We have all been there. You come home from a trip, someone asks to see the photos, and suddenly your phone is making its way around the room, one person at a time. That works for a few snapshots. It gets old fast when you have beach videos, family group shots, mountain views or that one ridiculous restaurant photo everyone needs to see.
The better move is to put your vacation photos on a bigger screen. You can use a TV, projector, laptop, tablet or even an outdoor screen. The right method depends on what phone you have, what screen is nearby and whether you are at your house or someone else’s. Here are the easiest ways to share vacation photos without turning your phone into a handoff relay.
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Before you mess with settings, look around the room. The best option may already be sitting in front of you. A smart TV works well for most people because it may support AirPlay, Chromecast, Smart View, Roku, Fire TV or screen mirroring. A laptop can also work if the TV connection gets messy. A tablet is great for a smaller group at the kitchen table. A projector gives you the biggest wow factor, especially outside.
If your TV is due for an upgrade, CyberGuy’s Top TVs of 2026 can help you find one with the features that make photo sharing easier. Search “Top TVs of 2026” in the search bar at CyberGuy.com.
Also, think about privacy before you start. Open only the album you want people to see. No one needs your screenshots, receipts or random camera roll surprises popping up on a 65-inch TV.
AirPlay is usually the cleanest option for iPhone owners. It works with Apple TV, many smart TVs, some Roku devices, and select Fire TV smart TVs that support AirPlay.
Here’s how to do it:
This is great when you are at home, and your TV already supports AirPlay. It can also work at someone else’s house, but both devices usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you use AirPlay often, it is also worth reading CyberGuy’s report on how hackers are through AirPlay so you know how to use it more safely.
Sometimes the AirPlay button does not appear where you expect it. In that case, mirror your whole iPhone screen.
Turn on Do Not Disturb or Focus first so private texts and alerts do not show up during the slideshow.
For Android owners, Google Photos and Chromecast are a strong combo. This works with Chromecast devices, Google TV Streamer and many TVs with Google Cast built in.
Settings may vary depending on your Androids manufacturer
This method also works from Google Photos on iPhone or iPad if you are signed into your Google Account.
Samsung Galaxy phones have a built-in screen mirroring feature called Smart View. It is one of the easiest ways to show photos on a Samsung TV and some other compatible displays.
Settings may vary depending on your Androids manufacturer
Smart View mirrors your whole phone screen, so the same privacy rule applies. Open the album first and silence notifications before you start.
Some Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets support Samsung DeX. This can make your phone feel more like a desktop on a TV or monitor.
You can connect with a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter. Some TVs also support wireless DeX through compatible screen mirroring. Once connected, open your photo app an
