To cast to a Roku TV, connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network, open a Roku-compatible app such as YouTube, tap its casting icon, and select your Roku. To share your entire screen, use AirPlay on compatible Apple devices and Roku TVs, Smart View on a compatible Samsung device, or Windows + K on a Windows 11 PC with Miracast support.
App casting sends selected content, while screen mirroring displays your device’s screen. The PC steps below use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Videos from an app: Install the matching app on your phone and Roku, then select Roku through the phone app’s casting control.
- Apple devices: Enable AirPlay on a compatible Roku, then select it through AirPlay or Screen Mirroring.
- Android screens: Use Smart View on a compatible Samsung device and accept the connection on Roku.
- Windows screens: Press Windows + K on a Miracast-capable Windows 11 PC, select Roku, and approve the request.
| Method | Best for | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible app casting | Selected videos | App specifically supports Roku |
| YouTube TV code | Phone playback across networks | YouTube apps and internet on both devices |
| YouTube computer casting | YouTube videos from a browser | Same Wi-Fi and Roku listed as a receiver |
| AirPlay | Apple media or screen sharing | AirPlay-compatible Roku |
| Samsung Smart View | Android screen mirroring | Miracast-capable Samsung device |
| Samsung Wireless DeX | Galaxy desktop interface | Wireless DeX support and a compatible Miracast receiver |
| Windows wireless projection | PC screen sharing | Windows 11 with Miracast hardware and drivers |
| Web Video Caster | Web media and local files | Media format Roku can decode |
| AirBeamTV | Alternative iPhone or iPad mirroring | Compatible platform-specific app |
| External Google Cast receiver | Chrome tabs or a computer screen | Additional receiver connected through HDMI |
| HDMI cable | Wired device display | Video-capable device and suitable adapter |
| Spotify Connect | Spotify audio | Roku device supporting Spotify |
| USB playback | Local media files | Compatible USB port and supported files |
| Bluetooth streaming | Audio from a paired device | Supported Roku model or speaker setup |
Get your Roku and device ready
Connect your phone and Roku to the same Wi-Fi network for standard app casting or AirPlay. Install the matching app on both devices when casting from a service such as YouTube. A casting icon by itself does not mean an app can send content to Roku.
For Apple devices, check the Roku model and software under Settings > System > About. Roku lists AirPlay support for Select and Plus TVs, model families Axxxx, Cxxxx, CxxGB, and 7xxxx with Roku OS 9.4 or later, and 5xxx or 6xxx with OS 10 or later. Check other models individually before choosing AirPlay; the Apple minimums are iOS 12.3 and macOS 10.14.5.
Android and Windows screen mirroring require Miracast support on the sending device and a mirroring-capable Roku. An Android version number or a control named Cast does not guarantee that support. Roku excludes Google Pixel and Nexus devices running Android 6.0 or later from its native Android mirroring method, so use a Roku-compatible app’s casting feature on those phones.
Cast videos from a phone app
Open a Roku-compatible app on your phone, select the video you want, and tap the casting icon. Choose your Roku from the device list, then select a profile on the TV if the app asks you to. Some apps show the casting icon only after playback begins.
YouTube supports this workflow on Android and iPhone or iPad. If the icon is missing, start the video before looking again, and confirm that YouTube is installed on Roku. Keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi for this standard connection.
For Netflix, open the Netflix app on Roku with the Roku remote and control playback there. Netflix’s current mobile casting compatibility list excludes Roku, and Netflix does not support AirPlay.
Connect YouTube with a TV code or computer
For YouTube on a phone, a TV code works even when the devices use different networks, provided both have internet access. On Roku, open YouTube and choose Settings > Add a device to display the numeric code.
On your Android phone or iPhone, open YouTube, tap Cast, then select Add a device. Enter the code shown on the TV, tap Link, and select the TV. To end the session, tap Cast > Disconnect.
From a computer, keep the computer and Roku on the same Wi-Fi and open YouTube on Roku. Open youtube.com and a video in the computer’s browser, open the player’s three-dot menu, choose Cast, and select Roku if it is listed. This sends YouTube playback rather than an arbitrary browser tab. TV-code pairing is unavailable on computers, and mobile-browser casting is unsupported, so use the YouTube mobile app for the phone workflow.
Use AirPlay from an iPhone iPad or Mac
On a compatible Roku, open Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and set AirPlay to On. For more detail on that setup, follow the steps to enable AirPlay on Roku TV. Connect your Apple device to the same Wi-Fi network as Roku before starting playback.
To send media from a compatible app, choose its AirPlay icon and select Roku. Some apps place that control under Share. Press Home on the Roku remote when you want to end AirPlay playback.
To mirror a current iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the upper-right corner to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, choose Roku, and enter the TV’s AirPlay passcode if requested. Finish through Control Center > Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring.
On macOS 27, open Control Center > Screen Mirroring, select Roku, and enter the displayed code if requested. Choose window sharing, mirroring, or an extended display as offered. Use Change to alter your selection, Add Window for another window, or Stop to finish. Earlier macOS versions have different sharing choices.
Protected apps can restrict video output even when screen mirroring connects successfully. For Plex mobile version 2025.10.x or later on iPhone or iPad, open Control Center before or during playback, select the AirPlay icon in Now Playing, and choose a compatible Roku. Start playback if it has not already begun.
Mirror a compatible Android screen
On a compatible Samsung phone or tablet, pull down the status bar, tap Smart View, and select Roku. Accept the request on the TV by selecting Allow. Choose Always allow instead when you want Roku to remember that permission.
To stop, press Home on the Roku remote. If your Android device lacks Miracast support, use a Roku-compatible app’s casting control or Web Video Caster for supported media.
If your Galaxy phone or tablet supports Wireless DeX, swipe down with two fingers to open Quick settings, tap DeX, and select the TV. Tap Start now, select Allow on Roku, and tap Start on the phone if requested. This route relies on compatible Miracast support; Samsung does not provide a Roku-specific model certification for it.
On Roku, open Settings > System > Screen mirroring > Screen mirroring mode. Choose Prompt to approve incoming requests or Always allow to accept them automatically; Never allow blocks them. These settings govern Miracast connections from compatible Android and Windows devices, rather than AirPlay or every app’s casting connection.
Project a Windows PC to Roku
Turn on the TV and your PC’s Wi-Fi. On a Windows 11 computer with Miracast-capable hardware and drivers, press Windows + K, select Roku, and accept the connection request on the TV. You do not need to install Windows’ Wireless Display receiver feature simply to send your PC’s display to a TV.
If Roku rejects the request, check its Screen mirroring mode and choose Prompt before trying again. On Roku, review remembered permissions under Settings > System > Screen mirroring > Screen mirroring devices. Press Home on the Roku remote to end the session.
Use another app or receiver when needed
For web videos or local files, get Web Video Caster through its official receiver and download page, which includes a Roku section. In the Android app, browse to the media, start the web video or audio, or long-press a photograph, then connect to Roku to send it. The app sends media rather than mirroring browser tabs, and Roku must be able to decode the format because the app does not transcode it.
For an alternative iPhone or iPad mirroring route, install the appropriate app from the AirBeamTV Roku product page. Open it, select Roku, choose Start Mirroring, select Mirror [Name of TV], and press Start Broadcast. AirBeamTV advertises Roku support without AirPlay; store compatibility and paid-feature limits vary.
To send Chrome tabs or a computer screen through Google Cast, connect and configure an additional Google TV Streamer on a Roku TV HDMI input, then select that input. Connect your computer to the same Wi-Fi network as the Google TV Streamer, and on macOS 15 or later, give Chrome access in your Mac’s system settings. In desktop Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook, open More > Cast, save, and share > Cast… and select the Google receiver. For your desktop, choose Sources > Cast screen. The external receiver handles casting through the TV’s HDMI input.
A wired connection is another option for a phone or tablet that supports video output. Connect a suitable HDMI adapter and cable to the TV, then select the matching HDMI input. Lightning Apple devices need a compatible Lightning video adapter, while USB-C devices need actual video-output support. App and copy-protection restrictions still apply.
Fix a Roku that does not appear
Check the requirements for your connection: standard app casting and AirPlay need the same Wi-Fi network, while Android and Windows mirroring need Miracast support. If the TV cannot join your network, fix Roku TV Wi-Fi connectivity before retrying those network-dependent methods. If your remote is missing, follow the options for connecting Roku without a remote.
For AirPlay, confirm that AirPlay is On and that your Roku model supports it. For Android or Windows, review Roku’s Screen mirroring mode and remembered device permissions. In YouTube on a phone, try the TV-code connection when ordinary discovery fails.
For a Windows 11 PC that previously connected, removing Roku’s wireless-display association deletes that saved association. On Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, find Roku under Wireless displays & docks, and choose Remove device. Press Windows + K and select Roku again to reconnect.
On a managed Windows 11 work or school PC, an administrator’s wireless-display policy can block discovery and projection. Ask your administrator to check whether projection from the PC is allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep Roku available for AirPlay while the TV is in standby?
On a compatible Roku TV, open Settings > System > Power > Fast TV start and turn the feature on. This keeps Roku available for AirPlay in standby, but increases standby electricity use.
Can you play Spotify on Roku from your phone?
Yes, on Roku devices that support the Spotify app, start audio in Spotify, select the Connect device icon, and choose Roku. Use the same Wi-Fi for the initial connection. You can also control playback from Spotify’s desktop app, while its web player can target devices already signed into your account.
Can you use your phone as a YouTube remote after connecting?
Yes, open Cast > Remote in the YouTube mobile app for TV playback controls. You can also select the microphone under Cast for spoken searches. Signing into the same Google Account in YouTube on Roku and your phone enables the TV-playback companion when you open the mobile app.
Can Roku play video files from a USB drive?
Yes, a Roku TV with a compatible USB port can play supported media through Roku Media Player. Insert the drive, open Roku Media Player, choose the media type and USB device, select a file, and press OK or Play. This is local playback rather than wireless casting, and DRM-protected media is unsupported.
Can you cast video to Roku through Bluetooth?
Roku’s Bluetooth streaming method is for audio only. Supported TVs include Roku Plus Series TVs and Roku TVs paired with supported Roku wireless speakers or a Roku TV Wireless Soundbar. On those devices, open Settings > Remotes & devices > Smartphones & tablets > Add a new smartphone or tablet. Select Roku in your source device’s Bluetooth settings, then play audio.