How to add a virtual background in Slack
Six steps to change your video background in a Slack huddle on desktop.
Make a backdrop with your logo →Slack background image requirements
Recommended size
1920 × 1080 px
Aspect ratio
16:9
Formats
JPG, PNG
From Wallogo
1920 × 1080 JPG
Desktop app only. The Slack mobile app doesn't offer backgrounds.
Step-by-step instructions
Start or join a huddle
In the Slack desktop app, open a channel or direct message and start a huddle with the headphones icon, or join one that's running.
Tip: Backgrounds are a desktop feature. The Slack mobile app doesn't offer them.
Turn on your camera
Click the camera icon in the huddle controls. Your own video appears in the huddle window.
Tip: Check your camera works before you look for background settings.
Open the huddle menu
Click the three dots icon in the small huddle window, or the gear icon in the expanded huddle window.
Tip: Update Slack if you don't see these icons. Menu names change between versions.
Choose Change your background
Select Change your background. You'll see blur and Slack's own backgrounds.
Tip: Blur is always a quick fallback.
Add your own image
Where your version of Slack offers it, add your own image and pick your backdrop file (for a Wallogo backdrop, the 1920×1080 JPG you downloaded).
Tip: If you can't add your own image, your workspace or app version may not allow it yet. Use blur in Slack and your backdrop in Zoom, Teams or Meet.
Apply it
Select the background. It applies to your video straight away.
Tip: Light from the front gives cleaner edges around your hair.
Mirroring & flipped text in Slack
Slack mirrors your self-view with no toggle to disable it. Other participants see your background correctly. If text or logos appear backwards in your preview, it only looks that way to you.
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 & FAQ
Change your background isn't in the menu
Use the Slack desktop app, not the browser or phone, and update it to the latest version. Your workspace admin may also limit huddle features.
Huddle video looks poor
Check your connection and close apps that use a lot of bandwidth. Good light from the front helps the background edges.
Your image isn't kept
Restart Slack and add it again. Use a JPG or PNG of 1920×1080 pixels.
Does Slack support virtual backgrounds on mobile?▼
What image should I use for a Slack huddle background?▼
Does Slack mirror my virtual background?▼
Related platform guides
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