Sceensaver on Google 4K streamer

[MarkRNZ]

We use the streamer on our TV and use Google photos as the screensaver.  Is there some way to display photos in an album in date order?  Photos by default seem to display in a random sequence.  Thanks.

[virnab]

Hi MarkRNZ,

Thanks for reaching out to our community.

I appreciate your question about displaying photos in date order on your Google TV Streamer (4K) screensaver. You've come to the right place, and I'm happy to help you with this concern.

I would like to clarify that the Google TV Streamer (4K) is an adapter that receives a signal from an app, such as the Google Photos app, and displays it on your TV. The streamer itself does not have the ability to manage or control content settings. However, you can customize the following settings on your streamer:

1. From the Google TV Streamer (4K) home screen, select “Settings,” then tap “System,” and choose “Ambient mode.”
2. Under "More settings," choose:
• Personal photo data: Show or hide the owner's name and album name.
• Portrait Google Photos: Choose if photos can be shown in portrait orientation.
• Personal photo curation: Choose which albums are included.
• Slideshow speed: Choose how long a photo stays on the screen.

The reason why the photos seem to be displayed in a random sequence is that the Google Photos app automatically attempts to select what it thinks are the best photos from your Live Albums and Recent Highlights. This is a setting called “Photo curation.”

You can completely turn off curation for private and shared albums by changing the "Personal photo curation" setting to "Live albums only." No curation at all is done on your Favorites. If photos in your private and shared albums don't appear as expected, turn off curation for those albums. To learn more, you can refer to this Google Help Center article: Ambient screensaver for Chromecast and Google TV Streamer.

Feel free to keep us posted if you have more questions.

Best regards,

Virna

[MarkRNZ]

Hi Virna,

Thanks for your comprehensive and helpful reply. I followed your instructions and set curating to "Live albums only". Photos from what I think is a private album still show in a random order. 

You also mention "If photos in your private and shared albums don't appear as expected, turn off curation for those albums. ".  I cannot find how to do this. Can you help? 

Many thanks. Mark 

[virnab]

Hi MarkRNZ,

Thanks for keeping me updated. I'm so glad to hear that the information I shared was helpful to you. I’m more than happy to provide you with the instructions on how to turn off curation for private and shared albums that do not appear as expected.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. From the Google TV Streamer (4K) home screen, select "Settings."
2. Tap "System," and choose "Ambient mode."
3. Select "Google Photos," then go to "More settings."
4. Select "Personal photo curation" and change this setting by selecting "Live albums only."

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards,

Virna

[MarkRNZ]

Hi Virna,

As noted in my previous response. The Personal photo curation setting in G Photos on the 4K Streamer  is set to "Live Albums only". However, photos from a private album still show in random order. 

Kind regards.

Mark

[virnab]

Hi MarkRNZ,

Thanks for following up and clarifying that your "Personal photo curation" is already set to "Live Albums only." I’m sorry to hear that the private album is still appearing in random order despite those settings, but I’m happy to keep working on this with you.

To help the streamer recognize your updated preferences, please try these steps:

1. Reinstall the Google Photos app

• Uninstall the Google Photos app from your mobile device.
• Go to the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) and download the latest version of the app.

2. Perform a "Power Cycle" on your devices

• Unplug the Google TV Streamer (4K) from its power source, the HDMI port, and the Ethernet cable.
• Unplug your TV from the wall outlet.
• Wait 1 to 2 minutes, then plug everything back in.

Once everything is back up and running, please check if the display has updated correctly. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out—I'll be looking forward to your update!

Best regards,

Virna

[MarkRNZ]

Hi Virna,

Thank you for these suggestions.  I have followed the guidance for the Streamer and TV. (unplug the devices etc).  As I have a Pixel phone I cannot uninstall the Photos app.  However it has  been restarted.  I also created a new album which is not shared with anyone. This album was set as screensaver on the Streamer.

After doing all of the above twice, nothing has changed.  Photos still display in random order.

I give up!  If you are able please advise Google of what may simply be a bug.

Thanks for your help. 

[virnab]

Hi MarkRNZ,

Thanks for keeping me updated. I appreciate your persistence in trying to get your photos to display in chronological order on your Google TV Streamer’s screensaver. It is my pleasure to continue assisting you.

Another troubleshooting step we can try is manually sorting the album within the Google Photos app. Please follow these steps:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Photos app.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. Open the specific album you are using for the screensaver.
4. At the bottom, tap Edit album.
5. At the top right, tap the Sort icon (two arrows pointing in opposite directions).
6. Select your preferred order: Newest, Oldest, or Recently added. (You can also drag items to move them manually).
7. Tap Done.

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards,

Virna