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

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Updated on: March 11, 2024
Time to read: 8 minutes
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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.

Table of Contents

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

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:

1. DoCast

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.

DoCast QR code

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. Videos can only be streamed for 3 minutes per session and mirroring is limited to 15 minutes per session.

Another great thing about DoCast is that it also supports Chromecast and Fire TV. 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.

To get the most out of this app, you can upgrade to the premium version, which starts at just $1.99 per week.

DoCast on the App Store on Mac

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

1. Download DoCast on your iPhone.

DoCast app for download on the App Store

2. Launch the app and let it search for nearby streaming devices.

DoCast is finding streaming devices

3. Tap your Roku when it shows up in the app.

Tap on your Roku device in DoCast

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

DoCast main screen on the iPhone 

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

Give DoCast access to your Photos on iPhone

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

Streaming photos to Roku via DoCast

2. Web Video Cast

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.

How can iPhone stream to Roku with Web Video Cast? Just follow the steps we’ve outlined below:

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

Web Video Cast app on iOS store 

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

Web Video Cast main screen

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

Web Video Cast sidebar menu

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

Video files in Web Video Cast

5. Tap Connect.

Streaming options in Web Video Cast

6. Tap Add Roku device by IP address.

Streaming devices in Web Video Cast

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.

Adding Roku in Web Video Cast by IP address

8. Tap your Roku device in the app.

List of streaming devices with Roku in Web Video Cast

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.

Stream iPhone to Roku Using AirPlay

Roku VS FireStick

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.

List of Roku Models That Support AirPlay

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.

How to Enable AirPlay on Your Roku

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.

How to Stream iPhone to Roku

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.

Open the Photos app on your iPhone

2. Tap any photo.

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

Tap the Share icon in the Photos app on iPhone

4. Now scroll down a bit and select AirPlay.

Tap the AirPlay button in the Photos app on iPhone

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.

Open the YouTube app on your iPhone

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.

Tap on the AirPlay and Bluetooth devices button in YouTube

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

Conclusion

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.

Using this app, you can mirror your iPhone’s screen to the Roku device and even stream photos, videos, and music. The free version of the app doesn’t bother you with ads and you can upgrade whenever you want for as little as $1.99 per week if you want unlimited duration for screen mirroring or video casting. It is, in our opinion, the best option for those who don’t have an AirPlay-compatible Roku device.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.