Google Photos is undeniably one of the best cloud storage services to save your photos online.
If you have a Firestick TV and don’t know exactly how to Install Google Photos on Firestick, I’m going to help in this post.
So, How to Install Google Photos on Firestick?
To install Google Photos on Firestick, you have to:
Step 1: Launch the home screen on your Firestick and tap on “Settings”.
Step 2: Now, go to “My Fire TV > Developer Options” and then turn on “Apps from Unknown Sources”.
Step 3: Again go to the home screen on Firestick and type “Downloader by AFTVnews” in the search bar.
Step 4: Install the app by following the instructions.
Step 5: Launch the Downloader app from the app list and download Google Photos App
Step 6: Wait till the download is completed and then install the app.
Step 7: After installing the app, delete the downloaded file to save some memory of the Firestick.
and that is it.
Now, you have successfully installed Google Photos on your Firestick.
Simply sign in with your account details and start viewing any photo on the big screen via Firestick.
Note: By default, installing third-party apps on Firestick is disabled and that’s why you have to turn on the “Apps from Unknown Sources” feature, or else you can’t install any app other than what is available on Amazon App Store.
Is Google Photos officially available on Firestick?
Unfortunately, no. Google hasn’t released an official Photos app on Firestick devices however you can sideload the app from any third-party site.
That’s why installing Google Photos is a little different from installing other apps on Firestick. Like installing BT Sport on Firestick.
I wanted to clear up this doubt because you may get confused between an official and an unofficial version of the app.
The app which I have mentioned above might be an not official one however, it is pretty safe to use.
Sideloading the Google Photos app is quite easy. Just follow the steps I have discussed above and you’ll find the app on your Firestick in a matter of few minutes.
How to view Google Photos on Firestick without the Google Photos app
To view Google Photos on Firestick without the app, you have to:
- Type “Amazon Silk” in the search bar of Firestick.
- Select the right option and then install the app.
- Launch the Amazon Silk app.
- Search for Google Photos on Google and visit the right page.
- Finally, sign in with your account credentials and view any of your photos.
If you are having any difficulty using Google Photos app on your Firestick device, you can view your Google Photos via a web browser like Silk.
Amazon Silk is a web browser created and developed by Amazon itself for devices like Firestick, Fire TV, and more.
To view your Google Photos on Firestick, all you have to do is, install the Silk browser If you haven’t already, search for Google Photos online and sign in with your account details.
That’s it.
How To Cast your Google Photos on Firestick
To cast your Google Photos on Firestick, you should:
- Press the “Home Button” on your Firestick remote for about 3 seconds.
- Tap on “Mirroring” from the options.
- Now, go to “Bluetooth Settings” on your mobile device and select “Cast”.
- Finally, click on your Firestick TV name on your mobile to mirror your photos or anything on Firestick TV.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of installing the app or signing into your Google account and still, want to view your photos on Firestick TV, then “Casting” is the perfect option for you.
With the help of the Casting feature, you can share your mobile screen on Firestick in a matter of a few seconds.
You must keep in mind that, both Firestick and mobile need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network in order to take advantage of this feature.
If you would like to understand this process visually, here is a quick video for you.
Casting is an in-built feature available on most of the latest phones and If you couldn’t find this feature on your phone, there is nothing to be worried about.
There are a few third-party apps that may help in this kind of situation.
Best Screen Mirroring Apps for mobile devices:
Some of the best mirroring apps for mobile are,
- Google Home.
- Mirroring360.
- AirDroid Cast.
As I said earlier, you should go with these apps to cast your photos on Firestick only If there is no casting option on your mobile device or else the inbuilt feature will do the job for you.
Best Alternatives for Google Photos:
The best alternatives for Google Google photos are:
- Amazon Photos.
- Microsoft OneDrive.
Amazon Photos:
Amazon is here to take on Google Photos with Amazon Photos by offering 5GB of free storage where you can store your photos or videos to access them from anywhere.
If you are a prime member, you can have unlimited storage for photos as well as videos which takes the value to the next level.
Amazon Photos app is officially available to download on Amazon Firestick devices which is really a great way to access your photos and videos. All you have to do is, search the app on Firestick and then download and install the app.
Microsoft OneDrive:
OneDrive by Microsoft might not be as convenient as Google Photos but it has decent storage to offer i.e 5GB. If you want more than 5GB to store your photos or videos, you have to pay for it.
OneDrive is officially available on Amazon App Store which means you don’t have to sideload the app from any third-party services.
Just download the app and sign in with account details to start uploading and viewing your personal content on Firestick.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I cast photos to Firestick?
Yes, you can easily cast your photos to Firestick via the inbuilt mirroring/ casting feature or by installing any application like Google Home.
2. Can I move Google Photos to Amazon Photos?
Yes, it is possible to move your Google Photos to Amazon Photos.
3. Is the Downloader app safe on Firestick?
Downloader on Firestick is used by a large number of users and there are almost no complaints about using the app so far. Hence, it is perfectly safe to use.
Final Words:
Most of the popular apps are officially not available on Amazon App Store including Google Photos but that doesn’t mean there is no way to install the app.
You can make use of Downloader to install the Google Photos app via third-party services and view your favorite photos on a big screen. Just don’t forget to delete the APK file after installing it to save the memory of Firestick.
If the app doesn’t work for any unknown reason, you can cast your photos from your mobile or use Amazon Silk to view your Google Photos.
I hope this quick post was helpful to you to understand how to install Google Photos on Firestick. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to comment below and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Cheers!
