Using the Shared Backgrounds App

Shared Backgrounds removes the hassle of sending background images around your organization and explaining how each co-worker should add custom virtual backgrounds to this app. It is perfect for helping your team have the right backgrounds for the right meetings.

You can easily upload the background your team needs every day for sales demos, customer calls, events, or to cover up their messy rooms every morning and with a click of a button, you will all have the same coordinated background for the meeting.

In the event that you need a background right away for a meeting, you can use Shared Backgrounds to get it done, or you can use it outside of meetings, as a place where your team can browse backgrounds they can use regularly.

Prerequisites

• For Zoom desktop client
  • Windows: version 5.7.3 or higher
  • MacOS: version 5.7.3 or higher
• For A Zoom account
• You have to receive pre-approval of the Shared Backgrounds application from the Zoom Marketplace
  Note: In case the application does not receive pre-approval, please contact your Zoom administrator.
• The sharing background app URL has been added to your network or firewall’s URL Allowlist so that it can be accessed: https://shared-backgrounds.zoomapp.cloud/

How to install from the Zoom App Marketplace

In the list of apps, there is also an app called Shared Backgrounds, which comes with the Zoom Desktop client.
It can be installed manually by following the instructions below.

1. Access the Zoom Marketplace by logging into your Zoom account
2. And then clicking on the Shared Backgrounds tab, then clicking on Add.
3. Next, review the permission requests and click the Authorise button.
   Once the app has been installed, it will appear under the Apps section on the Zoom Desktop client after it has been launched.

How to use the Shared Backgrounds App

You can start the Shared Backgrounds application by clicking the Apps tab on Zoom’s client, which is located within a Zoom meeting. The person who has been authorized to add backgrounds will be able to share them with the rest of the team after approval.

How to uninstall from the App Marketplace

1. Please log in to the App Marketplace web portal by using your email address and password.
2. Then select Manage, Added Apps and click Sign In.
3. You will see the Shared Backgrounds app listed as Removed.

Data Security

Users can open the app, as well as set the user’s virtual background using the zoomapp:inmeeting scope. The application makes use of Zoom’s inmeeting scope to allow users to open it during Zoom meetings. For more information about Zoom’s practices for collecting, using, and sharing your personal information, you can refer to Zoom’s privacy statement.

Here is a full list of SDK methods which are accessible to this app through Zoom Apps SDK:

• SetVirtualBackground – The SetVirtualBackground function allows you to set your virtual background.
• RemoveVirtualBackground – This method is used to remove the user’s virtual background.
• OpenUrl – Invokes the system browser of a device to open a specific URL.
• Send AppInvitation – Sends an invitation through the meeting app to other participants in the meeting to use it.
• show AppInvitation Dialog – The app invitation dialog will open up in a Zoom window where you can select specific recipients to invite.
• onSendAppInvitation – This event is triggered when the user sends an invitation through the app while the meeting is taking place.
• getUserContext – Gets the user’s display name, a temporary identification for participants in the meeting, and their meeting role.