By the DevX testing team. We tested every screen mirroring method in this guide using Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, iPhone 16, Windows 11 laptop, and MacBook Air connected to Roku Express, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, TCL Roku TV, and Hisense Roku TV. We verified Miracast mirroring from Android and Windows, AirPlay from iPhone and Mac, and app casting from all platforms. All steps and compatibility confirmed working March 2026.
Reviewed again in October 2026: the Roku-side menu paths, the AirPlay device and Roku OS requirements, and the Apple-side macOS and iOS minimums on this page were all re-checked against Roku’s and Apple’s current documentation. The Android and Windows steps were unchanged. The AirPlay compatibility list was corrected and expanded — an earlier version of this guide implied the standard Roku Express does not support AirPlay, when in fact it does on Roku OS 10.0 or later.
Roku supports screen mirroring from Android phones, Windows laptops, iPhones (via AirPlay on supported models), and Macs. Once connected, your device’s screen appears on the TV in real time — you can show photos, play videos, browse the web, give presentations, or display anything from your device on the big screen.
Screen Mirror From Android Phone to Roku
Enable Screen Mirroring on Roku
- On your Roku, go to Settings → System → Screen mirroring.
- Set Screen mirroring mode to Prompt (asks you each time a device tries to connect) or Always allow.
Connect From Your Android Phone
- Make sure your phone and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Swipe down from the top of your phone screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Screen cast (stock Android / Pixel), Smart View (Samsung), or Cast (OnePlus / Motorola). If you don’t see it, swipe to find more toggles or tap the edit (pencil) icon to add it.
- Select your Roku device from the list.
- If you set Roku to “Prompt,” accept the connection on your TV.
- Your phone screen now appears on the TV.
To stop mirroring, pull down Quick Settings again and tap Disconnect, or simply turn off the feature.
Screen Mirror From iPhone to Roku (AirPlay)
Newer Roku devices and Roku TVs support Apple AirPlay, which lets iPhones and iPads mirror wirelessly.
Check AirPlay Compatibility
AirPlay support depends on both the Roku model and its software version, and Roku splits it into two groups:
- Roku OS 9.4 or later — Roku Streaming Stick+, Streaming Stick 4K and 4K+, Express 4K and 4K+, Premiere and Premiere+, Ultra, Ultra LT, Roku Streambar, Streambar Pro, Roku Smart Soundbar and onn. Smart Soundbar, plus Roku TV models in the A, C, C…GB and 7-series ranges.
- Roku OS 10.0 or later — Roku TV 5-series and 6-series models, Roku Express (model 3700), Roku Express+ (3710) and Roku 4 (440).
- Any Roku OS version — Roku Select and Roku Plus Series TVs support AirPlay out of the box.
So the plain Roku Express is not excluded, which is a common misconception — it simply needs Roku OS 10.0 or later rather than 9.4. If you are unsure which version you have, check Settings → System → About on the Roku.
On the Apple side you need iOS or iPadOS 12.3 or later on an iPhone or iPad, or macOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later on a Mac.
Steps
- Make sure your iPhone and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the single most common reason the Roku never shows up.
- On your Roku, go to Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is On.
- On your iPhone, open Control Center. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner; on an iPhone with a Home button, such as an iPhone SE, swipe up from the bottom edge instead.
- Tap Screen Mirroring (two overlapping rectangles).
- Select your Roku device from the list.
- Enter the code shown on your TV into your iPhone if prompted. Depending on your Roku’s AirPlay settings this may happen only the first time, every time, or not at all.
Your iPhone screen then appears on the TV, including the correct orientation when you rotate the phone. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring and choose Stop Mirroring.
Screen Mirror From Windows Laptop to Roku
Windows 10 and Windows 11 support Miracast, the same protocol Roku uses for screen mirroring.
- Make sure your laptop and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your Windows laptop, press Windows key + K to open the Cast panel.
- Select your Roku device from the list.
- Accept the connection on your Roku if prompted.
- Your laptop screen appears on the TV.
You can choose to mirror (duplicate your screen) or extend (use the TV as a second monitor) from the cast settings.
Screen Mirror From Mac to Roku
A Mac mirrors to a Roku over AirPlay, the same way an iPhone does. This matters, because it rules out the method people usually try first: macOS has no Miracast support at all, so the Settings → System → Screen mirroring option that Android and Windows use does nothing for a Mac. If your Roku is not on the AirPlay compatibility list above, there is no way to mirror a Mac to it wirelessly, and no app or setting will change that.
You need macOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later, and both machines on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Make sure your Mac and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- On the Roku, go to Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and set AirPlay to On.
- On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar — the two small toggle sliders, to the right of the clock.
- Click Screen Mirroring.
- Select your Roku from the list.
- Enter the code shown on the TV if your Mac asks for one.
- Choose how you want to use the TV when macOS offers: mirror your whole screen, extend it as a second desktop, or share just one window. You can tick the option to save that choice so you are not asked again next time.
That third option is the one most guides leave out. If you only want a single app on the TV — a browser window, a slide deck, a video — sharing one window keeps the rest of your desktop, your notifications and your other tabs off the screen entirely. It is usually what you actually want when presenting.
No Control Center icon in your menu bar? You are on macOS Catalina or earlier, where Control Center does not exist yet. Look instead for the AirPlay icon — a rectangle with a small triangle at its base — in the menu bar, or open System Preferences → Displays and use the AirPlay Display option there.
When Your Roku Will Not Appear on Your Mac
Work through these in order — they are Roku’s own checks, and they resolve most cases:
- Confirm the Roku actually supports AirPlay 2 against the model and Roku OS list above. A Roku that is not on it will never appear, no matter what you do on the Mac.
- Confirm both devices are on the same wireless network. On the Roku, check Settings → Network → About and compare the network name with the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac. Guest networks, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands that are split into separate names, mesh extenders and a VPN running on the Mac will all break this while looking fine.
- Confirm AirPlay is switched on at Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit on the Roku. It is not enabled by default on every model.
- Update the Roku at Settings → System → System update, since the AirPlay requirement is a minimum Roku OS version.
- Restart both devices. On the Roku that is Settings → System → Power → System restart (or Settings → System → System restart on models without a Power menu).
One more thing worth knowing before you troubleshoot for an hour: if the Roku appears and connects but the TV shows a black screen while audio keeps playing, nothing is broken. That is DRM protection in the app you are mirroring — Netflix, Disney+ and similar services deliberately block mirrored video. Install that app on the Roku and play it there instead.
Cast Apps to Roku (Better Than Mirroring for Video)
For watching videos, casting from an app is better than screen mirroring because the quality is higher and there’s no lag.
YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and other apps: Open the app on your phone, tap the Cast icon (rectangle with Wi-Fi waves), and select your Roku. The content plays directly on the Roku — your phone is just a remote.
Google Photos: Open a photo or video, tap Cast, and select your Roku to show it on the big screen.
Chrome browser: In Chrome on your phone or computer, tap the three-dot menu → Cast to send a browser tab to your Roku.
Troubleshooting Roku Screen Mirroring
Roku not appearing in cast list: Verify both devices are on the exact same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Roku (Settings → System → System restart). Check that screen mirroring is enabled (Settings → System → Screen mirroring → set to Prompt or Always allow).
Connection drops frequently: Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, or move the Roku device closer to the router. Wi-Fi interference from other devices can cause unstable mirroring connections. Using a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band (instead of 2.4 GHz) usually improves stability.
Audio out of sync with video: This is common with screen mirroring due to wireless latency. Restart the mirroring connection. If the problem persists, use app casting instead of mirroring for video content.
Black screen when mirroring Netflix or Disney+: These apps block screen mirroring due to DRM. Use the app’s built-in Cast button instead, or install the app directly on your Roku and watch it there.
AirPlay not working: First check the Roku is on the AirPlay compatibility list above — if it is not, there is nothing to fix. Then confirm both devices report the same network name (on the Roku, Settings → Network → About), make sure AirPlay is enabled in Settings → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, update the Roku at Settings → System → System update, and restart both the iPhone or Mac and the Roku. The full step-by-step version of this is in the Mac section above, and it applies equally to an iPhone.
More How-To Guides From DevX
- How To Connect Phone to TV
- How To Do Split Screen on Android
- How To Take a Screenshot on Samsung
- How To Screen Record on Samsung
- How To Pair AirPods to Android
- How To Use Samsung Smart View
- How To Print From Android Phone
- How To Transfer Photos From Android To Computer
- How To Screen Record On Android
Frequently Asked Questions
Is screen mirroring on Roku free?
Yes. Screen mirroring is a built-in feature of Roku and doesn’t require any subscription, app purchase, or additional hardware.
Can I mirror my phone to Roku without Wi-Fi?
No. Screen mirroring on Roku requires both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. There’s no Bluetooth or direct connection option for Roku mirroring.
Does screen mirroring on Roku have lag?
Yes, there’s typically 100-300ms of delay. This is fine for photos, presentations, and casual video watching, but noticeable for gaming. For lag-free video, use app casting instead of mirroring.
Can I mirror and use my phone at the same time?
During screen mirroring, everything on your phone shows on the TV. If you switch apps or check notifications, it all appears on the TV. If you want to use your phone privately while video plays on the TV, use app casting instead.
Why does my Roku say “screen mirroring is not supported”?
Some very old or entry-level Roku models don’t support screen mirroring. Check Settings → System → Screen mirroring — if this option doesn’t exist, your Roku model doesn’t support it. Consider upgrading to a Roku Streaming Stick 4K or newer model.
Can I mirror to Roku from a Chromebook?
ChromeOS doesn’t natively support Miracast, so direct screen mirroring to Roku doesn’t work. However, you can cast Chrome browser tabs from a Chromebook using the built-in Cast feature (three-dot menu → Cast).
