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How to Connect iPhone to Roku TV: Best Wireless Methods in 2024

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Updated on: April 12, 2024
Time to read: 9 minutes
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If you’re wondering, “how to connect my iPhone to my Roku TV”, you have come to the right place. We are going to show you how to do it using methods like AirPlay, third-party apps, and an HDMI cable. You just have to pick one depending on your needs and the type of Roku device you have.

Table of Contents

How to AirPlay From iPhone to Roku TV

Some Roku devices have AirPlay, which makes the process of connecting your iPhone to them much easier. You don’t need to download any additional apps. You can simply connect to the Roku through an AirPlay-enabled app or the screen mirroring feature in the iPhone’s Control Panel.

How to Enable AirPlay on Your Roku TV

AirPlay is always enabled on an iPhone and other Apple devices, such as a Macbook or Apple TV, so you don’t need to do anything. But you do need to enable it on the Roku for the two devices to be able to find each other. That way, the iPhone can send a video signal to the Roku TV, and it can display it to you on its bigger screen.

Here’s how to turn on AirPlay for your Roku TV in your entertainment setup:

1. Select Settings from the Homepage.

2. In the left-side menu, select Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.

3. In the top-right corner, set AirPlay to on.

How to Connect iPhone to Roku with AirPlay

With AirPlay enabled on your Roku device, it can detect your iPhone now. Follow the steps below to learn how to connect iPhone to Roku TV iPhone using Apple’s wireless communication protocol:

1. Connect the phone and Roku to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Open an AirPlay-enabled app like YouTube, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video and tap the AirPlay icon.

Find the YouTube app on your iPhone and open it

3. Select the Roku from the list of devices.

NOTE: If this is your first time connecting to the devices, you might need to enter a code.

4. Play the media you want to view on the Roku TV.

5. To screen mirror, first, open the Control Center – swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and newer, or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones.

Open the Control Center on the iPhone

6. Tap Screen Mirroring.

Tap on the Screen Mirroring option on the iPhone

7. Tap the name of the Roku device in the pop-up.

Connect iPhone to Roku TV With Third-Party Apps

If your Roku TV doesn’t support AirPlay, all hope is not lost if you want to connect your iPhone to it. The App Store is full of screencasting or screen mirroring apps that do a great job. We’re going to look at two of them in this section.

Roku TVs that Require Screencasting Apps

If your Roku TV was released before 2020, chances are it doesn’t support AirPlay. These models include any Roku TV with model numbers beginning with “5” or “6.” Or much older models, like the Roku 1 XD (2050X / 2050N), Roku 1 XD|S (2100X / 2100N), and Roku LT (2400X) don’t support AirPlay and require third-party screencasting apps.

How to Connect iPhone to Roku TV With DoCast

How to Connect iPhone to Roku TV

DoCast is a screencasting app that helps connect iPhone to Roku TV. With it, you can cast photos, videos, and DRM-free music to your Roku, Chromecast, or Fire TV/Fire Stick for free. You can cast photos for an unlimited time on the free version, while you can freely cast music for 15 minutes and videos for three minutes, per session. And you can start as many casting sessions as you like. You can also screen mirror for free for 15 minutes as well.

DoCast QR code

Here’s how to connect your iPhone to a Roku TV using DoCast:

1. Connect the iPhone and Roku TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Download DoCast from the App Store and launch it once it’s installed.

Find DoCast on the App Store and download it

3. DoCast will scan for connected devices on the Wi-Fi network.

DoCast is searching for nearby Roku device

4. Once the Roku device is detected, tap on its name to connect to it.

Tap on the Roku device in DoCast

5. After DoCast connects to the Roku, tap Screen.

The main screen of the DoCast app on the iPhone

6. Tweak the mirroring preferences, and then tap Start mirroring to share your iPhone’s screen with the Roku TV.

DoCast screen mirroring options for broadcast from Roku device

7. Download the DoCast channel on your Roku.

Download the DoCast channel on Roku device

8. Tap Start Broadcast.

Mirroring iPhones screen to Roku device with DoCast

How to Use Screen Mirroring - TV Cast to Connect iPhone to Roku TV

Another app you can use is Screen Mirroring – TV Cast, when wondering “how do I connect my iPhone to my Roku TV”. It allows you to cast videos, the iPhone’s camera, web pages, web images, YouTube, and IPTV to your Roku TV. It even has a whiteboard function that lets you sketch out your ideas and then cast them to the big screen. The free version allows you to use all these functions for a limited amount of time.

Since Screen Mirroring – TV Cast has many functions, we’re just going to pick one to demonstrate its use – video casting. Follow the steps below:

1. Connect your iPhone and Roku TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

3. Open the app and tap the name of your Roku TV in the pop-up.

Select your Roku device from the list in Screen Mirroring – TV Cast

4. Tap Optimize Quality.

5. To start screen broadcast tap on the Start Mirroring.

6. Tap Start Mirroring again.

How to Connect Phone to Roku TV iPhone Without WiFi

If you don’t want to connect your iPhone and Roku TV using Wi-Fi, or you’re unable to because you don’t have a router, you can use an HDMI cable. Since your iPhone doesn’t have an HDMI port, it means you’d need to purchase a Lighting-Port-to-HDMI adapter. From there, you can mirror your iPhone’s screen to the Roku TV.

Follow the steps below to connect iPhone to TCL Roku TV, ONN Roku TV, or any other Roku TV model without Wi-Fi:

1. Connect the HDMI-to-Lightning Port adapter to the iPhone.

Connect to the iPhone the HDMI-to-Lightning Port adapter

2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI-to-Lightning Port adapter.

Connect to the to the HDMI-to-Lightning Port adapter the HDMI cable

3. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI in port on the TV.

Connect the iPhone to the Roku TV via the HDMI cable

Roku TV That Support AirPlay

AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary communication protocol, so you won’t find it on every smart TV. Luckily, several Roku devices are supported and there’s a list on Apple’s website. These models include the following:

  • Roku 4K TV A000X
  • Roku 4K TV C000X
  • Roku 4K TV 6000X
  • Roku 4K TV 7000X
  • Roku TV 8000X
  • Roku TV D000X

 

However, many Roku TV models released from 2020 and onwards have AirPlay support as well. You can easily check if that is the case by checking in settings.

How to Fix It When iPhone Won’t Connect to Roku TV

If you’re failing to connect your iPhone to a Roku TV, there are many things that you can do to fix it. We’re going to look at those possible solutions:

  • ✅ Use the same Wi-Fi network: If the iPhone and Roku TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network, they will not be able to detect each other. So make sure you’re connecting to the right network on both devices.
  • ✅ Restart your devices: Sometimes, a connection cannot be established if one of the devices has glitched out. To fix that, you can restart both the iPhone and Roku TV to see if that fixes the issue.
  • ✅ Update your devices: If a restart doesn’t help, then it could be that there’s a bigger glitch. In that case, ensure that the system software for both the iPhone and Roku TV are up to date.
  • ✅ Make sure you are not using VPN.

Conclusion

There are several ways to connect your iPhone to a Roku TV: AirPlay, third-party apps, and HDMI. However, of the methods, DoCast stands out, as it allows you to stream a variety of content to your iPhone, including your favorite songs, photos, and videos. You can even connect your iPhone for free and cast or mirror content for a limited time. And there’s no limit to the number of sessions you can start.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best answer to “can I connect my iPhone to my Roku TV?” is that there are three ways. You can use AirPlay if the Roku supports it, if not, try a third-party app like DoCast, or a Lightning-Port-to-HDMI adapter.

Problems with mirroring your iPhone screen to Roku TV usually boil down to the device not being connected to the same Wi-Fi network, leaving them unable to communicate. Glitches and bugs can also cause problems, meaning you need to restart or update the device. It can also happen due to interference from other signal emitters and blockers, which you’ll need to turn off or remove.

The most likely cause is that it is using a different Wi-Fi network from your iPhone. Make sure you’ve connected both devices to the same network before you try to connect them to each other.

Yes, you can AirPlay to Roku if the TV you’re using supports it. To check, go to the settings page on your Roku TV and look for AirPlay. If it’s there, turn it on and connect to the TV using an AirPlay-enabled app or the screen mirroring feature in the settings.