Table of contents(15)+
- 01First, know which one you need
- 02The 30-second test
- 03Method 1: Cast a single app like YouTube or Netflix
- 04Method 2: Mirror an Android phone or Windows PC
- 05Method 3: AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- 06Method 4: Send photos and video with the Roku app
- 07Which casting method should you use?
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Can you screen mirror an iPhone to a Roku?
- 10Do you need Wi-Fi to cast to Roku?
- 11Why won't my Roku screen mirroring work?
- 12Is screen casting the same as screen mirroring?
- 13How do I cast to Roku without the remote?
- 14Does every Roku support AirPlay?
- 15Related guides
To screen cast on Roku, put your phone and your Roku on the same Wi-Fi network, then pick your method. For one app, tap the Cast icon inside YouTube or Netflix. To mirror your whole Android or Windows screen, turn on Settings → System → Screen mirroring on the Roku. iPhones and Macs use AirPlay on newer Roku models.
I run a Hisense R8 Roku TV in the living room and a Roku Express in the bedroom. I cast to both most days — usually a YouTube clip from my phone, sometimes my whole laptop screen to show photos. The steps below are the exact ones I use. I've also flagged the spots where each method quietly stops working.
First, know which one you need
People say "screen cast" to mean two different things. Picking the wrong one wastes ten minutes, so start here.
- Casting sends one app to the TV. You tap a Cast icon, the show plays on the Roku, and your phone stays free for other things.
- Mirroring copies your entire screen — home screen, apps, and all — onto the TV in real time. It's slower and drains your battery, but it shows everything.
If you only want to watch a video, cast it. If you want to show slides, photos, or an app with no Cast button, mirror instead.
The 30-second test
Not sure your setup will even work? Run these two checks first.
- Same Wi-Fi? On the Roku, go to Settings → Network → About and note the network name. It must match your phone's Wi-Fi. Casting fails silently across two networks.
- AirPlay there? iPhone user? Look for Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit on the Roku. No such menu means your model is too old for iPhone mirroring — cast from inside apps instead.
Digging through Settings → System but your Roku remote is missing or dead? You can't switch on screen mirroring without one. Run the TV from your phone instead — the free HiRemote app gives Hisense Roku TV owners a full on-screen D-pad, and the free browser Roku remote works for any Roku brand with nothing to install.
Method 1: Cast a single app like YouTube or Netflix
This is the easiest option and the one I reach for most. It sends just that app's video to the Roku, so your phone stays free and your battery lasts.
- Connect your phone and Roku to the same Wi-Fi.
- Open a cast-friendly app like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify.
- Start playing something, then tap the Cast icon — a small screen with curved lines in the corner.
- Pick your Roku from the list. The video jumps to the TV in a second or two.
When it won't work: Not every app has a Cast icon. Disney+ and Max, for example, handle casting differently or hide the button on some phones. If there's no icon, use screen mirroring or AirPlay below. For the Chromecast-style version of this handoff, see our Google Cast to Roku guide.
Method 2: Mirror an Android phone or Windows PC
Mirroring shows your whole screen, which is great for slideshows, browser tabs, or apps with no Cast button. Roku uses a standard called Miracast, so this covers Android phones and Windows laptops — but not iPhones.
First, turn mirroring on at the Roku:
- On the Roku, open Settings → System → Screen mirroring.
- Set Screen mirroring mode to Prompt (asks each time) or Always allow.
Then start it from your device:
- Android: Open Quick Settings and tap Cast, Smart View, or Screen Cast. Pick your Roku. Wording changes by brand — Samsung calls it Smart View.
- Windows 11: Press Windows + K, then choose your Roku under the list of displays.
When it won't work: Some newer Samsung phones dropped Miracast, so Smart View may not find your Roku. If that's you, cast from inside each app instead. Roku's official support site lists compatible devices, and our mirror Android to Roku guide covers every phone brand.
Method 3: AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Apple devices can't use Miracast, so they mirror through AirPlay instead. This works only on Roku models that support it — generally 4K and HD players and Roku TVs from 2019 on.
- On the Roku, check for Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure AirPlay is On. No menu means your model is too old.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Pick your Roku, then type the code that appears on the TV.
To send just one video, tap the AirPlay icon inside the app instead of mirroring the whole screen.
When it won't work: Older Roku Express and stick models never got AirPlay. Check Apple's AirPlay page for the current device list. If your Roku lacks it, cast from inside apps with the Cast icon.
Every method here starts with a few trips through Settings → System, and that's painful with a flaky or missing remote. Keep your phone ready as a backup: the browser Roku remote pairs in about 30 seconds for any Roku brand, and Hisense Roku TV owners can grab the free HiRemote app (4.4★ from 1,680+ ratings) for an Apple Watch remote too.
Method 4: Send photos and video with the Roku app
The official Roku mobile app has a quieter feature called Media. It pushes photos, music, and saved videos straight from your phone to the TV — no Cast icon needed.
- Install the Roku app and open it on the same Wi-Fi as your TV.
- Tap your Roku under Devices, then choose Media.
- Pick Photos, Music, or Video, then select the file to play it on the TV.
When it won't work: This only plays files saved on your phone. It can't send a streaming app or mirror your live screen — use Methods 1 through 3 for those. If you don't have the app yet, our download the Roku remote guide walks through it.
Which casting method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Works from | Roku it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast a single app | Watching one video or show | iPhone, Android, PC | Any Roku |
| Screen mirroring (Miracast) | Whole screen, slides, no-Cast apps | Android, Windows | Any Roku, mirroring turned on |
| AirPlay | Whole iPhone or Mac screen | iPhone, iPad, Mac | 2019+ models with AirPlay |
| Roku app Media | Your own photos, music, video | iPhone, Android | Any Roku |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you screen mirror an iPhone to a Roku?
Yes, if your Roku supports AirPlay. Open Control Center on the iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, pick your Roku, and enter the on-screen code. AirPlay is built into most Roku players and Roku TVs from 2019 onward. Older models can't mirror an iPhone — cast from inside apps with the AirPlay or Cast icon instead.
Do you need Wi-Fi to cast to Roku?
Yes, for almost every method. Your phone and Roku must sit on the same Wi-Fi network so they can find each other. The one exception is Android screen mirroring, which can use a direct Miracast link on some phones. AirPlay and app casting always need a shared Wi-Fi connection.
Why won't my Roku screen mirroring work?
The most common cause is a mismatched network — your phone and Roku sit on different Wi-Fi bands or networks. Confirm both use the same one. Next, check Settings → System → Screen mirroring is set to Prompt or Always allow. iPhones can't use this menu at all; they need AirPlay instead of Miracast.
Is screen casting the same as screen mirroring?
No, they're different. Casting sends one app's video to the TV while your phone stays free for other tasks. Mirroring copies your entire screen in real time, including your home screen and every app. Casting is smoother and saves battery; mirroring shows things that have no Cast button.
How do I cast to Roku without the remote?
Use your phone as the remote to reach the casting menus. For a Hisense Roku TV, the free HiRemote app gives you a full D-pad; for any Roku brand, the browser Roku remote works with no install. Once you can navigate Settings → System → Screen mirroring, follow the casting steps above.
Does every Roku support AirPlay?
No. AirPlay reached most Roku players and Roku TVs starting in 2019, but older Roku Express and stick models never got it. Check for Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit on your Roku. If that menu is missing, your model can't mirror an iPhone, so cast from inside apps instead.
