Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test: is your Roku ready?
- 02Method 1: Download the official Roku app (iPhone and Android)
- 03Method 2: Use a browser remote — no download
- 04Method 3: Download HiRemote for a Hisense Roku TV
- 05Fix 1: The Roku app can't find your Roku
- 06Which Roku remote should you download?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Is the Roku remote app free?
- 09Can I download a Roku remote without Wi-Fi?
- 10How do I download the Roku remote on iPhone?
- 11Does the Roku app work as a power button?
- 12Can I use a Roku remote in my browser?
- 13Which remote app is best for a Hisense Roku TV?
- 14Related guides
You download a Roku remote by installing the free Roku app from the App Store or Google Play. Open it, connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi as your Roku, and the app finds your device. Tap Remote, and your phone works like the real thing.
I've set this up on a Roku Express 4K, a TCL Roku TV, and my sister's Hisense R6 Roku TV. The download takes under a minute each time. The one step people miss is Wi-Fi — the app reaches your Roku over the network, not infrared. Get both on the same connection and it just works.
The 30-second test: is your Roku ready?
Before you download anything, check two things. This saves you from blaming the app for a network problem.
- Your Roku is plugged in and showing the home screen. A sleeping or unplugged Roku won't answer the app.
- Your phone and Roku share one Wi-Fi network. Not guest Wi-Fi, and not a band split your router treats as two networks.
If your Roku is offline, no app can reach it. Fix that first, then download.
Not sure which route fits you? If your Roku is built into a Hisense TV, you can skip the store and open our browser-based Hisense Roku TV remote — no download, it runs in your phone's browser. For a full phone remote with buttons and voice, the HiRemote app covers Hisense Roku sets too. Prefer the official route? Keep reading.
Method 1: Download the official Roku app (iPhone and Android)
This is the free, official path and it works on almost every Roku. Here's the whole process.
- Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
- Search for Roku and install The Roku App (Official) by Roku, Inc. It's free.
- Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku.
- Open the app and tap Devices at the bottom. It scans your network.
- Pick your Roku from the list, then tap Remote.
You now get a D-pad, a keyboard for search, and private listening through your phone's headphones. Voice search works too.
When it won't work: the app needs Wi-Fi, so it can't help if your router is down or your Roku sits on a different network. The power button also only appears for Roku TVs, not streaming sticks. For a deeper walkthrough, see our guide to the Roku remote app.
Method 2: Use a browser remote — no download
Don't want another app on your phone? A browser remote loads a control pad on a web page. Nothing to install, nothing to update.
- Open your phone or laptop browser.
- Go to a Roku browser remote and let it detect your device on the network.
- Tap the on-screen buttons like a normal remote.
For a Hisense Roku TV, our browser remote is built for that exact setup. For other Roku players, this Roku remote in your browser guide shows the free options. The catch is the same as the app: both devices must be on one network.
Method 3: Download HiRemote for a Hisense Roku TV
Have a Roku that's built into a Hisense TV? HiRemote is made for Hisense sets, including Hisense Roku TVs. It's worth downloading if you also want quick access to Hisense-specific controls.
- Install HiRemote from the App Store.
- Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
- Open HiRemote and let it find your Hisense Roku TV.
- Tap to pair, then use the button pad, keyboard, and shortcuts.
Be honest with yourself here. If you own a standalone Roku stick or box, stick with Method 1 — the official app is the right tool. HiRemote shines on Hisense hardware. Weighing the two? Read HiRemote vs the Roku app for Hisense Roku TV.
Once your phone remote is working, the HiRemote app keeps a button layout and voice search one tap away, and the browser remote is there on any device when you'd rather not open an app. Use whichever you reach for first.
Fix 1: The Roku app can't find your Roku
Downloaded the app but it shows no devices? This is almost always the network. Work down the list.
- Same network: confirm your phone isn't on guest Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Restart the Roku: Settings > System > Power > System restart.
- Toggle your phone's Wi-Fi off and on to refresh the connection.
- Check router isolation: 'AP isolation' or 'client isolation' hides your Roku from the app. Turn it off in your router settings.
Still stuck? Our Roku remote not working guide covers the physical remote and the app together.
Which Roku remote should you download?
| Option | Download? | Cost | Works with | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Roku app | Yes | Free | Almost all Roku devices | Most people |
| Browser remote | No | Free | Hisense Roku TV, others | No-install control |
| HiRemote app | Yes | Free tier | Hisense TVs, incl. Roku | Hisense owners |
| Physical replacement | No | Paid | Matching model | Wi-Fi-free control |
Most people should start with the official app. If your Roku lives inside a Hisense TV, the browser remote or HiRemote gives you a faster path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roku remote app free?
Yes, the official Roku app is free on the App Store and Google Play. It includes the remote, a keyboard, voice search, and private listening at no cost. Roku doesn't charge for the app or the remote feature. You only pay if you choose to buy a physical replacement remote instead.
Can I download a Roku remote without Wi-Fi?
No, phone-based Roku remotes need Wi-Fi to reach your device. The app and browser remotes both talk to your Roku over the network, not infrared. With no Wi-Fi, your only option is a physical remote — a replacement or a universal remote that uses infrared or a paired connection.
How do I download the Roku remote on iPhone?
Open the App Store, search 'Roku,' and install The Roku App (Official). Connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi as your Roku, open the app, and tap Devices. Select your Roku, then tap Remote. Your iPhone now controls the TV, including a keyboard for faster search.
Does the Roku app work as a power button?
Only on Roku TVs. The app shows a power button when it connects to a Roku TV, like a Hisense or TCL Roku model. Streaming sticks and boxes usually lack a software power button, since they draw power from the TV's USB port or an outlet. HDMI-CEC can sometimes add power control.
Can I use a Roku remote in my browser?
Yes, a browser remote loads a control pad on a web page with nothing to install. It detects your Roku on the same network and sends button presses. It's handy on a laptop or a phone where you'd rather not download an app. You still need both devices on one Wi-Fi network.
Which remote app is best for a Hisense Roku TV?
Both the Roku app and HiRemote work well on a Hisense Roku TV. The Roku app is the safe default and controls the Roku interface directly. HiRemote adds Hisense-friendly shortcuts and a browser remote option. Try both — they're free — and keep the one whose layout you like.
