How to stream phone to roku tv

X

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the streaming service offers that appear on cordcuttersnews.com are from companies which may also provide our site with compensation. This allows us to support our site and continue to provide you with the most up to date entertainment and streaming content. Our team prides itself in providing objective news, reviews, opinions, and other related content to educate our readers so you can make informed decisions. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Skip to content

How to stream phone to roku tv

  • When you cast to Roku, you're quickly queuing up content from your phone to play on your TV.
  • First-time set-up for the process of casting to Roku requires a few steps.
  • Casting plays content from supported channels and is not the same as screen mirroring.

You may already know of the conveniences of casting video from your phone to your TV using a Google Chromecast device.

But did you know you can also cast content to a Roku? Casting to a Roku is as simple as tapping an icon, once you set it up.

It may look like a long process, but it's really quite short.

Setting up your devices

Set-up is required the first time you use the cast feature on Roku. Rest assured, you won't need to repeat these steps each time you want to cast video from your mobile device.

1. Verify your mobile device and Roku are accessing the same network. Casting to Roku will only work if both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Ensure the app you want to use is installed on your mobile device and on Roku. The Roku version of the app you want to use (example: Netflix) must be installed on Roku before you can cast to it.

How to cast content to Roku

Tap the casting icon on the video of the content you'd like to cast. Michelle Greenlee/Insider

Casting to Roku is a straightforward process. There are just a few more steps to go.

1. On your mobile device, open the app you want to use and choose the video you want to cast to your TV.

2. Tap the casting icon from inside the app.

3. Choose your Roku when prompted to select a device.

4. The appropriate Roku channel will launch automatically and playback will begin.

Tips and tricks

Casting is only available on supported Roku channels. You will know a Roku channel is supported when you see the casting icon next to a video on your mobile device. However, some mobile apps wait to display the casting icon until after playback has begun.

During casting, content playback can be controlled using the Roku remote or your mobile device. If you choose to control playback with the Roku remote, your mobile device is free to handle other tasks or use another app. You can even shut down your mobile device if you would like.

The difference between "casting" and "screen mirroring" on Roku

The term "casting" is sometimes used interchangeably with "screen mirroring." Casting and screen mirroring to Roku are not, in fact, the same feature. Casting on Roku is limited to supported channels and does not display your mobile device's screen on a TV.

Personal photos, videos, and music on your mobile device cannot be shared using the cast function. You'll instead need to use the Play On Roku option in the free Roku mobile app to listen and view this content to your TV.

Casting to Roku is a quick way to share video from your mobile device. While there are a few limitations, the feature can be handy and save you a few clicks on the Roku remote (no more onscreen keyboard "typing" one letter at a time). Casting will be quite a bit faster after the initial set-up process.  

  • How to turn off any Roku device

  • How to add channels to your Roku device in three ways

  • 'Is Twitch on Roku?': No, not anymore — here's how to watch Twitch on your TV without using Roku

  • How to factory reset a Roku device

  • 'Can you clear the cache on a Roku?': No, but here's how to resolve playback issues

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

During Covid-19 Times, when people were just limited to their homes, the Roku streaming TV gained popularity because it allowed free streaming.

People love to use Roku TV because it has the ability to stream major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney, etc. According to NPD’s data, Roku TVs had a market share of 38% and 31% in the USA and Canada, respectively, with over 14 million new accounts all over the world.

In this article, we enlist 3 effective ways on how to mirror Android to Roku. We will also guide you how to cast your Android to PC with AirDroid Cast.

How to stream phone to roku tv

  • Part 1 :How to Mirror Android to Roku (3 Ways)
  • Part 2 :What’s the Difference Between Casting and Mirroring?
  • Part 3 :Does Your Roku Support Screen Mirroring?
  • Part 4 :Does Your Android Support Screen Mirroring to Roku?
  • Part 5 :Extra Tips: How to Screen Mirroring Android to PC?(Free)
  • Part 6 :Closing
  • Part 7 :FAQs about cast Android to Roku

Part 1. How to Mirror Android to Roku?

Way 1. Mirror Android to Roku with Built-in Function

Android 4 or higher devices support mirroring without any help from third-party apps. Each manufacturer has its own mirroring software, so you might need to look up your manufacturer's given instructions.

Samsung devices support this feature. You need to go to settings and tap on "Connected devices." Here is how to use the built-in function of the Android phone for mirroring the screen to Roku:

  1. Pull down the top screen to open your control system.
  2. Click on the smart view option, and tap on “next”.
  3. Now tap on “continue”; you will see different devices here.
  4. How to stream phone to roku tv

  5. Click on your TV name where you want to mirror your Android phone.
  6. You are done now. You can stream anything on the big screen.

Way 2. Mirror Android to Roku with Third-party Apps

You can find hundreds of Android mirroring apps on the Google Play Store, such as Roku mirror, cast for Roku, X-cast, and screen mirroring for Roku app. No doubt, all applications are good, but the “screen mirroring for the Roku” is the best screen mirroring app for Android to roku.

You can install it on your Android device and share whatever you want with Roku TV. Keep in mind a few things; this application will work properly until it remains connected to the same network as your Roku.

You can use the free version of this app, but it includes some ads. If you want an ads-free version, buy its premium account for 4.99 dollars per month.

How to stream phone to roku tv

  1. Go to the Google Play Store and install it on your Android device.
  2. Do basic settings and tap on “start mirroring”. 
  3. Now connect your Android device to your Roku device.
  4. It will show you the ad, watch an ad and go next.
  5. Now click on “start now”. Finally, you will see your Android device content on the TV connected to your Roku.

Way 3. Casting to Roku from Android with the Roku App

With the Roku app, you can easily cast your photos, videos, and other media files on your Android to the Roku TV. The Roku app doesn’t offer a screen mirroring feature, it just cast Android to Roku.

Another way to cast Roku is by using the Roku Official Remote control app. This app allows you to share different movies and shows on the Roku channel. It works as an alternative for physical remote control if it is low on battery or you misplaced it.

Additionally, It offers private listening on Roku Express, Express +, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Streaming Stick +, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere +, and Roku TVs.

How to stream phone to roku tv

Here are steps to start casting to Roku from Android with the Roku app.

  1. Install the Roku app on your Android device.
  2. After installing, open your app and connect your Roku official app to Roku.
  3. Now go down and select devices.
  4. Select your device, tap on it to connect it.
  5. Choose a video or image which you want to view. 
  6. Now you can successfully watch movies or photos on the big screen.

Part 2. What’s the Difference between Casting and Mirroring?

Are screens mirroring and casting the same? There is a misconception that casting and mirroring are the same, but the fact is the opposite of this. Mirroring and casting both are different things.

In mirroring, you can share the content of any app on the device. But in casting, you can only share the content of apps that support casting, which means you can't share only limited content via casting. You can control the mirroring content from a mobile device only.

For casting, you can control shared content with a mobile device and to the device to which the screen is casting. The mirroring work on compatible Android and Windows devices. But casting work on all Android devices.

Part 3. Does Your Roku Support Screen Mirroring?

Most Roku streaming players and Roku TV support screen mirroring. But few Roku models do not support screen mirroring.

Roku express 

Screen mirroring is available on 3930 and 3900 but does not work on 3700.

Roku express+

Screen mirroring is available on 3931 and 3910 but not on the 3710 model.

You can check does your Roku supports screen mirroring or not.

  1. Go to settings, click on “systems”. 
  2. Tap on “about”, now It will show you your Roku model name.

Part 4. Does Your Android Support Screen Mirroring to Roku?

It totally depends on which Android model you are using. All latest Android devices support screen mirroring Android to Roku because these have inbuilt miracast in them.

Miracast was first introduced in 2013. It is a wireless display. Almost all the Androids which were launched after 2013 have miracast in them.

You can check out whether you have miracast technology in your device and search for a screen sharing option on your device.

Some other common terms are:

  • Smart view
  • Quick connect
  • Smart share
  • Allshare cast
  • Wireless display
  • HTC connect
  • Screencasting
  • Step by Step: Enable Screen Mirroring on Roku

    If you are willing to mirror Android to Roku, you have to make sure it is enabled on your Roku.

    Here's the method how to do this:

    1. Click the home button.
    2. On the Roku remote, press the home button to confirm that you are on the home screen.
    3. On the menu, you will see an option of setting. Go to settings and press the “OK” button.
    4. Now choose screen mirroring and press “OK” again.
    5. Choose screen mirroring mode and press know you have to select your desired setting. You can either choose always allow or prompt.
    6. In “always allow “all the devices will connect without asking you each time. While prompt, it will ask for permission.

    How Do I Control the Content Displayed When Mirroring?

    If you are mirroring content you have to use your phone for controlling displayed content. For example if you are watching any movie, you will have to use your phone to pause, fast forward, and rewind.

    Part 5. Extra Tips: How to Screen Mirroring Android to PC?(Free)

    Screen Mirroring Android to PC via AirDroid Cast

    AirDroid Cast is a powerful tool that assists in mirroring screens from mobile devices to computers located far away. In addition to mirroring the screen, it allows you to mirror audio and microphone sound. It supports 2 connection methods for Android phones: USB cable connection or Local & Remote connection.

    This amazing tool does not only cast your Android device to PC; it also casts the iOS, Win, and Mac screens to PC easily. AirDroid Cast offers amazing features like two-way audio, multi-screens on computers, several ways of casting and remote control, etc.

    Here is a step by step guide:

    Step 1.Download and install AirDroid Cast Click “Try It Free” button below or go to AirDroid Cast official website to download it and finish installation.Step 2.Connect both the devicesOpen AirDroid Cast on your Android phone and PC. Use Wi-Fi or remote network connection: Scan the QR code or enter the screen mirroring code that is displayed on the PC side.

    How to stream phone to roku tv

    Step 3.Start Screen MirroringYou only need to do simple steps above to finish connection. Thus your Android devices will be displayed on your PC screen. You also can click the hand icon on the left to start control your Android phone on PC.

    Part 6. Closing

    Roku supports mirroring or casting of different devices such as iOS, Mac, Android, and PC. It does not matter which device you are using because you can stream anything on your big screen TV with Roku. So if you are an Android user and want mirroring or casting to Roku from Android, follow the methods mentioned above to enjoy streaming on the big screen with family or friends. Additionally, you can use AirDroid Cast for casting your Android to PC.

    Part 7. FAQs about cast Android to Roku

    Q1. Why Can’t I Cast My Phone to Roku?

    There could be different reasons if you can’t cast your phone to you. When your Android phone and Roku are connected to different devices, you can’t cast your phone to Roku. Additionally, few old phones don't support casting, so if you have the old model, you can't cast it to Roku.

    Q2. How Do I Cast a Streaming App to Roku?

    Casting a streaming app to Roku is not difficult; follow these steps for casting streaming apps like YouTube.

  • First of all, connect the Android device and Roku to the same internet connection.
  • Go to YouTube, play the video which you want to cast.
  • Now click on the casting icon in the upper right-hand corner.
  • Select your Roku device from the list.
  • Now you can enjoy your streaming app on Roku.
  • Q3. How Do I Stop Screencasts on Roku?

    There are two different methods such as:

    First method

  • Go to the app which is currently casting.
  • Tap on the casting icon.
  • Now click on the stop casting button, and your screen will stop casting.
  • Second method

  • Go to the Google Home app, open the app and click on the app which you want to stop casting.
  • Now click on stop casting, and the app will stop streaming.