Chances are, you've been using Google Meet a lot lately for work—and you're probably tired of seeing the same old background every day. 

Luckily, there's an easy fix. You can change your background in Google Meet to something more interesting in just a few simple steps. Here's how.

Changing your background in Google Meet on your computer (step by step)

If you want to change your background, you can do it before or during a meeting. 

Before a meeting

1. Go to Google Meet and choose a meeting
2. Click on Apply visual effects on the bottom right (3 star icons)
3. You can now either:

1. Click on Blur your background to get a completely blurred background
2. Click on Slightly blur your background to get a slightly blurred background
3. Click on Upload a background image and change your background to your uploaded image
4. Click on a background image you've uploaded in the past to set it as your active background
5. Click on of the other background videos to select one of them as your active background

During a meeting

1. Click on the three dots (More Options) on the bottom menu
2. Click on Apply visual effects
3. You can now either:

1. Click on Blur your background to get a completely blurred background
2. Click on Slightly blur your background to get a slightly blurred background
3. Click on Upload a background image and change your background to your uploaded image
4. Click on a background image you've uploaded in the past to set it as your active background
5. Click on of the other background videos to set one of them as your active background

What types of backgrounds can you use?

When you're video chatting with someone on Google Meet, you can change your background to an image, an immersive background, or a video.

When should you change your background in Google Meet?

There are a few different times when changing your background can be helpful. If you’re doing a professional business call, go for a clean background with minimal distractions to show that you mean… well, business.

Just catching up with a friend or family member? Choose a fun or creative background to infuse some of your personality into the call.

Even if you're just feeling bored with the same old view, mixing up your background can feel like a good change of scenery, and a new “location” can help bring some extra life to your next Google Meet. 

Conclusion

Whether you blur your background, choose one of the pre-loaded images, or upload your own photo, changing your Google Meet background is an easy way to liven up your next video call.

Want more ways to make your work life easier? Check out these Workflows from Tango.