For Roku, there isn’t a native web browser. But your luck has run out totally. To use your Roku device to display a browser on your TV, there are two workarounds.
How to use Roku to browse the web is one of the most often asked questions by Roku users. Regrettably, a Roku device does not come with a native web browser as one of the channels.
The Media Browser and the Reddit Browser are the only two web browser channels present. Neither of them are true, fully functional web browsers.
You can only play movies, TV shows, and music on the Media Browser. Fundamentally, it’s a browser for online videos. Reddit postings can only be viewed using the Reddit browser. Reddit’s browser costs money.
This does not necessarily mean that everything is lost. Thankfully, there are two solutions for using your Roku device to display a browser on your TV.
Cast a Web Browser to Roku From Windows 10
By casting a browser from your Windows 10 PC to the Roku device, using a web browser on a Roku player is the simplest option. Also, it’s the best approach to cast a web browser with the least amount of resolution distortion.
The technology known as Miracast makes this workaround possible. Any device that supports this technology, including Roku players, can project your monitor (including in Extended Mode).
Projecting to the Roku Device
You must have the most recent version of Windows 10 installed in order to use this technology. Therefore make sure your Windows 10 computer has all of the most recent updates installed.
When you’re ready, click the tiny notification icon in the Windows 10 taskbar’s lower right corner of the desktop.
You will notice a Projecticon in the list of features. Choose that. This will start the Windows 10 project feature, which enables you to mirror your screen to any networked wireless display. You will have to decide how to project the screen.
Options consist of:
- PC screen only: Will only display on your PC and not on the other screen
- Duplicate: Duplicate your main computer screen to the Roku device
- Extend: Use the Roku device as an additional monitor
- Second screen only: Project only to the Roku device and don t display anything on your PC screen
Choose the strategy you value most. The most popular option is extend since it allows you to keep using your other screens while using the Roku device to access the web browser on the TV. But, you may choose Second screen only if you don’t want the light from your other screens to detract from the TV’s image.
At the bottom of the list, click Connect to a Wireless Display after choosing your option.
After you do this, a list of all the networked devices you can project to will appear. Typically, they are casting-capable devices that use Microsoft’s Miracast technology. You’ll probably see any Bluetooth devices you’ve paired here as well. Of course, casting a Windows 10 screen to Bluetooth devices is not possible.
Choose the Roku player from the list.
In a matter of seconds, the background image from your Windows 10 Desktop will appear on your TV screen. This is because the TV now serves as your computer’s extended monitor as a result of the Roku device.
Using a Web Browser on Your Roku
As the TV is just your Windows 10 computer’s expanded screen, you can now open your preferred web browser and drag it onto the device.
Search the internet and show any page you like. Your web browsing activities will be visible to everyone who can see the TV.
Simply visit the site and navigate to the video you want to play if you want to play videos from any streaming service.
Remember that your computer will provide all audio for the movie. Thus, you’ll need to connect your computer to speakers or a sound system to make it loud enough for everyone in the room to hear the audio for whatever you’re streaming.
Disconnecting From Your Roku
Return to your primary PC monitor once you’re done casting your web browser to the Roku device. You can view the Roku device’s connection status at the top. To break the connection, simply click the Disconnect button.
You can now use the Roku as usual with the Roku remote or the Roku remote app on your mobile device after the TV display returns to the Roku home screen.
Casting Web Browser From Your Android
By casting your Android browser to the Roku device, you can utilise a Roku web browser as well. This is possible since the Smart View app is the default app on the majority of recent Samsung Android devices. You can download it from the Google Play store if yours doesn’t already have it.
Reminder: In October 2020, the Smart View app will be discontinued. The SmartThings app should then be used. By looking for nearby devices that are available, you can get this similar feature on SmartThings.
Unfortunately, you still can’t cast from an iOS device to a Roku device.
Swipe down on the home screen of your Android device with two fingers to activate Smart View. From the list of apps, choose theSmart Viewicon. It has arrows above and below what appears to be a play button.
Your Android will then search the network for compatible wireless display devices to cast to when you do this. Your Roku device will appear on the list. When prompted to start casting with Smart View, tap the Roku device and choose Start now.
The TV where your Roku device is attached will immediately display your Android screen. You can change the display’s aspect ratio so that you can cast your Android in full screen by tapping the settings button.
You’ll see a Smart View status in your Android notifications while casting your Android device. Launch your preferred browser application and begin browsing. Using your Roku device, your mobile web browser will be seen on the TV.
You may now use your web browser to display anything you want on your TV. You must connect your Android’s audio port to an audio system or speakers if you want everyone in the room to be able to hear the audio because all audio will come from your Android. The use of Bluetooth speakers is also possible.
Simply slide down on the main screen of your Android device once more, then tap the Roku icon (which is the same icon as the prior Smart View icon), to disconnect. By doing this, you can stop the web browser casting on your Android and detach it from the Roku device.
