Roku devices do not have Chromecast built in, but you can cast to Roku using your phone or computer

Roku and Chromecast are separate casting systems made by different companies. Roku makes its own casting technology called Roku Cast, while Chromecast is made by Google. A Roku device will not receive a Chromecast signal directly from your phone or computer the way a Chromecast device would. However, you can still send video and audio to a Roku from your phone or computer using Roku's own casting method, which works similarly to Chromecast but requires apps designed for Roku.

If you own a Roku device and want to cast content to it, you will use the Roku mobile app or compatible third-party apps rather than the Google Home app or Chromecast button. The experience is nearly identical—you tap a button on your phone, select your Roku device, and the content plays on your TV—but the underlying technology is different.

Key Takeaways

  • Roku devices use Roku Cast, not Chromecast, so you cannot cast from the Google Home app or Chromecast button to a Roku TV or device.
  • You can cast to Roku using the official Roku mobile app on iOS or Android, which works with most Roku models made in the last several years.
  • Many streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have built-in Roku Cast buttons that let you send content directly to your Roku without a separate casting app.
  • If you want Chromecast functionality, you can buy a separate Chromecast device and connect it to any TV, including a Roku TV.

How Roku Cast works on Roku devices

Roku Cast is Roku's version of screen casting. When you use the Roku mobile app on your phone, you can cast photos, videos, and music to your Roku device over your home Wi-Fi network. The Roku device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone for casting to work. You open the Roku app, select your device from the list, tap the cast icon, and choose what you want to send to your TV.

Many popular apps have built-in Roku Cast support, which means you do not need the Roku app at all. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Hulu, and others include a cast button inside their own apps. When you tap that button, you select your Roku device and the content plays on your TV. This is often faster than opening a separate casting app because you stay inside the app you are already using.

Which Roku devices support casting

Most Roku devices made in the last five to seven years support Roku Cast, including Roku streaming sticks, Roku boxes, and Roku TVs. Older Roku models from around 2012 or earlier may not have this feature. You can check whether your specific Roku supports casting by opening the Roku mobile app, tapping the menu icon, and looking for your device in the list. If your device appears, it supports casting.

Roku TVs—televisions with Roku built into the display itself—also support Roku Cast. You do not need a separate Roku device if you own a Roku TV. The casting works the same way: you use the Roku app or tap the cast button inside another app, select your TV from the list, and the content appears on screen.

Why you might want Chromecast instead

Chromecast is made by Google and works with the Google Home app and any device running Android or iOS that has the Chromecast button built in. If you already use Google services like Google Photos, Google Play Music, or Android devices throughout your home, Chromecast may feel more natural because it integrates with those services. Chromecast also works with more apps overall because it is a more widely adopted standard.

You do not have to choose between Roku and Chromecast. You can own both. A Chromecast device plugs into any HDMI port on any TV, including a Roku TV. If you have a Roku TV but want Chromecast functionality, you can buy a separate Chromecast device and connect it to a different HDMI input. Then you can use whichever casting method the app or situation calls for.

Casting limitations on Roku

Roku Cast does not support screen mirroring the way some Chromecast devices do. Screen mirroring means casting everything on your phone's screen to the TV, including apps, web pages, and notifications. Roku Cast is limited to casting specific content—photos, videos, and music—from apps that have Roku Cast built in. You cannot cast your entire phone screen to a Roku device.

Some Roku devices do support a feature called Miracast, which is a different wireless casting standard that allows screen mirroring. Check your Roku's specifications or the Roku app to see if your model supports Miracast. If it does, you can mirror your phone or computer screen, but this is a separate feature from Roku Cast and requires your device to support the Miracast standard.

Setting up casting on your Roku device

To cast to a Roku device, first make sure your Roku is connected to your home Wi-Fi network. You can check this in the Roku settings menu under Network. Next, read the Roku mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone. Open the app, sign in with your Roku account (or create one if you do not have one), and your Roku device should appear in the app automatically if it is on the same network.

Once your device appears in the app, you can start casting. Open any app that has a Roku Cast button—Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and others—and tap the cast icon. Select your Roku device from the list, and the content will play on your TV. The first time you cast to a device, you may see a prompt asking you to confirm the connection. After that, casting is when ready.

Troubleshooting casting problems

If your phone cannot find your Roku device, check that both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Roku devices sometimes connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band while phones connect to 2.4 GHz, which prevents them from seeing each other. Log into your router settings and make sure both bands are enabled, or move your phone closer to the Roku device to connect to the stronger signal.

If casting starts but stops or stutters, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your Roku device closer to your router, or restart both your phone and Roku device. Unplug the Roku for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart before trying again. If the problem continues, restart your Wi-Fi router as well by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Chromecast with a Roku TV?

Yes. A Roku TV has multiple HDMI ports. You can plug a Chromecast device into one HDMI port and use it alongside the Roku TV's built-in features. Switch to that HDMI input when you want to use Chromecast, and switch back to the Roku input when you want to use Roku Cast or Roku apps.

Do I need a Roku account to cast?

You need a Roku account to use the Roku mobile app for casting. Creating an account is free and takes a few minutes. Some apps with built-in Roku Cast buttons may not require a Roku account—they only need you to be signed into that specific app.

Can I cast from my computer to Roku?

The Roku mobile app is only available on phones and tablets, not computers. However, many streaming services like Netflix and YouTube have web versions that include a cast button. Open the web version in your browser, click the cast icon, and select your Roku device. Some apps do not support casting from the web version, so check the specific app you want to use.

What if my Roku device is very old?

Roku devices from around 2012 or earlier may not support Roku Cast. Check the Roku app to see if your device appears in the list. If it does not, you can still use the apps built into your Roku device, but you cannot cast to it from your phone. Upgrading to a newer Roku device is the only way to add casting support.