When You Don’t Want to Be a Cat: How to Use (and Remove) Meeting Filters

An adorable cat filter is purr-fectly appropriate for a Zoom session with family and friends, but what happens when you join your next meeting as a furry feline and want to quickly regain your human form?

We’re here to answer all your questions about using filters, whether you want to know how to become a cat in your next Zoom meeting, and perhaps more importantly, how to remove your filter when the situation calls for it.

Zoom has a bunch of free filters to make meetings fun. You can wear a pizza hat or a crown of flowers, a pirate eye patch or bunny ears — and it’s easy to select and switch filters depending on your mood (and audience).

In a meeting, simply click the up arrow next to the Stop Video icon and select Choose Video Filter. Click on different filters to try them on for size! You can also turn on video filters when you’re not in a meeting.

Third-party integrations like Snap Camera give you even more options to have fun with filters. Here’s how to get started (note that these instructions may differ slightly depending on the application you’re using).

1. Follow instructions to download and install the third-party software, and make sure you have the latest version of the Zoom desktop client, too. (Please note that by installing third-party software, you may have to agree to third-party terms.)
2. On the Zoom desktop client, click your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen and select Settings to open the Settings window.
3. Click Video in the left panel.
4. Under Camera, click the drop down menu and select the third-party app as your camera.

Maybe you’re arguing a case in virtual court or giving an important presentation, and you’d rather not do so as a cat. There are few different ways to remove your filter:

1. In a Zoom meeting, click the up arrow next to the Stop Video icon. 
2. Select a different camera setting, or try selecting each camera listed until you return to normal. Check out our support article for more details.

1. In a Zoom meeting, click the up arrow next to your Stop Video icon and select Choose Video Filter to open the Settings window. 
2. Select the box labeled None in the top left corner of the filter selections. You may need to scroll up until you see this option.

If you can’t risk a meeting cat-astrophe, check your settings beforehand to make sure your video is filter-free.

1. On the Zoom desktop client, click your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen and select Settings to open the Settings window.
2. Click Background & Filters in the left panel.
3. Check your video preview to see if you have any filters selected. This is also a perfect time to make sure your virtual background is appropriate, too!
4. If you have a video filter you want to turn off, click the Video Filters tab below your video preview window. 
5. Select the box labeled None in the top left corner of the filter selections. You may need to scroll up until you see this option. 

Looking for more ideas to liven up your virtual meetings? Check out our blog post with fun tips for using filters, reactions, and virtual backgrounds!