Have you ever wanted to display content from your phone or computer right on your TV screen? Well, with Roku screen mirroring, you can do exactly that!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain how Roku‘s screen mirroring feature works, which devices support it, and how to set it up on Windows, iPhone/iPad, and Android. I‘ll also provide some tips to ensure smooth mirroring performance. Let‘s get started!
An Introduction to Roku Screen Mirroring
Screen mirroring enables you to wirelessly "cast" or "mirror" the screen of your smartphone, tablet, or computer to a compatible Roku streaming player or Roku TV. This means you can easily enjoy content from those devices on your television – no matter if there isn‘t a dedicated channel or app available on the Roku platform.
For example, you could mirror your Android phone screen to play mobile games on the big screen. Or cast your Windows PC display to pull up PowerPoint presentations, webpages, and personal videos on your Roku TV.
Screen mirroring greatly expands the types of content you can access on your Roku device. It‘s an incredibly useful feature if you want to display niche apps, video files, websites, and more that lack native Roku channels.
According to a 2022 survey, 67% of Roku owners use screen mirroring to view mobile and computer content on their televisions. And research shows demand for casting and mirroring has grown substantially in recent years as consumers accumulate more digital media across their devices.
Which Roku Models Support Screen Mirroring?
Before you can start mirroring, you need to make sure you have a compatible Roku device. Screen mirroring is only available on newer Roku models – here are the players and smart TVs that support display mirroring as of 2022:
Roku Players:
- Roku Ultra (models 4800 and up)
- Roku Premiere (models 3920 and up)
- Roku Streaming Stick+ (models 3810 and up)
Roku TVs:
- Roku TV models with numbers 7xxxx, 8xxxx, 9xxxx
Roku Soundbars:
- Roku Smart Soundbar
- Roku Streambar
Unfortunately, screen mirroring is not available on older Roku models like the Express, Express+, Premier, 2, 3, and 4. It also isn‘t supported by most HD and 4K Roku TVs from 2016-2019.
You can easily check if your Roku supports screen mirroring – just look under Settings, and if you see a "Screen Mirroring" option, you‘re good to go!
Step-by-Step: Mirroring your Computer to Roku
One of the easiest ways to display content on your TV via Roku is to mirror your Windows or Mac computer display. Here‘s how to set up screen mirroring from a laptop or desktop PC to your Roku:
1. Enable Screen Mirroring on your Roku
The first step is to enable the screen mirroring function on your Roku device. From the Home screen, open Settings and go to System > Screen Mirroring. Make sure the setting is toggled to "Prompt" or "Always allow" – this lets your Roku accept mirroring requests from your computer.
2. Connect to your Roku from Your Computer
On Windows 10, open the Start menu and click Settings > Devices > Add Device. Select "Wireless display or dock" from the menu and your Roku device should appear in the list of available devices. Click to connect, and allow the pairing request on your Roku screen.
On a Mac, click the AirPlay icon in your menu bar and select your Roku from the drop-down list. If prompted, enter the AirPlay passcode displayed on your Roku screen and check the box to mirror your display.
Once connected, your entire computer screen will now be cast to your Roku! Anything displayed on your monitor is instantly mirrored on your TV.
I recommend using an extended desktop configuration instead of duplicating your display when mirroring from a computer. This allows you to continue using your computer normally while media content is streamed independently to the Roku.
3. Enjoy Personal Media on the Big Screen!
Once you‘re wirelessly connected, go ahead and play local video files, pull up niche websites, view photos, play games, run presentations, and more to see everything displayed on your television through the Roku.
Screen mirroring opens up a whole new world of content that may not be natively available through Roku channels and apps. And it‘s a breeze to set up – just connect and start casting in seconds.
How to Mirror iPhone or iPad to your Roku
Thanks to AirPlay support, it‘s quick and easy to mirror an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a compatible Roku streaming player or Roku TV. Here‘s how to enable AirPlay mirroring from iOS:
1. Turn on AirPlay in Roku Settings
From your Roku home screen, go to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. Make sure AirPlay is enabled, and toggle "Require code" to First Time Only for a seamless experience. This will generate a one-time AirPlay passcode.
2. Swipe Down to Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad
Swipe down from the top of your iOS screen to open the Control Center. Long press the Screen Mirroring icon, and select your Roku device from the list.
3. Enter the Passcode and Mirror your Display
You will be prompted to enter the Roku AirPlay passcode from Step 1. Enter the code, tap Done, and your iPhone/iPad screen will begin mirroring to the Roku!
From here, you can display iOS apps, videos, Safari webpages, photos and more on your television. Games play great when mirrored from your device to the big screen.
Do keep in mind AirPlay mirroring only works with apps that support video out via AirPlay. And performance often won‘t be as smooth as using the native Roku app given the video compression. But it‘s still a handy option for displaying content from your iOS device!
Quick and Easy Android Mirroring
On Android devices like Samsung phones, Google Pixel, and tablets, activating screen mirroring is especially straightforward.
Just pull down your notification shade and tap the Cast or Smart View icon (may also be labeled Screen Mirroring or Wireless Display depending on your device). Your Roku player will appear in the list – simply select it to mirror your Android to the television.
And that‘s it! Your Roku will now mirror everything displayed on your Android screen. This makes gaming, niche apps, personal videos and more easily enjoyable on your TV.
Tips for Smooth, Seamless Screen Mirroring Performance
While Roku‘s screen mirroring function is easy to set up, you may occasionally encounter lag, quality issues, or intermittent connections. Here are some tips to help ensure smooth mirroring:
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Internet Connection: Screen mirroring requires robust connectivity. Move your Roku closer to the wifi router, or better yet use an Ethernet cable for the best performance.
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Device Optimization: Close unused apps on your phone/tablet/computer before mirroring. Disable screen savers, auto-lock and notifications. Turn off VPN services if enabled.
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Video Settings: Lower video resolution and enable H.264 encoding on your device if available. This reduces the bandwidth needed for smooth mirroring.
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Audio Quality: Expect compressed audio over screen mirroring. Use Roku media apps instead when audio fidelity is critical.
Following the steps in this guide, you should be able to successfully mirror your Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, Android, and more to your compatible Roku streaming player. Screen mirroring opens up a whole new world of media to enjoy on your television.
Let me know if you have any other questions about Roku screen mirroring. I‘m happy to help get it set up and answer any troubleshooting questions!
