Blur Your Less-Than-Perfect Background in Skype for iOS

Put the focus on you, not your clutter

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Published on July 17, 2020 03:26PM EDT

Safely blurring your background is essential when working from home (or the beach!), and now you can do it with your iPhone.

Skype 3-person video call on iOS — Microsoft

The ability to blur your Skype background was added to Skype’s desktop version last year, but now iOS users get to enjoy the same luxury.

How it works: As Microsoft explained during the feature’s initial debut, it’s similar to the blur feature used in Microsoft Teams, and uses artificial intelligence to determine what is blurred out. It’s able to detect your hair, hands, and arms, so you’re more in focus, but don’t expect it to be impossible for others to tell what’s behind you.

How to blur: This Skype support page explains that, during your video call, simply tap the More option, then toggle Blur my background on. If you don’t see the blur option, make sure you’re using the latest version of Skype for iOS.

What about Android? Unfortunately, there's no word on if/when blurring will come to Skype for Android.

Bottom line: No one has the time or energy to clean their room(s) anymore thanks to quarantine (and your friends probably don’t care anyway), but it’s nice to have the option to hide your shame all the same.

Via: The Verge