AirPlay works on Roku TV, but only if your Roku model supports it

You can stream video, audio, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to a Roku TV using AirPlay—Apple's wireless casting technology. Not every Roku TV has this feature built in. Roku added AirPlay support starting in 2019, so if your TV is newer than that, there's a good chance it's already there. Older Roku models do not support AirPlay at all, and no software update will add it.

The simplest way to check is to look in your Roku TV's settings. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV itself. If that menu exists and shows "AirPlay" as an option, your TV is ready. If the menu doesn't exist, your Roku model predates AirPlay support and you'll need a different method to cast from Apple devices.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay on Roku TV requires a 2019 or newer Roku model; older TVs cannot support it even with updates.
  • You must connect your Apple device and Roku TV to the same Wi-Fi network before AirPlay will appear as an option.
  • From an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Roku TV by name.
  • From a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Roku TV from the list.
  • If your Roku TV is older or AirPlay isn't working, you can use an Apple TV device connected to any Roku TV via HDMI as an alternative.

Check your Roku TV model year and AirPlay availability

Roku began rolling out AirPlay support in 2019, but not all models from that year or later have it. The feature is more common on higher-end Roku TVs (Roku Plus and Roku Pro models) than on budget lines. The fastest way to confirm is to check your TV's settings directly rather than looking up the model number online, since Roku's documentation can be incomplete.

On your Roku TV remote, press the Home button. Navigate to Settings, then look for AirPlay and HomeKit. If you see this menu, your TV supports AirPlay. If you don't see it after scrolling through Settings, your model does not have the feature. You can also check the Roku support website by searching for your TV's model number, but the in-TV menu is the most reliable way to know for certain.

Connect your Apple device and Roku TV to the same Wi-Fi network

AirPlay only works when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason AirPlay fails to appear as an option. Check that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the same network your Roku TV uses—not a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz, though most modern routers handle this automatically).

On your Roku TV, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > About to see which network it's connected to. On your Apple device, open Settings (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings (Mac) and confirm the Wi-Fi name matches. If they're on different networks, reconnect your Apple device to the same network as the TV. Once both are on the same network, wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying to cast.

Stream from an iPhone or iPad using Control Center

On an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.3 or later, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). Look for the Screen Mirroring button—it shows two overlapping rectangles. Tap it to see a list of available devices.

Your Roku TV should appear in the list by its name (for example, "Living Room" or "Roku TV"). Tap it to begin mirroring. Your iPhone or iPad screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. You can also mirror just audio—music apps and podcasts will play through your TV's speakers while your phone screen stays dark.

Stream from a Mac using Screen Mirroring

On a Mac running macOS 11 or later, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar (it looks like a grid of squares). Select Screen Mirroring from the dropdown menu. Your Roku TV will appear in the list if it's on the same Wi-Fi network and AirPlay is enabled.

Click your Roku TV's name to start mirroring. Your Mac's entire display will appear on the TV. To adjust resolution or mirror only a second display (if you have one), click the Screen Mirroring icon again and look for options. To stop mirroring, click the Screen Mirroring icon and select Stop Mirroring. Mirroring from a Mac uses more bandwidth than from an iPhone, so if the picture stutters, move closer to your Wi-Fi router or reduce the number of other devices using the network.

Troubleshoot when AirPlay doesn't appear or connect

If Screen Mirroring doesn't show your Roku TV as an option, restart both devices. Turn off your Roku TV completely (unplug it for 10 seconds), then turn it back on. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as well. Once both are back on and connected to Wi-Fi, try again.

If the TV still doesn't appear, check that AirPlay is actually enabled on the Roku. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV and make sure the toggle is turned on. Some Roku TVs also have an option to require a PIN for AirPlay connections—if you see this setting, turn it off temporarily to test. If you're still having trouble, forget the Wi-Fi network on your Apple device and reconnect to it. This forces your device to re-authenticate and often resolves connection issues.

Use an Apple TV device if your Roku TV doesn't support AirPlay

If your Roku TV is older and doesn't have AirPlay built in, you can use a separate Apple TV device (Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD) connected to your Roku TV via HDMI. This gives you full AirPlay functionality without replacing your TV. The Apple TV connects to your Wi-Fi network, and you cast from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the Apple TV instead of directly to the Roku.

This setup costs more than using native AirPlay, but it's the only option if your Roku TV predates 2019 or doesn't have AirPlay support. The Apple TV also gives you access to the Apple TV app and other streaming services, so it may be worth the investment if you use Apple devices frequently. Connect the Apple TV to your Roku TV's HDMI input, plug it in, and follow Apple's setup instructions to connect it to Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my Roku TV show up in Screen Mirroring?

The most common reason is that your Apple device and Roku TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If they are, restart both devices and wait 15 seconds before trying again. Also confirm that AirPlay is turned on in your Roku TV's settings under Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit.

Can I use AirPlay on a Roku TV from 2018 or earlier?

No. Roku did not add AirPlay support until 2019, and older models cannot receive this feature through software updates. If you have an older Roku TV, you can connect an Apple TV device via HDMI to cast from your Apple devices instead.

Does AirPlay work on guest Wi-Fi networks?

Usually not. Most guest networks are isolated from the main network, so your Apple device and Roku TV can't see each other. Connect both to the primary Wi-Fi network instead. If your router doesn't have a guest network option, make sure both devices are on the same band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

Can I mirror audio only from my iPhone to a Roku TV?

Yes. When you open Screen Mirroring and select your Roku TV, your iPhone will mirror the entire screen by default. However, if you're playing music or a podcast, you can swipe up to close Control Center and the audio will continue playing through your TV's speakers while your phone screen goes dark.

What should I do if the picture is choppy or keeps disconnecting?

Move your Apple device closer to your Wi-Fi router, or move the router closer to your Roku TV. Reduce the number of other devices using Wi-Fi at the same time. If you're mirroring from a Mac, the bandwidth demand is higher than from an iPhone—try mirroring from your phone instead to see if the connection is more stable.