Google TV photo screensaver or local slideshow?

Use Google Photos in Ambient Mode when you want your albums to appear automatically while the TV is idle. Choose PictaCast when you want to start a slideshow from a folder on your computer.

PictaCast streams photos over your local network during an active Cast session. Keep your computer awake and the app open; it does not replace Google TV's idle screensaver.

Try a Local Slideshow

Free for 10 minutes per day. One-time paid passes available.

Choose how your TV displays photos

For built-in setup steps, see our Ambient Mode guide. Google documents the available sources and controls in its screensaver instructions.

Ambient Mode

  • Uses albums in Google Photos for your personal photos
  • Starts automatically when the TV is idle
  • Basic fullscreen mode, plus Dynamic collages on eligible devices
  • Includes slideshow speed and on-screen information settings

USB Media Player

  • Copy your photos onto a USB drive for playback on the TV
  • Requires a suitable USB port and a compatible photo player
  • Controls and supported formats depend on your TV and player
  • Check your TV's manual for slideshow and music options

Start a local slideshow with PictaCast

Use a laptop or desktop and a Google Cast receiver on the same Wi-Fi network. Follow the steps below to cast photos to TV, or see the Chromecast slideshow guide for more detail. For an automatic idle screensaver, follow our Google TV Ambient Mode setup guide.

1

Open PictaCast in Chrome or Edge

Go to app.pictacast.com on your laptop or desktop. Sign in with your Google account to get started — no separate registration needed.

2

Select a photo folder from your computer

Click the folder picker and choose any folder of photos — your Desktop, Pictures folder, an external drive, or a specific event folder. Photos are never uploaded anywhere.

3

Cast to your Google TV

Click the Cast icon and select your Google TV from the list. Your personal photo gallery starts instantly — with smooth transitions, optional music, and multiple display modes.

Options for your active PictaCast slideshow

Local Photos Only

Your photos stream from your computer over Wi-Fi. Nothing is uploaded to Google, iCloud, or any other cloud service.

Background Music

Add MP3 files from your computer for a soundtrack that plays alongside your photo gallery. Ambient Mode can't do this.

Multiple Display Modes

Choose fullscreen crossfade, a picture-wall grid, or a collage for your local photo slideshow.

Custom Timing

Control exactly how long each photo stays on screen — from a few seconds to several minutes.

Use Your Computer

PictaCast casts independently — minimise the tab and keep working on your computer while the slideshow runs on the TV.

Screen Rotation

Support for 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° rotation — perfect for portrait-mounted Google TV displays.

Works with any Google TV device

PictaCast casts to any device with built-in Chromecast support — which includes all Google TV hardware.

Chromecast with Google TV

Sony Google TV

TCL Google TV

Hisense Google TV

Common questions

Can I use my own photos as a Google TV screensaver?

Yes. Choose a Google Photos album in Google TV's built-in Ambient Mode for an automatic idle screensaver. For files on your computer, PictaCast provides a separate active slideshow over Google Cast; it does not change Ambient Mode.

Does PictaCast work with Google TV?

Yes. Any Google TV device (Chromecast with Google TV, Sony, TCL, Hisense, etc.) supports casting from PictaCast. Open app.pictacast.com in Chrome or Edge and cast to your Google TV.

Do I need to upload my photos to Google Photos?

No. PictaCast reads your photos directly from a local folder on your computer and streams them to your TV over your home Wi-Fi network. Your photos are sent to the TV over your local network, without a cloud photo upload.

Can I add background music to my photo gallery?

Yes. PictaCast supports local MP3 files as background music alongside your photo slideshow — something Google TV's built-in Ambient Mode cannot do.

How do I change the screensaver on Google TV?

Open Settings → System → Ambient mode → Settings → Source on Google TV and select Google Photos for personal albums. Other sources and options vary by device. PictaCast starts a separate Cast session rather than changing this setting.

Can I use local photos as a Google TV screensaver without Google Photos?

The built-in Google Photos screensaver uses albums in your Google Photos account. PictaCast can stream a local folder from your computer without uploading photos to the cloud, but it is an active slideshow, not an automatic idle screensaver. Keep your computer awake and PictaCast open during playback.

Ready to cast a local photo slideshow?

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