Enhancing your video in Zoom

Zoom has many built-in features for users to improve video and picture quality, as well as enhance video conferencing with virtual backgrounds, avatars, HD video, lighting adjustments, touch up my appearance, filters, and effects. Account owners and admins can control the availability of some of these features for users on their account in the Zoom web portal.

You can test your video to ensure these built-in features are configured correctly before joining a Zoom meeting.

Requirements for high-quality Zoom videos

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System requirements for video filters and studio effects

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Table of Contents

How to enhance meeting video and picture quality

Use virtual backgrounds

The virtual background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom meeting or webinar. Learn more about changing your virtual background.

Apply avatars

The avatar feature allows you to replace your appearance with a 3D virtual avatar that mimics head movements and facial expressions. When you turn on this feature during a meeting or webinar, Zoom’s technology uses your device’s camera to detect where a face is on the screen and apply the selected avatar effect.

Enable HD video

Zoom’s HD video capabilities allow you to experience high-resolution video conferencing. You can enable HD video to utilize 720p or 1080p (depending on your Zoom plan) for high-quality video when in a meeting or a webinar.

Even when HD video is enabled, your device must meet the bandwidth requirements. Make sure you follow the guidelines on how to enable HD when in a meeting or webinar. HD video uses a higher amount of CPU and bandwidth (~2Mbps up/down). If you are experiencing network or CPU performance issues, you may want to disable use of HD video.

Windows | macOS | Linux
  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video & effects tab.
  4. Click the Camera tab.
  5. Click the HD video toggle to enable or disable it.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make.
Android | iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. In the bottom-right corner, tap More .
  3. Under Settings, tap Meetings.
  4. Under Video, tap the HD video toggle to enable or disable it.

Adjust lighting

Zoom's lighting settings allow you to improve video brightness and quality. 

Windows | macOS | Linux

Portrait lighting

Portrait lighting allows the system to dim your background while brightening you in the foreground, making you stand out more when you’re on video.

  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video & effects tab.
  4. Click the Camera tab.
  5. Click the Portrait lighting toggle to enable or disable it.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make.

Low light

Zoom’s low light settings allow you to combat poor lighting conditions during remote video conferences by brightening your video in dark environments.

  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video & effects tab.
  4. Click the Camera tab.
  5. Click the Adjust for low light toggle.
    The setting will default to Auto. However, you can select Manual, and adjust the setting to the desired effect. Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make.
Android | iOS

Portrait lighting

Portrait lighting allows the system to dim your background while brightening you in the foreground, making you stand out more when you’re on video.

  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. In the bottom-right corner, tap More .
  3. Under Settings, tap Meetings.
  4. Under Video, tap the Portrait lighting toggle to enable or disable it.

Touch up my appearance

The touch up my appearance feature gives your picture display a softer focus and enhances your digital appearance in real-time.

Windows | macOS | Linux
  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click Video & effects .
  4. Click the Camera tab.
  5. Click the Touch up my appearance toggle to enable or disable it.
  6. If you enabled the setting, use the slider to adjust the effect.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make. Zoom will remember your preference and use it the next time you start or join a meeting on this device.
iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. In the lower-right corner, tap More .
  3. Under Settings, tap Meetings.
  4. Under Video, tap Touch up my appearance.
  5. Tap the toggle to enable this option.
  6. Use the slider to adjust the effect.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make. Zoom will remember your preference and use it the next time you start or join a meeting on this device.

Apply video filters

Video filters use a variety of overlays, color filters, and other custom video frames during meetings and webinars - all within the Zoom desktop app and mobile app.

When you turn on this feature during a meeting, Zoom’s technology uses your device’s camera to detect the movements and positioning of your face to apply the selected filter effect. Such data does not leave your device, is not retained, is not used to identify you, and is only used to generate the selected effects.

Note: The video filters feature may not be available for all regions and account types. If you do not see a specific feature, you may not have access to use it.

Windows | macOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video & effects tab.
  4. Click the Video filters tab.
  5. Select the filter you want to add to your video.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make.
  6. (Optional) Below the video filter options, click the Apply to all future meetings toggle to apply this filter as the default for all meetings you join or host.
Android | iOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. In the lower-right corner, tap More .
  3. Under Settings, tap Meetings.
  4. Under Video, tap Background & effects.
  5. Tap the Video filters tab.
  6. Tap the filter you want to add to your video.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make. 
  7. (Optional) Tap the Apply to all meetings toggle to continue using this filter for all meetings joined on this device. 
  8. When finished selecting a filter, in the top-left corner, tap the minimize icon   to return to the meeting.

Apply studio effects

The studio effects feature allows you to apply eyebrows, mustache or beard, and lip color filters as part of your video appearance. 

When you turn on this feature during a meeting, Zoom’s technology uses your device’s camera to detect the movements and positioning of your face to apply the selected filter effect. Such data does not leave your device, is not retained, is not used to identify you, and is only used to generate the selected effects.

Note: The studio effects feature may not be available for all regions and account types. If you do not see a specific feature, you may not have access to use it.

Windows | macOS
  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video & effects tab.
  4. Click the Studio effects tab.
  5. Choose options from the Eyebrows, Mustache & beard, and Lip color sections.
    Your video preview will change based on the adjustments you make.
  6. (Optional) Below the studio effects options, click the Apply to all future meetings toggle to apply this filter as the default for all meetings you join or host.