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Stream your screen to any Roku TV or streaming device effortlessly
Mirroring your phone or computer to your Roku is simple, as long as your device supports AirPlay 2 or Miracast. You can cast from most modern iPhones, iPads, PCs, Macs, and most Android devices (except Google models). This guide will walk you through the process of screen mirroring on Roku TV, Streaming Stick, Streambar, and other Roku devices. It will also assist you in resolving common issues, like when your Roku doesn’t appear while trying to cast.
Roku Screen Mirroring: A Quick Overview
- iPhone/iPad: Swipe into Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose your Roku.
- Android: Open Quick Settings, select your screen mirroring option (Smart View, Quick Connect, etc.), and pick your Roku.
- Windows: Press Windows key + K, then select your Roku device.
- Mac: Open Control Center, click the two overlapping rectangles, choose your Roku device, and click Mirror.
Steps
How to Mirror an iPhone or iPad to Roku
Ensure your Roku and iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This connection will allow your Roku and iPhone or iPad to sync up.
- Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch must be running iOS 12.3 or newer to mirror your screen to Roku.
Access the Control Center. For iPhones or iPads with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. For those with Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Screen Mirroring icon. This icon looks like two overlapping rectangles. A menu will appear showing all AirPlay-compatible devices available for connection.
Choose your Roku TV or streaming device. If you don't see your Roku listed, make sure it's powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iOS device.
Enter the AirPlay passcode. If you are prompted for an AirPlay passcode, type the code displayed on your TV into the prompt on your iPhone or iPad.
On your Roku, select Always allow. If you wish to mirror content from your device only for this session, choose Allow instead. After making your selection, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch's screen will begin mirroring to your Roku.
- To end screen mirroring, open the Control Center and tap Stop Screen Mirroring.
Mirroring a Samsung Android Device to Roku
Ensure your Roku and Android device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're using a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, you can utilize Samsung Smart View to mirror your screen to Roku.
- Your Android device must be running version 10.0 or later to mirror to Roku.
Swipe down from the top of the home screen. This action will open the Quick Panel on your device.
Tap Smart View. If you don't see this option right away, try scrolling through the icon list. Your Samsung device will now search for compatible devices to connect to.
Choose your Roku. If Roku doesn't show up in the list, double-check that it's powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device.
- If a PIN appears on your TV, input it into the prompt on your Samsung device.
Tap Start now on your device. This will establish the connection between your phone or tablet and Roku.
On your Roku, tap Always allow. If you only want to mirror content from your device for the current session, choose Allow instead. After making your selection, your phone or tablet's screen will start displaying on your Roku.
- To stop mirroring, open the System menu and tap the Screen Mirroring icon again.
Mirroring an Android (Non-Samsung) Device to Roku
Ensure your Android supports screen mirroring to Roku. To mirror your screen, you'll need an Android that supports Miracast—unfortunately, some Android devices only support Chromecast.
- Google Pixel and Nexus devices cannot screen mirror to Roku.
- According to Roku, most other Android devices running Android 10.0 or later that support screen mirroring will work with Roku. To confirm for your specific model, search for your device and "screen mirroring" online.
Connect both your Roku and Android to the same Wi-Fi network. For screen mirroring to work, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the quick settings on your Android device. On most devices, swipe down from the top of your home screen to access the quick settings menu.
Select the Screen Mirroring option on your Android. The name and icon for this option may vary, and you might need to swipe through additional pages of apps to find it.
- Common names for screen mirroring on Android include:
- Moto Connect
- Quick Connect
- Screen Casting
- HTC Connect
- Screen Mirroring
- SmartShare
- Smart View
- AllShare Cast
- Wireless Display
- Display Mirroring
- Cast
Choose your Roku TV or streaming device. On some Android devices, you might need to select Miracast to view the list of available devices.
- You might need to tap Start, Connect, or a similar option to complete the connection.
On your Roku, select Always allow. If you only want content from your device to be mirrored for the current section, select Allow instead.
- To stop screen sharing, reopen your quick settings and tap the screen mirroring option again.
Mirroring a Windows 10 or 11 Computer to Roku
Ensure your Roku and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 desktop or laptop, you can easily mirror your screen to a Roku device as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Press the Windows Key + K. Pressing Windows key + K at the same time opens the Cast menu and begins to scan for available devices.
Pick your Roku TV or streaming device. As long as your Roku is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC, it should appear as an available option for screen mirroring.
On your Roku, select Always allow. If you prefer to mirror content only from your device for the current session, choose Allow instead. After making this selection, your computer's screen will be mirrored to your Roku TV or streaming stick.
Mirroring a Mac Desktop or MacBook to Roku
Ensure your Roku and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network. Since most Roku devices are compatible with AirPlay, you can easily mirror your Mac's screen to a Roku TV or streaming device as long as both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Your Mac should be running macOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later for screen mirroring to work with Roku.
Click the Control Center icon on your Mac. It's the icon featuring two sliders located in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
Click on the Screen Mirroring icon. This icon looks like two overlapping rectangles. Once clicked, your Mac will search for available devices to connect to.
Choose your Roku TV or streaming device. If prompted, input the 4-digit code that appears on your TV screen.
Select the Mirror option. AirPlay will ask whether you’d like to extend or mirror your display. Choosing Mirror will ensure that your entire screen is shown on your TV rather than just a secondary desktop.
On your Roku, select Always allow. If you prefer to mirror content only from your device for this session, choose Allow instead. Once selected, your Mac's screen will be mirrored to your Roku TV or streaming device.
Why can't I see my Roku for screen mirroring?
Ensure Screen Mirroring is enabled on your Roku. By default, this should be on, but it's possible someone disabled it. Here’s how to check:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote and go to Settings.
- Navigate to System.
- Click on Screen Mirroring.
- Select Screen Mirroring Mode.
- If "Never allow" is selected, switch to Prompt (to be asked each time a device tries to connect) or Always allow to let all devices cast to your Roku.
Verify that your Roku is connected to the correct network. If your Roku is linked to a different network than your phone, tablet, or computer, screen mirroring will not work. To confirm:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote and go to Settings.
- Select Network > About.
- Check the network name at the top and ensure it matches the one your phone, tablet, or computer is using.
- Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is connected to Wi-Fi, not cellular data.
Check if your Roku supports AirPlay 2 (for iOS/Mac). Most modern Roku devices, including recent Roku TVs, 4K models, Roku Ultra, Roku Streambar, Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Premiere, support AirPlay 2. If you own an older Roku model running Roku OS 9.3 or earlier, you won’t be able to mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac's screen to it. Here's how to check:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote and choose Settings.
- Select System > About.
- Press the Right arrow on the remote. If the "Software version" is 9.4 or higher, your device supports AirPlay 2.
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Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Computer & Tech Specialist
If your TV doesn't support AirPlay, consider using an Apple TV. You can easily connect an Apple TV device to your TV's HDMI port to add AirPlay functionality and enhance its smart features. The Apple TV will act as the receiver, allowing you to mirror your iPhone or Mac screen to your TV with ease.
Ensure AirPlay is turned on (iOS/Mac). AirPlay is typically enabled by default, so this shouldn't be an issue. However, if your Roku doesn't show up when you attempt to mirror your screen, here’s how you can verify:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote and go to Settings.
- Select Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.
- If "AirPlay" is off, switch it to On.
Activate Fast Start on your Roku TV. If you own a Roku TV, keeping Fast Start enabled will ensure your TV stays online even when powered off, preventing it from disappearing as an available option when attempting to mirror your screen.
- Press Home on your Roku remote and choose Settings.
- Navigate to System > Power.
- Choose Fast TV Start.
- Enable Fast TV Start.
