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Roku is an excellent all-in-one streaming device that allows smooth viewing of many channels and services. But this handy device can do much more. You can also use it to cast content from your other devices for an elevated viewing experience.
If you’re unsure how to stream something to the big screen using casting, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to cast to a Roku from various devices.
Cast Your Screen to a Roku Device
Casting to a Roku device is pretty straightforward regardless of the device you’re using. However, you should know certain ground rules before casting content.
- Casting only displays the chosen app. If you’d like to display your device’s entire screen, you need to mirror your device instead.
- The device you want to cast must be connected to the same network as your Roku device.
- The app you plan to cast must be installed on both the device you’re casting from and your Roku device.
- Not all apps can be cast to your Roku streaming player or TV. To check if Roku can support the desired app, look for a casting icon next to the content you have in mind. Note that some apps will display the casting icon only after the playback begins.
If your device and app check all the boxes, you’ll be happy to know nothing is standing in your way. Let’s dive into casting content to a Roku device.
How to Cast to a Roku Device From an iOS Device
After selecting the app and the video you want to cast to Roku, there are just two steps left.
- Press the app’s casting icon (a screen with a Wi-Fi signal at the bottom).
- Select your Roku device when prompted.
After tapping your Roku device, you’ll see a “Connecting to Roku…” message on the screen. After the devices connect, the selected app will automatically launch on the screen, and the content’s playback will begin.
From there, you can use your iOS device to control the playback, although you’ll still be able to play and pause the video using your Roku remote.
If you opt to use the Roku remote, you’ll be able to use your iPhone or iPad for other tasks or using other apps. Even shutting down your iOS device won’t stop the casting.
Once you finish watching the chosen content, you can disconnect the devices just as quickly.
- Tap the casting icon on your iOS device.
- Press the “Disconnect” button.
How to Cast to a Roku Device From an Android Device
Casting to a big screen from your mobile device lets you watch a fun Netflix movie or a YouTube video in greater detail. While selecting the content might take some time, casting it will be done before you know it.
- Tap the casting icon (a screen with a Wi-Fi signal at the bottom) inside the chosen app.
- Choose your Roku device in the pop-up window.
If you’re casting from YouTube, the casting icon should also be available on the home page. After your Android and Roku devices have connected, the playback will automatically start.
You can use your Android device and the Roku remote to control the playback settings. Alternatively, you can use your Android device as a remote control, which will then allow you to also use voice commands.
- Tap the casting icon again.
- Press the “Voice search” button to look for other content using your voice.
- Select the “Remote” icon to control the casting playback. This option also allows voice commands.
When you’re done watching your movie or video, you can disconnect your Android device in two simple steps:
- Press the casting icon again.
- Tap the “Disconnect” button in the bottom-right corner.
How to Cast to a Roku Device From a Computer
If all the good viewing options are on your computer rather than a smartphone or a tablet, don’t worry; you can still cast to a Roku device. The only thing to note is that the casting process isn’t as quick as when using an Android or an iOS device.
How to Cast to a Roku Device From Windows
Most playback apps are only available as web clients on a PC. So, you’ll have to mirror your computer screen to a Roku device to be able to play the desired content. This process can only be done on Windows 10 and 11. Here’s what to do:
- Tap the “Action Center” icon on the right end of your taskbar.
- Click on the “Connect” icon.
- Tap your Roku device in the “Connect” sidebar.
- Allow the connection on your Roku device using your remote.
- Hit “OK” to confirm.
After completing the steps, you’ll be able to see your Windows screen on Roku TV. Now you can play whatever content you have in mind. After you’re done, simply tap the Disconnect button in the Connect sidebar.
How to Cast to a Roku Device From a Mac
You can cast any content from your Mac computer using the AirPlay service. This nifty service is primarily designed to facilitate sharing between two Apple devices. However, you can also use it to cast to Roku, provided you have a compatible Roku device model. In addition, your operating system must be macOS 10.14.5 or later.
If both your devices meet these requirements, here’s how to cast to a Roku device from a Mac:
- Open the video you want to cast.
- Press the “AirPlay” icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom).
- Select your Roku device on the pop-up list.
If there’s no AirPlay icon when you open the desired content, you’ll need to go through one more step:
- Tap the “Share” icon (a square with an arrow pointing up).
- Select “AirPlay” on the “Share” menu.
The chosen content should be automatically cast to your Roku device.
Follow these steps to turn off AirPlay and stop casting the content from your Mac:
- Go to the “Control Centre” icon in the upper-right corner.
- Tap the “Screen Mirroring” icon.
- Select “Display Preferences” from the pop-up menu.
- Set the “AirPlay Display” option from the bottom-left corner to “Off.”
Casting Made Easy
Casting to Roku is the perfect way to share videos and watch movies from your other devices in a few clicks. Although there are some limitations, you’ll be able to enjoy most content on the big screen. This feature can even come in handy when playing content already available on Roku TV. Using a mobile device or a tablet will save you time by eliminating the tedious typing with a remote.
Have you ever cast content to your Roku device? Which device did you use for casting? Let us know in the comments section below.
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