Roku and Fire TV are 2 of the leading streaming platforms worldwide.
But unlike what many people think…
You don’t actually have to choose between them.
Because with just minutes of preparation…
You can use both platforms at the same time.
Keep reading to find out:
- 3 easy ways to use Roku and Firestick on the same TV.
- Which method is the best for you (depending on your TV).
- 5 simple steps to do this setup with 2 physical streaming devices.
- And this is just the beginning…
Can you use Roku and Firestick on the same TV?
You can use Roku and Firestick on the same TV. All you need to do is connect both streaming devices to separate HDMI ports. And change the input source of your TV if you want to switch between the 2 streaming platforms.
3 ways to use Roku and Firestick on the same TV
#1: Using 2 physical streaming devices
Let’s start with the universal method of using Roku and Firestick together.
And that’s simply using 2 physical streaming sticks from the platforms mentioned.
Now, unlike the methods that follow…
This setup works regardless of your TV brand/model.
“Do you recommend this for everyone?”
No. If your current TV has a built-in Roku or Fire TV OS…
It’s best to follow the setup methods below this one.
That way, you won’t waste money duplicating a streaming platform on your TV.
“But I’m not sure if my TV has any of those OS built in.”
No worries. I know…
2 easy ways to know if your TV has a built-in Roku or Fire TV system:
Method 1: Check your device’s user manual
Is the user manual/guide that came with your TV still with you?
Then, check its front page to find your device’s official name.
After all, if you have a TV with a built-in streaming OS…
The platform will also be included in your device’s name.
For example, my current living room TV is called “Westinghouse Roku TV.”
And the one before that was called “TCL 4K TV with Fire TV.”
Don’t see any of the streaming platforms’ names on your TV documents?
Or perhaps, did you lose your device’s user manual?
Well, simply go ahead and try…
Method 2: Power cycle your TV
Now, let’s unplug your TV from power and then plug it back.
This process is called power cycling.
And no doubt, it’s 1 of the best solutions you can try if your TV is acting out of the ordinary.
Of course, though…
This time, you won’t use power cycling to fix any issue on your device.
Instead, you’ll do this to see your TV’s OS.
Because smart TVs show their brand/model when booting up.
Here’s all you need to do:
- Turn ON your TV.
- Unplug it from the outlet.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Reconnect it to its power source.
- Turn ON your TV again using its remote or physical power button.
- Carefully observe the words/graphics that appear on your screen.
If your TV has the Roku or Fire TV OS…
You’ll see the name of that platform on your screen.
Don’t see either of them?
Then, this setup method is best for you. So, follow these…
Steps to connect a Roku stick and a Firestick on the same TV:
Step 1: Purchase the 2 streaming devices
For both Roku and Fire TV…
You have many models to choose from.
So, simply buy the streaming device you prefer from each platform.
“Is it necessary to buy the models that look like sticks?”
Not really.
Both platforms have external streaming devices that aren’t “sticks.”
For example, there’s the Roku Ultra model.
And you can also buy the Fire TV Cube.
Step 2: Ensure your TV has 2 free HDMI ports
Pro tip: Most ports are located at the back of the TV. To check them easily, you need at least 3 ft (1 m) of space behind your device. So, pull your TV away from the wall if necessary before you proceed.
Already have enough space behind your device?
Then, go ahead and read all of its port labels.
And count how many HDMI IN slots you see on your device.
If you see 2 or more empty ports…
Proceed to the next step.
But if you only see 1…
Buy 1 of these HDMI Switcher Splitters.
Because it can provide your TV with 2 extra HDMI IN ports. Which you can then use to connect both streaming sticks.
“But I don’t see any HDMI IN port at all.”
Then, unfortunately, you won’t be able to follow this setup.
See, you most likely have a non-smart TV.
And while you can easily turn regular TVs smart with streaming devices…
You can only connect 1 streaming player to a model without an HDMI port.
Recommended reading: 17 Steps To Connect Roku To TV Without HDMI
Step 3: Turn ON your TV
Connect your device’s power adaptor to the outlet.
Then, turn it ON before you go ahead and also…
Step 4: Connect both streaming devices to power
First, observe the power cables of your streaming devices.
If you have 1 that ends with a USB connector…
Simply plug the cable into 1 of your TV’s USB ports.
Then, connect the other end to your streaming device.
However, if your Roku or Fire TV gadget came with a non-USB power adaptor…
You must connect its power cable plug into the outlet.
Then, insert the connector into your streaming device.
Note: “Stick-like” models automatically turn ON when you plug them into a power source. However, other models might need you to press a power button to turn them ON. Refer to your streaming device’s user manual for more information.
Editor’s pick: Do Rokus Ever Go Bad? Common Problems, Signs & Tips
Step 5: Plug your streaming devices into the TV HDMI ports
Now that your Fire TV and Roku devices are ON…
All you need to do is connect them to your TV.
For “stick” models…
This process is as simple as directly plugging your streaming device into your TV’s HDMI port.
Because these models have built-in HDMI connectors.
However, if you don’t have a Roku Stick or a Firestick, follow these steps:
- Grab your device’s HDMI cable.
- Connect 1 end to your streaming device.
- Plug the other connector into your TV’s HDMI IN port.
Note: Remember which HDMI port each streaming device is connected to.
You’ll need this information so you can easily follow this…
Bonus step: Test both platforms
Now, your TV can access both the Roku and Fire TV streaming platforms.
As long as you select the right input on your big screen.
Still remember the HDMI ports you used for your streaming devices?
Then, tap the Input/Source button on your TV’s remote.
And from the list of available inputs…
Select the HDMI port number of the streaming platform you want to try.
Note: If you’re having trouble switching between your TV’s input sources, check your device’s user manual.
Want a video comparison between the Roku and Fire TV platforms?
I recommend watching this video:
#2: Connecting a Firestick to a Roku TV
Some people assume that because their TV already has the Roku OS…
They can’t add any more streaming platforms to their device.
However, this is simply not true.
Because no TV would ever reject an external streaming device.
Now, you most likely already have a Roku TV…
So, all you need to prepare is a Firestick.
Or, really, any Fire TV streaming device.
Once you have this gadget, just follow these…
Simple steps to add a Fire TV platform to a Roku TV:
Step 1: Check whether you have a Firestick
Firesticks are Fire TV streaming devices with built-in HDMI connectors.
And like their name suggests…
They’re long and thin devices.
“Why do I need to know whether I have a Firestick?”
Well, the exact steps to connect your streaming device to the TV vary based on this information.
So, now that you know whether you have a Firestick…
Step 2: Power up your Roku TV
This step is necessary so you can go ahead and…
Step 3: Turn ON your streaming device
Firestick models:
- Grab your device’s power cable.
- Insert the smaller end into your streaming device’s power port.
- Plug the other connector into your TV’s USB port.
Non-stick models:
Check whether your device’s power cable ends with a power plug or a connector.
If it’s the former…
Insert the plug into a functioning outlet. Then, connect the other end to your Fire TV device.
Note: If your device has a power button, press (and hold) it to turn your streaming player ON.
However, if the cable ends with a USB connector…
Simply connect the bigger end to your TV’s USB port. Then, plug the smaller connector into your streaming device.
Step 4: Connect your Fire TV to your Roku TV
If you have a firestick…
Just insert its HDMI connector into your TV’s HDMI IN port.
However, if your streaming device came with an HDMI cable…
Plug the other end of the cable into your Fire TV’s remaining empty port.
Then, insert the other connector into your TV’s HDMI IN slot.
Note: Remember the TV port’s HDMI number.
Step 5: Test the Fire TV platform
Just switch your Roku TV’s input source to the HDMI number you remembered earlier.
Then, enjoy your new streaming platform.
Read next: How Long Does Amazon Firestick Last? 7 Weird Facts
#3: Plugging a Roku device into a FireOS TV
So, you want to add the Roku platform on top of your FireOS TV.
Luckily, this only takes minutes to do.
First, purchase any Roku streaming device, like the following:
- Roku Ultra.
- Roku Streambar.
- Roku Express (4K).
- Roku Streaming Stick.
Then follow these steps to…
Add the Roku platform to your FireOS TV:
Step 1: Turn ON your TV
Plug its power adapter into the outlet.
And once your TV boots up…
Step 2: Plug your Roku into its power source
If your model has a power cable that ends in a USB connector…
Just follow these steps:
- Insert the small connecter into your streaming player.
- Connect the other end to your TV’s USB port.
However, if you have the Roku Streambar, here’s what you should do:
- Connect the power cable and its adaptor.
- Insert the small connector into your Streambar.
- Plug the other end into a functioning outlet.
- Turn ON your device.
Step 3: Add the Roku system to your FireOS TV
Grab the high-speed HDMI cable of your Roku device.
After that, plug 1 end into your streaming player.
And insert the other connector into your TV’s HDMI IN port.
Note: Remember the HDMI slot’s number.
After successfully connecting your Roku device to your big screen…
Simply change your TV’s input source to the HDMI number you remembered earlier.
And enjoy your newly added Roku system on your Fire TV.