Updated September 2026: in April 2021, about to pay for OneDrive after Google Photos' storage change, I found the OneDrive app had dropped Chromecast support, so I could no longer show photos on the TV that way. I have rewritten it into a guide to showing cloud photos on a TV, whichever service you use.
After Google's announcement that new photos would count against storage, I chose OneDrive. Just before paying, I discovered the app had stopped supporting Chromecast. Sharing family photos and videos on the big screen was one of my main uses, so it was a real disappointment.
What are the options for photos on the TV?
- Google Photos: casts to Chromecast and Google TV devices, and has a TV app on many smart TVs.
- AirPlay: from an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV, from any photos app.
- Screen mirroring: most Android phones can mirror to Chromecast or smart TVs, showing any app.
- TV apps: some smart TVs have their own cloud photo apps.
Does OneDrive work on a TV now?
Features change, so check the current OneDrive app for casting options on your device. Screen mirroring works regardless, since it shows whatever is on your phone's screen.
Should casting decide your cloud storage?
Only if you show photos on the TV often. For most families, storage per person and price matter more, and mirroring covers occasional viewing. If big-screen viewing is central, Google Photos has the strongest TV support.
How do you make a family slideshow easy?
Create an album of favourites in whichever app casts best to your TV. Many families keep backup in one service and a shared album in another purely for viewing.
Which setup works best for a mixed family?
If some family members use iPhones and others Android, a Google TV device handles casting from Android and Google Photos from iPhones, while mirroring covers the rest. An Apple TV suits all-iPhone households better.
What about privacy on shared screens?
Mirroring shows notifications too. Turn on Do Not Disturb before mirroring, so messages do not pop up on the family TV.
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