For years, Google Photos has been a staple on smartphones, but its presence on the living room's biggest screen has been conspicuously absent. That is about to change, but not in the way many might have expected. In a surprising strategic move, Samsung has announced it will be the first TV platform to host a native Google Photos experience, launching a suite of AI-powered features throughout 2026. This partnership marks a significant expansion for Google's photo service and raises immediate questions about its future on Google's own Android TV platform.
Samsung Becomes the Unlikely Pioneer for Google Photos on TV
The announcement reveals that Samsung smart TVs will be the inaugural platform for a dedicated Google Photos app. This is a notable development, as even Google's own Android TV and Google TV operating systems currently lack a native application, offering only limited casting and screensaver functionality. The core experience will be delivered through three feature tiers rolling out over the course of 2026, starting with the "Memories" feature in March. This gives Samsung a clear, timed exclusivity in the TV space for a service deeply integrated into the Android ecosystem.
Google Photos Feature Rollout on Samsung TVs (2026)
| Feature | Description | Launch Window | Exclusivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memories | Curated stories based on people, locations, and moments. | March 2026 | 6-month exclusive on Samsung TVs |
| Create with AI | AI editing with Nano Banana templates, Remix tool, and Photo to Video. | Second Half 2026 | Some templates exclusive to Samsung TVs |
| Personalized Results | Curated slideshows by topic or specific memory. | Second Half 2026 | Not specified |
The Three-Tiered Feature Rollout Planned for 2026
The integration will unfold in distinct phases, each adding a new layer of functionality. The first, "Memories," is scheduled for a March 2026 launch and will be exclusive to eligible Samsung TVs for six months. It will display curated stories on the TV, automatically organized around people, locations, and significant events. Later in the second half of 2026, two more features will arrive. "Create with AI" will introduce editing tools powered by Nano Banana, allowing users to apply themed templates, remix art styles, and even transform still photos into short videos directly on their television. The final tier, "Personalized Results," will generate curated slideshows based on specific topics or memories pulled from the user's library.
Deeper Integration with Samsung's Ecosystem and AI
Beyond the standalone app, Samsung is weaving Google Photos deeper into its own smart TV experience. The service will integrate with Samsung's Vision AI Companion (VAC), allowing photos to surface contextually within features like Daily Plus and Daily Board. This suggests the photos won't just live in a separate app but will become a part of the ambient TV interface, potentially showing relevant memories based on the time of day or user preferences. This level of system integration highlights a partnership that goes beyond a simple ported application.
The Curious Omission of Android TV and the Road Ahead
The most intriguing aspect of this announcement is what it omits: any immediate plan for Android TV. Samsung's press release and the accompanying reporting confirm there is still no native Google Photos app or experience confirmed for Google's own TV platform. This creates a paradoxical situation where a competing TV operating system (Samsung's Tizen) gets preferential access to a key Google service. The timed exclusivity for the "Memories" feature strongly implies a wider rollout to other platforms, including likely Android TV, is planned for late 2026 or beyond, but Google has yet to make any official commitments.
Platform Availability Context
- Samsung TVs (Tizen OS): First platform to get a native Google Photos app. Full three-tier experience with ecosystem integration (VAC) planned.
- Android TV / Google TV: No native app exists. Current functionality is limited to casting from a mobile device and using the photo library for the ambient screensaver.
A New Frontier for Shared Digital Memories
The move to bring Google Photos to the TV, starting with Samsung, addresses a long-standing user desire to view personal memories on a large, shared screen. While privacy considerations for a shared living room device are valid, the features announced—like curated "Memories" and topic-based slideshows—seem designed for communal viewing. By initiating this expansion through Samsung, Google is testing the waters with a major hardware partner before potentially bringing the experience to its entire ecosystem, setting the stage for the television to become a more personal and nostalgic centerpiece of the smart home.