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Mirror iPad to Roku: A Complete How-To Tutorial

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Updated on: March 25, 2024
Time to read: 9 minutes
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The iPad’s screen may be big, but it’s not big enough for everyone. If you want to enjoy your favorite movies, videos, or even presentations on a larger screen, then mirroring your iPad to a Roku device or TV is the way to go.

Depending on which model of Roku you have, you may be able to use AirPlay. Without AirPlay, you’ll need a third-party app. In this article, we explain how to mirror iPad to Roku using both methods.

Table of Contents

Is Your Roku Compatible with AirPlay? Here's How to Check

To find out if your Roku is compatible with AirPlay, you can either check the official Roku site or just go to your streaming device’s settings and check if the “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit” option is available. If it is, then you can enable AirPlay and mirror your iPad’s screen to it in mere seconds.

Most Roku models must be on Roku OS 9.4 or above to be able to support AirPlay. Here is a complete list of such models:

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

Some models will only let you AirPlay if they have been updated to Roku OS 10.0 or above. Here is a list of these models:

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

Can you mirror iPad to Roku if it doesn’t support AirPlay? Yes, fortunately, there are third-party apps that you can use to connect the two devices. Here are two popular ones:

1. DoCast

If you’re wondering how to mirror iPad to Roku for free, then DoCast is the answer. Its minimalistic aesthetics allow you to mirror your iPad to your Roku without any hassle. In addition to that, you can stream offline videos, photos, and music. Even if you’re using the free version, you can enjoy uninterrupted mirroring and streaming, as DoCast is ad-free.

DoCast QR code

The app also works with Chromecast and Fire TV. Note that you’ll have to download its channel on your Roku device before you can start mirroring your iPad’s screen. Once downloaded, you can enable auto-rotation and adjust the quality of the video on your iPad, and begin the mirroring session.

A screen mirroring session lasts for 15 minutes in the free version and you can stream videos for 3 minutes per session. To get unlimited mirroring, you’ll have to upgrade to the premium version, which you can get for just $1.99/week.

Here’s how to screen mirror iPad to Roku using DoCast:

1. Download DoCast on your iPad and Roku.

Download DoCast from the App Store on iPad

2. Open the app and give it a few seconds to scan for nearby streaming devices.

DoCast is scanning for nearby devices

3. Tap your Roku in the list of devices.

DoCast shows Roku devices

4. Tap the Screen tile.

Tap on the Screen tile in DoCast on iPad

5. Change the settings however you like and then tap the Start mirroring icon.

Adjust the mirroring settings in DoCast on iPad

6. Tap Start Broadcast and watch as your iPad’s screen seamlessly appears on your Roku device.

DoCast screen broadcasting window on iPad

Pros

  • Provides ad-free mirroring
  • Offers a free 7-day trial
  • Also compatible with Chromecast and Fire TV
  • Minimalistic interface makes it very user-friendly

Cons

  • Can only mirror for 15 minutes per session in free version

2. Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast

Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast’s standout feature is that it doesn’t require you to download any app on your Roku for screen mirroring to work. However, the iPad version of the app often shows ads and its mirroring and streaming features don’t always seem to work.

Nevertheless, this app gives you the option to mirror your iPad’s screen, stream photos and videos, and cast online video through a built-in browser. Mirroring is only available for 15 minutes per session in the free version. The premium version of Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast starts from $3.71/week.

Follow the steps below to learn how to mirror your iPad’s screen with Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast:

1. Download Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast on your iPad.

Download Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast from the App Store on iPad

2. Launch the app and a list of devices you can connect to will appear.

Screen mirroring devices in Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast

3. Tap your Roku device.

4. Tap Screen Mirroring.

List of features in Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast on iPad

5. Select the Start button.

Tap on the Start button in Screen Mirroring・Smart TV Cast on iPad

6. Tap Start Broadcast and your iPad’s screen will appear on your Roku in 2-3 seconds.

Pros

  • No app needed on Roku for screen mirroring
  • Has a built-in browser for web casting
  • Offers a 3-day trial

Cons

  • Shows too many ads
  • Screen mirroring doesn’t always work

3. AirPlay

If you have a Roku model that supports AirPlay, then screen mirroring iPad to Roku should be easy for you. All you have to do is use the built-in screen mirroring feature on your iPad.

Follow the instructions below to mirror iPad’s screen via AirPlay:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center.

Open the iPad's Control Center

2. Select the Screen Mirroring icon to open the list of devices you can mirror to.

3. Tap your Roku device. 

Note that you’ll have to enable AirPlay on your Roku first. Here’s how to do that:

1. Go to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit on your Roku device.

2. Make sure AirPlay is enabled. If not, simply highlight it and press the OK button on your remote.

Mirroring And Streaming. What's the Difference?

Mirroring is when the entire screen of your iPad is replicated in real-time on another device, such as a Roku TV. You can’t lock your screen while your iPad is being mirrored as it will disrupt the connection.

Streaming, on the other hand, only shows you specific content from an app or a site. For example, you can stream a YouTube video to your Roku and it won’t show you anything else you do on your iPad. You can then do whatever you want on your iPad without interrupting the YouTube video that’s playing on your Roku.

Another big difference between mirroring and streaming is that, with the former, you can’t view DRM-restricted content like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video if you’re using a third-party app. This is because third-party apps use the iPad’s built-in screen recording feature to mirror it to Roku and streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video don’t allow playback of DRM-protected content when screen recording is active.

Screen Mirroring to Roku Is Not Working. How to fix?

There are a couple of things you can do if you can’t get your iPad to mirror its screen to your Roku:

  • ✅ First, make sure that your iPad and Roku are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On your Roku, go to Settings > Network > About to check if it’s connected to the right Wi-Fi.
  • ✅ Don’t connect to a VPN server on your iPad as that will prevent it from detecting Roku when trying to mirror its screen.
  • ✅ If you’re using a third-party app, make sure you’ve downloaded its channel on your Roku device if the app requires it for mirroring.
  • ✅ Check the App Store to see if the app you’re using for screen mirroring is updated to its latest version. Also make sure you update your Roku to Roku OS 9.4 or 10.0.
  • ✅ Double-check your Roku model to ensure it’s compatible with the third-party app you’re using.

Conclusion

Making the iPad mirror to Roku can be helpful if you want to present something or watch a movie with your friends or family. If the streaming device supports AirPlay, then you can easily mirror to it using iPad’s built-in mirroring functionality.

For Roku models that aren’t AirPlay-compatible, you’ll need a third-party app. DoCast is a great option in our opinion as it’s fast, free, and easy to use. You can also stream offline videos, photos, and music.

Before you start mirroring, make sure that your iPad is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Roku and you’re not using a VPN. Then, you’re ready to start enjoying your iPad’s content on the big screen of your Roku TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your iPad must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku TV for AirPlay to work. If it still fails to AirPlay, then you may have to reset paired devices on your Roku (an option that’s found in the “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit” settings) and then restart it.

If your Roku TV has AirPlay, you can mirror your iPad’s screen by connecting to it in the Control Center. If it’s not compatible with AirPlay, then you’ll have to download a third-party app. We suggest using DoCast. Once connected to Roku, you’ll be able to mirror your iPad’s screen, and stream offline photos, videos, and music.

First, go to Settings > System > Screen mirroring > Screen mirroring mode on your Roku and select Always allow. Enable AirPlay in Apple AirPlay and HomeKit Settings on your Roku. Then, on your iPad or iPhone, open the Control Center and select your Roku in the list of devices you can mirror to. If your Roku lacks AirPlay functionality, then we recommend using a third-party app called DoCast.