How to Set Up a Digital Photo Frame to Display Your Memories

Digital photo frames display a rotating slideshow of your photos — and modern Wi-Fi frames let family send new photos remotely. Here is how to set one up.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Choose and unbox your digital photo frame
2.Connect the frame to your Wi-Fi
3.Upload photos to the frame
4.Customize what shows and when

Choose and unbox your digital photo frame

~36s

When choosing a frame, consider screen size (8-10 inch frames are popular for tabletop, 15-inch for wall display), resolution (higher is better for sharp photos), and features like Wi-Fi photo sharing and cloud storage. Once you have the frame, unbox it, insert the power adapter, and place it where you want it — a flat surface near an outlet, or mount it on a wall using the included hardware. Power it on.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: The Skylight Frame ($100, 10-inch) is widely recommended for seniors because family members can email photos directly to the frame's unique email address — no app required. This makes it very accessible for family members who aren't tech-savvy.

Connect the frame to your Wi-Fi

~22s

Most Wi-Fi frames walk you through Wi-Fi setup on first startup — the frame's screen shows a step-by-step wizard. Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list and enter your Wi-Fi password. The frame may show a QR code you can scan with your phone to complete setup. Once connected, the frame downloads any photos already uploaded to your account and begins the slideshow.

Upload photos to the frame

~39s

Depending on the brand: **Skylight** — each frame has a unique email address. Attach photos to an email and send them to that address. Photos appear on the frame within minutes. Any family member can send photos without downloading an app. **Nixplay** — create a free account at nixplay.com, upload photos to playlists, and share the playlist link with family members so they can add photos. **Amazon Echo Show** — go to the Alexa app, set the background to your Amazon Photos library, and it rotates through your photos automatically.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: For a Skylight frame, share the frame's email address with your children and grandchildren and ask them to send photos after family events. The frame becomes a living, ever-updating photo album.

Customize what shows and when

~25s

Most frames let you control: the slideshow interval (how long each photo shows — 5 seconds to a few minutes), whether the frame dims or turns off overnight (save energy and screen life), orientation (portrait or landscape), photo shuffle order, and whether new photos appear immediately or in a specific playlist. Check the frame's app or web portal for these settings. Many frames also have a "do not disturb" schedule so they turn off at night.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Set Up a Digital Photo Frame to Display Your Memories

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

Digital photo frames are an increasingly popular gift for older adults — and for good reason. A modern Wi-Fi-connected digital photo frame sits on a table or hangs on a wall, and automatically displays a rotating slideshow of family photos. The best models let family members anywhere in the world send new photos directly to the frame from their phones.

Popular brands include Nixplay, Skylight, and Amazon Echo Show (which doubles as a digital frame). Prices range from $40 to $200 depending on screen size and features. Setup takes about 15-20 minutes and requires Wi-Fi.

This guide walks through setting up the most common type of Wi-Fi photo frame, using the Nixplay and Skylight formats as examples of the general approach.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

digital photo frame

photo display

memories

slideshow

gifts

seniors