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- If you’ve lost your Roku remote, you can still control your TV.
- You’ll need to be on your phone and on the same Wi-Fi.
- Replacement remotes are quite affordable.
Roku has become synonymous with smart TVs, and there’s a good chance you have the iconic rectangular remote in your home. If you do, you know how quickly they can slip between the couch cushions, fall into the laundry basket, become a dog chew toy, or disappear into the recesses of the kid’s room.
Luckily, you don’t need a physical remote to control your Roku TV. If your Roku remote is missing, here are four ways you can still control your TV.
Also: Roku sued for allegedly bricking TVs — see which models are affected, and your best options
1. Use the Roku app as a remote
The easiest way to control your Roku TV without a remote is with the Roku app (iOS/Android). If you don’t already have it, you’re missing out on a lot of functionality. You can search for content in the app to cast to your TV or tap it to resume watching where you left off, but you can also tap “Remote” at the bottom of the app to pull up a digital remote that works exactly like the real thing.
In some ways, it’s a little better than a real remote. The Roku app has voice search, the ability to quickly turn on closed captions or set a sleep timer, Private Listening that plays audio through your device or connected headphones, a keyboard that’s much faster than typing letter by letter with your remote, and the ability to quickly switch between inputs without having to return to the home screen. It’s not as convenient for me since I have a larger phone, but it gets the job done whenever I lose my remote.
Also: Your Roku has hidden settings and menu screens – here’s how to unlock them
To do this, your phone and your TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Cast from your phone
In addition to using your phone as a remote, you can also cast from your phone to your Roku TV if you’re watching in a supported app like Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+. You’ll need to have the Milan app installed on your TV, and you’ll know it’s available when you see the Cast button on the content you’re watching. (This sometimes doesn’t appear until you’re actually looking at something.)
Casting from an app is a little different from screen mirroring because you can still use your phone or turn it off completely, and it only shows your selected content instead of everything on your phone.
3. Screen Mirror with your Android or Windows device
Most Android phones offer a way to mirror your phone’s screen to your Roku device. It’s called different things like Smart View, Cast, Quick Connect, SmartShare, Wireless Display, or Display Mirroring, but they all work the same way. You’ll usually find this by swiping down on the top quick settings menu. Once you’re connected, simply start the content on your phone and you’ll see it on your TV. Unlike casting, you can’t use your phone for anything else.
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4. AirPlay with your Apple device
Like screen mirroring with Android, you can do the same with Apple devices using AirPlay. Both your iPhone and Roku need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To get started, go to Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and tap Screen Mirroring. From there, select which device you want to mirror. Like screen mirroring with Android, you won’t be able to use your phone (because what’s on your screen is shown on your TV), but it’s enough to get you going.
Also: Roku TV vs. Fire Stick: Why I’m looking beyond streaming resolution when comparing the two
buy a new remote
Okay, recommending using a remote is technically against the spirit of this article, but if you’ve been living without a remote long enough, you know there’s often no other option. You can get a basic Roku remote for $10, a Roku remote with voice controls for under $20, or Roku Voice Remote ProWhich is rechargeable for about $30. you can also find Unbranded Knockoff Roku Remote For about $5 each. These seem a lot cheaper than a regular remote and probably won’t last as long, but I’ve had success using them for my kids’ rooms.
