You cannot use AirPlay directly on Roku TVs, but you can mirror your screen through a workaround

Roku TVs do not have built-in AirPlay support — AirPlay is Apple's streaming technology, and Roku uses its own system. However, you have two real options: use screen mirroring (which works on some Roku models) or cast through an app that both devices support, like Spotify or YouTube. Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone or Mac screen to your TV, while app casting sends just that one app.

Screen mirroring works on Roku TV models from 2019 onward. If your Roku is older, you will need to use individual apps instead. Before you start, make sure your iPhone, Mac, and Roku TV are all on the same Wi-Fi network — they cannot talk to each other if they are on different networks or if one is on a guest network.

Key Takeaways

  • Roku TVs do not support AirPlay, but you can mirror your iPhone or Mac screen to newer Roku models (2019 and later) through the screen mirroring feature.
  • Screen mirroring sends your entire screen to the TV, while app casting (through Spotify, YouTube, or similar) sends only that single app.
  • All devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for either method to work.
  • If screen mirroring does not appear in your Control Center or AirPlay menu, your Roku TV is too old or the feature is turned off in Roku settings.

How to mirror your iPhone screen to a Roku TV

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Look for a button labeled Screen Mirroring — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it and wait a few seconds for your Roku TV to appear in the list.

When you see your Roku TV's name, tap it. Your iPhone will ask for a PIN code that appears on your TV screen — this is a one-time security check. Type that PIN into your iPhone and tap Connect. Your entire iPhone screen will now appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If Screen Mirroring does not appear in your Control Center, your Roku TV either does not support it or the feature is turned off. Check your Roku TV's settings by going to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and make sure it is set to On or Prompt (not Off). If your Roku TV is from 2018 or earlier, screen mirroring is not available on that model.

How to mirror your Mac screen to a Roku TV

On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar (it looks like a rectangle divided into sections). Click Screen Mirroring and look for your Roku TV's name in the dropdown list. Click your TV's name.

Your Mac will display a PIN code on the TV screen. Enter that PIN on your Mac when prompted. Your Mac screen will now mirror to the TV. To stop, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If you do not see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, your Mac may be running an older version of macOS. Screen mirroring to Roku requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer. You can check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac.

Using app casting instead of screen mirroring

If screen mirroring is not working or not available on your Roku, you can cast individual apps instead. This method works on any Roku TV, even older models. Open an app like Spotify, YouTube, or Apple TV on your iPhone or Mac, look for a Cast or AirPlay icon (usually in the top or bottom corner), and tap it. Select your Roku TV from the list.

App casting only sends that one app to your TV — your phone or Mac screen stays private. This is useful if you want to play music or watch a video without mirroring everything you do. The downside is that not every app supports casting. Streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Spotify all support it, but smaller apps may not.

Troubleshooting when mirroring will not connect

The most common reason mirroring fails is that your devices are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that your iPhone, Mac, and Roku TV are all connected to the same network name. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name, try connecting all devices to the 2.4GHz version — some Roku models work better on the slower band.

If devices are on the same network but still will not connect, restart your Roku TV. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot. While it is restarting, also restart your iPhone or Mac. Once everything is back on, try mirroring again.

If the PIN code does not appear on your TV screen, the Roku TV may have screen mirroring turned off. Go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring on your Roku and change it from Off to Prompt or On. The Prompt setting asks you to confirm each connection, while On connects automatically.

What to do if your Roku TV is too old for screen mirroring

Roku TVs made before 2019 do not support screen mirroring from Apple devices. If you have an older Roku, your only option is to use apps that both your device and Roku support. Download the app on your Roku TV (through the Roku Channel Store), then open the same app on your iPhone or Mac and look for a Cast button.

Most major streaming services work this way. You can cast YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music, and many others to any Roku TV, regardless of age. The limitation is that you can only cast apps — you cannot mirror your entire screen or use apps that do not have casting built in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Roku TV not show up in my iPhone's Screen Mirroring list?

Your devices are likely on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both your iPhone and Roku TV are connected to the same network name. If screen mirroring is turned off on your Roku, it will not appear in the list — go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and turn it on.

Can I use AirPlay to cast music to my Roku TV?

Not directly through AirPlay, but you can cast music through apps. Open Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music on your iPhone, tap the Cast icon, and select your Roku TV. This sends the audio and app interface to your TV while keeping your phone free to use.

Does screen mirroring work on all Roku TV models?

No. Screen mirroring works on Roku TVs made in 2019 or later. If your Roku is from 2018 or earlier, you will need to use app casting instead. You can find your TV's model year in Settings > System > About.

Will screen mirroring drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more power than normal use because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your iPhone into power. App casting uses less battery because only the app data is being sent, not the entire screen.

Can I mirror my iPad to a Roku TV the same way?

Yes. iPad uses the same Control Center as iPhone. Swipe down from the top-right corner, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Roku TV, and enter the PIN when prompted. The process is identical.