You cannot cast directly from Chromecast to Roku

Chromecast and Roku are separate casting systems that do not work together. A Chromecast device sends video to a TV through Google's casting protocol. A Roku device does the same thing through Roku's own protocol. You cannot tell a Chromecast to send its stream to a Roku—they speak different languages.

What you can do instead depends on what you are trying to watch. If you want to watch the same content on a Roku that you would cast to Chromecast, you can often open the app directly on the Roku itself. If you want to mirror your phone or computer screen, Roku has its own mirroring feature that works separately from Chromecast.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast and Roku use different casting systems and cannot connect to each other.
  • Most streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Hulu) are available directly on Roku and do not require casting at all.
  • Roku devices have their own screen mirroring feature, called Roku Cast or Screen Mirroring, which works with phones and some computers.
  • If you own both a Chromecast and a Roku, you choose which device to cast to based on which one is connected to the TV you want to use.

Why Chromecast and Roku do not work together

Chromecast is Google's casting standard. When you cast to a Chromecast device, your phone or computer sends a signal that tells the Chromecast what to play, and the Chromecast fetches the video from the internet itself. Roku uses its own casting system with its own protocol and app ecosystem.

Think of it like two different remote control systems. A Chromecast remote speaks Google's language. A Roku remote speaks Roku's language. They cannot understand each other, so a Chromecast device cannot receive instructions meant for Roku, and vice versa.

How to watch streaming content on Roku instead

The easiest solution is to open the streaming app directly on your Roku. Most major services—Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO Max—have Roku apps you can read from the Roku Channel Store. You navigate to the app on your Roku remote, open it, and play what you want. No casting required.

To add an app to your Roku, press the Home button on your Roku remote, scroll to Streaming Channels, select Search Channels, type the name of the app you want, and select Add Channel. The app will install and appear on your home screen. Log in with your account credentials the first time you open it.

If a streaming service has a Roku app, this is almost always faster and more reliable than casting, because the Roku is doing the work directly instead of relying on your phone or computer to stay connected.

How to mirror your phone or computer screen to Roku

Roku has a built-in screen mirroring feature that lets you display your phone or computer screen on the TV. This is different from casting an app—it mirrors everything on your device, not just a video player. The feature is called Roku Cast on some models and Screen Mirroring on others.

To mirror from an Android phone: Open the Quick Settings menu (swipe down from the top), select Cast, choose your Roku device, and your screen will appear on the TV. You can then open any app and it will display on the TV screen.

To mirror from an iPhone: Roku screen mirroring on iPhone is limited. Some newer Roku models support AirPlay, which is Apple's casting system. Swipe down from the top right, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Roku if it appears. Not all Roku devices support this.

To mirror from a Windows computer: Right-click the Windows logo in the taskbar, select System, then Display, then scroll down and select Cast to a device. Choose your Roku from the list. Your computer screen will appear on the TV.

To mirror from a Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the top right, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Roku if it appears. Mac support for Roku mirroring is newer and not available on all models.

When to use Roku mirroring instead of casting

Screen mirroring is useful when you want to show something that does not have its own app on Roku—a web browser tab, a document, a photo library, or a game on your phone. It is also useful if you want to control what is on screen from your phone or computer rather than using the Roku remote.

The downside is that mirroring uses more battery on your phone and more bandwidth on your network. If you are just watching Netflix or YouTube, opening the app directly on Roku is more efficient.

If you have both Chromecast and Roku connected to the same TV

If your TV has multiple HDMI ports and you have plugged in both a Chromecast device and a Roku device, you can use either one. You choose which one by switching the TV's input. Press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and select the HDMI port where your Chromecast or Roku is plugged in.

You cannot use both at the same time on the same TV input. You have to pick one. Most people keep one device plugged in and unplug the other, or use a TV with built-in Roku (many newer TVs have Roku built in, so you do not need a separate device).

What to do if an app is only available on Chromecast

Some smaller streaming services or niche apps may have Chromecast support but no Roku app. In that case, you have a few options: use a Chromecast device instead of Roku, use your phone or computer to watch and mirror the screen to Roku (though this drains battery), or check whether the service has a web version you can open in a Roku web browser if your model supports one.

Most Roku devices do not have a built-in web browser, so this option is limited. Your best bet is usually to use whichever device—Chromecast or Roku—has the app you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Chromecast remote to control a Roku?

No. Chromecast and Roku remotes are not compatible. Each remote only works with its own device. If you have both devices, you will need both remotes, or you can use your phone to control either device through their respective apps.

Does Roku have a casting feature like Chromecast?

Yes. Roku has screen mirroring (also called Roku Cast), which lets you mirror your phone or computer screen to the TV. It works differently from Chromecast—it mirrors your entire screen rather than just sending a video stream—but it serves a similar purpose.

Why does my Roku not show up when I try to cast from my phone?

Your Roku and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure both devices are connected to the same network, restart your Roku, and try again. If you are using Android, open Settings, go to Connected devices, and make sure Cast is turned on. On iPhone, check that AirPlay is enabled in your Roku settings if your model supports it.

Can I cast YouTube from my phone to Roku?

Yes, but it is easier to open the YouTube app directly on your Roku. If you want to cast, open YouTube on your phone, tap the Cast icon, select your Roku, and choose a video. However, since Roku has a YouTube app, you can also just open YouTube on the Roku itself without using your phone at all.