Updated September 21, 2023: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
The animated background feature in Teams Meetings allows users to replace their existing background with a dynamic animation for a more immersive virtual environment. It offers various options to enhance meeting experience with creativity and personalization according to users’ preferences. Currently, only pre-defined backgrounds from Microsoft are supported. Animated backgrounds are identified by the small video icon in the bottom-left corner of the preview picture.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 122513
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out in mid-June and expect to complete rollout by late June.
Public Preview: We will begin rolling out in mid-June and expect to complete rollout by late June.
Standard Release and GCC: We will begin rolling out in early July and expect to complete rollout by mid-September 2023 (previously late July).
GCC-High and DoD: We will begin rolling out in late September and expect to complete rollout by late October.
[How this will affect your organization:]
Users can go to the pre-join screen before the meeting start > Effects and Avatars > Video effects and select a new animated background. Animated backgrounds can be identified by the little video symbol in the bottom left corner of the preview picture.
Users can also change animated backgrounds when they start a meeting and go to More in meeting toolbar > Effects and Avatars > Select an animated background.
- Animated backgrounds are not available on low-end devices and require at least 8 GB RAM, CPU with 4 logical processors.
- Only pre-defined backgrounds from Microsoft are currently supported.
- Using more video filters might slow down background animation, in case of high machine workload.
[What you need to do to prepare:]
No preparation is needed. You may want to update your training materials indicating that animated backgrounds are now supported Teams meetings.