---
title: "Setting up my entry before joining a videoconference"
description: "Before you enter a videoconference, a pre-join screen lets you set your microphone, camera, background, and devices, and choose how your profile appears."
category: communication
section: videoconferencing
type: Tutorial
lastUpdated: 2026-08-10
locale: en
canonical: https://support.talkspirit.com/en/communication/set-up-your-entry-to-the-videoconference-before-joining-the-meeting
---

# Setting up my entry before joining a videoconference


Before you enter a videoconference, a pre-join screen lets you set your microphone, camera, and background, and open a settings panel to choose your devices and profile. You control how you appear and sound before anyone sees you. You can change any of these settings again once you are inside the meeting.

## How do I set my microphone?

You can join a videoconference with your microphone muted.

1. Click the **Microphone** icon to turn it off before joining.

Once inside the meeting, click the **Microphone** icon again to turn it back on.

## How do I set my camera?

You can join a videoconference with your camera turned off.

1. Click the **Camera** icon to turn it off before joining.

Once inside the meeting, click the **Camera** icon again to turn it back on.

## How do I choose a background?

You can replace what appears behind you before you join.

1. Click the **Select background** icon.
2. Choose a preset background, blur your surroundings, or upload an image of your own.

You can also change your background inside the meeting: open the **More** menu (the three dots), then click **Select background**.

## How do I choose my devices and profile?

Click the **Settings** button before joining to open the settings panel.

- On the **Devices** tab, choose your **Microphone**, **Camera**, and **Audio output**.

- On the **Profile** tab, set a display name. Your avatar is taken from your [Gravatar](https://gravatar.com/support/what-is-gravatar/) email address.
- Open the **More** tab for advanced options.

You cannot customise these entry settings in the mobile app. On mobile, you enter directly into the meeting.

## What's Next?

- [The Talkspirit Videoconferencing Service](/en/communication/videoconferencing-overview)
- [Allowing the microphone in a videoconference](/en/communication/allowing-the-microphone-on-a-video-conference-room)
- [Sharing my screen during a videoconference](/en/communication/share-your-screen-on-the-videoconference)
- [Joining a videoconference on mobile](/en/communication/join-a-videoconference-on-mobile)