You cannot cast directly from Chromecast to Roku

Chromecast and Roku are separate casting systems that do not talk to each other. A Chromecast device sends video to a TV through its own protocol; a Roku device does the same through a different protocol. You cannot use Chromecast to send content to a Roku, and you cannot use Roku's casting system to send content to a Chromecast.

What you can do instead depends on what you are trying to watch. If you want to stream the same content on both devices, you cast to each one separately using its own system. If you want to move content from one device to the other, you need a workaround that does not involve direct casting.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast and Roku use incompatible casting systems and cannot send video to each other directly.
  • Most streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+) work on both Chromecast and Roku, so you can cast the same content to whichever device you choose.
  • If you need to mirror your phone or computer screen, Chromecast uses Google Cast and Roku uses AirPlay or Roku's own screen mirroring — each device only accepts its own system.
  • The simplest solution is usually to use the streaming app directly on the Roku instead of casting from your phone.

Why Chromecast and Roku are not compatible

Chromecast is Google's casting standard. When you cast from your phone or computer, you are sending instructions to the Chromecast device telling it which video to play and where to find it. The Chromecast then connects directly to the streaming service and pulls the video itself.

Roku uses its own casting system. Roku devices recognize Roku's protocol, not Google's. A Roku will not understand a Chromecast command, just as a Chromecast will not understand a Roku command. They are built on different technical foundations and do not share a common language.

This is not a limitation of the devices themselves — it is a choice made by the companies that built them. Google controls Chromecast, and Roku controls its own platform. Neither has built support for the other's system.

Streaming the same content to both devices

The easiest workaround is to cast to each device separately. Most major streaming apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video — work on both Chromecast and Roku. You can open the app on your phone, cast to your Chromecast in one room, then open the same app and cast to your Roku in another room.

This means you are not moving the video from one device to the other. Instead, you are telling each device independently to play the same show. Both devices fetch the video from the streaming service at the same time.

If you want to watch the same thing on both TVs simultaneously, this is the standard approach. You do not need any special setup — just open the app and use its built-in cast button to choose which device you want.

Mirroring your phone or computer screen to Roku instead

If you are trying to mirror your phone screen (show everything on your phone's display on the TV), Chromecast and Roku use different systems. Chromecast accepts Google Cast mirroring. Roku accepts AirPlay (from iPhones and Macs) or Roku's own screen mirroring protocol (from Android phones and Windows computers).

To mirror to Roku from an Android phone, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, tap "Cast" or "Screen Mirroring," and select your Roku device. From a Windows computer, open Settings, go to System > Display, scroll down to "Multiple displays," and select "Connect to a wireless display." Then choose your Roku.

If you have an iPhone or Mac, you can use AirPlay instead. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your Roku. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right, select "Screen Mirroring," and choose your Roku.

Using the Roku app directly instead of casting

Many people assume they need to cast to a Roku, but the simplest approach is often to skip casting altogether. Most streaming apps are built directly into Roku devices or available for read from the Roku Channel Store. You can open Netflix, YouTube, or any other app directly on the Roku without casting from your phone.

This means you do not need your phone at all once the app is running. You use the Roku remote to navigate, search, and play. This is actually faster than casting in many cases, because you are not waiting for your phone to communicate with the device — the Roku is doing the work directly.

If the app you want is not on your Roku, check the Roku Channel Store (accessible from the Roku home screen). Most major services are there. If it is not, that is when casting from your phone becomes necessary — but Roku's screen mirroring will work, not Chromecast.

Switching between Chromecast and Roku in your home

If you have both devices in different rooms, the workflow is straightforward: use Chromecast in rooms where you have a Chromecast device, and use Roku in rooms where you have a Roku device. Each room has its own casting system, and you use whichever one is available.

When you open a streaming app on your phone, the cast button will show you only the devices that are compatible with that app. If you are in a room with a Chromecast and want to cast, tap the cast button and select the Chromecast. If you move to a room with a Roku and want to cast, use Roku's screen mirroring instead.

Over time, you may find that you prefer one system over the other. Many people find that using the app directly on the device (whether Chromecast or Roku) is faster than casting from a phone, so the casting feature becomes less important once you get used to the remote.

What to do if you want to replace one device with the other

If you currently have a Chromecast and are thinking about switching to Roku, or vice versa, the main difference you will notice is the remote. Chromecast does not come with a remote — you control it entirely from your phone or voice assistant. Roku comes with a physical remote, which many people prefer for everyday use.

Both devices support the same major streaming apps, so your subscriptions will work on either one. The casting experience is different (Google Cast for Chromecast, Roku's system for Roku), but if you mostly use the app directly on the device, this difference will not matter much.

If you have a choice between the two, consider how you like to control your TV. If you prefer a remote and do not mind using the app directly on the device, Roku is a good fit. If you prefer controlling everything from your phone or using voice commands, Chromecast is simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Chromecast remote with a Roku device?

No. Chromecast does not have a remote — it is controlled through your phone, a Google Home device, or a compatible smart TV remote. Roku has its own remote and does not recognize Chromecast controls. The two systems are completely separate.

Will casting from my phone to Chromecast work if I have a Roku TV?

Only if your Roku TV has Chromecast built in. Some newer Roku TVs include Chromecast as an additional feature, but most Roku TVs do not. Check your TV's settings or manual to see if Chromecast is available. If it is not, you will need to use Roku's casting system instead.

What if I want to watch something that is only on Chromecast?

Chromecast itself is not a streaming service — it is a way to send video to your TV. The content comes from apps like Netflix, YouTube, or others. If an app works on Roku, you can use it on Roku. If an app only works on Chromecast, you would need a Chromecast device to use it, or you could check if the app is available directly on your Roku.

Can I use both Chromecast and Roku on the same TV?

Yes, if your TV has multiple HDMI ports. You can plug a Chromecast into one port and a Roku into another, then switch between them using your TV's input selector. However, you can only watch one at a time, so this is mainly useful if different people in your household prefer different systems.

Is there a way to make Chromecast and Roku work together?

No. There is no adapter, app, or workaround that makes the two systems compatible. They use different protocols and do not communicate with each other. Your options are to use each device in its own room, cast to each one separately, or choose one system for your home.