Guide to Cast Videos to Roku from your iOS, Android or TV

Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime, most of us today want to enjoy on-demand content on the big screen. Isn’t it?

That’s because we have our comfort zone at home. We can watch any movie at any time and in any position without rushing to purchase tickets to grab good seats.

Until now you may have only known the ease of casting video from your phone (Android/iOS) to your TV using a Google Chromecast device.

But did you know you can also cast content to Roku from your phone onto your TV?

Yes, casting to a Roku device is as simple as tapping an icon. It may seem to be a long process, but it’s indeed quite short.

cast-videos-on-roku — Image Credit: roku.com

Own one of these Roku devices– Roku 3, Roku Streaming Stick, and Roku 2 and hunt for an easy way to share online videos and music available on Roku from your smartphone onto your TV?

A quick set up using a couple of guidelines we will discuss here and you’re good to go.

Table of Contents

“Casting” isn’t the other name for “Mirroring”

Though casting and mirroring have the same end goals, they are often mistaken for the same words.

Casting allows you to launch supported apps like YouTube directly onto your TV. The casting icon denotes whether an app supports casting.

Casting calls for adding the channel first to your Roku, as well as installing it on your mobile device. Connect both devices to the same network. Once casting to your TV is successful, it will only display the app and not your device’s whole screen.

Screen mirroring by contrast literally mirrors your entire screen to your TV. You will see content on your big screen exactly as it is shown on your smartphone device.

However, if an app doesn’t support casting, you can still see it on the big screen by mirroring it provided it is compatible and is connected to the same network as your Roku device. Everything you do on your mobile device will be displayed on your TV.

Note: Using the cast feature, you cannot share personal photos, videos, and music to Roku from your phone onto your TV. Instead, you may use the Play On Roku feature available in the free Roku mobile app to listen to and view such personalized content through your TV.

Set Up with your Prerequisites to cast

Well, the first step if you are using the cast feature for the first time on Roku requires Setting up the prerequisites. Rest assured, you don’t have to repeat the setting up procedure each time you want to cast video from your mobile device.

Confirm if both your Roku device and your smartphone (Android/iOS) are connected to the same network. Casting to Roku will not be successful unless both devices access the same wired or wireless network.
Verify if the application you want to cast is already installed on your mobile device as well as on the Roku streaming device. Say if you want to use the Roku version of Netflix or Disney Plus, the app must be installed on Roku before heading to cast it.

How to Cast Media to Roku?

Casting to Roku is no big deal. If you are compatible with devices and streaming channels, the steps to cast media are quick and simple.

While there’s no complete list of supported services, Netflix and YouTube are among those that Roku supports casting.

Casting first requires the streaming channel you want to cast to be prior installed on your Roku device.
Now from your mobile device, launch the app you want to cast and choose the video you want to cast to your TV
Next, find the casting icon (a small rectangle with three curved lines in the bottom-left corner). Once located, tap to select the casting icon from the app.
The particular Roku channel will be launched automatically and playback will begin.

Note: If you can’t find your Roku device from the list of casting devices, ensure that both your mobile device and Roku are connected to the same network.

If you still don’t see your Roku device in the list of casting devices, then your Roku or the streaming channel isn’t compatible with the casting feature. Some apps may require you to start playing the content on your mobile device before you cast it to the Roku device.

Also Read: How to Connect Roku to Wi-Fi Without Remote

Steps to Cast to Roku from your iOS mobile device onto your TV

To cast an app and its content to Roku from your iOS device onto your TV, consider the following steps below.

To get started, tap the cast icon usually located in the top-right corner.

Now tap to select your Roku device in the pop-up box.

A “connecting” message will be displayed on-screen. Wait for a few seconds for your iOS device to connect to Roku.

Once both devices are connected, confirm that the app or content you want to cast to your Roku has appeared on your big screen. You can use your iOS mobile device to control the application. The casting feature will also allow you to control some settings like play and pause with your Roku remote.
Once your need is over it’s obvious you may want to stop casting. On your iOS device simply tap on the casting icon once again and on the “disconnect” button. Casting on your TV screen will stop. You can undo or redo the casting function anytime you want.

How to Cast to Roku from your Android mobile device onto your TV

Are you an Android mobile user and wondering about how to cast Roku from your mobile device onto your Big screen?

Quickly hook onto the steps below to cast to your Roku from an Android device.

To begin using the cast feature, tap the casting icon on the top-right corner. The casting icon will be visible on the home page, and also during the video playback.
Tap to choose your Roku device in the pop-up box.
Now, a “connecting” message will be displayed on-screen. Wait for a few seconds until your Android device connects to connect to Roku.
Once both the devices are connected, you will be able to control the app and the content you want to cast from your Android device. The casting feature will also allow you to control some settings, including pause and play.
Additionally, tapping the casting icon will allow you to turn your Android device into a remote, use voice search and adjust the volume levels on your device.
Once you’re done casting your content on your TV screen, you would want to Stop Casting. To disable the casting function from your Android device simply tap on the casting icon once again and on the “disconnect” button. Feel free to undo or redo this function anytime you want.

Also Read: Quick Fix To AirPlay Not Working on Roku TV

Final Words

By now you have understood that casting videos to your Roku from your phone onto your TV is an easy process. However, it may vary depending on the device or streaming platform.

We hope our guide has helped you understand the differences between casting and screening, and how to cast to Roku from iOS and Android devices.

However, if you want to display your personal media, like videos, photos and music, you can use the Play on Roku feature that’s an in-built feature on the Roku app.

So, what’s your experience with casting to Roku? Did you experience any issues while casting? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to share it within your network.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Still, have some more queries on how to cast videos to Roku from your phone onto your TV? We have a few solved questions that may help you out. Take a look at them:

Q. How do I turn on casting on Roku?

To turn on the casting feature on Roku, first, go to settings. Now scroll down from the top of the screen to tap on the settings icon. Now navigate to “Share & Connect” > “Miracast” >enable Miracast and Select Your Roku Device. Select “Allow” on Your Roku device and you should be able to see your Android Device’s Screen on Your TV. Tap on your Roku Device again to stop casting.

Q. How do I cast using a supported channel to Roku?

Before casting, you must install the supported channel or mobile app on your mobile device to start playback. If the app to cast is not already installed, install and follow the steps below:

Install and open the mobile app on your phone or tablet.
Now select the casting icon from within the mobile app.
Select your Roku device from the list of available casting devices
The channel will automatically launch on your Roku device and playback of the content will start.
During playback, you may use your mobile device to find and start casting another program, or completely disable it without affecting playback on your Roku device.

Q. How do I share my personal photos and videos using the Roku mobile app?

You can share your personal photos and videos, or songs from the music library stored on your mobile device with the Play on Roku feature on the Roku mobile app which is a free application for iOS and Android devices.

To learn more about sharing personal media files from your compatible mobile device, read here.

Q. Why can’t my iPhone cast to my Roku TV?

If your iPhone isn’t connecting to your Roku TV, visit Settings > System > Screen Mirroring. Under Screen mirroring mode, select either Prompt or Always, and verify the check mark. Check other screen mirroring devices for a possible blocked device if your iPhone can’t connect.

Once a device is found, select it to connect.

Q. How do I make my Roku TV discoverable?

To, make your Roku TV discoverable visit settings and tap Smart View or an equivalent term used by your Android device

Select your Roku device from the Smart View menu or equivalent option to start the connection. You can also make your Roku device visible in the list by setting its name and location.

Q. Why can’t I cast to my Roku?

If you do not see your Roku device in the list of casting devices, first check if your mobile device and Roku are connected to the same network. If your Roku is still not visible in the list of casting devices, then the Roku device or the channel you want to stream on TV doesn’t support casting.