TV streamer Roku recently announced that it would end Photo Streams in early 2026 and replace them with something called Backdrops, which limits personal photo options but includes a library of selectable artwork.
The transition from photo streams to backdrops is already underway. “Over the next few months, you will start to see messages about moving Photo Streams to Backdrops,” Roku announced on its website. “At the end of January 2026, Photo Streams will stop working and will only display a message prompting you to open Backgrounds.”
Photo Streams currently functions as a screensaver for users who have it set up, filling idle screen time by showcasing user-uploaded images. These uploaded images will still be accessible on Backdrops, but only one gallery can be viewed at a time – and Backdrops must be specifically enabled for photos to appear. By February 2026, screens in all idle Roku sessions will default to the (in)famous Roku City background, which features advertising.
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This change is clearly disappointing for those who liked displaying their personal photos on the big screen without having to think much about it. Roku is trying to soften the blow by offering free digital art, totaling about 4,500 images, to Backdrops users. Works by artists including Johannes Vermeer, Paul Gaugin, Leonardo da Vinci and Mary Cassatt were available in early December, along with images of nature and cityscapes. Background users will also be able to adjust how long the photo is displayed and launch it directly with the power button on the Roku remote.
Roku isn’t saying there’s an advertising component behind the change, instead stating, “Backdrops brings together photos into an app that’s easier to use, more customizable, and will allow us to continue adding new photo and ambient experiences over time.”
