You cannot plug an iPhone 13 directly into a Roku TV with a cable

There is no physical port on an iPhone 13 that connects to a TV. The iPhone 13 has a Lightning connector (the small rectangular port on the bottom), but Roku TVs do not have a matching input for it. Even if you bought an adapter, the iPhone 13 does not send video through the Lightning port in a way that Roku TVs can receive.

Instead, you have two working options: use AirPlay to send video wirelessly from your iPhone to the Roku TV, or use a separate streaming device that the Roku TV can talk to. Both methods work reliably, but they work differently and suit different situations.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone 13 cannot connect to Roku TV with any cable or physical adapter because the hardware does not support it.
  • AirPlay is the simplest option if your Roku TV model supports it — you mirror your iPhone screen wirelessly without any extra equipment.
  • If your Roku TV does not support AirPlay, you can use an Apple TV, iPad, or Mac as a bridge to send content to the Roku instead.
  • Screen mirroring works for any app on your iPhone, but casting (sending just the video from one app) is faster and uses less battery.
  • Both wireless methods require your iPhone and Roku TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Using AirPlay if your Roku TV supports it

Some newer Roku TV models have AirPlay built in. If yours does, connecting is straightforward: open Control Center on your iPhone 13 by swiping down from the top-right corner, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Roku TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

To check whether your Roku TV has AirPlay, go to Settings on the TV itself, then About, and look for AirPlay in the list of features. Roku added AirPlay support starting in 2019, but not all models have it — if it is not listed, your TV does not have it. You can also check the model number on Roku's website to confirm.

AirPlay works best for watching videos, browsing photos, or showing presentations. It mirrors everything on your iPhone screen, so any notifications or messages that pop up will also appear on the TV. If you want to avoid that, use casting instead (sending video from just one app) when the app supports it — most streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ have a cast button built in.

Using an Apple TV or iPad as a bridge

If your Roku TV does not have AirPlay, you can use an Apple TV (any model), an iPad, or a Mac as an intermediary. Connect the Apple TV or iPad to your Roku TV using an HDMI cable, then use AirPlay to send video from your iPhone to that device instead. The Apple TV or iPad will then display it on the Roku TV.

This method requires an extra piece of hardware, but it works on any Roku TV model. An Apple TV is the most common choice because it is designed for this purpose and stays connected to your TV permanently. An iPad works if you already own one, though you will need to prop it up or mount it somewhere. A Mac works the same way but is less practical for everyday use.

The setup is the same: open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and select the Apple TV or iPad from the list. The video will appear on your Roku TV through the HDMI connection.

Why casting from apps is often better than screen mirroring

Most streaming apps — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify — have a cast button built into the app itself. When you tap it, the app sends video directly to your TV without mirroring your entire iPhone screen. This is faster, uses less battery, and keeps your phone free to use for other things while the show plays.

To cast from an app, look for a rectangular icon with curved lines in the top or bottom corner of the app (the cast icon). Tap it, select your Roku TV from the list, and the video will start playing on the TV. You can then close the app, lock your phone, or switch to another app without interrupting playback.

Casting only works if the app supports it. Not every app has a cast button — some smaller or older apps do not. If the app you want to use does not have a cast button, fall back to screen mirroring instead.

Making sure your iPhone and Roku TV are on the same network

Both AirPlay and casting require your iPhone 13 and Roku TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks (for example, if your TV is on a guest network and your phone is on the main network), they will not see each other.

Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi setting by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and noting which network is connected. Then check your Roku TV by going to Settings, then Network, and confirming it is on the same network name. If they do not match, connect your iPhone to the same network as the TV.

Some homes have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names. Roku TVs often work better on 2.4 GHz, so if you are having trouble, try connecting your iPhone to the 2.4 GHz band instead.

Troubleshooting when AirPlay or casting does not work

If your iPhone does not see your Roku TV in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your Roku TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone by holding the side button and either volume button, sliding to power off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on. After both restart, try again.

If restarting does not help, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Wi-Fi is working properly. If your router is far from the TV or iPhone, move closer to it temporarily to rule out a weak signal. You can also try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, tap Forget) and reconnecting to it with the password.

If you are using an Apple TV or iPad as a bridge and it is not appearing in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Apple TV and iPad must also be on the same network as the Roku TV via HDMI for the setup to work.

Understanding the difference between mirroring and casting

Screen mirroring sends everything your iPhone displays to the TV in real time. Whatever you do on your phone — open apps, read messages, adjust brightness — appears on the TV. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or demonstrating something on your phone to a group. The downside is that your phone's battery drains faster, and any private notifications will show up on the big screen.

Casting sends video from a single app directly to the TV without mirroring your entire screen. Only the video or content from that app appears on the TV; your home screen, notifications, and other apps stay private on your phone. Casting uses less battery and lets you keep using your phone for other things while content plays on the TV.

For watching shows, movies, or listening to music, casting is almost always the better choice. For sharing a presentation, browsing the web together, or showing photos, screen mirroring is what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy any cables or adapters?

No, not if your Roku TV has AirPlay built in. If it does not, you will need an Apple TV, iPad, or Mac and an HDMI cable to connect it to the Roku TV. AirPlay and casting both work wirelessly over Wi-Fi, so no cables are needed between your iPhone and the TV itself.

Can I use an HDMI adapter to connect my iPhone directly to the Roku TV?

No. While HDMI adapters exist for iPhones, they only work with devices that support HDMI input directly — not with Roku TVs. Roku TVs expect video signals in their own format, which an iPhone cannot send even through an adapter. Wireless methods are your only option.

Will casting drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Casting uses less battery than screen mirroring because your phone is not constantly sending video to the TV. For a two-hour movie, expect your battery to drop 10 to 20 percent depending on your phone's age and the strength of your Wi-Fi signal. Screen mirroring drains battery faster, typically 20 to 40 percent for the same two hours.

What if my Roku TV is older and does not support AirPlay?

You have two options: buy an Apple TV to use as a bridge (the most reliable method), or check whether your Roku TV has a casting feature built in. Some older Roku models support casting from Android phones but not iPhones. If neither option works, an Apple TV is the simplest solution.

Can I connect my iPhone to a Roku TV using Bluetooth?

Bluetooth can connect your iPhone to Roku TV speakers for audio only, but it cannot send video. For video, you must use AirPlay, casting, or a wired bridge device like an Apple TV. Bluetooth is useful if you want to play music through your TV's speakers without mirroring the screen.