How to Cast to Roku From iOS, Android and Windows 10 in 2023

Rokus are handy all-in-one streaming boxes, but they can do more than just stream content from channels and services. You can also cast or mirror your screen straight to Roku, which is great if you want to quickly pop something up on the big screen. How you do that can vary with each device, but our guide will show you how to cast to Roku from iOS, Android and Windows 10.

Key Takeaways:

  • Casting will only display the “casted” app, whereas screen mirroring will display your device’s whole screen.
  • Your Roku and the device you want to cast or mirror from need to be connected to the same network.
  • To cast from a supported app, the app needs to be installed on both the Roku and the device you want to cast from.

Please note that current Roku devices need to be running Roku OS 7.7 or later, and iOS mobile devices need to be running iOS 12.3 or later to support screen mirroring to cast to Roku TV or other Roku devices.

  • Yes, you can cast from any iOS device to Roku using a supported app. You just need to ensure that the app is installed on both your iOS device and your Roku streaming player.

  • Yes — just make sure screen mirroring is enabled in your Roku’s settings menu. Then, go to your Android device’s screen mirroring settings and turn it on. Keep in mind that Android device settings can vary by brand, so you’ll need to determine how to do it with your particular device.

  • Simply click on the Action Center in the bottom-right corner, go to “connect” and select your Roku device.

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What’s the Difference Between Casting and Mirroring?

Although casting and mirroring have the same sort of end goal, they are a little different. Casting lets you launch supported apps like YouTube directly to your TV. You can tell if an app supports casting by looking for the casting icon.

casting image
If you see this icon within an app, it supports casting.

You’ll need to add the channel to your Roku, as well as install it on your mobile device. (If you want to add channels like the YouTube TV app and it’s not available in your region, our best VPN for Roku guide can help.) You need to connect them both to the same network, too (that includes Roku with Ethernet). Once you cast to your TV, it will display the app only, not your device’s whole screen.

Screen mirroring is a little different because it literally mirrors your whole screen to your TV. You will see content exactly as it is shown on your mobile device. 

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

Step by Step: Enable Screen Mirroring on Roku

If you want to mirror your whole screen to Roku, you first need to ensure it is enabled on your Roku (this is not required for casting). We’ll show you how to do that now.

  1. Press the “Home” Button

    Make sure you’re on the home screen by pressing the “home” button on your Roku remote.

    enable screen mirroring home button
  2. Go to “Settings”

    Select “settings” from the menu and press “OK” on the remote.

    enable screen mirroring settings
  3. Go to “System”

    Select “system” and press “OK” on the remote.

    enable screen mirroring system
  4. Go to “Screen Mirroring”

    Select “screen mirroring” and press “OK” on the remote.

    enable screen mirroring screen mirroring
  5. Select “Screen Mirroring Mode” and Press “OK” to Choose Your Setting

    Press “OK” on “screen mirroring mode” and choose your preferred setting. If you choose “prompt,” you will see an on-screen prompt asking you to confirm, while “always allow” will allow any device to connect automatically. Do not choose “never allow” unless you do not want to use the screen mirroring feature. Your chosen setting will have a check mark next to it.

    enable screen mirroring mode

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The menu selection “screen mirroring devices” allows you to set specific devices to “always allowed” and “always blocked” for screen mirroring. It’s not a necessary step, but can improve ease of use. You can change these settings at any time by repeating the steps.

Step by Step: Cast to Roku From an iOS Mobile Device

Follow these steps if you want to cast to Roku from your iOS device. We’ve used the Netflix iOS app as an example in this how-to, but it works the same way for other apps.

  1. Tap the Casting Icon

    Tap the casting icon, which is usually found in the top-right corner.

    ios cast to roku casting icon
  2. Select Your Roku Device

    Tap on your Roku device in the pop-up box.

    ios cast to roku device
  3. Wait for Your iOS Device to Connect to the Roku

    You will see a “connecting” message. Wait for your device to connect.

    ios cast to roku connecting
  4. Confirm That the App/Content Appears on Your TV Screen

    Once the app is cast to your Roku, you will see the app or its content on your TV. You can use your iOS device to control the app. You will also be able to control some settings like play and pause with your Roku remote.

    ios cast to roku connected
  5. Tap the Casting Icon Again to Disconnect

    When you want to stop casting, simply tap the casting icon on your iOS device again and tap “disconnect.”

    ios cast to roku disconnect

How to Use Screen Mirroring on iOS

Before attempting to mirror your iOS device to your Roku, you need to ensure that your Roku device is compatible and running OS 7.7, and that your iOS device is running iOS 9.4 or higher. If your devices are compatible, you need to make sure AirPlay is enabled on your Roku first — then you can follow the steps to mirror your iOS device to Roku.

Step by Step: Enable AirPlay on Roku

  1. Go to “Settings”

    Press the “home” button on your remote to ensure you’re on the home screen. Now go to “settings” and press “OK” on the remote.

    enable airplay on roku settings
  2. Go to “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit”

    Select “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit” and press “OK” on the remote.

    enable airplay on roku airplay
  3. Make Sure AirPlay Is Turned On

    Make sure “AirPlay” is turned on. If it isn’t, simply select “AirPlay” and press “OK” on the remote to change the setting.

    enable airplay on roku turn on

Step by Step: Mirror Your iOS Device’s Screen on Roku

  1. Open the Control Center on Your iOS Device and Tap “Screen Mirroring”

    Swipe down from the right-hand corner to open the control center (on older devices, swipe up from the bottom). Now tap “screen mirroring.”

    ios mirror to roku screen mirroring
  2. Select Your Roku Device

    Tap on your Roku device in the screen mirroring box.

    ios mirror to roku choose device
  3. Enter the Code Shown on Your TV on Your iOS Device

    Enter the on-screen code displayed by Roku in the box provided on your iOS device and tap “OK.”

    ios mirror to roku enter code
  4. Confirm That Your iOS Device Is Mirrored on Your Roku

    You will now see your iOS device’s screen on your TV (we used Google Maps as a quick example). Everything you do will be shown on your TV. Once you’ve loaded an app, turn your device sideways to view the full screen on your TV.

    ios mirror to roku mirrored
  5. Tap the Screen Mirroring Icon Again to Disconnect

    To stop mirroring your iOS device’s screen, open the control center, tap the screen mirroring icon (it should have the name of your Roku device) and tap “stop mirroring.”

    ios mirror to roku stop mirroring

Step by Step: Cast to Roku From an Android Device

The following steps will show you how to cast to your Roku from an Android device. For this how-to, we’ve used the YouTube Android app as an example.

  1. Tap the Casting Icon

    Tap the casting icon in the top-right corner. The casting icon will be visible on the home page, as well as during video playback.

    android cast to roku casting icon
  2. Choose Your Roku Device

    Tap on your Roku device in the pop-up box.

    android cast to roku choose device
  3. Wait for Your Android Device to Connect to Roku

    You will see a “connecting” message. Wait for the device to connect to Roku.

    android cast to roku connecting
  4. Control the App From Your Android Device or Roku Remote

    You can now control the app from your device. The Roku remote will also be able to control some settings, such as pause and play.

    android cast to roku connected
  5. Use Remote, Voice Search or Volume Adjust on Your Device

    If you tap the casting icon again, you can turn your Android device into a remote, use voice search and adjust the volume.

    android cast to roku control
  6. Tap the Casting Icon Again to Stop Casting

    To stop casting from your Android device, tap the casting icon again and then tap “disconnect.”

    android cast to roku disconnect

Mirror Your Android’s Screen to Roku

Many Android devices allow screen mirroring, but that’s something you will need to determine for your specific device — Google is your friend. The actual name for screen mirroring can vary by brand, though. Here are some of the common names for it:

  • Miracast
  • Quick Connect
  • Wireless Display
  • Display Mirroring
  • Cast
  • Smart View
  • SmartShare
  • AllShare Cast
  • Screen Casting
  • HTC Connect

The steps for setting it up can vary, too, but here’s a quick how-to using an LG G4 mobile device to (hopefully) get you on the right track.

  1. Go to “Settings”

    Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap on the settings icon.

    android mirror to roku settings
  2. Go to “Share & Connect”

    Tap on “share & connect.”

    android mirror to roku shareconnect
  3. Go to “Miracast”

    Tap on “Miracast.”

    android mirror to roku miracast
  4. Turn Miracast “on” and Select Your Roku Device

    Toggle Miracast to “on” in the top-right corner and tap on your Roku device.

    android mirror to roku choose device
  5. Select “Allow” on Your Roku

    On the Roku, choose either “allow” or “always allow” and press “OK” to confirm your selection.

    android mirror to roku allow
  6. Confirm That You Now See Your Android Device’s Screen on Your TV

    Your Android device’s screen should now be mirrored on your Roku. Turn your device sideways to see the full screen.

    android mirror to roku mirrored
  7. Tap Your Roku Device Again to Stop Mirroring

    In the “Miracast” setting, tap your Roku device and tap “OK” to stop mirroring your screen.

    android mirror to roku stop mirroring

Step by Step: Enable Screen Mirroring to Roku on Windows 10

You can also enable screen mirroring to Roku from Windows 10. We’ll show you how in the next few steps.

  1. Open the Windows Action Center and Click “Expand”

    Open the Windows Action Center by either clicking the Action Center icon or pressing the Windows key + A. If you don’t see all the icons, click “expand.”

    windows 10 mirror to roku action center
  2. Click “Connect”

    Click on the “connect” icon and the “connect” sidebar will open.

    windows 10 mirror to roku connect
  3. Select Your Roku Device

    Click on your Roku device in the sidebar.

    windows 10 mirror to roku choose device
  4. Select “Allow” on Your Roku

    Using your Roku remote, choose either “allow” or “always allow” and press “OK” to confirm.

    windows 10 mirror to roku allow
  5. Confirm That You Now See Your Windows 10 Screen on Your TV

    Your Windows 10 screen will now be displayed on your TV.

    windows 10 mirror to roku mirrored
  6. Click “Disconnect” to Stop Mirroring Your Screen

    When you want to stop mirroring your screen, go back to the “connect” tab in the Action Center and click “disconnect.”

    windows 10 mirror to roku disconnect

Can I Cast to My Roku Device?

Casting to your Roku is only available with a supported app, and you need to have that app installed on both your Roku and mobile device. However, screen mirroring is a little different, and some Rokus aren’t compatible.

If you own a current-generation Roku device running Roku OS 7.7 or later, it will automatically support screen mirroring — Rokus update automatically as long as they’re connected to the internet. However, the Roku devices listed below are not compatible with screen mirroring:

  • Pre-2016 Roku devices
  • Roku Express model 3700 (2016)
  • Roku Express+ 3710 (2016)
  • Roku Express+ 3910 (2017) supports screen mirroring through the HDMI connection, but not the composite or A/V connection.

Another key point: to use screen mirroring with an iOS device, the Roku needs to support AirPlay. We’ll list the Roku devices/models that are compatible with AirPlay, and you can check your Roku device’s model number by going to settings>system>about.

Note that new Roku players released from 2021 onward support AirPlay. If you’re in need of a new Roku device, check out our Roku buyer’s guide for help with which Roku to buy. We also have a guide on how to set up Roku.

Final Thoughts

Casting to your Roku or mirroring your screen is an easy process, but it can differ with each device or platform. We hope our guide has helped you understand how to cast to Roku from iOS, Android and Windows 10. You can check out our troubleshooting guide if you have issues with your Roku not working.

If you want to display your personal media, such as videos, photos and music, you can use the Play on Roku feature that’s built into the free Roku app.

What’s your experience with casting or screen mirroring to Roku? Have you had any issues? Do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out our Roku scams piece to make sure you stay safe. As always, thank you for reading.

The post How to Cast to Roku From iOS, Android and Windows 10 in 2023 appeared first on Cloudwards.

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