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Use AirPlay to Mirror iPhone to Roku TV
AirPlay is the fastest way to show your iPhone screen on a Roku TV. Most Roku TVs from 2019 and later support AirPlay 2.
- Make sure your iPhone and Roku TV are on the same WiFi network.
- On your iPhone, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner).
- Tap “Screen Mirroring.”
- Select your Roku TV from the list of available devices.
- If prompted, enter the AirPlay code shown on your TV screen.
- Your iPhone screen appears on the TV in real-time.
Everything you do on your iPhone now shows on the TV – apps, websites, games, video calls, presentations. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and tap “Stop Mirroring.”
Screen mirroring shows your entire iPhone display, including notifications and anything you navigate to. If you only want to send a specific video or photo, use AirPlay casting instead (next section) for a cleaner experience.
Cast Videos and Photos With AirPlay
Instead of mirroring your whole screen, you can send just the video or photo to the TV while keeping your iPhone free for other tasks.
- Open the app with the content you want to cast (YouTube, Photos, Safari, Netflix, etc.).
- Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). In some apps, tap the Share button first, then AirPlay.
- Select your Roku TV.
- The video or photo plays on the TV. Your iPhone shows playback controls but you can switch to other apps.
This works with most streaming apps including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV+. The video streams directly to the Roku TV at full quality, independent of what’s happening on your iPhone screen.
Enable AirPlay on Roku TV
If your Roku TV doesn’t appear in the AirPlay device list, AirPlay might need to be enabled.
- On your Roku TV, go to Settings.
- Select “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.”
- Set AirPlay to “On.”
- Optionally, set a code requirement: “First Time Only” (recommended), “Every Time,” or “Use Password.”
“First Time Only” is the best setting for home use – it requires a code the first time a device connects but remembers it for future connections. “Every Time” adds security if others have access to your WiFi.
For a different take, see our guide on how to screen mirror iPhone to Sony TV.
Roku TV Models That Support AirPlay
| Supports AirPlay | Doesn’t Support AirPlay |
|---|---|
| Roku TV (2019 and later, 4K models) | Roku TV (2018 and earlier) |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K / 4K+ | Roku Express (non-4K models) |
| Roku Ultra (2019 and later) | Roku Premiere (older models) |
| Roku Streambar / Streambar Pro | Older Roku sticks without 4K |
Check if your Roku supports AirPlay by going to Settings – if “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit” appears in the menu, it’s supported. If not, you can still use the Roku app method below as an alternative.
Use the Roku App
The free Roku app for iPhone works as a remote control and media streamer, even on older Roku devices that don’t support AirPlay.
- Download “The Roku App (Official)” from the App Store.
- Open the app and connect to your Roku TV (it finds it automatically on your WiFi network).
- Use the app as a remote control with the virtual D-pad, keyboard for text entry, and voice search.
- Tap the “Media” tab to send photos, videos, and music from your iPhone to the TV.
- Tap the headphone icon for “Private Listening” – TV audio plays through your iPhone’s speaker or connected headphones.
The media casting feature in the Roku app sends files from your iPhone’s camera roll directly to the TV. It doesn’t require AirPlay, so it works on every Roku device.
Connect With an HDMI Adapter (Wired)
A wired connection works when WiFi is unreliable or unavailable. You need Apple’s Lightning Digital AV Adapter ($49) or USB-C Digital AV Adapter ($69, for iPhone 15 and later) and an HDMI cable.
- Plug the adapter into your iPhone’s Lightning or USB-C port.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to an HDMI port on your Roku TV.
- Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input.
- Your iPhone screen appears on the TV immediately, no WiFi needed.
The wired connection has zero latency and works for everything including DRM-protected content that sometimes gets blocked over AirPlay. Some streaming apps block HDMI output for copyright reasons, showing a black screen during playback – in those cases, use the app’s built-in AirPlay or Chromecast feature instead.
Troubleshooting
Roku TV not showing in AirPlay list. Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network (not just the same router – check for separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks). Restart both the iPhone and Roku TV. Verify AirPlay is enabled on the Roku (Settings, then Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, then AirPlay On).
If you want to go deeper, we have a separate guide on how to backup iPhone.
AirPlay connected but video won’t play. Some apps restrict AirPlay due to content rights. Try using the app’s built-in casting feature instead of screen mirroring. Netflix, for example, supports AirPlay natively from within the app. If a specific video shows a black screen, it’s likely DRM-restricted for wireless display.
Audio but no video (or video but no audio). Check the Roku TV’s audio output settings. If an external soundbar is connected, the audio may route there while video shows on the TV. Try restarting the AirPlay connection. On the iPhone, make sure the volume is up and the mute switch isn’t engaged.
Lag during screen mirroring. Screen mirroring is more bandwidth-intensive than casting. Move closer to your WiFi router or reduce interference from other devices. A 5GHz WiFi connection gives better performance than 2.4GHz. For the smoothest experience, cast content through apps rather than mirroring your entire screen.
Can I use iPhone as a Roku remote?
Yes. The official Roku app for iPhone works as a full remote control. It includes a virtual D-pad, volume controls, keyboard for text entry (much faster than the on-screen keyboard), voice search, and private listening. Download it free from the App Store.
Does AirPlay work with all streaming apps?
Most major streaming apps support AirPlay, but some have restrictions. Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV+ all work. Some apps may block mirroring of certain content due to DRM. If you hit a black screen while mirroring, try using the app’s built-in AirPlay button instead of full screen mirroring – this usually works even when mirroring doesn’t.
Can I mirror iPhone to Roku without WiFi?
Not wirelessly. AirPlay requires both devices on the same WiFi network. The only way to connect without WiFi is using a Lightning or USB-C to HDMI adapter with an HDMI cable plugged directly into the TV’s HDMI port. This bypasses the Roku entirely and uses the TV as a simple display.
Sources
Roku – AirPlay on Roku | Apple – Use AirPlay
