Ambient screensaver FAQs

Here are a few ambient screensaver frequently asked questions. If these don't resolve your question, please ask members of our Streaming community.

Introduction

What is ambient screensaver?

Ambient screensaver allows you to personalize what’s displayed on your Google streaming device's home screen even when not casting. You can choose to display your favorite photos and art from a variety of channels. Here's more information about setting up ambient screensaver.

Can I turn off ambient screensaver?

No, ambient screensaver can't be turned off. If you disable all customized ambient screensaver preferences, images from "Featured Photos" will still appear on your TV display when the streaming device is idle.

Can I control when and how often something shows up on ambient screensaver?

No, you can't control when and how often a piece of content appears on ambient screensaver.

I set up my ambient screensaver preferences, but they’re not showing up. What should I do next?

Your ambient screensaver preferences might not be linked to your streaming device preferences. To find out how to do this, refer to Ambient screensaver for Chromecast and Google TV Streamer.

If you already set up your ambient screensaver preferences, restart your device.

Settings

I’m unable to link my ambient settings to my streaming device.

One of the following error messages appears on your mobile device when trying to link your ambient settings to your streaming device:

  • Android Devices: "Can’t link {streaming device name} to ambient screensaver. Please try again later"
  • iOS Devices: "Oops! Something went wrong. Unable to add ambient screensaver to your {streaming device name}"

To resolve the issue:

  1. Cast a video from the YouTube mobile application.
  2. Stop the video and disconnect from the Google Cast session.
  3. Try re-linking your ambient settings to your streaming device once the pictures show up on the streaming device home screen.

Ambient screensaver photos

How do I upload photos for use on my streaming device?

Your streaming device gets photos for ambient screensaver through the Google Photos account you linked in the Google Home app. To upload photos to use with the streaming device, upload your photos directly to Google Photos.

What photos will be shown when I choose to activate Google Photos, Facebook, or Flickr on ambient screensaver preferences?

Only the photos from the selected albums will be displayed on the TV.

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