How to Use Your Phone as a Roku Remote

If you've ever lost your Roku remote, or if you want to type a search without hunting and pecking through an on-screen keyboard one letter at a time, the Roku mobile app is the answer. It's free, available for both iPhone and Android, and turns your phone into a full-featured replacement remote.

The Roku app connects to your Roku device over your home WiFi network. Your phone and your Roku need to be on the same WiFi network for the app to find the device. Once connected, the app shows a virtual remote with all the same buttons as the physical remote.

Beyond basic navigation, the app has a few features that the physical remote doesn't. The keyboard feature lets you type using your phone's full keyboard instead of scrolling through on-screen letters — this makes searching for shows much faster. The private listening feature lets you plug headphones into your phone and hear the TV's audio through them while the TV itself stays silent or at a lower volume. This is great for watching TV late at night without disturbing others.

You can also use the app to launch channels directly, cast photos and videos from your phone to your Roku, and find the remote if you've misplaced it (the app can make it beep on Roku Voice Remote Pro models).

Setting up the app takes about two minutes. Download it, connect to the same WiFi as your Roku, and tap the device when it appears. The app works with all current Roku devices including Roku sticks, Roku boxes, and Roku-powered TVs.

Even if you don't lose your physical remote often, the keyboard alone makes the Roku app worth installing. Typing a movie title or actor's name takes seconds instead of minutes.