Creating a slideshow in Google Photos is a quick and easy way to share memories with friends and family. This guide provides a simple, step-by-step process to create a slideshow directly within Google Photos on your computer. While the Google Photos mobile apps don’t currently support this feature, you can easily create and view slideshows on the web version.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/002-create-google-photos-slideshow-4177771-b15b9f702db04ff9aff5d691de696431.jpg)
Selecting photos for your slideshow in Google Photos.
Selecting Your Photos for the Slideshow
First, navigate to Google Photos in your web browser. You have two options for selecting photos:
1. Using an Existing Album:
- Click on “Albums” in the left-hand sidebar.
- Choose the album containing the photos you want to include in your slideshow.
2. Creating a New Album:
- Click on “Albums” in the left-hand sidebar.
- Click the “Create Album” button.
- Add the photos you want to use in your slideshow to this new album. This is a great way to organize your slideshow photos and easily recreate the slideshow later.
Once you’ve chosen your album:
- Select the individual photos you want in your slideshow by clicking the checkmark that appears in the top-left corner of each thumbnail. You can select multiple photos at once.
- If you want to include all photos in the album, you can skip the individual selection and proceed directly to starting the slideshow.
Starting the Slideshow
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/003-create-google-photos-slideshow-4177771-016d3a66560a4265a1625d720d86f451.jpg)
Clicking the three-dot menu icon to initiate the slideshow.
After selecting your photos:
- Look for the three-dot icon (More Options) in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Click on the three-dot icon.
- Select “Slideshow” from the dropdown menu.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/004-create-google-photos-slideshow-4177771-7db9dc46aa4e457d9cfbc962fea76f94.jpg)
Selecting the “Slideshow” option from the menu.
Your slideshow will begin playing automatically. Photos will transition with a 5-second crossfade. Currently, there are no customization options for transition speed, effects, or adding music within Google Photos.
Understanding Google Photos Slideshow Limitations
Keep in mind:
- No Customization: Google Photos slideshows offer basic functionality. You cannot change the transition speed, add music, or reorder photos within the slideshow. Photos in newly created albums will display in chronological order (oldest to newest).
- No Direct Sharing: While you can view the slideshow on any device with Google Photos or cast it to a Chromecast-enabled device, you can’t directly share a link to the slideshow itself.
- Album-Based: The slideshow is directly linked to the album containing your photos. Modifying the album will also modify the slideshow.
Conclusion: A Simple Solution for Quick Slideshows
Google Photos slideshows are a perfect solution for a quick and easy way to display your photos. While lacking advanced features, the simplicity and ease of use make it ideal for casual viewing. If you require more customization options, consider exploring third-party slideshow creation tools available online.
