Katarzyna Petru
Google has announced a fully-fledged Google Photos application for televisions. The new application will debut in 2026, with Samsung being the first manufacturer to make it available. This is a significant change, as until now, even on Google TV, users only had access to a stripped-down version of Google Photos, primarily known for its screensaver feature. Currently, Google Photos on televisions operates in a very basic form – without advanced features, editing, or smart collections. This is set to change in 2026. Google is working on a dedicated application for TV platforms that will allow users to conveniently browse photos and memories on the big screen.
Google Photos on Samsung TVs
Samsung will be Google's first partner. The Google Photos application will appear on Samsung TVs from the 2026 model year in March 2026. Importantly, support will also be extended to selected older models through Tizen OS updates. Shimrit Ben-Yair, VP of Google Photos and Google One, comments:
“Google Photos is a place where people store their photos and videos, organising memories and giving them new life. We are excited to bring Google Photos to Samsung TVs – allowing users to view their favourite photos on the big screen and discover memories in a whole new way.”
Features available at launch and in the following months
Samsung has revealed what capabilities Google Photos will offer on its televisions:
Memories (expected at the beginning of 2026)
Curation of stories based on people, locations, and significant moments. For the first time, the Memories feature will be available on televisions and will be exclusive to Samsung for the first six months.
Create with AI (later in 2026)
A set of creative tools based on the Nano Banana model from Google DeepMind. Users will receive thematic templates, a Remix feature that changes the artistic style of photos, and Photo to Video, which will animate static photographs into short video clips.
Personalized Results (also later in 2026)
Intelligent, personalised slide shows created based on themes and the content of memories – for example, ocean, mountains, hiking, or specific cities like Paris.
Other TV platforms later
Google confirms that the Google Photos application will also reach other television platforms, but at a later date. Further details are expected to be revealed during CES or later in 2026. It seems that the television is increasingly becoming the centre of home memories, and Google Photos will finally take on the form that users have been waiting for for years.
