’s available on the mobile apps too. Yay for progress!
3. No Video Backgrounds 🚫🎥
Unlike Zoom, which lets you have video backgrounds (like a loop of you doing a funny dance), Google Meet sticks to images only. But hey, videos can be a little distracting, right? Whether that’s a good or bad thing, that’s up to you.
4. It’s Not Flawless… Yet 🎨
Okay, let’s be honest. The virtual background feature isn’t perfect. It works best when you have a green screen or a plain, single-color backdrop. Ever seen those Twitch streamers with cool backdrops? That’s the trick! The green helps Google Meet see where you end and the background begins. But even without a green screen, it still works. Just make sure you’re not dancing around too much!
5. Google Meet vs. Zoom ⏱️
Been using Zoom? Considering a switch? Well, here’s a cool tidbit: With Google Meet, you can chat with up to 100 people for a whole hour for free. That’s a bit more than the 40 minutes Zoom offers. Just something to think about!
Your Thoughts? 🤔
Are you enjoying the virtual background in Google Meet? How do you feel about these features compared to other video call apps you’ve used? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop them in the comments below. Every bit of feedback helps make these tools even better! 🚀
