4 Fixes for Google Photos Not Showing in Ambient Mode on Google TV

Basic Fixes

• Check your Google account: Open Settings > Accounts and sign in > Check the Google account you are using.
• Log in again to your Google account: Open Settings > Accounts and sign in > Select your Google account > Remove account > Add your account again.
• Update Google TV OS version: Open Settings > System > About > System Update.

Fix 1: Select Google Photos For Ambient Mode

As prefaced previously, Ambient mode can display pre-installed wallpapers, images from other sources, and your Google Photos, too. What’s more, the TV gives you the option to sift between these different categories seamlessly. So, if you wish to display your Google Photos in Ambient Mode, you must have it enabled on your Google TV. Here’s how to check the same.

Open Settings > System > Ambient Mode > Enable Google Photos.

Fix 2: Disable Personal Photo Curation

As suggested on the official Google Community forum, disabling the Personal Photo Curation feature is a good fix for this issue. Using this feature enables Google Photos to select the best photos from your Recent Highlights and Live Albums. However, this feature might not show you the photos you want displayed in Ambient Mode. So it is better to turn it off.

Step 1: Open Settings > System > Ambient Mode > Personal photo curation.

Step 2: Enable All Albums.

Tip: Learn how to sideload apps on your Google TV.

Fix 3: Check Photo Frame Settings For Google TV

If you are still facing the same issue, you can check the Photo Frame settings for your Google TV. The Google Photos app gives you the option to choose what gets displayed on connected devices. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone or Android phone. Ensure that you use the same Google account as your Google TV.

Step 2: Tap the Profile icon > Google Photos settings.

Step 3: Tap on Apps and Devices > Photo Frames.

Step 4: Tap on your Google TV model name and then select the albums that should be displayed.

Step 5: Tap on Done at the top-right corner to confirm.

Fix 4: Disable Apps Only Mode

As suggested by a user on Reddit, you need to disable this feature and try. When this mode is turned on, your Google recommendations get hidden from the Google TV home screen.

Open Settings > Accounts and sign in > Account name > Disable Apps Only Mode.

Tip: You can also see your pictures on your Google TV by using the built-in Chromecast feature. If you’re unable to cast to Google TV, refer to our post for solutions.