How to Use Roku Photo Stream [2024 Guide]

Roku is one of the most versatile media streaming players. Users who are tight on budget but don’t want to compromise on entertainment should opt for Roku. However, entertainment is not the only reason why users love Roku TV. One of the most popular features of Roku TV is Photo Stream. But what is the Roku Photo Stream?

It’s a feature that converts your Roku device into a digital photo frame. Your general snapshots are showcased in an engaging way on your Roku TV screen. So ditch generic and boring screen savers and opt for unique screensavers on your Roku device. However, the problem is that most users don’t know how to use this feature. But not anymore. In this article, we’ll share every detail about Roku Photo Streams and how you can utilize it. Keep reading so you don’t miss out.

What Are Roku Photo Streams?

Roku Photo Streams is a feature that allows users to create free digital albums or photo streams. The best part is that you can share them with others. Once you create a Photo Stream, just upload the photos and send an email invitation to the users (family, friends) who can view the photos. Furthermore, users can add their own photos depending on their access. If you don’t want others to add pictures to the stream, you can set the member permission to View Only.

Read: Scan Channels on Samsung TV

How To Create Photo Streams & Upload Photos

If you are adding pictures to your own Photo Stream or any of these shared by your family, you must learn how to view them. Most importantly, what if you want to make one for yourself? Is there any method to do it? Yes. There are two common methods for this, which will be shared in this article. So, let’s explore them more.

Web Browser

• Open the web browser of your choice on your phone, computer, or any device. 
• Now, type photostreams.roku.com and open the website.
• To log in to your Roku account, add credentials and necessary details.
• Now, choose Create Stream. You can create a new photo stream or choose an existing one.
• Here, you can upload photos that you want to be in the Roku Photo Stream.
• You can also change the stream’s name according to your liking. Now, copy the link to the stream and share it with your friends and family so they can view it as well.

Roku Mobile App

• Download the Roku mobile app on your device, either a smartphone or an Android.
• After installation is completed, launch the mobile app.
• Click on the User icon, which is present at the top corner of the Roku mobile app.
• Here, you need to sign in. Add your email address and password.
• Click on Photo Streams. To make a new stream, choose Create Stream. You can also choose an existing stream.
• Now, upload your favorite photos to the stream. To personalize it, change the streams’ names.
• Now, copy the link or email it directly to your friends and family so they can also view it.

After signing in to the Roku mobile app, you can directly add photos to the stream. But how can you do that?

Just follow these instructions. 

• Open the photo app on the phone.
• Choose photos that you want to add.
• Now click the share button and choose Roku to upload the images to your desired Roku Photo Streams.
• After creating the first photo stream, your Roku device successfully installs the Photo Streams channel. Meanwhile, the screen saver is automatically set to Photo Streams.

How To View Slideshow On Roku TV

Follow this method to see photos on your TV in a slideshow. It also works if you want to browse any stream you’re a member of.

• On your Roku remote control, press the Home button. Now press it to go to the Home button.
• With the directional pad, move to the right. Using this feature highlight the Photo Streams channel. Generally, the directional pad is a plus shape located in the remote’s center.
• Now press the OK button so you can launch the channel.
• Remember, every row serves as an individual photo stream. Move down a bit to find the stream you want to view.
• Click on the photo to see it larger or zoom in.
• Choose Slideshow so you can see all the images at once. Every photo appears for at least 10 seconds in the slideshow. Meanwhile, the stream loops in random order.

How To Set Photo Streams As Screensaver

The features of Roku Photo Streams are not limited to slideshows only. You can configure it so that Roku TV displays your favorite streams every time the device goes to sleep. To do this, just follow the steps below.

• From your Roku remote, press the Home button. Now scroll down until you see the Settings option and click on it.
• Choose Theme. Now, the Theme menu will open. Click on Screensavers and then Photo Streams.
• To set Photo Streams as screensavers, select Set as Best Roku Screensaver.

Choose Specific Streams For Screensaver

You might already have a photo stream set as your Screensaver. But what if you want to choose a specific one? Is there any way to do it? Yes. Just follow the above process, and once it’s done, you can easily add or remove the streams from the screensaver according to your liking.

Photo Streams Channel

• Go to the Roku Photo Streams channel.
• Now click on Screensaver Under Add or Remove Streams.
• Check the box only for the streams you want to include in the screensaver. 

Roku Mobile App

• Open your Roku mobile app. Now click on the User icon on the top corner of your Roku mobile app.
• Tap on sign in and then enter your credentials.
• Choose Photo Streams.
• Select the Photo Stream of your choice.
• Now check the box Included in the screensaver.

Web Browser

• Go to photostreams.roku.com in your preferred browser.
• Now log in to your Roku account.
• Choose any Photo Stream. Click on Included in the screensaver box.

Conclusion

Pictures are among the most integral parts of human life. They make us happy, sad, and sometimes nostalgic. To fully enjoy those captured moments, you no longer need to rely on the small screen of your smartphone. Instead, you can use the big screen of your Roku TV directly through Roku Photo Streams. Follow the steps mentioned in the guide to make it possible. If you still have any queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We have a team of experts who are ready to provide you with a solution to level up your streaming experience.