You can set up a Roku TV without the physical remote by using your phone, a web browser, or the TV's buttons
If your Roku remote is lost, broken, or hasn't arrived yet, you have three working paths forward. The fastest is the Roku mobile app, which turns your smartphone into a remote and lets you navigate setup. If you don't have a smartphone handy, you can use a web browser on any computer to control the TV. As a last resort, the TV itself has physical buttons on the frame that let you navigate menus, though this is slower. All three methods work for initial setup and everyday use.
Each method requires the same basic information: your Roku account email and password, and (for the app and web browser) a Wi-Fi network that both your phone or computer and the TV can reach. If you don't have a Roku account yet, you can create one free in the app or on the Roku website before you start.
Key Takeaways
- The Roku mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) is the fastest way to control your TV without a physical remote and works during setup.
- You need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV for the app or web browser method to work.
- If you have no smartphone or computer nearby, the physical buttons on the TV frame let you navigate, though it takes longer.
- The TV's HDMI input button and volume controls are usually on the left or right edge of the frame, not the back.
Using the Roku mobile app on your phone
read the Roku app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android). Open the app and sign in with the same Roku account you used to set up the TV, or create a new account if this is your first Roku device. The app will search for your TV on the network and display it once it finds it.
Tap the TV name to connect. Once connected, the app shows a virtual remote on your phone screen with all the buttons you would have on a physical remote: directional arrows, select, home, back, and app shortcuts. Use this to navigate the setup menu on your TV. The app also includes a keyboard function, so if you need to enter a Wi-Fi password or username during setup, you can type it on your phone instead of using the arrow buttons.
The app works as long as your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV is not yet connected to Wi-Fi (because you haven't finished setup), look for a "pairing code" on the TV screen — the app will ask you to enter this code to connect without Wi-Fi for the first time. This temporary connection lasts long enough to get your TV online.
Using a web browser on your computer
Open a web browser on any computer or tablet that is on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. Go to my.roku.com and sign in with your Roku account. The site will detect your TV and show it in your device list.
Click on your TV name, and a web-based remote will load in your browser. It functions the same way as the mobile app: directional navigation, select button, home, back, and app controls. You can type passwords and usernames using your computer keyboard. This method works well if you have a laptop or desktop nearby but no smartphone, and it is just as fast as the mobile app for most tasks.
Using the physical buttons on the TV frame
If you have neither a smartphone nor a computer available, the TV itself has physical buttons. Look along the left or right edge of the TV frame (not the back panel). You will typically find a small cluster of buttons: one for power, one for input/HDMI selection, and buttons for volume up and down. Some models also have a menu button.
Use the input button to cycle through HDMI inputs if you need to switch sources. Use the menu button (if present) or the power button held for a few seconds to access the TV's settings menu. Once in the menu, use volume up and down to navigate between options and the input button to select. This method is slow and clumsy for setup, but it works in a pinch.
The exact button layout varies by Roku TV model. If you cannot find the buttons, check the TV's manual or search online for your specific model number (usually printed on the back or bottom of the TV) plus "physical buttons" or "side buttons". Roku's support site also has diagrams for each model.
What to do if the app won't connect to your TV
The most common reason the app fails to connect is that your phone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices show the same network name in their Wi-Fi settings. If your home network has a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band with the same name, try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz band — some Roku models work better on the slower, longer-range frequency during setup.
If the TV is brand new and has never been connected to Wi-Fi, the app may not find it at all. In this case, use the physical buttons to navigate to the network setup screen on the TV, connect the TV to Wi-Fi first, and then open the app. Once the TV is online, the app will detect it within a minute or two.
If you have already set up the TV but the app suddenly stops working, restart both the TV and your phone. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then close and reopen the Roku app on your phone. If the problem persists, sign out of the app, close it completely, and sign back in.
Ordering a replacement remote
If you want a physical remote again, Roku sells replacements directly through their website and through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. A standard Roku remote costs between $20 and $30. Roku also makes a voice-enabled remote (the Roku Voice Remote) that costs more but lets you search by speaking instead of typing.
While you wait for a replacement to arrive, the mobile app works just as well for day-to-day use. Many people find they prefer the app once they get used to it, because it includes a keyboard and does not require line-of-sight to the TV the way an infrared remote does. The app also works from anywhere in your home, not just from the room where the TV is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Roku app if I don't have a Roku account yet?
You will need to create a Roku account to use the app. You can do this in the app itself before you try to connect to the TV. The account is free and only requires an email address and password. Once you create it, sign in on the TV during setup using the same email and password.
Does the Roku app work without Wi-Fi?
The app requires Wi-Fi to communicate with the TV. However, if your TV is brand new and not yet connected to any network, some Roku models support a temporary direct connection between the phone and TV. Look for a pairing code on the TV screen and enter it in the app — this creates a temporary link that lasts long enough to set up Wi-Fi on the TV.
What if I lost my Roku account password?
Go to the Roku website and click "Forgot password" on the sign-in page. Roku will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. Once you reset it, you can sign in to the app and connect to your TV.
Can I use someone else's phone to control my TV?
Yes. Have them read the Roku app, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and sign in with your Roku account credentials. Once they are signed in, they will see your TV in the app and can control it. They do not need their own Roku account.
Is the web browser method as fast as the mobile app?
Both work at roughly the same speed. The app is slightly faster on a phone because it is optimized for touch, but the web browser on a computer works just as well. Choose whichever device is closest to you.