To use Chromecast on Roku TV, you don’t need a separate Google dongle for most popular streaming apps, your Roku TV already supports casting directly from apps like YouTube and Netflix. This guide shows you exactly how to use Chromecast on Roku TV by leveraging the built-in casting protocol, plus what to do when an app won’t connect.
Does Roku TV have Chromecast built in?
Roku TVs do not include Google’s Chromecast hardware, but they do support a casting standard called DIAL (Discovery and Launch). This means many apps on your phone can send content straight to your Roku TV over the same Wi-Fi network, without any extra device. The Roku TV appears as a cast target in compatible apps, so the experience feels identical to using a Chromecast, just without the dongle, though the visual fidelity can differ, which is worth comparing in Chromecast vs Roku screen mirroring quality.
How to use Chromecast on Roku TV without extra hardware
If you want to cast from your phone to your Roku TV, follow these steps:
- Make sure your phone and Roku TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open a compatible app on your phone, such as YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify.
- Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the corner) inside the app.
- Select your Roku TV from the list of available devices.
- Your content will start playing on the TV, and you can control playback from your phone.
This method works for any app that supports Roku’s casting protocol. You don’t need to install the Google Home app or configure anything on the Roku side, just keep both devices on the same network.
Which apps can cast directly to Roku TV?
Many popular streaming services support direct casting to Roku TV, including YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. To identify whether an app supports casting, look for the Cast icon in the app’s playback screen or settings menu. If you see the icon, tap it and choose your Roku TV from the device list.
What to do when an app doesn't show your Roku TV
If you tap the Cast icon but your Roku TV doesn’t appear, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check that your phone and Roku TV are on the exact same Wi-Fi network, not just the same router, but the same band (2.4GHz or 5GHz).
- Restart both your phone and your Roku TV by turning them off and on again.
- Update your Roku TV’s firmware by going to Settings > System > System update.
- If the app still doesn’t find your Roku, close the app fully and reopen it.
If none of these steps work, the app may not support Roku’s casting protocol. In that case, your only option is to use a physical Chromecast dongle plugged into the TV’s HDMI port, though this is rarely needed for mainstream apps.
Using a physical Chromecast with a Roku TV (the HDMI method)
If you have an app that absolutely won’t cast to Roku, you can plug a Chromecast dongle into an available HDMI port on your Roku TV. Then, switch the TV’s input to that HDMI port. You’ll need to set up the Chromecast using the Google Home app on your phone, which guides you through connecting the dongle to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, you can cast from any Chromecast-compatible app by tapping the Cast icon and selecting the Chromecast device. This method works, but it adds extra hardware and requires switching inputs on your TV, so it’s best reserved for apps that don’t support Roku’s native casting.
