Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
You can display personal photos or artwork on an art TV without buying a licensed gallery subscription. Use the television’s built-in photo feature: Samsung The Frame accepts images through SmartThings or a USB drive, while eligible LG TVs can use Gallery+ with external devices, LG ThinQ, or linked Google Photos. Other photo-frame displays may offer Google Photos album selection. The exact menu names, supported files, software requirements, storage behavior, and regional availability depend on the model and its current software.
Choose the method that fits your TV
Start by identifying the exact model and software version. “Art TV” is a product category, not one universal operating system, so a method that works on one display may be absent on another. Before transferring a large collection, open the manufacturer’s support page or manual for your model and verify image formats, maximum resolution, dimensions, USB limits, and account requirements.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Route | Best for | What you need | How images are selected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung SmartThings | Quick wireless upload from a phone | The Frame added to SmartThings, Samsung Account, internet connection | Choose images in Art Mode, save them on The Frame, then select them from My Collection |
| Samsung USB import | Large files, offline transfer, or a computer-based library | Compatible USB storage device and the One Connect Box | Save selected USB images in Art Mode; they appear under My Collection → My Photos |
| LG Gallery+ | Eligible LG TVs using local devices, a phone, or Google Photos | Model running webOS 25 or later, where supported; linked Google Account for Google Photos | Set photos from an external device, LG ThinQ device, or linked Google Photos as wallpaper |
| Google Photos photo-frame source | Displays that explicitly offer Google Photos during setup or in settings | Supported device and Google Account | Select albums, favorites, shared albums, people and pets where available, or the curated Photo Frame highlights album |
There is no single cross-brand “best” option. USB is practical when you want a local copy and do not want to link a cloud account. Phone or cloud selection is easier for collections that change often. Account, model, software, and country eligibility should decide the final choice.
How to display photos on Samsung The Frame
Upload from a phone with SmartThings
Samsung’s documented phone workflow uses the SmartThings app and The Frame’s Art Mode. Samsung says SmartThings use requires a Samsung Account and an internet connection.
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
- Add The Frame to SmartThings and open the TV’s device entry.
- Open Art Mode, then choose Add Your Photos. Samsung’s support wording is: “Tap Art Mode, and then tap Add Your Photos.”
- Select the photos or artwork on your phone and save them on The Frame.
- Choose an image for display from the TV’s personal collection.
- If you want rotation, use the slideshow selection documented for your model. Samsung also documents artistic effects that can be applied to uploaded photos.
Edit, crop, and prepare the image before uploading. Samsung says the TV itself cannot edit photos, so correcting an awkward crop or changing the composition later requires editing the original file on a phone or computer and uploading it again.
Import from a USB drive
A USB drive is an optional transfer route, not a requirement. Samsung describes adding personal photos to The Frame with a USB storage device.
- Put the images on a USB storage device that your exact TV supports.
- Connect the drive to the USB port on the One Connect Box.
- Enter Art Mode, open My Collection, and select the USB device.
- Select the images to import and save them.
- After saving, open My Collection → My Photos and choose the image or slideshow you want to show.
Do not remove the drive while images are being saved. The TV needs to finish the import operation before the files are available in My Photos. Samsung’s instructions do not establish one universally compatible drive capacity or one file-format rule for every generation, so check the manual for your model before buying storage or preparing a large batch.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
Adjust the presentation
The Frame can apply a matte style and color to artwork. Art Mode settings also include brightness and color tone controls. Samsung describes ambient-light adjustment and motion sensing; how those behave depends on installation and the room. A bright room, reflective glass, or a sensor setting can make a carefully prepared image look different from its appearance on a phone or computer.
How to use LG Gallery+
Check eligibility first
LG says Gallery+ is supported on models running webOS 25 or later, while noting that availability and supported content vary by country. Some models may receive the service after a software update. If Gallery+ is missing, confirm the TV’s webOS version, install any available update, and check the model’s regional support before assuming the feature is broken.
Set a photo source
LG describes Gallery+ as supporting photos from connected external devices, mobile devices connected through LG ThinQ, or Google Photos. The practical path is:
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
- Open Gallery+ on the eligible LG TV.
- Choose the source offered by your model: an external device, an LG ThinQ-connected mobile device, or Google Photos.
- Select the image or collection and set it as the wallpaper or gallery content.
- For Google Photos, follow the on-screen account-linking flow and sign in to the Google Account that contains the albums.
The source behavior differs from Samsung’s USB import wording. LG’s Gallery+ description establishes that you can set photos from connected or linked sources, but it does not promise that every source is copied into permanent local TV storage. Keep the source device available and linked when your model requires an active connection.
Recommended Free Tools
View photos from USB with LG’s media tools
For general USB viewing, LG’s support guidance is to connect storage to the TV, select the USB input or Media Player, and choose the files to display. LG recommends FAT32 or NTFS formatting for compatible storage, while cautioning that larger-capacity devices may not work smoothly. Exact limits remain model-specific.
- Format the storage only after confirming that doing so will not erase files you need; copy the library elsewhere first.
- Connect the storage device to the TV.
- Open the USB input or Media Player.
- Browse to the image files and select one to display.
This USB viewing path is separate from the Gallery+ cloud and mobile-source workflow. Whether a particular LG model can turn USB images into a persistent wallpaper collection should be verified in that model’s guide.
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
How to display Google Photos on a photo-frame device
Google Photos album display is not a universal capability of every smart TV. Use it only when the specific display offers Google Photos as a photo-frame source during setup or in its device settings.
- During device setup, or later in the device’s photo-frame settings, choose Google Photos as the slideshow source.
- Link the Google Account that contains the library.
- Select the albums or categories offered by the device. Documented choices can include selected albums, favorites, shared albums, and people and pets where available.
- Use the automatically curated Photo Frame highlights album if you prefer Google’s rotating selection. Google says Photos automatically curates and updates a “best of” album from your library.
- Save the selection and return to the device’s photo-frame mode.
Some Google Photos photo-frame features are region-dependent. Album categories and curation choices can therefore differ by country, account, device, or software version.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPrepare artwork before putting it on the TV
Match the TV’s requirements
Do not assume that a file accepted by your phone will be accepted by your TV. The reviewed manufacturer guidance does not establish one cross-brand list of formats, maximum resolution, image dimensions, or USB capacity. Look up those limits for the exact model and software version.
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
- Confirm supported image formats before converting an entire collection.
- Check maximum resolution and image dimensions so very large files do not fail or display unexpectedly.
- Use the TV’s native crop or fit behavior only when documented; otherwise prepare the composition on a computer or phone.
- Keep an edited master copy. Samsung’s The Frame cannot edit an uploaded image in the TV interface.
- For USB workflows, verify storage formatting and capacity before relying on a drive for an exhibition or event.
Design for a wall display
Artwork that looks balanced on a phone may appear too dark, too saturated, or poorly cropped when enlarged. Leave important details away from the edges, especially if the TV applies a matte border or changes the display area in Art Mode. Test both portrait and landscape pieces, then adjust brightness and color tone on the TV rather than judging only from the original screen.
Organize collections deliberately
Use clear album or folder names such as “Living room rotation,” “Black-and-white studies,” or “Family 2026.” A small, curated set is easier to browse and troubleshoot than one folder containing every export. For cloud-based sources, create the album in Google Photos first, then link that album on the display. For USB imports, keep a second copy of the library before moving or deleting files from the drive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Local USB or phone and cloud: which route should you choose?
| Consideration | USB import or viewing | Phone or cloud source |
|---|---|---|
| Internet requirement | Transfer can be performed from local storage; the TV’s exact account requirements still depend on the model | SmartThings requires a Samsung Account and internet; linked Google Photos requires a Google Account and network access |
| Where you manage the collection | On the USB drive and, for The Frame import, in My Collection | In SmartThings, LG ThinQ, or Google Photos, depending on the route |
| Update behavior | Changing the library generally means reconnecting the drive or importing additional files | Changes to a linked phone or album can be reflected without recreating the physical USB transfer, subject to the device’s connection and software |
| Account dependency | Lower for basic local viewing, but model-specific setup rules apply | Higher: SmartThings, LG ThinQ, or Google Photos may require account linking |
| Best fit | Offline display, large one-time transfers, or a controlled exhibition set | Frequently changing albums, remote selection, or automatic curation |
Choose USB when ownership and predictability matter more than convenience, and choose phone or cloud when the collection changes often. Neither route is automatically higher quality; the TV’s image processing, ambient light, and source compatibility matter more than the transfer method.
Troubleshooting when an image will not appear
The TV does not show the USB drive
- Confirm that the drive is connected to the port specified by the manufacturer. On The Frame, Samsung’s workflow uses the One Connect Box.
- Check the drive’s formatting and capacity against the exact model manual. LG recommends FAT32 or NTFS for compatible devices but warns that larger capacities may not work smoothly.
- Try a smaller, known-compatible storage device before copying the entire library.
- Do not disconnect a drive during a Samsung import; wait until saving is complete.
The file is visible on the computer but not on the TV
- Verify the image format, dimensions, and resolution supported by that TV generation.
- Export a test copy using a format listed in the model’s manual, then retry with one file rather than a whole folder.
- Check whether the file is actually in the folder or album selected by the TV’s media browser.
SmartThings cannot add or save photos
- Confirm that The Frame is added to the correct SmartThings account and that the phone and TV have internet access.
- Open the TV’s device entry, enter Art Mode, and use Add Your Photos rather than a general gallery command.
- Prepare the image on the phone first; Samsung says The Frame cannot edit photos after upload.
Gallery+ or Google Photos is missing
- Check the TV model, webOS version, country, and available software update.
- LG identifies Gallery+ support on webOS 25 or later, but availability and supported content vary by country.
- For Google Photos, verify that the particular display explicitly offers Google Photos as a photo-frame source. A Google Account alone does not add the feature to every TV.
The picture looks wrong after it loads
- Recheck the crop and aspect ratio in the source file.
- On The Frame, adjust brightness, color tone, matte style, or matte color in Art Mode.
- Evaluate the result under the room’s normal lighting. Samsung describes ambient-light adjustment and motion sensing, so installation and environment can affect the presentation.
Questions to settle before buying accessories or subscriptions
You do not need a paid art catalog to show your own work. The documented personal-photo routes use SmartThings, USB, Gallery+, LG ThinQ, or Google Photos, depending on the display. Samsung Art Store and LG Gallery+ may also provide additional curated artwork services, but those are optional content choices rather than prerequisites for displaying your own files.
A generic USB flash drive can be a reasonable optional accessory because Samsung documents USB import, but compatibility is not universal. Check the exact TV manual for supported capacity, formatting, and file limits before purchasing a drive specifically for this purpose.
Quick Recap
A reliable setup checklist
- Record the exact TV model, software version, and country or region.
- Choose local USB, SmartThings, LG Gallery+, LG ThinQ, or Google Photos based on how often the collection changes.
- Prepare and crop images before transfer, especially for The Frame.
- Confirm image-format, resolution, dimension, and storage limits in the model’s documentation.
- Back up the collection before formatting a USB drive or deleting originals.
- Import a small test set first.
- Check the result in Art Mode or the TV’s photo-frame mode under normal room lighting.
- Only then transfer the full collection or enable a rotating slideshow.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
