How to Blur Background in Zoom?

Desktop (Windows / Mac), during a meeting

1. Click the up arrow next to Stop Video / Start Video.
2. Choose Blur (or Choose Virtual Background… then select Blur).

Desktop, before a meeting (so it's ready)

1. Open Zoom → Settings (gear).
2. Background & effects (sometimes under Video).
3. Select Blur.

Mobile (iOS / Android)

1. Join or start the meeting.
2. Tap the screen to show controls → More (⋯).
3. Background (or Virtual background) → Blur.

If Blur isn't listed

• Update the Zoom client; older versions only had image/video virtual backgrounds.
• On some low-power machines Zoom greys out virtual backgrounds — close other apps, or use a simpler static background image instead.
• Company-managed Zoom can disable virtual backgrounds in admin settings; then only IT can turn the option back on.

Blur vs. a virtual background image: Blur doesn't replace the room with a beach photo; it just defocuses it. Lighting on your face still helps the camera separate you from the wall. A plain wall works better than a busy bookshelf for a clean edge.

Studio Effects / touch-up are separate sliders under Video settings and don't replace Blur.

The closest sibling pages are How to Change Apple Maps Voice? and How to Change Screen Time Passcode?.

See Phones, Computers & Devices for other answers in this topic, or start from ask a follow-up.