How to Set Up an Aura Frame: Step-by-Step Guide

You just got an Aura frame. Good choice. Aura makes some of the sharpest digital picture frames you can buy. The setup takes about ten minutes. Here is every step from opening the box to seeing your photos on the screen.

What Is in the Box

Inside the box you will find the frame, a power cable, and a quick start card. There is no remote control because Aura frames are controlled through the phone app. No batteries needed either. Just the frame and the cable.

Step 1: Pick a Spot and Plug In

Find a flat surface near a power outlet. A desk, shelf, or nightstand works well. Plug the power cable into the back of the frame and into the wall outlet. The frame turns on by itself when it gets power. You will see the Aura logo on the screen.

Make sure there is a strong WiFi signal where you place the frame. Without WiFi, the frame cannot receive new photos. If you plan to wall-mount it later, that is fine. Do the setup on a table first.

Step 2: Download the Aura App

Grab your phone and open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Search for "Aura Frames" and download the free app. Open it and create an Aura account with your email address and a password. If you already have an Aura account from another frame, just log in.

Step 3: Connect the Frame to WiFi

The frame will show a list of nearby WiFi networks on its screen. Tap your home network and type in the password. Some Aura models show a QR code on the screen instead. Open your phone camera, scan the code, and it will walk you through the WiFi connection.

Once connected, the frame links itself to the Aura cloud. This takes about thirty seconds. The frame will show a pairing code on the screen.

Step 4: Pair the Frame in the App

Open the Aura app on your phone. Tap "Set Up a New Frame." The app will ask for the pairing code shown on the frame screen. Type it in. Give the frame a name like "Living Room" or "Kitchen." That is it. The frame is now linked to your account.

Step 5: Add Photos

Now for the fun part. In the Aura app, tap the frame name and then tap "Add Photos." You have two options.

First, you can pick photos from your phone camera roll. Scroll through your pictures, tap the ones you want, and hit upload. The photos will appear on the frame within a few minutes.

Second, you can connect Google Photos or iCloud. Tap "Connect" next to either service. Pick the albums you want to sync. Every photo in those albums will load onto the frame. When you add new photos to those albums later, they show up on the frame automatically.

Step 6: Invite Family Members

One of the best things about Aura is that anyone can send photos to your frame. In the app, go to the frame settings and tap "Invite Members." Enter a family member's email address or phone number. They get a link to download the Aura app and join your frame.

Once they join, they can send photos from their own phone. Grandkids, cousins, aunts, and uncles can all contribute. The frame becomes a shared family album that grows over time.

Step 7: Adjust Display Settings

In the app, you can change a few display settings. Auto-brightness adjusts the screen to match the room light. Turn it on so the frame is bright during the day and dim at night. You can also set a sleep schedule so the frame turns off overnight.

Pick how fast photos change. Options range from every few seconds to every hour. For most people, one photo every thirty seconds to one minute works best. You can also choose the order: random, newest first, or oldest first.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the frame does not connect to WiFi, move it closer to your router. Aura frames work on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Make sure you are typing the WiFi password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.

If photos are slow to load, check your internet speed. Aura photos are high quality, so a slow connection means longer upload times. Be patient on the first batch. After that, new photos load faster.

For more details on Aura screen quality and features, check our Aura Mason Luxe review.

You Are Done

That is the whole setup. Ten minutes, tops. Your Aura frame is now showing photos, connected to the cloud, and ready for family to share. Every new photo sent through the app will appear on the frame without you touching it. Enjoy your pictures.