How to use AirPlay and screen mirroring on Roku

It's family board game night, and you decide to liven up the atmosphere with a little background music from your iPhone®. Unfortunately, the phone speakers aren't the best. You have reliable Wi-Fi and a Roku TV™ —maybe you should take advantage of AirPlay® for a better sound experience!

Asurion Experts help you get the most from your tech stack. Whether we're explaining how AirPlay works or how to use an iPhone as a remote, you can count on us for reliable answers. Here's how to screen mirror on Roku using your favorite Apple device.

Check Roku and Apple device compatibility

AirPlay lets you stream virtually any type of content from an Apple device, including vacation photos, videos, and music. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection and an AirPlay-enabled TV or streaming device. 

Many Roku devices are compatible with AirPlay and AirPlay 2, but they must have Roku OS 9.4 or higher to work properly. Examples of compatible Roku products include:

If you don't see your Roku device model on the list, it may still be compatible. Check your user's manual to verify if it is. 

How to mirror your iPhone screen to Roku

To start iPhone screen mirroring with a Roku device, verify you've connected both products to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, follow these steps:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center. 
2. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon. It resembles two overlapping rectangles.
3. Select the Roku device from the list on your screen.
4. A passcode may appear on your TV. Enter it on your iPhone if prompted.

Screen mirroring continues until you disable it. To do that, open Control Center on your iPhone. Tap Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring. 

How to mirror your Mac screen to Roku

AirPlay is also available through Apple's computer lineup of MacBook®, iMac®, MacBook Pro®, and similar devices. To start screen mirroring from your Mac® to a Roku TV or streaming device, take these steps:

1. Power on your devices. Verify they're using the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Control Center on your Mac.
3. Click Screen Mirroring. 
4. Click the name of your Roku device from the available options.
5. If prompted, enter the passcode shown on your TV onto your Mac.
6. Click the Mirror Display option.

To end your mirror screen on Roku, click Stop on the Mac.

Troubleshoot common AirPlay issues on Roku

When using AirPlay with a Roku device, you may encounter display, sound, or connection issues. Try these solutions to fix the problem.

No Visuals

If your screen doesn't appear on the TV, enable AirPlay receiving on your Apple device. Open Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff. Toggle AirPlay Receiver to the on position. 

Also, make sure you have the most recent operating system updates installed for both devices. Follow these steps to update Roku, iPhone, and Mac computers.

Roku

1. Press Home on the Roku remote.
2. Select Settings > System > Software update.
3. Select Check Now.

Allow the device to install available updates and reboot.

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General > Software Update.
3. Download and install available updates. 

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Click System Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Click Update or Upgrade to download and install updates.

No Sound

Verify you've turned on the volume for all devices, including the iPhone or Mac. A muted Apple device won't transmit sound to the TV. 

Unstable connection

If the AirPlay connection unexpectedly drops, try placing the Apple device closer to your Roku. Keeping them within the same room (and within a reasonable distance from your Wi-Fi router) may provide a better streaming experience.

Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling AirPlay can clear out temporary bugs or glitches that affect your connection. Consider restarting your Apple and Roku devices before attempting to mirror your screen with AirPlay.