# Virtual Background (/en/realtime-media/broadcast-streaming/build/apply-effects-and-enhancements/virtual-background/react-native)

> For AI agents: see the complete documentation index at [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

Virtual Background enables users to blur their background, or replace it with a solid color or an image. This feature is applicable to use-cases such as online conferences, online classes, and live streaming. It helps protect personal privacy and reduces audience distraction.

      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
    ## Understand the tech [#understand-the-tech-7]

    Virtual Background offers the following options:

    | Feature                                 | Example                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
    | --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | Blurred background and image background | ![image](https://assets-docs.agora.io/images/extensions-marketplace/blurred-background.jpg)                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
    | Video/Animated background               | <video src="https://assets-docs.agora.io/images/extensions-marketplace/virtual-background.mp4" poster="https://web-cdn.agora.io/docs-files/1654571689670" width="100%" height="auto">Your browser does not support the `video` element.</video>                                                                       |
    | Portrait-in-picture                     | ![portrait-in-picture](https://assets-docs.agora.io/images/extensions-marketplace/portrait-in-picture.jpg) Allows the presenter to use slides as the virtual background while superimposing their video. The effect is similar to a weather news cast on television, preventing interruptions during a layout toggle. |

    Want to test Virtual Background? Try the <a href="https://webdemo.agora.io/virtualBackground/index.html">online demo</a>.

    ## Prerequisites [#prerequisites-7]

    Ensure that you have implemented the [SDK quickstart](../../index) in your project.

    ## Implement virtual background [#implement-virtual-background-7]

    This section shows you how to add a virtual background to the local video.

    ### Enable the extension [#enable-the-extension-1]

    To enable the Virtual Background extension, use the following code:

    ```typescript
    agoraEngineRef.current?.enableExtension(
      'agora_video_filters_segmentation',
      'portrait_segmentation',
      true,
    );
    ```

    ### Set a blurred background [#set-a-blurred-background-6]

    To blur the video background, use the following code:

    ```typescript
    const setBlurBackground = () => {
      backgroundSourceType = BackgroundSourceType.BackgroundBlur;
      backgroundBlurDegree = BackgroundBlurDegree.BlurDegreeHigh;
      agoraEngineRef.current?.enableVirtualBackground(
        true,
        {
          background_source_type: backgroundSourceType,
          blur_degree: backgroundBlurDegree,
        },
        {},
      );
    };
    ```

    ### Set a color background [#set-a-color-background-6]

    To apply a solid color as the virtual background, use a hexadecimal color code. For example, `0x0000FF` for blue:

    ```typescript
    const setColorBackground = () => {
      backgroundSourceType = BackgroundSourceType.BackgroundColor;
      color = 0x0000ff;
      agoraEngineRef.current?.enableVirtualBackground(
        true,
        {
          background_source_type: backgroundSourceType,
          color: color,
        },
        {},
      );
    };
    ```

    ### Set an image background [#set-an-image-background-6]

    To set a custom image as the virtual background, specify the absolute path to the image file.

    ```typescript
    const setImageBackground = () => {
      backgroundSourceType = BackgroundSourceType.BackgroundImg;
      source =
        '<<absolute path to an image file>>';
      agoraEngineRef.current?.enableVirtualBackground(
        true,
        {
          background_source_type: backgroundSourceType,
          source: source,
        },
        {},
      );
    };
    ```

    ### Reset the background [#reset-the-background-6]

    To disable the virtual background and revert to the original video state, use the following code:

    ```typescript
    const resetVirtualBackground = () => {
      setVirtualBackgroundStatus(false);
      agoraEngineRef.current?.enableVirtualBackground(false, {}, {});
    };
    ```

    ## Reference [#reference-7]

    This section contains content that completes the information in this page, or points you to documentation that explains other aspects to this product.

    ### API reference [#api-reference-7]

    * [`enableExtension`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_enableextension)

    * [`enableVirtualBackground`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_enablevirtualbackground)

    * [`VirtualBackgroundSource`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_virtualbackgroundsource.html)

    * [`SegmentationProperty`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_segmentationproperty.html)