How to Stream iPhone to Roku: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

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Stream from iPhone to Roku Devices: Best Wireless Solutions in 2024

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Updated on: November 21, 2024

Time to read: 11 minutes

Roku is a popular streaming device and smart TV that gives you access to a wide range of entertainment options. It also gives you the option to connect your iPhone to it to stream your favorite videos, photos, and music on a larger screen.

In this article, we are going to explain how to stream iPhone to Roku using third-party apps. You’ll also learn which models of Roku support AirPlay so you can stream from iPhone without using any app.

How to Stream iPhone to Roku: Best Wireless Solutions

There are many Roku models that support AirPlay, but don’t lose hope if yours doesn’t. You can still stream from your iPhone to Roku with the help of these two third-party apps:

With DoCast, you can stream to Roku from iPhone in a matter of seconds. It’s a free app that shows no ads and doesn’t pester you with premium upgrade requests. Its minimalistic user interface ensures a smooth experience, making it easy to explore its features.

Apart from screen mirroring, which lets you share your iPhone’s screen in high quality, you can use DoCast to stream videos, music, and unlimited photos. You can stream as many photos as you want, but to mirror your phone’s screen, you’ll have to get the premium version of the app.

Another great thing about DoCast is that it also supports Chromecast, Fire TV, and DLNA-enabled TVs. You don’t need an additional app for these streaming devices. Note that you’ll have to download the DoCast channel on your Roku to mirror your iPhone’s screen.

DoCast has a 3-day free trial version, which we recommend that you try out first to explore its features before committing to a paid version.

Here’s how to stream to Roku from iPhone with DoCast:

1. Download DoCast on your iPhone.

2. Launch the app and let it search for nearby streaming devices. Tap your Roku when it shows up in the app.

3. Now tap Screen if you want to mirror your iPhone’s screen to Roku. To stream media content, tap Photos, Videos, or Music.

4. Give the app permission to access your photos by tapping Allow access.

5. Tap the photo you want to stream to your Roku device and a red circle will appear around it.

Web Video Cast is another option for streaming from iPhone to Roku. It’s a bit limited compared to DoCast in the features it offers, but it’s great for streaming online content. There’s no option to mirror your iPhone’s screen to Roku.

That being said, Web Video Cast has an in-app browser that you can use to stream any online video to your Roku device or TV. It’s also capable of streaming IPTV, music, and downloaded files on your iPhone.

Once you connect the app to your Roku device, all you have to do is play the video you want to see on the big screen. Just like DoCast, Web Video Cast also supports multiple streaming devices like Chromecast and Fire TV.

Here’s how to stream on Roku from iPhone:

1. Download Web Video Cast on your iPhone from the App Store.

2. Open the app and tap the menu button in the top-left corner.

3. To cast files stored in your phone, tap Phone files in the sidebar.

4. Choose a file that you want to stream to your Roku.

5. Tap Connect.

6. Tap Add Roku device by IP address.

7. On your Roku device, go to Settings > System > About. Note down the IP address you see here and enter it in the Web Video Caster app on your iPhone.

8. Tap your Roku device in the app.

9.Download the Web Video Caster channel on the Roku device.

10. Now tap the file you want to stream again and it’ll start playing on your Roku.

If you have a Roku device or TV that supports AirPlay, then you can mirror and stream from your iPhone with its built-in streaming technology. Note that your device should be on Roku OS 9.4 or higher, otherwise you won’t be able to use AirPlay.

There are some Roku models that must be on Roku OS 10.0 or above to work with AirPlay. Below, we have added a list of all the models that are compatible with AirPlay streaming technology.

Here are the models that require Roku OS 9.4 or above:

Roku device	Roku model number
Roku TV	Series Axxxx, Cxxxx, CxxGB, 7xxxx
Roku Streambar	9102
Roku Express 4K	3940
Roku Premiere	4620,3920
Roku Streaming Stick+	3810
Roku Streaming Stick 4K	3820

If you have any of the following models, you’ll have to upgrade your Roku OS to 10.0 first to make your iPhone stream to Roku:

Roku device	Roku model number
Roku TV	Series Dxxxx and 8xxxx
Roku 2	4205, 4210
Roku 3	4200, 4201, 4230
Roku Streaming Stick	3600, 3800, 3801
Roku Express/Express Plus	3900, 3910, 3930, 3931, 3932, 3960
Roku HD	3932

Roku automatically checks for updates every 24-36 hours, but you can also update it yourself from the settings.

After you have determined that your Roku model supports AirPlay, you can start streaming your iPhone. The feature is generally enabled by default, but if your phone can’t find the streaming device, then you’ll have to turn it on manually. Follow the steps below:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.

2. Go to Settings.

3. Highlight the Apple AirPlay and HomeKit settings and press the OK button on the remote.

4. Press the OK button on the AirPlay toggle if it’s off to turn it on.

You also need to make sure that your Roku and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and avoid using a VPN server on your phone.

To stream iPhone to Roku via AirPlay, you can use your phone’s built-in screen mirroring feature. You can also stream any photo, video, or audio. In this guide, we’ll explain how you can stream local files such as photos and videos from YouTube:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.

2. Tap any photo.

3. Tap the Share icon in the bottom-left corner.

4. Now scroll down a bit and select AirPlay.

5. A list of devices that you can AirPlay the photo to will pop up. Select your Roku device.

6. The photo will appear on the Roku TV.

Here’s how you can stream a YouTube video to your Roku device via AirPlay:

1. Open the YouTube app.

2. Play the video you want to watch on your Roku.

3. Tap the Cast icon at the top.

4. Select AirPlay and Bluetooth devices.

5. In the small window that pops up, choose your Roku device and the video will begin to play on the TV.

When you stream to Roku TV from an iPhone, it’s common to run into issues, but they can usually be resolved with a few simple solutions. Here are some of the most common problems you can run into, along with how to fix them.

❗️Internet Connection Problems – Make sure your iPhone and Roku are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Also, keep the Roku device close enough to the router to avoid it disconnecting while streaming. If the device fails to connect to the Wi-Fi, try forgetting it in the settings and then reconnecting.
❗️Poor Video Quality – If a video you’re streaming keeps buffering or you can’t get it to play in HD or 4K, then it may be a good idea to lower the resolution. If your Wi-Fi is strong enough to handle 4K streaming, then try restarting Roku or the router.
❗️Sound Issues – It’s also common to run into audio problems when streaming on Roku. This tends to happen if you have a bad or unstable Internet connection. Try adjusting the audio settings by switching between stereo and surround sound. If the issue persists, try unplugging and plugging the Roku back in to reset the connection.
❗️App Crashes – If you’re streaming to Roku from iPhone using apps like Netflix or YouTube and they keep crashing, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it from the Roku Channel Store. This can often resolve any glitches or issues with the app.
❗️Factory Resetting Roku – If you’ve reset and updated your Roku but are still facing issues, then your best bet is to factory reset it. You can do this by going into settings and then System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset > Factory reset everything.

Roku is a versatile streaming device and TV that can easily connect to your iPhone. Most models now support AirPlay so you may not even need an app to stream to it. If yours doesn’t, however, then we recommend using a third-party app called DoCast. With this app, you can stream iPhone to Roku easily.

You can also mirror your iPhone’s screen to the Roku device and even stream photos, videos, and music.

Yes, you can stream Roku on iPhone. If your Roku supports AirPlay, then you can use that to mirror your phone’s screen or stream media content. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need a third-party app. We recommend DoCast for screen mirroring and streaming offline photos, videos, and music. It’s free to use and you won’t have to worry about seeing ads every 5 seconds.

If your Roku is compatible with AirPlay, you can mirror your iPhone’s screen by using its built-in screen mirroring feature. Open the Control Center, tap the screen mirroring icon, and choose your Roku device. If it doesn’t have AirPlay, you can use a third-party app like DoCast or Replica to mirror your phone’s screen to it.

If you don’t have Apple TV and your Roku device is incompatible with AirPlay, then we suggest using a third-party app. DoCast is perhaps the best choice for streaming offline media content like photos, videos, and music, and mirroring your phone’s screen to your Roku device. It’s simple to use and you can get it running in just a few seconds.

Yes, it is possible to AirPlay on a Roku if you have a compatible model. Depending on your Roku model, it must be running either Roku OS 9.4 or higher, or Roku OS 10 or later. For example, the Roku TV Axxxx and Cxxxx models must be on Roku OS 9.4 or above, while Roku TV 5xxx models require Roku OS 10 or above.

First, make sure your iPhone/iPad and Roku TV are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network and you’re not connected to a VPN server. If it still doesn’t work, then go into your Roku’s settings and check if AirPlay is enabled (If it’s not compatible, you won’t see the AirPlay option in the settings).

Stream from iPhone to Roku Devices: Best Wireless Solutions in 2024

Table of Contents

My Roku Doesn't Support AirPlay. How Do I Stream from My iPhone to Roku?

Video guide

1. DoCast

Step-by-step guide

2. Web Video Cast

Step-by-step guide

Stream iPhone to Roku Using AirPlay

List of Roku Models That Support AirPlay

How to Enable AirPlay on Your Roku

Step-by-step guide