How to Screen Mirror Your iPhone to Roku: AirPlay, Hotspots, & More

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Easy ways to mirror your screen, even without Wi-Fi
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Want to mirror apps or videos from your iPhone's screen to a Roku TV? If your iPhone and Roku are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can mirror your screen with AirPlay. But what if you can't use Wi-Fi? All you'll need is an adapter or a hotspot, both of which are easy to use. This wikiHow article will teach you the easiest ways to connect your iPhone to your Roku, with or without Wi-Fi.

Mirroring iPhone to Roku: What to Know

  • Most Roku TVs and streaming devices support AirPlay, so it's easy to connect your iPhone.
  • To mirror with AirPlay , the phone and TV/streaming device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • To mirror without Wi-Fi, you can create a hotspot on your iPhone and connect your Roku to it, or plug your iPhone into your Roku with the right adapter.
Section 1 of 4:

Mirroring iPhone to Roku with AirPlay

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  1. Modern Roku TVs and streaming devices support AirPlay, which makes it easy to mirror your iPhone to Roku over Wi-Fi. AirPlay requires Roku OS 9.4 or higher on most devices, though a few require Roku OS 10.0. To check your version, go to your Roku's home screen and navigate to Settings > System > About . [1]
    • Roku Devices that Support AirPlay ( * = RokuOS 10+ required)
      Device Model
      Roku TV™ Axxxx, Cxxxx, CxxGB, 5xxx * , 6xxx * , 7xxxx
      Roku Streambar® 9102
      Roku Streambar Pro 9101R2
      Roku Smart Soundbar 9101
      onn.™ • Roku Smart Soundbar 9100
      Roku Streaming Stick®+ 3810, 3811
      Roku Streaming Stick 4K 3820
      Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ 3821
      Roku Express 3700 *
      Roku Express+ 3710
      Roku Express 4K 3940
      Roku Express 4K+ 3941
      Roku Premiere 3920, 4620
      Roku Premiere+ 3921, 4630
      Roku Ultra 4600, 4640, 4660, 4661, 4670, 4800, 4802, 4850
      Roku Ultra LT 4662, 4801
      Roku 4 440
  2. AirPlay should be enabled by default. To check, go to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. If turned off, turn it on now.
    • Your iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku TV or streaming device to use AirPlay. If your Roku is not connected to Wi-Fi, or you cannot connect your iPhone to the same network as your Roku, jump down to Mirroring iPhone to Roku Without Wi-Fi .
    • While most iPhones support peer-to-peer AirPlay (a technology that allows you to use AirPlay without Wi-Fi), it will only work if the TV is an Apple TV, not a Roku. [2]
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  3. If your iPhone uses Face ID, swipe down from the top-right area of your Home screen. If you use Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen.
  4. It's the icon that looks like two overlapping squares. [3] Your iPhone will scan for AirPlay-enabled devices to connect to.
  5. You may then see a code pop up on your TV screen.
  6. If prompted, type the code you see on your Roku to start mirroring your iPhone to your TV or streaming device.
    • If prompted, select Always Allow on your Roku to avoid having to type a code again in the future.
    • When you're ready to stop mirroring your screen, reopen Control Center on your iPhone and select Stop Mirroring.
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Section 2 of 4:

Mirroring iPhone to Roku Without Wi-Fi (Adapter)

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  1. If you can't use Wi-Fi to mirror your screen with AirPlay, such as when you're at a hotel or anywhere that your phone and the TV aren't on the same network, you can connect using a USB-C to HDMI adapter (newer iPhones) or a Lightning to HDMI adapter (older iPhones).
    • If you are using an iPhone 15 or later, you will want a USB-C to HDMI video adapter.
    • Earlier iPhone models will need a Lightning to HDMI adapter.
    • If you're using another brand of TV with a Roku player or streaming stick attached, you can connect the iPhone to another HDMI port on the TV to mirror the screen directly to the TV.
  2. This is the same port you use to charge and sync your iPhone.
  3. Make a note of the number that appears near the HDMI port, as you'll need to switch to that port to see your iPhone's screen on your TV. [4]
  4. This takes you to the Roku home screen.
    • If you're using another brand of TV: Press the INPUT or SOURCE button on your remote control, and then select the HDMI port to which you connected your iPhone—you should now see your iPhone's screen on your TV.
    • If you don't have a remote for the TV, you can try a universal remote.
  5. For example, if you plugged your iPhone into HDMI 2, select HDMI 2 . Once you select the input, you will see your iPhone mirrored to your Roku TV. [5]
    • If you don’t see the correct port on the Home screen, follow these steps:
      • Select Settings in the left panel of the Home screen.
      • Select TV inputs . If you don't see this option and are also using a Roku Streambar, you're probably in your Streambar settings, not your TV ones. [6] Try pressing the Home button on your TV remote (not the Streambar remote), then choose Settings from there.
      • Select your HDMI input under "Inputs not used."
      • Select Set up input . This adds a new tile for the HDMI input to the top of your Home screen.
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Section 3 of 4:

Mirroring iPhone to Roku Without Wi-Fi (Hotspot)

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  1. If the Roku you want to connect to is not connected to Wi-Fi, or you can't connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi as your Roku, you can still mirror your screen by using your iPhone as a hotspot . Make sure your iPhone is connected to cellular or Wi-Fi, then use these steps to create your hotspot:
    • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
    • Tap Personal Hotspot .
    • Turn on "Allow others to join."
    • Tip: Enter a password that won't be too difficult to type using your Roku remote, as you will need to connect your Roku to Wi-Fi with this password.
  2. To get there from the Roku Home screen, scroll down and select Settings , and then select Network . [7]
  3. Some connection options will expand.
  4. Your Roku will now scan for available Wi-Fi networks to connect to. You should then see your iPhone listed as one of the options.
    • If you don't see your iPhone listed after a few moments, return to your iPhone's Settings , select Personal Hotspot , and enable "Maximize Compatibility." [8]
  5. Select your iPhone from the network list, then enter the hotspot password you created to connect. Once connected, your Roku device will be sharing your iPhone's connection to the internet.
  6. Now that your devices are on the same network, you can mirror your iPhone to your Roku as long as AirPlay is enabled. If it's not enabled by default, here's how to enable it now:
    • Open your Roku's Settings .
    • Select Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.
    • Enable AirPlay and HomeKit if disabled.
  7. If your iPhone uses Face ID, swipe down from the top-right area of your Home screen. If you use Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen.
  8. It's the icon that looks like two overlapping squares. [9]
  9. If you see a code on your Roku screen, enter it when prompted to connect. Once verified, your iPhone's screen will be mirrored to your Roku without Wi-Fi.
    • When you're ready to stop mirroring your screen, reopen Control Center on your iPhone and select Stop Mirroring .
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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  1. 1
    Can you AirPlay without Wi-Fi? If you are using AirPlay to connect to an Apple TV, you don't need Wi-Fi. If you want to connect your iPhone to a different TV or streaming device, you must have Wi-Fi.
  2. 2
    Do you need Wi-Fi to screen mirror? On an iPhone, you need Wi-Fi to screen mirror unless you are mirroring to an Apple TV. If you have an Android that supports Miracast, you can mirror your screen to TVs that support Miracast without connecting to a Wi-Fi network, as Miracast supports peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. [10] .
  3. 3
    Does a Roku need Wi-Fi? If your Roku has an ethernet port, you can connect it to the internet without Wi-Fi. You just need to connect it to one of the available LAN ports in your router using an ethernet cable.
  4. 4
    How do you connect a Roku remote to a TV without Wi-Fi? If you have a new Roku remote but your Roku isn't connected to Wi-Fi, you can get your Roku online by creating a hotspot using the same name as the last Wi-Fi network your Roku was using, then connect your Roku to that network.
    • Install the Roku app on your phone if you haven't already.
    • Create a hotspot on a different device (NOT the one with the Roku app installed) that has the same name as the last network your Roku connected to.
      • To find the name, go to Settings > Network .
      • If you don't know the password for the original Wi-Fi network, you might be able to make it work by leaving it blank.
    • Restart your Roku TV or streaming device, and it will connect to the hotspot.
    • Connect your phone (the one with the Roku app) to the hotspot you created on the other device and open the Roku app on your phone.
    • Select your Roku using the remote on your phone. You can now navigate the menus to set up your new Roku remote without Wi-Fi .
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      Tips

      • If you travel often and stay in hotel rooms, keeping an HDMI adapter in your travel bag is a great way to ensure that you can always mirror your iPhone to a wide variety of smart TVs.
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      • Make sure you have a long cable to comfortably use your iPhone from your couch or other location while it's connected to the TV with an adapter.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.roku.com/article/360057488733
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/use-airplay-dep9151c4ace/web
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102661
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/connect-to-a-display-with-a-cable-iph93af723b9/ios
      5. ↑ https://community.roku.com/t5/Discussions/Missing-TV-Inputs-in-Settings/td-p/655754
      6. ↑ https://community.roku.com/t5/Discussions/Missing-TV-Inputs-in-Settings/td-p/655754
      7. ↑ https://support.roku.com/article/115015760328
      8. ↑ https://community.roku.com/t5/Wi-Fi-connectivity/iPhone-12-hotspot-how-do-I-connect/td-p/811260
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102661
      1. ↑ https://www.xda-developers.com/miracast/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Get a Lightning to HDMI adapter.
      2. Connect the Lightning end to your iPhone.
      3. Connect the HDMI end to your Roku TV.
      4. Switch to the HDMI input on your Roku TV.

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