I know how you can make your Samsung TV look like wall art…
It’s by changing your TV’s screensaver.
Now, I know that this isn’t a common process to do.
But fret not. I’m here to guide you on changing your Samsung TV’s screensaver.
Continue reading to find out:
- Why screensavers were invented.
- 15 effortless steps to change the screensaver of your TV.
- How to change your Samsung TV’s screensaver with or without a remote.
- And a lot more…
Can you change the screensaver on Samsung tv?
You can change the screensaver on Samsung TV. To do so, just head to its Ambient Mode. And select the categories and images you want to use for your screensaver. Note that you can also use your own photos for this process. But you’ll need the SmartThings app to do so.
How to change screensaver on Samsung TV – 15 steps
9 simple steps to change your TV’s screensaver with a remote
#1: Open your SmartHub’s home screen
Turn ON your Samsung TV and press the Home button on its remote.
This will bring you to your device’s home screen.
And from here…
#2: Select Ambient Mode
At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see your TV apps and settings.
With that said, drag your selection to the left of your TV…
And stop when you’re hovering over the Ambient Mode.
Note: This is usually the 3rd icon from the left.
#3: Watch the Ambient Mode’s tutorial
Now, you’ll see the different functions of this app.
That said, simply scroll through the pages by tapping the Right button on your remote.
And keep doing so until you reach the end of the tutorial.
#4: Select Start Ambient Mode Now
On the last page of this tutorial…
You’ll see a button at the bottom of your screen saying Start Ambient Mode Now.
So select it and…
#5: Select a category for your screensaver
You’ll have the choice to select from these categories:
- Mood.
- Routine.
- Relaxation.
- Cinemegraph.
- Special Edition.
So hover over any category you want to know about…
And read its About summary on the screen.
Now, once you’ve familiarized yourself with most of them…
Select the category that you want your screensaver to be in. And proceed to…
#6: Choose an image for your screensaver
Use the Right button of your remote’s navigational pad to scroll through the images.
And once you see an image that fits your needs, tap the Select button on your remote.
#7: Customize your screensaver
Press the Down button on your remote.
And now, you can further optimize your image by changing these features:
- Brightness.
- Background.
- Shadow effects.
- Color and Theme.
Now, once you’ve edited the image to your liking…
Press the Back/Return button on your remote control twice. And then.
#8: Open the Ambient Mode’s settings
At this point, you should be on the main screen of the Ambient Mode.
But if you find yourself on a different page, simply follow steps 1-2 again to open up this window.
Now, once you’re on the main page of this mode…
Drag your selection to the left until you hover over the Ambient Settings icon.
Now, select it and…
#9: Customize your screensaver’s settings
Click the Up button on your remote’s navigational pad.
And you’ll see the options to optimize these settings:
- Sleep After.
- Auto-Brightness.
- Screen Settings.
With that said, customize the settings as you see fit.
And you’ll be done changing the screensaver on your Samsung TV.
Now, if you want a visual guide for this whole process, watch this video:
You might also want to know: Is Samsung TV Remote Universal? 5 Surprising Facts
6 easy steps to change your TV’s screensaver without a remote
We sometimes misplace or break them.
But worry not. You can still change your TV’s screensaver without a Samsung controller.
Just follow the steps below.
#1: Download the SmartThings app
SmartThings is an application created by Samsung.
And it’s capable of controlling most modern Samsung devices, including your TV.
With that said, prepare a mobile device that you can use for this process.
And follow these steps to download the SmartThings app on…
iOS devices:
- Turn ON your iPhone or iPad.
- Head to the App Store.
- Tap the search icon at the bottom-right corner.
- Type in SmartThings.
- Select the official app from the results.
- Tap the GET button.
- Input your password if needed.
- Wait for the process to finish.
To directly download the app, you may also click here.
Android devices:
- Turn your phone or tablet ON.
- Go to the Google PlayStore.
- Click the search tab.
- Type in SmartThings and hit search.
- Click the official app.
- Select Install.
- Input your credentials if needed.
- Wait for the app to finish downloading.
Note: Exact steps may vary depending on your Android device’s brand or model.
But to access the app directly, you may simply click here.
Now, once you have the app installed on your device, proceed to…
#2: Create an account
Simply follow these steps to do so:
- Click the SmartThings app’s tile on your mobile device’s home screen.
- Tap the Create Account option on the app.
- Read Samsung’s Terms and Conditions and agree to their terms.
- Input your email.
- Create a new and reliable password.
- Input your name, ZIP code, and birthday.
- Click Next > Done.
- Select the country you’re in.
- Tap Continue.
After creating your account, proceed to…
#3: Add your TV to the app’s list of devices
At this point, you should turn ON your TV.
And follow these steps on your SmartThings app:
- Click the Plus (+) icon at the upper-right corner of your screen.
- From the list, select Device.
- Tap the By brand option.
- Select Samsung.
- Click the TV option.
- Let your device scan for nearby devices.
- And select your TV’s name once it shows up on the list.
Now, follow the remaining-on screen instructions.
And once you’ve successfully connected your app to the TV…
#4: Head to your TV’s ambient mode using the SmartThings app
On your app, find and select the tile of your Samsung TV to see these options:
- Remote.
- Sources & Apps.
- Ambiance Mode.
Now, from this list, select the Ambient Mode and then…
#5: Select the category you want
At the top of your screen, you’ll see the options:
- Artwork.
- My Album.
- Music wall.
- Background Theme.
So simply click the category that you’re interested in.
And after doing so…
#6: Try out different photos on your TV
After selecting a category, you’ll see a picture on your mobile device with the choices:
- View on TV.
- Style & Settings.
With that said, if you want to see how the picture on your phone would look on your TV…
Simply click the View on TV button.
And if you don’t like the image or want to try other ones…
Just swipe your phone’s screen up and select the View on TV option again for other images.
And if you’re thinking…
“Can I use my own images as my screensaver?”
Yes, you can.
And if you’ve already downloaded the SmartThings app…
Lucky you…
That’s because this feature is only available with the help of your mobile device.
With that said, follow these steps to…
Display the photos from your phone to the TV:
- Go to the My Album category.
- Click Select photos.
- Select up to 50 images that you want to be on your screensaver.
- After selecting the photos, tap the View on TV option at the bottom.
And just like that, you’ve changed your Samsung TV’s screensaver without a remote.
Is there a screensaver app for Samsung?
There’s a screensaver app for Samsung.
See, your TV has a built-in application called Ambient Mode.
And this allows you to choose different categories for your screensavers.
To expand on that, in this app, you can…
Select screensavers from different categories such as:
Artwork
Here, you can pick from a selection of artwork.
And you’ll have the choice to select nature art or other still life images.
My Album
You can use your images as your screensaver instead of the ones on your TV.
However, for this category, you must use the SmartThings app on your phone.
Cinemagraph
If you’re a fan of moving images…
Then the Cinemagraph category will suit your lifestyle.
That’s because the images here are animated.
So you can select scenes like:
- Rainy day.
- Cozy room.
- Warm fireplace.
Background theme
You can select plain colors as your screensaver with this category.
Moreover, you can also add some texture to your images.
And now that I’ve gone over the different categories you can choose from…
If you want to change your Samsung TV’s screensaver, just open its Ambient Mode app.
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What’s the point of a screensaver?
The point of a screensaver is to protect your screen.
However, this only remains true for older TVs and monitors.
See, older TVs used plasma screens or CRT monitors.
And these types of displays were prone to a screen burn-in.
“What’s that?”
It’s the scenario of an image being engraved on the screen’s pixels. As a result of being displayed for too long.
With that said, to prevent this damaging event from happening…
Screensavers were invented.
See, because they were moving images…
Screensavers weren’t at risk of causing screen burn-ins.
So, as a result, they were efficient at saving your screens.
However, now…
Screensavers simply prevent showing the contents of your screen while you’re away.
Or are used to improve the aesthetics of your surroundings.
That’s because modern screens use LCD and LED displays.
And these don’t have image burn problems like the older screens do.
So really, screensavers aren’t as necessary now as they were before.
And while we’re on the topic…
Fun fact: Screensavers don’t actually save your TV’s energy.
See, it’s a common myth that screensavers save electricity.
But in reality, they use as much energy as your TV’s regular consumption.
Moreover, if you’re using 3D or animated screensavers…
They can even consume more power than streaming platforms like Netflix.