Google Photos Coming to Samsung TVs in 2026
Samsung just announced something Google Photos users have wanted for years. The company is bringing Google Photos natively to its smart TV lineup in 2026. This isn’t casting or screen mirroring—it’s a full Google Photos experience built directly into Samsung TVs.
Samsung’s official announcement confirms that Google Photos will integrate deeply with its AI TV lineup starting in 2026. Users will sign in with their Google account on compatible Samsung TVs to see backed-up photos and videos without third-party apps.
TechCrunch reports that this is the first time Google Photos will be built directly into a non-Google TV platform as a first-class experience. Samsung is positioning Google Photos as part of its AI TV strategy where TVs become personal media centers, not just streaming boxes.
How Google Photos Will Work on Samsung TVs
Samsung and Google are rolling out Google Photos integration in phases throughout 2026. The approach starts simple and adds AI features later.
Phase 1: Memories on the Big Screen
Early 2026 brings the first Google Photos feature to Samsung TVs. Memories—curated collections from Google Photos based on people, places, and past events—will appear as galleries and carousels.
The Tech Portal notes that once signed in, your existing Google Photos library shows up with minimal setup. Samsung says the Google Photos Memories experience will be exclusive to its TVs for about six months before similar functionality appears elsewhere.
This means Google Photos users can finally view their curated collections on the biggest screen in their home. No casting required. No third-party apps. Just native Google Photos integration.
Phase 2: AI Features and Personalized Results
Later in 2026, Samsung and Google plan to add AI-powered capabilities to Google Photos on TVs. 9to5Google reports these features tie into Google’s Gemini AI stack.
AI image templates and edits will let you generate stylized versions of Google Photos directly on the TV. Remix-style features will turn existing photos into new styles or formats for slideshows or ambient displays.
Personalized Results means the TV can surface related Google Photos content around a theme. Ask for “ocean” and Google Photos shows a continuous slideshow of beach trips. Request “hiking” and Google Photos pulls every mountain photo from your library.
These features make Google Photos on Samsung TVs feel less like a passive gallery and more like an AI-driven storytelling surface. Google Photos becomes an active part of your home entertainment system.
Where Google Photos Appears in Samsung’s TV UI
Samsung isn’t treating Google Photos as just another app buried in a menu. The integration goes deeper than that.
Photos and Memories from Google Photos will appear in ambient modes when the TV is idle. This is similar to how Samsung’s The Frame displays art when you’re not watching shows. Now Google Photos can fill that space with your own memories.
A dedicated Google Photos section will sit alongside Samsung’s own Gallery, streaming apps, and dashboards. Samsung’s support documentation suggests Google Photos will integrate at the system level, not just as a standalone app.
Over time, Samsung hints that personal media from Google Photos may show up in always-on style widgets and smart home dashboards. Your TV becomes a hub for Google Photos when you’re not actively watching content.
This fits the broader push where premium TVs double as decor and information displays. Google Photos turns your Samsung TV into a personal photo hub that’s always showing something meaningful.
Why This Google Photos Deal Matters
The Samsung and Google Photos partnership has strategic implications for both companies and users.
For Samsung
Samsung differentiates its Tizen-based AI TVs from other manufacturers by offering the most popular cloud photo service natively. Most smart TVs don’t have native Google Photos integration. Samsung gets this exclusively for six months.
The partnership strengthens Samsung’s story around AI-enhanced, personalized screens and ambient experiences. Google Photos fits perfectly into Samsung’s vision of TVs as smart home hubs.
For Google Photos
Google Photos gains a major new screen surface beyond phones and laptops. Viewing Google Photos on a 65-inch or 75-inch TV is significantly more immersive than on a phone.
This deepens user lock-in for Google Photos. If your life is stored in Google Photos and it’s also integrated into your TV, switching photo ecosystems becomes much harder. Google Photos becomes even more central to how you manage and view memories.
For Users
No more fiddling with casting or USB drives to view Google Photos on TV. Your memories simply appear when you sign in. AI helps you rediscover forgotten trips, family events, and everyday moments through curated sets.
Digit explains that Samsung is effectively turning the TV into a personal photo hub powered by Google Photos. The TV shifts from just a streaming device to a central display for your digital life.
What’s Still Unclear About Google Photos on Samsung TVs
Some details about Google Photos integration remain to be finalized.
Supported Models
Samsung hasn’t listed which TV models will get Google Photos. The feature is expected to start with newer AI-powered TVs from the 2025 and 2026 lineups. Older Samsung TVs probably won’t get native Google Photos support.
Budget Samsung TV models might not receive Google Photos either. The integration appears aimed at premium AI TVs where the feature makes the most sense.
Regional Availability
The initial Google Photos announcement is global. But actual rollout may vary by market. Some regions might get Google Photos integration later than others depending on licensing and infrastructure.
Storage and Performance
All Google Photos remain in the cloud. The Samsung TV acts as a client displaying your library. Performance will depend on your network quality and internet speed.
If you have thousands of photos in Google Photos, loading times and slideshow smoothness could vary. Samsung and Google haven’t detailed how they’ll handle large Google Photos libraries on TV hardware.
Privacy Controls
Users will likely rely on existing Google Photos sharing and face-grouping settings. But Samsung hasn’t fully outlined in-TV controls for Google Photos privacy.
Can you hide certain Google Photos albums from appearing on the TV? Can you set which Memories show up in ambient mode? These Google Photos privacy questions haven’t been answered yet.
When to Expect Google Photos on Your Samsung TV
Startup News reports that Google Photos integration begins rolling out in early 2026. The Memories feature arrives first in the initial phase.
AI-powered Google Photos features come later in 2026. Samsung and Google plan to announce more specifics at CES 2026 about compatible models, regional timing, and the full AI feature set.
If you’re buying a Samsung TV in 2026, Google Photos integration will be a major selling point. The feature turns your TV into more than an entertainment device—it becomes a window into your digital memories.
The Bottom Line
Samsung is bringing Google Photos natively to its smart TV lineup in 2026. This is the first time Google Photos will be built directly into a non-Google TV platform as a first-class experience.
Google Photos integration happens in phases. Early 2026 brings Memories—curated collections based on people, places, and events. Later in 2026, AI features arrive including image templates, remix styles, and personalized themed slideshows.
Samsung isn’t treating Google Photos as just another app. Photos and Memories will appear in ambient modes when the TV is idle. A dedicated Google Photos section integrates at the system level alongside Samsung’s own features.
For Samsung, Google Photos differentiates its AI TVs with the most popular cloud photo service. For Google Photos, this gains a major new screen surface and deepens user lock-in. For users, Google Photos on TV means no more casting or workarounds.
Some details remain unclear including which Samsung TV models support Google Photos, regional availability, and privacy controls. Samsung and Google will share more specifics at CES 2026.
The partnership represents a shift in how we use TVs. Google Photos turns Samsung TVs into personal photo hubs that display your digital life when you’re not actively watching shows. Your memories become part of your home decor through Google Photos integration.
If you live in Google Photos and use a Samsung TV, 2026 brings the integration you’ve been waiting for. Your entire photo library finally gets the big-screen treatment it deserves through native Google Photos support.
Author: M. Huzaifa Rizwan
