Backdrop Cam
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Microsoft Teams · Mac
A video background in Microsoft Teams, on your Mac
Updated October 2026 · checked against Microsoft Teams's own documentation
Short answer
Microsoft Teams doesn't accept your own video as a background. You can blur, use a Teams background, generate one with AI, or upload a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP image. To use a looping video, choose Backdrop Cam as your camera in Teams and pick the video in Backdrop Cam.
What Microsoft Teams supports on its own
| Your own video | Your own image | Blur |
|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | Yes |
Blur, Teams backgrounds, AI-decorated backgrounds and your own .JPG/.PNG/.BMP images. No video files.
Source: Microsoft Support: Change your background in Microsoft Teams meetings, checked October 2026.
How to use a video background in Microsoft Teams
Pick your video in Backdrop Cam
Click the Backdrop Cam icon in the menu bar, then the background thumbnail. Add a clip with +, from Photos, or by dragging a video file in. Click a tile to use it.
Choose Backdrop Cam in Teams
On the pre-join screen, open the device settings and set Camera to Backdrop Cam. Outside a meeting: Settings and more (…) → Settings → Devices → Camera.
Set Teams' background effects to None
In Effects and avatars (or Video effects during a call), choose None so Teams doesn't cut you out a second time.
What Teams can and can't do
Teams' custom backgrounds are still images: Microsoft's help page asks for a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP file. Its newer Decorate effect uses AI to restyle your real room, but you can't bring a video clip. Background effects also aren't available on Linux or in optimized VDI setups.
Change your background without being in a call
With Backdrop Cam you switch backgrounds from the menu bar at any time, in or out of a meeting. Everyone in the call sees the new video straight away, with a short cross-fade.
Same background in Teams, Zoom and Meet
Backdrop Cam's background is set once on your Mac, not per app. If your week is a mix of Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, you look the same in all of them without uploading anything three times.
Questions
Can I put a video as my Teams background?
Not with Teams alone: it accepts .JPG, .PNG and .BMP images. Choose Backdrop Cam as your camera in Teams and pick any MP4 or MOV in Backdrop Cam.
Can I change my Teams background without being on a call?
Yes. In Backdrop Cam you change the background from the menu bar whenever you like; Teams just keeps receiving the camera.
Why does my outline look doubled in Teams?
Teams' own background effect is still on. Set it to None; Backdrop Cam already did the cut-out.
Does it work with the Teams web app?
Yes. Backdrop Cam is a normal macOS camera, so Teams in Chrome, Edge or Safari can use it too.