Help

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

Stillroom requires an Apple TV running tvOS 18 or later, an Apple Account with iCloud Photos enabled, and permission to access your photos. Open Stillroom, allow access to all photos, choose an album, and select Play. Installation instructions are available in the Stillroom repository.

Why are some albums or photos missing?

Stillroom shows ordinary Photos albums and folders. Shared Albums and smart albums such as Favorites are not listed. Videos are excluded, and Live Photos play as still images. Check that the current Apple TV user has iCloud Photos enabled and that Stillroom has access to all photos. A newly signed-in library may need time to sync.

How do I control a slideshow?

Click or swipe left and right to move between photos. Press Play/Pause to pause or resume. Click Select, or press up or down, to show the controls. Back or Menu hides the controls, or exits the slideshow when the controls are hidden.

Can I change the order or timing?

Before playback, choose Shuffle, Album Order, Oldest First, or Newest First. You can also change Slide Duration, Loop, Vertical Photos, and the photo counter. These settings are saved between launches. If album order differs from Photos, try one of the date-based orders.

How are vertical photos displayed?

Blurred Background shows the whole photo against a softly blurred backdrop. Slow Pan moves through a screen-filling view, while Smart Crop frames a face or subject. Side by Side pairs adjacent vertical photos. Black Bars shows the whole photo against black. Choose Blurred Background, Side by Side, or Black Bars when you want to see the whole photo at once.

Can I resume an album?

Choose an album from Recently Played to continue where you stopped. Hold Select on its card to start over or remove it. Recent playback information can sync through iCloud on tvOS 18.2 or later using the same Apple Account.

What if a photo will not load?

Photos stored only in iCloud need an internet connection. Stillroom waits for each photo and retries failed downloads. If it cannot load a photo, choose Retry, Skip Photo, or Exit. You can also use Test iCloud Loading from the album screen to check a sample of photos.

Where can I get help or report a bug?

Please use the Stillroom GitHub issues page. Include your Apple TV model, tvOS version, and what happened. Avoid posting private photos or album details.

How can I support Stillroom?

If you enjoy Stillroom, you can buy me a coffee. Thank you for your support.