How to Access Google Photos on Roku [Simple Steps]

Google Photos is a cloud-based media storage and file-sharing app. It features an in-built photo editing tool and media backup with 15 GB of cloud DVR storage. All these features can be availed just by signing into your Google account. While it is available for different devices, Roku users cannot download Google Photos as it isn’t yet available on the Channel Store. However, there are workarounds that you can try on your Roku TV to access Google Photos.

How to Access Google Photos on Roku

Though there is no official channel for Google Photos in Roku’s Channel Store, you can use the Screen Mirroring feature and get Google Photos from external devices on Roku. Screen Mirroring is possible on Roku from four types of devices. You can either,

• Screen Mirror Google Photos from Android
• Screen Mirror Google Photos from Windows PC
• Screen Mirror Google Photos from iOS device
• Screen Mirror Google Photos from Mac

Pre-Requisite

You should enable Screen Mirroring on Roku if you want to mirror Google Photos from an Android device or Windows PC.

• Go to Roku Home screen >> Settings >> System >> Screen mirroring >> Screen mirroring mode >> select Prompt or Always Allow.

If you have iOS or Mac, you should turn on AirPlay on Roku to mirror Google Photos.

• Navigate to Settings >> Apple AirPlay and HomeKit >> Apple AirPlay and HomeKit Settings >> Turn on AirPlay.

How to Screen Mirror Google Photos from Android

After completing the pre-requisite process for screen mirroring from Android mobile/tablet,

[1] Connect your Android device and Roku to the same WiFi network.

[2] Now open your Android device’s Notification panel and tap the Cast option.

[3] You’ll find the list of available devices to screen mirror.

[4] Select your Roku device‘s name there.

[5] Now your smartphone‘s screen will appear on your Roku device-connected TV screen.

[6] Now you can open the Google Photos app that’s inbuilt into your Android device.

• Get the app installed on your Android device from the Play Store if you have deleted it.

[7] Select any photo or video to access it on Roku’s big screen.

Screen Mirror Google Photos from Windows PC

Google Photos has a web version too. So, you can play Google Photos on Roku from Windows PC using the following steps.

[1] Use the same WiFi connection on your PC and Roku.

[2] Now launch your PC’s web browser and open the web page of Google Photos.

[3] Sign in to your Google Account and choose the photos you want.

[4] Now go to the Settings option on your PC and choose System.

[5] Select the Display option and click on Connect to a wireless display option.

[6] In the appearing new window, select your Roku device name.

[7] Doing so will mirror your PC’s display to your Roku-connected TV.

[8] Now return to the Google Photos webpage, scroll through your media files and watch it on Roku TV.

How to Screen Mirror Google Photos from iOS

Google Photos application doesn’t come default on iOS devices. But the application is available on App Store for free to download.

[1] So, first of all, open the App Store application and select its Search bar.

[2] Type Google Photos and search for it.

[3] Choose the app from the search results and tap the Get option to download it from the Apple App Store.

[4] After downloading, connect your Roku device and iPhone/iPad to the same WiFi network after completing the pre-requisite.

[5] Now open your device’s Control panel.

[6] Tap the Screen Mirroring option and select your Roku device from the list of available devices.

[7] After selecting, your Roku device will display your iOS device’s screen.

[8] Now launch the Google Photos app and start viewing the items within the app on the Roku screen.

Screen Mirror Google Photos from Mac

To screen mirror the Google Photos website on Roku, ensure you’re using Mac’s latest OS version. Then complete the pre-requisite for screen mirroring and

[1] Open the Control Center.

[2] Select the Screen Mirroring option, choose your Roku device from the available devices and start screen mirroring.

[3] Launch any browser on your Mac and visit Google Photos’ official website.

[4] Log in with your Google account, and whatever you surf within the website will be displayed on Roku’s screen.

Alternate Method

To recover and display Google Photos images and video files on Roku, you can also use the PhotoView channel on Roku. The process includes the following steps.

[1] Open your Roku device.

[2] Go to the Streaming Channels options option and select the Search Channels option.

[3] Search for PhotoView for the Google Photos channel and click the Add Channel button to install it from the Roku Channel Store.

[4] Now launch the PhotoView for Google Photos channel and note the code displayed on the screen.

[5] Then, visit the activation website on the Roku screen to connect with your Google Account.

[6] Enter the noted authentication code on the website and click the Link Device button below.

[7] Then sign in with your Google account to connect with the PhotoView for Google Photos app.

[8] Now the channel will refresh and display the images you have saved on the Google Photos app.

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