Roku TV is a direct competitor of Android TV.
Android is made by Google. And so is Chromecast.
Therefore, Chromecast wouldn’t be able to work on Roku, right?
Or would it?
Continue reading to find out:
- 7 easy steps to use Chromecast on Roku TV.
- What you’ll need to be able to cast to your Roku TV.
- Alternative methods of casting to Roku TV even without Chromecast.
- And a lot more…
Can you use Chromecast on Roku TV?
You can use Chromecast on Roku TV. Chromecast will work on any device with an HDMI port. And all Roku TVs, regardless of manufacturers, have that. You only need to plug the Chromecast into the Roku TV. Then switch your TV to the correct input. And you may begin casting media files on your Roku TV.
How to use Chromecast on Roku TV – 7 Steps
#1: Connect the Chromecast to your Roku TV’s HDMI port
There are many manufacturers of Roku TVs. These include:
- TCL.
- RCA.
- Sharp.
- Hisense.
- Westinghouse.
And all of those Roku TV variants have multiple HDMI ports. So just connect your Chromecast to one of those.
#2: Plug the Chromecast into an outlet
Your Chromecast won’t work unless you power it on.
So, connect the power adapter to the Chromecast. And then plug the adapter into a power source.
#3: Go to the correct input setting on your Roku TV
HDMI ports on Roku TVs all have a designated number. So check the number of the HDMI port where you plugged the Chromecast.
It could be HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or something similar.
Then, switch your Roku TV’s input to the corresponding HDMI port.
The easiest way to change the input is through the Roku TV’s Home screen. And you may also do it through the Settings menu.
But I’ll provide the steps for both.
How to change your Roku TV input via the Home screen
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Click the right arrow button to go to the Channels section.
- Look for the correct HDMI input and select it.
How to change your Roku TV input through the Settings menu
- From the Home screen, scroll down and click Settings.
- Select TV Inputs.
- Press the remote’s right arrow button.
- Select the correct HDMI input.
If this isn’t the first time you’re using your Chromecast, you should now be able to cast. You may jump to Step #7.
But if you haven’t set up your Chromecast yet…
Proceed to the next steps.
#4: Download and install the Google Home app on your phone
The Google Home app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.
#5: Link the Chromecast to your Google Home app
Step #1: Launch the Google Home app on your phone. Then click the Get Started button.
Step #2: Log in to your Google account.
Step #3: Create a home for your devices. Set up a nickname for your home. And type in your address. Then click Next.
Step #4: The app should start scanning for devices. When the app asks what device you’re setting up, select Chromecast.
Step #5: Once the app finds your Chromecast, click the Next button.
Step #6: A code will appear on both the app and your Roku TV. Check if the codes match. Then click Yes to proceed.
Step #7: Select the location of your Chromecast. This would help in naming and organizing your Google Home app devices.
Step #8: Connect your Chromecast to WiFi. Ensure that it’s the same one that your phone is using.
That’s it. Your Chromecast and Google Chrome app are now linked.
You may simply repeat the steps should you encounter some error in linking.
#6: Add services to your Chromecast
To be able to cast from apps like Netflix or Spotify…
You’ll need to add these apps or services to Chromecast. Here’s how:
Step #1: From the Google app’s home screen, select Media.
Step #2: You’ll see categories such as Video, Music, and Podcast. Select the category of the app that you want to cast from.
Select Video if it’s a streaming service like Netflix or HBO Max.
For apps like Spotify and Soundcloud, select Music.
Step #3: Select the app that you want to add. And click Link Account. Then enter your account details.
#7: You may start casting
To do it, just tap an app from your phone that you’d like to cast from.
For example, if you’d like to cast a Netflix movie to the Roku TV via Chromecast…
Just open the Netflix app on your smartphone. Then tap the casting icon on the top right of the app. It’s the one with the box and the WiFi signal icon inside.
A window should pop up. Select your Chromecast from there.
You should now see Netflix on your Roku TV screen.
And the process is the same for any other app.
Now, I know a visual guide would also help.
So check out this short video on how to use Chromecast:
Can you cast to Roku TV without Chromecast?
You can cast to Roku TV without Chromecast. You may use either a laptop or a smartphone. Just ensure you connect your Roku TV and other devices to the same WiFi network. And that they both have the app you’re trying to cast from.
When Chromecast first came out in 2013…
Most smartphones and laptops can’t cast yet.
And the majority of TVs aren’t smart.
But with advancements in technology…
Today you can now easily cast from your phone or laptop to your TV. Even without the help of a 3rd party device like Chromecast.
I’ll walk you through the casting process using a phone and a laptop.
However, you should prepare your Roku TV for casting first.
How to prepare your Roku TV for casting
There are 2 requirements before you can cast to your Roku TV from another device:
First, your Roku TV and the other device should use the same WiFi network. Otherwise, your device won’t be able to detect your Roku TV for casting.
Second, your Roku TV should also have the streaming app you’ll use on your phone.
So if you’re casting from, say, Netflix or Spotify…
You need to make sure that your Roku TV also has that app.
Now, if your Roku TV doesn’t have it…
You may simply download and install it from Roku’s Channel Store.
How to install apps or channels on Roku TV
Step #1: Press your Roku remote’s Home button.
Step #2: Navigate to Streaming Channels and select it.
Step #3: Select Search Channels. Then type in the name of the app or channel you want to install.
Step #4: Once you find the channel, click the Add Channel button.
Step #5: Enter your Roku PIN if you have one.
Your Roku TV should then begin downloading and installing the channel.
Now before casting to your Roku TV…
You also need to ensure that your TV has the latest updates.
A common reason casting sometimes doesn’t work is that the Roku OS is outdated.
How to update your Roku TV’s OS
- Click the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select Settings.
- Click System.
- Select System update.
- Click the Check Now option.
If there are available updates, your Roku TV should begin downloading them. Just wait for the download and installation process to finish. Your TV should then restart afterward.
So, let’s do a recap.
Have you verified that your Roku TV and other devices are using the same WiFi?
Have you finished updating your Roku TV?
And were you able to install the necessary app or channel?
If your answers are yes to all of those…
It means your Roku TV’s now ready for casting.
How to cast to Roku TV using a smartphone
Step #1: From your mobile device, open the app you’ll be casting from.
Step #2: Start playing a media file from the app.
For example, select a movie or series if you’re casting from Netflix. And click the play button.
Step #2: Look for the casting icon on the mobile app. Then tap it.
Step #3: A list of available devices will pop up. Select your Roku TV from the list.
The app should then automatically launch on your Roku TV. And the content you selected on your phone should play on the TV screen.
How to cast to Roku TV using a laptop
Step #1: Open a Google Chrome web browser on your laptop.
Are you using a different browser?
If so, you may simply download and install Chrome from its official webpage.
The reason we’ll be using Chrome is that it has a built-in option for casting. And not all browsers have it.
Step #2: Open the website where you’ll be casting from. Streaming services like Netflix and Youtube all have official websites.
Again, just ensure that your Roku TV has the app version of the site you’ll be using.
Step #3: Select a media file from the website you opened.
Step #4: Click the menu icon on the Chrome browser. It’s the one with 3 dots aligned vertically.
You’ll find it on the upper-right portion of the browser.
Step #5: Click Cast from the menu.
Step #6: A cast tab should appear listing all the devices you can cast to. Select your Roku TV.
Your Roku TV should then play the media file you opened on the website.