How to Cast on Roku

Like most streaming devices, Roku totes its ease of use and accessibility as two of its main sells to potential buyers. And while it is true that Roku is, for the most part, easy to use, the Roku comes with some functionalities that buyers may find difficult to access.

One such feature is casting, or the ability to play something on one device and have it show up on the screen of another device. Roku offers this feature, but those unfamiliar with it may run into trouble setting it up on their devices. If this sounds like you or you've never even heard of casting on Roku then fret not. We've got you covered.

Setting up devices to cast on Roku

Before you begin casting on Roku, make sure you've configured whatever mobile device you're planning to cast with to your Roku device. Making sure your device is set up is a relatively simple process. Here's what you need to do.

1. Make sure that both your Roku and other device are accessing the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Check that both devices are loaded with the same applications needed for casting.

3. Open the application you plan to cast onto your other device and then search for the casting option.

Keep in mind that not all mobile devices will be compatible with Roku's casting feature. However, Roku's website does state that most iOS and Android mobile devices should have casting capabilities. Last, you should know that you only have to set up casting on your device once. You should be able to cast whenever you want after you completed the steps for device set up.

How to cast on Roku step-by-step

Once you've set your casting device up, you're more than halfway there. Now, you'll need to prepare your device to actually cast content on your Roku. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Open the app and video you are planning to cast on your mobile device.

2. Look for the casting icon in the app. It usually looks like a small TV screen with a Wi-Fi signal.

3. Click the casting icon and select your Roku device when prompted.

4. Wait a few seconds for each device to process the request.

5. Roku will launch a channel, usually one that's compatible with the app on your mobile device, and take you to your content.

6. Playback for your content should begin automatically.

Casting vs. Screen Mirroring

Casting may be a simple process, but it's often confused for screen mirroring -- another functionality of the Roku. Because the processes for screen mirroring and casting on the Roku are similar, it's easy to see why you could mistake one for the other. However, there are certain key differences between the two you should be aware of when using your Roku.

For one, casting requires you to be watching content on an app. You can't cast from a web browser, photo/image library, or anywhere else. And you'll also need to make sure that the app you are planning to cast from is loaded on both your Roku and mobile devices. 

With screen mirroring, you can view an exact copy of the screen on your mobile device onto your Roku. You don't have to have any additional apps or anything, just a screen you want to mirror onto your device. Images, web browsers, videos, and more can all be mirrored onto your Roku device.

Our final take

Casting onto your Roku is easy once you know what steps to take. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but for the most part, the casting process is straightforward and easy to replicate. So now that you're in the know, you should have no problem casting your favorite content from streamers like Disney Plus, Sling, fuboTV, and more. And if casting isn't your speed you can always try live TV or 4K streaming on Roku