Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test: does your app even cast?
- 02Method 1: Cast YouTube and other Google apps straight to Roku
- 03Method 2: Screen mirror your Android phone to Roku
- 04Method 3: Add a Chromecast for true Google Cast
- 05Quick comparison: which casting method fits you
- 06Frequently Asked Questions
- 07Can you Google Cast to a Roku TV?
- 08Does Roku have Chromecast built in?
- 09How do I cast YouTube from my phone to Roku?
- 10Why won't my phone cast to Roku?
- 11Can I cast from an iPhone to Roku?
- 12Do I need Wi-Fi to cast to Roku?
- 13Related guides
Roku doesn't support Google Cast the way a Chromecast does, so you can't cast every app to it. But YouTube, YouTube TV, and YouTube Music still cast to Roku through a protocol Roku does support. For everything else, screen mirror from an Android phone or add a Chromecast device.
I went down this rabbit hole with my own Hisense Roku R7. I kept tapping the Cast icon in random apps, expecting it to behave like the Chromecast in my kitchen. It didn't. Below is what actually casts to a Roku, what needs a workaround, and the one cheap fix if you want the real thing.
The 30-second test: does your app even cast?
Before you change any settings, check whether the app you care about talks to Roku at all. This saves you from digging through menus for nothing.
- Open the app on your phone—start with YouTube.
- Play any video.
- Look for the Cast icon (a small screen with Wi-Fi waves) in the top corner.
- Tap it. If your Roku appears in the list, that app casts. If nothing shows up, that app can't cast to Roku, and you'll need mirroring or a Chromecast.
Can't reach the Roku's menus because the remote went missing? On a Hisense Roku TV, the free HiRemote iPhone app gives you a full D-pad over Wi-Fi. Any other Roku brand—TCL, Onn, Insignia—works with our browser Roku remote. Either one gets you into Settings so you can flip screen mirroring on.
Method 1: Cast YouTube and other Google apps straight to Roku
This is the closest thing to real Google Cast on a Roku, and it's free. It works because YouTube uses a casting protocol Roku already speaks.
- Put your phone and Roku on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open YouTube and start any video.
- Tap the Cast icon in the top corner.
- Pick your Roku from the list. Playback jumps to the TV.
- Your phone now acts as the remote—pause, skip, or queue more.
When it won't work: Only YouTube, YouTube TV, YouTube Music, and a few apps like Netflix cast this way. Chrome tabs, Google Photos, and most other apps won't offer Roku as a target. Google's Chromecast help center covers which apps support casting.
Method 2: Screen mirror your Android phone to Roku
Mirroring copies your whole Android screen to the TV. Use it for photos, slideshows, or any app that won't cast on its own.
First, turn it on at the Roku:
- Go to Settings → System → Screen mirroring.
- Set Screen mirroring mode to Prompt or Always allow.
Then, from your Android phone:
- Open Settings → Connected devices → Cast (Samsung calls it Smart View).
- Pick your Roku from the list.
- Tap Start now. Your screen appears on the TV.
When it won't work: Mirroring is Android and Windows only—iPhones use AirPlay instead (more on that in the FAQ). It can lag with fast video or games, and some newer phones dropped Miracast support. If your phone has no Cast or Smart View option, mirroring isn't available. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to mirror Android to Roku. Roku also documents the mirroring steps on its official support site.
Adding a streaming stick? You'll switch HDMI inputs on the Roku to use it—one more job that needs the remote. If yours is lost in the couch, change the input from your phone with the HiRemote app on Hisense Roku sets, or the online Roku remote for every other brand.
Method 3: Add a Chromecast for true Google Cast
Want every Cast-enabled app to work, not just YouTube? Plug an actual Google device into the Roku TV. This is the only way to get full Chromecast behavior.
- Buy a Chromecast or the newer Google TV Streamer.
- Plug it into a spare HDMI port on the TV.
- Switch the TV input to that HDMI.
- Open the Google Home app and follow setup.
- Now the Cast icon in any app finds the device.
When it won't work for you: It's a separate purchase, usually $30–$50. You'll also switch inputs away from Roku's own apps to use it. That's overkill if you only ever cast YouTube—Method 1 already covers you.
Quick comparison: which casting method fits you
| Method | What it casts | Works from | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Cast button | YouTube, YouTube TV, YouTube Music | Android + iPhone | Free | Quick single-app casting |
| Screen mirroring (Miracast) | Your whole Android screen | Android + Windows | Free | Photos, non-cast apps |
| AirPlay | Your whole iPhone or Mac screen | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Free (Roku 2020+) | Apple users |
| Add a Chromecast | Any Cast-enabled app | Android + iPhone | ~$30–$50 device | Full Google Cast |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you Google Cast to a Roku TV?
Not in the full Chromecast sense. Roku doesn't include Google Cast built in, so most apps won't show a working Cast button for it. A few apps—YouTube, YouTube TV, YouTube Music—do cast to Roku through a separate protocol. For anything else, screen mirror from an Android phone or plug in a Chromecast.
Does Roku have Chromecast built in?
No. Roku and Chromecast are competing platforms, so Roku devices don't ship with Google Cast built in. You can still mirror an Android screen or cast the handful of Google apps that support Roku directly. To get true Chromecast casting, add a Chromecast or Google TV Streamer to a spare HDMI port.
How do I cast YouTube from my phone to Roku?
Open the YouTube app, start any video, and tap the Cast icon in the top corner. Pick your Roku from the device list. Your phone and Roku must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The video then plays through the Roku's own YouTube app, and your phone becomes the remote.
Why won't my phone cast to Roku?
The most common cause is your phone and Roku sitting on different Wi-Fi networks—check both are on the same band. Screen mirroring also has to be enabled under Settings → System → Screen mirroring. And if the app isn't YouTube or another Cast-friendly app, it simply won't offer Roku as a target at all.
Can I cast from an iPhone to Roku?
iPhones don't use Google Cast, but newer Roku models support AirPlay instead. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and pick your Roku. For YouTube, the in-app Cast button also works from an iPhone. Older Roku players without AirPlay can only receive the YouTube-style cast, not full screen mirroring.
Do I need Wi-Fi to cast to Roku?
Yes—casting and screen mirroring both send video over your local Wi-Fi, so your phone and Roku must be online and on the same network. There's no offline casting on Roku. If your Roku isn't connected yet, you'll need to reach Settings → Network first, which is hard without a working remote.
