Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test: will your Roku mirror at all?
- 02Method 1: Mirror an iPhone or iPad with AirPlay
- 03Method 2: Mirror an Android phone with screen mirroring
- 04Method 3: Mirror a Windows PC to your Roku
- 05Method 4: Cast one video instead of your whole screen
- 06Which method fits your device?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Can you mirror to a Roku for free?
- 09Does Roku support AirPlay from an iPhone?
- 10Why won't my phone find my Roku for mirroring?
- 11Can you mirror to a Roku without Wi-Fi?
- 12Do all Roku devices support screen mirroring?
- 13How do I mirror to a Hisense Roku TV?
- 14Related guides
To mirror to a Roku, match your device to the right feature: iPhone and Mac use AirPlay, while Android and Windows use screen mirroring. Turn that feature on under the Roku's Settings menu, then start casting from your phone's Control Center or quick settings. Both your device and the Roku must share one Wi-Fi network.
I've set this up on a Hisense R8 Roku TV and an older Roku Express in the bedroom, using both an iPhone 15 and a Pixel 8. AirPlay was instant on the Hisense. The older Express didn't list AirPlay at all, so the Pixel's built-in screen mirroring was my only option there. Which path you use depends entirely on your Roku's age.
The 30-second test: will your Roku mirror at all?
Before you dig through menus, check what your Roku actually supports. It takes about 30 seconds:
- Open Settings on your Roku. See an "Apple AirPlay and HomeKit" row? Your iPhone and Mac can mirror.
- Open Settings, then System. See "Screen mirroring"? Your Android phone and Windows PC can mirror.
- See neither? Your Roku is too old for mirroring, so cast single videos (Method 4) instead.
Lost your Roku remote and can't even open Settings to flip mirroring on? The free in-browser remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote controls any Roku TV over Wi-Fi — no app, no account. Type your TV's IP address, then use the on-screen D-pad to reach Settings → System → Screen mirroring in seconds.
Method 1: Mirror an iPhone or iPad with AirPlay
AirPlay is the iPhone and iPad path to a Roku. First, switch it on at the TV:
- On your Roku, open Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.
- Set AirPlay to On.
- On your iPhone, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Pick your Roku, then enter the code shown on the TV.
Honest catch: AirPlay only appears on 4K and HD Roku models from about 2020 or later, running Roku OS 9.4 and up. Older sticks and the base Roku Express skip it. If your TV is a Hisense, our Hisense mirroring guide covers the same steps with model notes. Check Apple's official AirPlay guide if your device won't connect.
Method 2: Mirror an Android phone with screen mirroring
Android phones and tablets use Miracast, which Roku calls screen mirroring. Turn it on first:
- On your Roku, open Settings → System → Screen mirroring.
- Set Screen mirroring mode to Prompt or Always allow.
- On your Android, open Quick Settings and tap Cast, Smart View, or Screen mirroring.
- Choose your Roku, then approve the prompt on the TV.
Honest catch: the wording changes by brand — Samsung calls it Smart View, others just say Cast. A few budget Androids drop Miracast completely. iPhones can't use this method at all; they need AirPlay above. Roku lists supported setups in its official screen mirroring guide.
Method 3: Mirror a Windows PC to your Roku
Windows 10 and 11 mirror to a Roku over the same Miracast link. With screen mirroring already on from Method 2:
- Press Windows + K to open the Cast panel.
- Wait for your Roku to appear in the device list.
- Click it, then accept the prompt on the TV.
Honest catch: Macs don't use this — they mirror with AirPlay, just like an iPhone. If Windows never finds the Roku, both devices must sit on the same Wi-Fi band. A 5 GHz phone and a 2.4 GHz TV sometimes can't see each other.
Setting this up on a Hisense Roku TV? The free HiRemote app gives you the full D-pad plus a real keyboard for typing your Wi-Fi password when you first connect. To be clear, it won't mirror your screen — no remote app does — but it gets you to the Screen mirroring toggle fast.
Method 4: Cast one video instead of your whole screen
Sometimes you only want a single video on the big screen, not your whole phone. Casting does that and uses less battery:
- Open a cast-friendly app like YouTube, or a browser tab.
- Tap the Cast icon — a screen with Wi-Fi waves.
- Select your Roku from the list.
Honest catch: casting only sends that one app, not your menus or other apps. Not every app shows a Cast icon; if there's none, open that app on the Roku directly. It also isn't true mirroring, so the rest of your phone stays private.
Which method fits your device?
There's no single "mirror for Roku" app that covers every phone — the built-in method depends on what you're holding. Match your device to its path:
| Your device | Method | Turn it on at | Mirrors |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | AirPlay | Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit | Whole screen |
| Mac | AirPlay | Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit | Whole screen |
| Android phone | Screen mirroring | Settings → System → Screen mirroring | Whole screen |
| Windows PC | Screen mirroring | Settings → System → Screen mirroring | Whole screen |
| Any device | Cast icon | Inside the app (YouTube, etc.) | One app only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mirror to a Roku for free?
Yes, mirroring to a Roku is completely free. AirPlay, Android screen mirroring, and Windows casting are all built into your devices and the Roku itself, so you need no app or subscription. You only pay if you buy a third-party mirroring app, which most people never need. The one requirement is a shared Wi-Fi network.
Does Roku support AirPlay from an iPhone?
Most Roku devices from 2020 onward support AirPlay from an iPhone. Check under Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit; if that menu exists, you're set. Older Roku sticks and the entry-level Roku Express don't have it. For those, cast individual videos with an app's Cast icon instead of mirroring your full screen.
Why won't my phone find my Roku for mirroring?
The usual cause is a Wi-Fi mismatch, with your phone and Roku on different networks or bands. Put both on the same 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network, then try again. Also confirm screen mirroring or AirPlay is switched on in Roku Settings. Restarting the Roku under Settings → System → Power clears most stuck connections.
Can you mirror to a Roku without Wi-Fi?
No, standard Roku mirroring needs both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Roku has no dedicated peer-to-peer mode like some older TVs. If your router is down, the only real workaround is a wired HDMI adapter from your phone. We cover the limits in our guide on whether you can screen mirror without Wi-Fi.
Do all Roku devices support screen mirroring?
No, mirroring support depends on the Roku model and its software. Most current Roku TVs and players handle Miracast for Android and Windows, and 2020-or-newer models add AirPlay for iPhone. The oldest sticks and some very cheap players support neither. Check Settings → System → Screen mirroring; if it's missing, your device is too old.
How do I mirror to a Hisense Roku TV?
Mirror to a Hisense Roku TV exactly like any other Roku, since the platform is identical. Turn on AirPlay or screen mirroring under the TV's Settings, then cast from your phone. If you lost the remote and can't reach Settings, the free browser remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote controls the TV over Wi-Fi.
