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Your Roku can do more than play streaming shows: it can display personal media, mirror or share content from compatible devices, show a smart-home camera feed, help locate a misplaced remote, and—in some setups—control your TV’s power and volume. Which features you can use depends on your Roku model, software, phone, remote, and connected equipment.
1. Put photos and videos from your phone on the TV
Roku offers ways to display personal photos and videos on a television, including Play on Roku and Photo Streams. This is useful for sharing vacation pictures or home videos with a room, rather than passing a phone around. The available method depends on your phone and Roku device; not every option works with every model. Roku Support explains the ways to display media from a phone.
2. Mirror or share from a compatible Apple device
Screen mirroring and AirPlay are distinct ways to get content from a phone or tablet onto a Roku-connected TV. Roku describes screen mirroring as replicating what appears on a compatible mobile device. AirPlay can share movies, shows, music, photos, and videos from compatible Apple devices; AirPlay 2 support is required on the Apple device. Availability also depends on the Roku model.
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#1 Best Overall
- Easy voice search & control: Quickly search across thousands of top channels, play entertainment, control your streaming, and more with your voice
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, control your Roku device, switch inputs on your Roku TV, and more—all in a tap
- Pre-set channel shortcuts: Pre-set channel shortcuts let you launch popular streaming channels with the push of a button, all without having to scroll
- Simple setup: Simply turn on your Roku device and pull the battery tab on the back of the remote and it should pair automatically
- Works with your Roku device: Roku Voice Remote works with all Roku TV models, Roku audio products, and most Roku players*
3. View a compatible smart-home camera or doorbell on your TV
If you have a Roku Smart Home camera or video doorbell, the Roku Cameras app can show its live feed on a Roku TV or streaming device. Roku Support says, “The Roku Cameras app lets you view a live stream on your TV from all your Roku Smart Home cameras and your video doorbell.”
- The camera or doorbell and TV must use the same Roku account.
- The camera or doorbell must be powered on and connected to the internet.
- Roku says Roku OS 11.0 or later adds the app after you install your first camera or doorbell; it recommends Roku OS 11.5 or later for the optimal experience.
Check Roku Support’s instructions for viewing a camera or doorbell feed for setup details.
Rank #2
- Compatible devices - Roku TV models ONLY
- NOT compatible devices - Roku Streaming Players, Roku Audio, or other smart TVs
- Made by Roku for Roku TV - Stream easy with an official Roku remote, designed to work seamlessly with your Roku TV.
- No juggling remotes - Power up your Roku TV, adjust the volume, mute, and control your streaming with an official Roku remote.
- Simple setup - Ready to control your Roku TV in just one step. Comes with pre-installed batteries.
4. Make a compatible misplaced remote play a sound
Lost Remote Finder can help locate a compatible voice remote that has a built-in speaker. Roku names the Enhanced Voice Remote and Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) as examples. You can start the finder through supported methods such as the Roku mobile app or a device control; the remote can sound for up to 60 seconds.
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Rank #3
- 【NO volume control. NO power button. NO headphone jack. NO pairing button. NO voice search. 】If your original remote has pairing button, please do NOT buy it. It does NOT have the headphone jack to plug in your earphone
- 【 NOT for any Ro-ku Stick or TV】This remote is Only compatible with Roku Box, for Roku Express, for Roku Player, for Roku Premiere, for Roku 1 2 3 4
- 【 4 Shortcuts】It is a IR replacement remote which features 4 shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels - Netflx, sling, hulu, Disny+
- 【 Work out of Box】Without any programming, just insert batteries(2* AAA) and it is all good to go
- 【 Package】Coming with 2x remotes and 1x user manual. Long distances transmitting(8m/26ft), respond in 0.2s to your tvs.
5. Use a voice remote to control TV power and volume
Some Roku voice remotes can control the TV’s power and volume, reducing the need to reach for a second remote. Set this up in Roku settings using the option to configure the voice remote for TV control. The controls your TV supports can vary: some TVs may allow volume adjustment but not power control, or the reverse. HDMI-CEC may also need to be enabled for supported functions.
For the model-specific setup steps, see Roku’s guide to setting up a voice remote to control a TV.
Rank #4
- Stay powered for months: Keep your remote running for three months on a single charge. With 50% more battery life and USB-C charging, Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Edition) is the ultimate TV companion.
- Built for movie nights: No more fumbling in the dark to find the pause button or turn up the volume. Always know what you’re about to press with easy-to-see backlit buttons.
- Just talk to it: Got popcorn fingers? Leave the remote in the other room? Just say “Hey Roku” from across the couch and control your streaming with your voice.
- Find your lost remote: Don't break a sweat tearing apart the couch. Just say “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” or find it using the free Roku Mobile app.
- One that does it all: No more juggling remotes. Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Edition) powers up your TV, adjusts the volume, and controls your Roku device.
What affects which features work?
These are separate features, not capabilities guaranteed on every Roku device. Before trying one, check the requirements that apply to it:
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Best Value
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- Phone media and mirroring: your Roku model, phone operating system, and the sharing method must be compatible.
- AirPlay and HomeKit: a compatible Roku device is needed; AirPlay 2 support is required on the Apple device, and some HomeKit controls may depend on HDMI-CEC.
- Camera viewing: the camera or doorbell and Roku device must be on the same Roku account, with the camera online and supported Roku OS installed.
- Remote finding: the remote must be a supported model with a built-in speaker, and it needs working batteries and wireless-network range to sound.
- TV control: both the voice remote and the TV must support the desired control; HDMI-CEC may be needed.
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