skype logoSkype has introduced support for custom backgrounds in video calls, following the recent popularity of an equivalent feature in Zoom.

The option to use custom backgrounds is part of the version 8.59.0.77 update for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, which began rolling out on April 16. As Skype's release notes describe the feature:

"Want to look like you're calling from the beach, or from space? Now you can, with custom backgrounds for your video calls."

Once you've received the update, follow these steps to use a custom background while on a call. The second set of steps in this article explain how to set up a custom background for all your calls.

How to Add a Custom Background to Your Skype Call

  1. Launch Skype and initiate a call.
  2. Once you're connected, click the More menu (the three dots) or hover over the video button.
  3. Click Choose background effect.
  4. Add a new image to customize your background effect, or select one you've previously added. You can also Blur the real background of the room you're in.

How to Set Up a Custom Background for All Your Skype Calls

  1. Launch Skype and click your profile picture.
  2. Click the Settings button (the cog icon), then click the Audio & Video button (the mic icon).
  3. Add a new image to customize your background effect, or select one you've previously added. You can also Blur the real background of the room you're in.

In addition to custom backgrounds, this latest Skype update also makes it easier to share files directly from your Mac to your Skype contacts and offers quicker access to call controls in the chat window. You can learn more about the update on the Skype website.

Tag: Skype

Top Rated Comments

MrCubes Avatar
65 months ago
It's interesting that Zoom seems to get all the credit for being able to do custom backgrounds without a green screen (and even then it's associated with modern, powerful, hardware) - when iChat was doing it back in 2007!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zhenya Avatar
65 months ago

Agreed. I’m baffled by everyone going gaga over Zoom. There have been better alternatives for ages.
Such as? Zoom has by far the lowest barrier to entry for the widest number of users. It doesn’t require an account. It works on nearly any device, often without even an install (and if it does require an install, it’s as simplified as possible). I don’t have any particular love for zoom, but it has been illustrative to watch huge numbers of tech-illiterate family and co-workers have to get online, and universally, Zoom is the default choice if you need to get a number of people together quickly with minimal hassle.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cube4ever Avatar
65 months ago

It's interesting that Zoom seems to get all the credit for being able to do custom backgrounds without a green screen (and even then it's associated with modern, powerful, hardware) - when iChat was doing it back in 2007!
Except that it did cut off half your head back then.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
65 months ago
I stopped using Skype since version 2.8 on my PPC since MS changed the reflector servers for Prism.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Axelleh Avatar
65 months ago
Imagine that people are still using their career doing software development on Skype ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

Friday March 28, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple ...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...