Backdrop Cam
Get Backdrop Cam
Mac · October 2026
A Snap Camera alternative for backgrounds, on your Mac
Short answer
Snap discontinued Snap Camera on January 25, 2023. If you used it for lenses and face filters, Backdrop Cam isn't that. If you used it to put something behind you in calls, Backdrop Cam does exactly that, with any video you like: it adds Backdrop Cam to your Mac, just as Snap Camera did.
What's the same, what's different
| Snap Camera | Backdrop Cam | |
|---|---|---|
| Adds a camera to your Mac | Yes | Yes |
| Your own looping video behind you | No | Yes |
| AR lenses and face filters | Yes | No |
| Still available | No Shut down Jan 25, 2023 | Yes |
| Processing | On device | On device, Neural Engine |
Switch in a minute
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 where you used Snap Camera
In Zoom, Meet, Teams, OBS or any app, open the camera setting and pick Backdrop Cam.
Talk
Switch backgrounds from the menu bar whenever you like.
Questions
Is Snap Camera still available?
No. Snap discontinued the Snap Camera desktop app on January 25, 2023.
Does Backdrop Cam have lenses or face filters?
No. Backdrop Cam does one thing: it puts a looping video behind you, with a high-quality cut-out.
Is Backdrop Cam free?
Yes. Backdrop Cam is free and open source (GPL-3.0), with no account and no subscription.
Does it work like Snap Camera in Zoom and Meet?
Yes. Like Snap Camera, it adds a camera to your Mac (Backdrop Cam) that you choose in Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other app.