Blurring your background in Google Meet hides what is behind you while keeping you in focus. You can turn it on before you join or during a call, on a computer or in the mobile app.
Quick Answer
Before joining, click Apply visual effects on your preview, open Backgrounds and choose Slightly blur or Blur. During a call, click More options (three dots), then Apply visual effects.
How to Blur Your Background in Google Meet
- Open the meeting link or start a meeting.
- On the preview screen, click Apply visual effects in the bottom-right of your video.
- Under Backgrounds, choose Slightly blur or Blur.
- Close the panel and click Join now.
- During a meeting, click More options, then Apply visual effects to change or turn off the blur.
- On a phone, tap your video preview or the effects button, then choose a blur option.
Effect Options
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| No effect | Your real background shows |
| Slightly blur | Soft blur that keeps some detail |
| Blur | Stronger blur that hides the room |
| Background image | Replaces the background with a picture |
See also how to blur your background in Zoom.
Related: How to Get Filters on Google Meet.
Troubleshooting
- No effects option: update your browser, and make sure hardware acceleration is on in browser settings.
- Option greyed out on a work or school account: an administrator may have turned effects off.
- Edges look patchy: improve the lighting and sit farther from the background.
- Slow computer: effects use processing power. Close other apps or turn effects off.
- Related: adjusting webcam settings and testing your webcam.
Related: Find Google Meet recordings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can others see through the blur?
The blur hides most detail, but movement and edges can sometimes reveal parts of the background.
Does it stay on for the next meeting?
Settings can carry over on the same device, but check the preview each time.
Can I blur in the mobile app?
Yes, on supported phones.
Does blur affect recordings?
Yes. Recordings show what others see.
Summary
- Open the meeting preview.
- Click Apply visual effects.
- Choose Slightly blur or Blur.
- Join the meeting.
- Change it from More options later.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.