Official google photos screensaver on android tv

by cliny

I've read about setting up a google photos screensaver by using third party apps, but I wasn't sure if you guys were aware that you could achieve this with the official google photos app. Here's a summary of how to do it:

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  1. Download the latest google photos app from apk mirror. This will come as an apk bundle (.apkm), so you'll need apk mirror's bundle installer:
  2. Download APKMirror Installer (Official) from apk mirror.
  3. Transfer both files to your android tv device, via usb, ftp, etc.
  4. Install apk mirror installer app
  5. Install google photos .apkm file using apk mirror installer
  6. At this point, you'll see 'photos' in the screensaver section, but it won't let you log in until you open the google photos app and go through the initial set up steps; so go ahead and do that
  7. Go to the screensaver section in settings, choose 'photos' and set up your screensaver settings, and you're done

So basically, sideload the google photos app and you can use it as a screensaver.

Tested and working on a 2019 nvidia shield tv and a mi box s.

simiannz

Working for me although I would probably just get the APK instead of the bundle. Also had to wait for a sync of my photos which took about 5 minutes before it would work (was just getting a blank screen). Finally it just shows you photos in order no shuffle which doesn't really work for me (unless I'm missing an option somewhere).

daobn24

I tried this on a Mi Box S. When I click on "Watch ad and install app" in APKMirror installer, nothing happens. How did you get that to work?

pipsname

Seems to be working for me in my MiBox 3.

ntelas46

I have it working for months without any app. It randomly appeared in the ambient settings one time I was browsing and one I set it, it's working like on any Chromecast! I guess I was lucky. Worth noting that time, I was going back and forth on the menus to select art. That might glitched it and it thought it is a Chromecast.

Here is a clip if the menu.

mustang_vst

What's wrong with selecting this option from Google home app settings ?!

Korben-

Honestly the App Store app was far easier, has more features, and worth it to do the upgrade past the free version.

John81uk

I can get my Google photos to show on my Mi Box s without the Google photos app. Just set it from my Google home app on my phone to it that way. As it has googlecast built in.

speakxj7

yeah, i've done this to backup screenshots, but on ancient atv version (m), the 'daydream' (old version for screensavers) menu can't launch the photos app settings screen to pick album's. :'(

PmikeH

the last mi box update (at least for mi box S/4) adds google photos support, you don’t need to install google photos. It’s in ambient mode options.