Roku is a popular service for cord cutters. Its devices connect to your TV monitor and allow you to stream content from the internet, including popular TV channels like ABC and streaming sites like Netflix or YouTube.
Since Roku uses the internet as opposed to a traditional TV connection, you’ll need to connect your Roku device to the internet either via Wifi or an Ethernet cable. Today, I’ll explain how to do that.
Alternatively, if you came here to find out how to browse the web on a Roku, you’ve come to the right place as well. I’ll talk about whether you can download a browser from the Roku channel store and how to cast a web browser to your Roku from your phone or computer.
Scroll down to the second part of this article to learn how to use a web browser on your Roku.
How to Connect Your Roku to the Internet for Streaming
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There are two ways to connect a Roku device to the internet: over Wifi or with an Ethernet cable.
How to Connect Your Roku to Wifi
I’m assuming you have already completed the initial setup steps for your Roku.
If not, you’ll have to connect your Roku device to your TV by plugging the HDMI cable or Streaming Stick into your TV’s HDMI port. You’ll also have to make sure your Roku’s power plug is plugged in and that you have turned on and paired the remote.
If you need help doing that, check out this help article from Roku, which details the process for the above steps, including for less common TV models.
Once all that is done, you’ll be able to get Wifi on your Roku. First, though, use the remote control to select your language on the Roku setup screen that appears on your TV.
Pro tip: Use the buttons on your remote to navigate the options on the screen. When you want to select an option, use the “OK” button.
After choosing a language, select “Wireless.” You’ll see a list of available networks.
Have your Wifi network name (SSID) on hand. If you have a few Wifi connections in your home, choose the one that is the fastest or closest, with the strongest signal.
If your network doesn’t appear, scan again for new networks.
Enter your password once you have selected your network. If you’re not sure whether you entered the password correctly, select “Show Password.”
Then, select “Connect” to connect to the network. Before you start streaming, you should wait until the Roku device downloads available updates.
Also Read: Where is Browser on a Computer?
How to Use an Ethernet Cable to Get Internet on Your Roku
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Alternatively, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect your Roku to the internet.
If your Roku device has an Ethernet port, doing that is simple. Just connect your Ethernet cable to your Roku by plugging it into its Ethernet port, with the other end plugged directly into your router.
If your Roku doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you can use a third-party Ethernet adapter. Only a few models support a third-party adapter, and you need to use a specific adapter that meets the required specifications.
You can read more about which Roku models support an adapter and which adapter to use on this page.
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You’ll need to plug the adapter into the USB or micro USB port on your Roku device and then plug the Ethernet cable into the adapter, with the other end plugged into your router.
If you have a Roku Express 4K or Express 4K+, you’ll need to disconnect the power cord from the USB or micro USB port first. Then, connect the power cord to the Ethernet adapter, with the other end of the power cord plugged into a power source.
Either way, make sure to select “Wired” instead of “Wireless” when setting up your Roku device.
Why use a wired connection instead of a wireless one? Sometimes, a wired connection can be faster and more stable than a Wifi connection, and it can allow you to stream with fewer interruptions.
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How to Use a Browser on a Roku Device
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Let’s move on to the next part of this article: using a web browser on a Roku. Even if you’re an experienced Roku user, it’s easy to get stumped by this problem, as there’s no straightforward way to download a browser to your Roku.
Why Use a Browser on a Roku?
Sometimes, you might want to stream videos from a browser on your Roku. Those videos or movies might only be available on a specific streaming or pirating site that isn’t available from the Roku channel store.
For example, while Netflix has many films, not all of them are available in all regions, and some films are only available from sites like 123Movies. Being able to use a web browser will open up many new streaming opportunities on your Roku.
Does the Roku Store Have Any Web Browsers?
No. Developers have released various web browsers on the Roku store; you may have come across names like Web Browser X and Poprism.
However, Roku has taken down those browsers – in fact, Roku regularly takes down browsers from the channel store as soon as they are released.
Roku does not allow web browsers. In fact, this support article makes it clear that Roku does not offer web browsing on a browser.
Why is that?
The reason is simple: Roku doesn’t want you to stream content from streaming sites. Roku is a free service, but it makes money from ads and partnerships with sites like Netflix.
If you stream content from sites like 123Movies or any site that supports pirated or free content, Roku will have no way of monetizing that.
To prevent that, Roku doesn’t include any browser support. Besides, there may be security concerns with browsers, and Roku’s hardware is not really advanced enough to offer a quality web browser experience.
Fortunately, though, there is a workaround for those looking for web browsers on Roku devices. Instead of using a web browser on your Roku directly, you can use one on your phone or laptop and cast it to your Roku.
The video or movie you are streaming on your mobile browser will then be cast directly to and appear on your Roku.
How to Cast a Browser From Your iPhone or Android to Your Roku
I recommend using the Web Video Caster app by InstantBits, which appears in the app stores as “Web Video Cast | Browser to TV.”
Here are some helpful links:
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Since the app is available on the Android and iOS app stores, Roku has no control over it and can’t take it down at its whim.
Start by downloading the app to your iOS or Android device from one of the above links. Then, open the app.
You’ll find a built-in web browser in the app. You’ll need to use this built-in browser instead of Chrome or another browser on your phone.
Using the built-in browser, visit your favorite streaming sites and find films or videos you want to stream.
Use the cast icon in the top-right corner of the browser to cast the content you are streaming to your Roku. The app will search for and find your Roku; connect to it and start streaming!
The app supports features like subtitles. It’s not a mirroring app, so it can’t display anything else on your phone screen – it will just grab the video URL from your phone and send it to your TV screen.
How to Mirror Your Phone or Computer on Your Roku
Another option is mirroring your phone or computer screen to your Roku. When you mirror (which is not the same as casting), you can display anything that appears on your phone or computer screen on your Roku, regardless of which browser or app you are using.
So, you would be able to use Chrome, Firefox, or any other app – including Netflix – on your phone and have what appears on your phone or computer show up on your TV screen.
Let’s first discuss how to mirror from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Newer Roku devices support Airplay, which includes a mirroring feature. You’ll need an iOS 12.3 or later or a Mac Mojave 10.14.5 or later.
You’ll also need a compatible Roku device running a compatible Roku OS version. See more information about supported devices here.
Both your Roku device and iOS or Mac device must be connected to the same wireless network for this to work.
When playing a video or audio on your iOS or Mac device, you’ll need to select the Airplay icon (you might have to click on the Share button for it to appear). Here’s how it looks for audio (it looks different for video):
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Then, you’ll need to find and select your Roku to connect and mirror it.
On an Android, you can usually find the mirroring option from the pull-down menu at the top of your screen. While most Android devices support mirroring, early Android devices and Google-branded devices (like Pixel) may not support it.
Find the mirroring option from the pull-down menu – it may be called SmartView, SmartShare, Cast, HTC Connect, or something else, depending on the phone manufacturer. You might also find a mirroring option in your settings.
If you don’t find a mirroring option, your phone may not support it. It all depends on the manufacturer and model.
Then, click on it and find and connect to your Roku. You can now mirror anything on your phone, including your web browser, to your Roku.
You can also mirror from Windows. It was called Miracast on Windows 8.1, but Windows 10 and 11 also support mirroring.
Finding the mirroring option is easy, but it depends on your version of Windows.
- Windows 8.1: Find “Devices” in your Charms menu. Click on “Projects” and then “Add a Wireless device” to find and connect to your Roku.
- Windows 10: In your taskbar, click on “Action Center” and then “Connect.”
- Windows 11: In your taskbar, click on “Network” and then “Cast.”
Note that whether you’re mirroring from an iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, you’ll need to confirm and allow the connection on your TV screen before your Roku device will start mirroring your computer or phone. You’ll also need to ensure both devices are connected to the same wireless network.
If your phone doesn’t support mirroring, there may be a workaround. You can download the movie from the site you’re streaming it from.
Also Read: Best Browsers for YouTube Steaming
Then, once downloaded, you can use the Roku app for Android or iOS to cast that video to your Roku device. The official Roku app includes a feature that allows you to cast personal videos and photos from your gallery to your Roku TV; the feature is called Play on Roku.
The Roku app also allows you to use your phone as a remote.
Wrapping It Up
Once you connect your Roku to your Wifi network, you can start browsing the web by connecting it to your phone.
You have two options: Using a casting app like Web Video Caster or mirroring your phone or computer screen to your Roku.
