The Roku mobile app lets you control and use your Roku TV or Roku streaming player from an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet. The app offers several useful features:
- use your mobile device as a Roku remote;
- search for movies, TV shows, and apps;
- use the keyboard on your phone or tablet to enter text;
- use voice search to find content;
- launch Roku apps;
- listen to Roku audio privately through headphones connected to your mobile device;
- navigate the Roku menu by swiping on your phone or tablet screen;
- cast photos, videos, and other content to your Roku device.
To use the app, your mobile device and Roku device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
How to Connect the Roku Mobile App
Download the official Roku mobile app for your device:
Install the app and open it.
Your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet and your Roku TV or streaming player must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is required for the app to find and communicate with your Roku device. Some app features may also require a compatible Roku device or a Roku account.
Open the Devices section in the Roku app. The app will search for Roku devices connected to the same network. Select your Roku TV or streaming player from the list.
What Can You Do With the Roku Mobile App
The Roku app provides several ways to interact with your Roku device.
Use your mobile device as a remote. The app includes a virtual remote with navigation, Home, Back, OK, playback, and other controls. You can use it instead of the physical Roku remote.
Search for content. You can search for movies, TV shows, actors, and other content using your mobile device. The keyboard on your phone or tablet is more convenient than entering text with the Roku on-screen keyboard.
Use voice search. You can use the microphone in the Roku app to search for movies, TV shows, apps, and other content by voice.
Launch Roku apps. The mobile app lets you access and launch streaming apps available on your Roku device.
Use private listening. You can connect headphones to your phone or tablet and listen to Roku audio privately through the Roku app.
Navigate with swipes. The Roku app also offers a swipe remote. Instead of using directional buttons, you can swipe up, down, left, or right on the phone or tablet screen to move through the Roku menu.
Cast content. The app can be used to send supported photos, videos, and other content from your mobile device to your Roku device.
The exact features available may vary depending on your Roku device and the version of the Roku app.
How to Use Your Mobile Device as a Roku Remote
After connecting your Roku device to the mobile app, tap Remote to open the virtual remote. In addition to the basic navigation buttons, the app provides several controls and shortcuts:
| Button | Icon | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Private Listening | 🎧 | Opens Headphone Mode, allowing you to listen to Roku audio privately through headphones connected to your mobile device. |
| Guide | 📺 | Opens the Live TV Channel Guide and shows upcoming TV programs when using the Live TV input on a Roku TV. |
| Microphone | 🎙️ | Opens voice search and voice control, allowing you to search for content and use supported voice commands. |
| Options | ★ | Opens the options menu with additional functions available for the current screen or content. |
| Play/Pause | ▶️ / ⏸️ | Opens playback controls, including play/pause, rewind, fast forward, and 10-second instant replay. |
| Keyboard | ⌨️ | Opens your phone or tablet’s keyboard for entering text on the Roku device. |
| Channels | 123 | Opens controls for the Live TV input, allowing you to enter specific channel numbers. |
| Volume Up / Volume Down / Mute | 🔊 / 🔉 / 🔇 | Controls the audio volume on the Roku device. |
| Power | ⏻ | Turns the Roku TV or compatible Roku device on or off. |
If the Roku App Can’t Find Your Device
Usually, no additional setup is required after installing the Roku app. However, your Roku device may sometimes not appear in the app. The most common reason is that your phone and Roku device are connected to different Wi-Fi networks. For example, your Roku device may be connected to Wi-Fi while Wi-Fi is turned off on your phone, which is using mobile data instead. Make sure your phone is also connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
If both devices are already connected to the same network, restart the Roku app and the Roku device itself. The problem can sometimes be caused by accumulated errors in the operating system, and in many cases, the issue is with the phone.
On an iPhone or iPad, make sure the Roku app has permission to access the local network. Go to Settings > Roku > Local Network and turn on this option.
