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How to Set and Change Chromecast Backdrop Background Images

The Chromecast backdrop feature acts as a screensaver that displays images or photos on your TV screen when your Chromecast is idle. By default, Chromecast shows curated images from Google, but you can customize it to show personal photos from your Google Photos library or other sources.

Prerequisites

To customize your Chromecast backdrop, you will need:

  • A Chromecast device connected to a TV
  • The Google Home app installed on your Android or iOS device
  • Your Chromecast and phone connected to the same WiFi network

Access Backdrop Settings

To access the backdrop settings:

  1. Open the Google Home app
  2. Tap on your Chromecast device
  3. Tap on “Ambient Mode”
  4. Tap on “Backdrop Settings”

This will open the backdrop customization options.

Display Google Photos

To display personal photos from Google Photos:

  1. In Backdrop Settings, tap on “Google Photos”
  2. Select the albums or people you want to display
  3. Google Photos will automatically select highlights from those albums/people

You can’t pick individual photos, but you can choose albums or people to select highlights from.

Show Facebook & Flickr Photos

To show Facebook and Flickr photos:

  1. In Backdrop Settings, tap on “Facebook” or “Flickr”
  2. Sign in to your Facebook or Flickr account
  3. Select the albums you want to display

Make sure you have public albums with photos you want to showcase.

Other Backdrop Sources

In addition to photos, Chromecast backdrop has several other sources to choose from:

  • Art Gallery: Showcases fine art images
  • Play Newsstand: Displays news images
  • Satellite View: Shows satellite imagery from Google Earth
  • Weather: Displays current weather and forecast

Mix and match multiple sources to create a custom backdrop experience.

Backdrop Customization Settings

In the Backdrop Settings, you can also customize:

  • Slideshow Speed: Faster or slower transitions between images
  • Clock: Show or hide the clock
  • Weather: Show weather in Celsius, Fahrenheit or both

Set things up to perfectly match your preferences.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you are having issues customizing your backdrop, try the following:

  • Update the Google Home app and your Chromecast firmware
  • Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same WiFi network
  • Check that you have sufficient photos in your selected Google Photos albums
  • Ensure your Chromecast has access to the internet to download images

Resetting your Chromecast may also help resolve any software issues.

Conclusion

Customizing the Chromecast backdrop is easy with the Google Home app. Mix and match various photo sources or choose curated images for an ambient slideshow screensaver experience. Take full control by tweaking backdrop speeds, clock and weather settings. With a personalized backdrop, your Chromecast can better blend in when idle.

I have over 10 years of experience using Chromecast devices and optimizing home media setups. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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