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Quickly Get AirPlay Working on Your Roku
If you're struggling with AirPlay on your Roku TV or streaming device, don’t worry. Whether you're unable to connect or screen mirror from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac, there’s a straightforward solution. Keep reading for steps on troubleshooting and resolving AirPlay issues on your Roku device.
Quick Solutions for AirPlay Problems on Roku
Make sure AirPlay is activated in Settings > AirPlay & HomeKit, and that Fast TV Start is enabled in Settings > System > Power. Both the Roku and Apple devices need to support AirPlay 2 and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Try restarting your devices and router, and clear your network settings if needed.
Instructions
Check if your Roku device supports AirPlay.
Not every Roku device is AirPlay-compatible. If your Roku doesn't support AirPlay, you won’t be able to connect your iPhone, Mac, or other Apple devices. To check your Roku model, open the Settings menu and go to System > About. The following Roku models support AirPlay:
- Roku Select TV, all models
- Roku Plus TV, all models
- Roku TV, models 5XXX, 6XXX, 7XXX, AXXX, CXXX, CXXGB
- Roku Express, model 3700
- Roku Express+, model 3710
- Roku Express 4K, model 3940
- Roku Express 4K+, model 3941
- Roku HD, model 3932
- Roku 4, model 440
- Roku 3, models 4200, 4201, 4230
- Roku 2, models 4205, 4210
- Roku Streaming Stick+, models 3810, 3811
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K, model 3820
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, model 3821
- Roku Premiere, models 3920, 4620
- Roku Premiere+, models 3921, 4630
- Roku Ultra, models 4600, 4640, 4660, 4661, 4670, 4800, 4802, and 4850
- Roku Ultra LT, models 4662, 4801
- Roku Streambar, model 9102
- Roku Streambar Pro, model 9101R2
- Roku Smart Soundbar, model 9101
- ONN Roku Smart Soundbar, model 9100
Verify that your Apple device is AirPlay-compatible.
Not all iPhone, iPad, and Mac models are compatible with AirPlay 2. To mirror your screen to Roku using AirPlay, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch needs to be running iOS 12.3 or later. For a Mac, you need macOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later.
- To check the iOS version on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, go to Settings > General > About.
- To check the macOS version, click the Apple menu and select About this Mac.
Ensure both your Roku and Apple devices are connected to the same network.
Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your Roku and AirPlay device are not linked to the same Wi-Fi network, AirPlay will not function. Ensure both devices are connected to the same network.
- To check your Roku's Wi-Fi connection, go to Settings > Network > Setup connection > Wireless.
- To check the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
- To check the Wi-Fi network on your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then select your Wi-Fi network.
Ensure AirPlay is enabled on your Roku.
AirPlay might be disabled in your settings. If you haven't activated AirPlay, you'll need to do so before you can stream to your Roku.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.
- Turn the AirPlay switch to On.
Check that screen mirroring is enabled on Roku.
Screen mirroring may be turned off. Screen mirroring is an essential feature of AirPlay. If you are attempting to mirror your screen to your Roku and it's not connecting, the screen mirroring setting may be disabled.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Screen mirroring.
- Make sure Prompt or Always allow is selected.
Restart your devices to fix glitches.
Minor glitches in the system can cause issues. Restarting your devices often resolves small AirPlay problems.
- Roku: Press the Home button, then go to Settings > System > Power > Restart > System Restart.
- iPhone & iPad: Press and hold either Volume button and the Side button until the Power slider appears. Slide to turn off the device, wait for 30 seconds, and then press and hold the Side button to power it back on.
- Mac: Click the Apple menu and select Restart.
Activate Fast TV Start on your Roku device.
Fast TV Start must be enabled for AirPlay to function properly. Activating Fast TV Start (or Fast Start on the Soundbar) ensures your Roku stays connected to the network, even when turned off. To enable it:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Select Settings.
- Choose System.
- Select Power.
- Pick Fast TV Start or Fast Start.
- Ensure that "Fast TV Start" or "Fast Start" is enabled.
Activate Device Connect on your Roku device.
Device Connect might be turned off. If Device Connect is disabled on your Roku, it could interfere with AirPlay. To enable Device Connect:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Select Settings.
- Go to System.
- Choose Advanced System Settings.
- Click on Device Connect > Enable Device Connect.
Restart your router to fix network issues.
A network problem could be the reason AirPlay isn't working on your Roku. If your internet connection is unstable, your devices may struggle to connect over Wi-Fi. Unplug your router for around a minute, then reconnect it.
- Consider moving your Roku and Apple devices closer to your router for a better signal.
Ensure your Roku is up to date.
Your Roku may be running outdated firmware. For many Roku models, you need Roku OS version 9.4 or 10 or higher to use AirPlay. If your device is AirPlay-compatible, follow these steps to update:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Choose System.
- Select Software update.
- Click Check now. Your Roku will install the latest updates if available.
Update your Apple device to the latest version.
Your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac might be running outdated software.
- To update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install if an update is available.
- To check for updates on a Mac, click the Apple menu, then go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Turn off your VPN.
Your VPN may be disrupting the AirPlay connection. If you're using a VPN on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, try disabling it before trying to AirPlay to your Roku.
- iPhone & iPad: Open the Settings app, tap General, then select VPN. Ensure that the VPN is disconnected.
- Mac: Click the Apple icon and select System Settings (or System Preferences). Click VPN (it might be under Network) and ensure the VPN is disconnected.
Review your Screen Time settings.
Screen Time could be preventing AirPlay from working. You may need to disable Screen Time restrictions. To do this, you will require the parental code.
- iPhone & iPad: Open Settings > Screen Time and disable "App & Website Activity."
- Mac: Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings > Screen Time, scroll down, and turn off App & Website Activity.
Reset your Roku’s network settings.
There might be a connection issue. If there’s a problem with the connection settings, resetting your Roku’s network connection might help. After doing so, you’ll need to reconnect your Roku to Wi-Fi and pair your Apple device again. To reset your Roku’s network settings:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Advanced System Settings.
- Select Network Connection Reset.
- Select Reset Connection.
Reset the network settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
There could be a problem with your network settings. This will erase all your network connections, Bluetooth pairings, VPN configurations, and trusted certificates (like for websites).
- iPhone & iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Mac: You can reset your network connection by forgetting the network and reconnecting. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, select Details next to your network, click Forget this Network, and then click Remove. Afterward, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
Perform a Factory Reset on your Roku.
There could be a serious issue with the firmware. If you're experiencing significant glitches, a factory reset might resolve the problem. Keep in mind that this will erase all settings, preferences, and account details, so it should only be used as a last resort. To perform a factory reset, press and hold the Reset button for 10 seconds. Alternatively, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select System.
- Choose Advanced System Settings.
- Click on Factory Reset.
- Select Factory reset everything.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Reach out to customer service.
There may be a hardware issue with your device. If you've attempted all other solutions and AirPlay still isn’t working, there could be a problem with your Roku or Apple device. You can contact Roku support via https://www.roku.com/about/contact. If your Apple device cannot AirPlay to any other devices, reach out to Apple support at https://getsupport.apple.com.
