How to Change Your Instagram Video Call Background

Instagram video calls show whatever your camera sees, so the room behind you is part of the call. Depending on your app version and device, you may be able to apply an in-call effect, use your phone's or computer's own camera effects, or simply change the real background. This guide covers all three and how to check the result.

Before you start

An Instagram video call runs through Meta's service, not only on your device. Background-related options are not guaranteed: what you see depends on your Instagram version, your device, your operating system version and possibly your region, and Meta can change features at any time. Whether an effect is processed on your device or elsewhere is not something to assume. If that matters to you, check Meta's current privacy information and your operating system's documentation.

• Update Instagram to the latest version available for your device.
• Make sure Instagram has camera permission in your phone's settings. On a computer, the browser needs camera permission for the site.
• If you plan to use a system camera effect such as background blur, confirm your device and OS version support it.
• Set up even lighting on your face before the call, since effects and blur work better with clear contrast.

Step-by-step instructions

Option 1: Use an effect inside the call, if offered

• Start or join a video call in Instagram.
• If the call controls are hidden, tap the screen to show them.
• Look for an effects or filter option among the call controls.
• If it is there, browse the available effects and pick one that changes or covers the background.
• To undo it, return to the same option and switch the effect off.
• If you see no such option, your current version does not offer it. Use Option 2 or Option 3 instead.

Option 2: Use your device's camera effects

Some phones and computers include system-level camera effects, such as background blur, that can apply to the camera feed used by other apps. Support depends on the hardware and OS version, and not every app receives these effects. Find the camera or video effects controls described in your device's documentation, turn on blur before or during the call, then check your self-view in Instagram. Turn the effect off in the same place when you are done.

Option 3: Change the real background

• Sit facing a plain wall or a tidy area without busy patterns.
• Remove anything personal from view: documents, screens, photos, mail with addresses.
• Put the main light in front of you. A bright window behind you turns you into a silhouette and makes effects less accurate.
• Keep the phone or laptop steady at roughly eye level so the framing does not shift during the call.
• If you use a computer with more than one camera, confirm the selected camera is the one pointing where you expect.

Check the output

Watch your self-view while you turn your head, move your hands and lean slightly. Look for flickering edges, missing hair or fingers, and parts of the room showing through. Then ask the other person what they see. The call video is compressed, and resolution and frame rate can drop on weaker connections, so fine edges and blur may look rougher on their screen than in your preview.

Common problems and next steps

• No effects option in the call: update and restart the app. If it still does not appear, it is not available for your version or device, so rely on system effects or the real background.
• Effect flickers or cuts off your outline: add light in front of you, increase contrast between you and the wall, avoid patterned backgrounds and stay at a steady distance from the camera.
• System blur does not show in Instagram: confirm the effect is switched on, check that your device applies it to third-party apps, then leave and rejoin the call.
• Black or frozen camera: check camera permission for Instagram or the browser, close other apps that may be using the camera, and on a computer confirm the selected camera.
• Things remain recognizable behind you: blur and effects reduce detail but do not guarantee anything is hidden. Physically move sensitive items out of the frame.

If none of the options give a result you are happy with, a well-lit plain wall is the most reliable background, because it does not depend on app features, device support or connection quality.