How to set a virtual background in Google Meet

Add your own background in Google Meet on your computer or phone in a couple of minutes. Covers supported browsers, image specs, mirroring and common problems.

Make a Meet backdrop with your logo →

Google Meet background image requirements

Recommended size

1920 × 1080 px

Aspect ratio

16:9

Formats

JPG, PNG

From Wallogo

1920 × 1080 JPG

A Wallogo backdrop fits without cropping. Your browser needs graphics acceleration turned on.

Computer (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)

Set your background before you join or during a call. No extension needed.

1

Open Google Meet

Go to meet.google.com or open a meeting link in your browser. You can set your background before you join or during the meeting.

Google Meet step 1: Open Google Meet

Tip: Chrome and Edge give the smoothest result. Recent Firefox and Safari (Mac) work too.

2

Open backgrounds and effects

Before joining: under your video preview, click Backgrounds and effects. During a meeting: click Video settings next to the microphone at the bottom, then Backgrounds and effects.

Google Meet step 2: Open backgrounds and effects

Tip: If you don't see the option, turn on graphics acceleration in your browser (in Chrome: Settings → System) and restart it.

3

Go to the Backgrounds tab

A panel opens with blur options and Google's own backgrounds. Open the Backgrounds tab.

Google Meet step 3: Go to the Backgrounds tab

Tip: Slight blur is a quick fallback, but it still shows the shape of your room.

4

Add your own image

Under Blur and personal backgrounds, click Add your own personal background and pick your backdrop file (for a Wallogo backdrop, the 1920×1080 JPG you downloaded).

Google Meet step 4: Add your own image

Tip: If the add button is missing, your Google Workspace admin may have limited backgrounds.

5

Apply it

Click your image to apply it. The preview updates straight away.

Google Meet step 5: Apply it

Tip: Light from the front gives cleaner edges around your hair.

6

Join the meeting

Click Join now. You can change the background at any time during the meeting with the same steps.

Google Meet step 6: Join the meeting

Tip: Close the effects panel when you're done to get your screen space back.

Browser compatibility

Windows and Mac

Recent Chrome, Edge and Firefox; Safari on Mac

Linux and ChromeOS

Recent Chrome; Firefox on Linux

Required setting

Graphics acceleration turned on in the browser

Work accounts

Your Workspace admin can limit backgrounds

Mobile (iPhone, iPad & Android)

The Google Meet app lets you change your background before and during meetings.

1

Open the Google Meet app

Save your backdrop image to your phone, then open Google Meet on your iPhone, iPad or Android device and start or join a meeting.

2

Tap Effects

Before joining, tap Effects on your video preview. During a meeting, tap your own video tile, then Effects.

3

Go to Backgrounds

Swipe to the backgrounds. You'll see blur and Google's own images.

4

Add your image

Tap + to add an image from your photos, if your version of the app offers it, or pick one of Google's backgrounds. Close the panel to go back to the meeting.

Mirroring & flipped text in Google Meet

Google Meet mirrors your self-view with no user toggle to change this. Other participants always see your background correctly. If your logo or text appears backwards in your preview, that's normal — it looks correct to everyone else on the call.

Your self-view

Mirrored (flipped)

What others see

Correct (not flipped)

Disable mirroring?

Not available

Tip: Even though your logo looks backwards in your preview, everyone else on the call sees it correctly. No need to flip your background image.

Troubleshooting

Backgrounds and effects is missing

Turn on graphics acceleration (in Chrome: Settings → System), restart the browser and update it. If it's still missing, try Chrome.

Background makes your video lag

Close other tabs and apps, or use slight blur on slow computers.

Your image won't upload

Use a JPG or PNG of 1920×1080 pixels, like the JPG you download from Wallogo, and try again.

Your admin has limited backgrounds

Google Workspace admins can turn off your own backgrounds. Ask your IT team to allow them in the Admin console.

Google Meet virtual background FAQ

What image size should I use for a Google Meet virtual background?▼
Use a 16:9 image of 1920×1080 pixels in JPG or PNG. Wallogo backdrops are 1920×1080 JPGs, so they fit as they are.
Which browsers support Google Meet backgrounds?▼
Recent versions of Chrome and Firefox on Windows, Mac and Linux, Edge on Windows and Mac, Safari on Mac, and Chrome on ChromeOS. Graphics acceleration must be on.
Why does my Google Meet background look flipped?▼
Meet mirrors your own preview, and there is no setting to change that. Other people always see your background the right way round. Don't flip the image yourself.
Why is the backgrounds option not showing in Google Meet?▼
Turn on graphics acceleration in your browser and restart it, and update the browser. Your Google Workspace admin may also have limited backgrounds.
Can I use a virtual background on Google Meet mobile?▼
Yes. Tap Effects on your video before or during a meeting on iPhone, iPad or Android.
How do I get a Google Meet background with my company logo?▼
Type your website on Wallogo. In about 8 seconds you get a photoreal office with your logo as a 3D sign on the wall. Download it as a 1920×1080 JPG and add it to Meet with the steps above.

Related platform guides

Zoom

4 min

Microsoft Teams

4 min

Webex

3 min

Want a Google Meet background with your logo on the wall?

Type your website. In about 8 seconds you get a photoreal office with your logo as a 3D sign. 5 free tries a day.

Make your Meet backdropSee examples