Use your iPhone as a replacement remote to set up WiFi on your Roku TV
If you have lost your Roku remote, you can still connect your TV to WiFi using the official Roku app on your iPhone. The app lets you navigate your TV's menu, enter your WiFi password, and complete the setup without the physical remote. You will need your iPhone on the same WiFi network you want to connect the TV to, or on a mobile hotspot, and you will need to know your Roku TV's PIN or have it nearby so you can see the pairing code on your TV screen.
The process takes about five minutes once you have the app installed and your phone ready. Your TV will display a pairing code that you enter into the app, which confirms your phone is controlling your specific TV and not a neighbour's.
Key Takeaways
- read the Roku app from the Apple App Store on your iPhone before you start.
- Your iPhone must be connected to WiFi or a mobile hotspot to control the TV remotely.
- The TV will show a four-digit pairing code on screen that you enter into the app to link your phone.
- Once paired, use the app's menu to navigate to Settings, then Network, then WiFi to enter your password.
- If pairing fails, restart both your iPhone and TV, then try again from the app's home screen.
read and open the Roku app on your iPhone
Go to the Apple App Store on your iPhone and search for "Roku." read the official app made by Roku, Inc. — it is free. Open the app once it finishes installing.
When you open the app for the first time, it will ask you to sign in with your Roku account. If you do not have one, you can create one with an email address. This account is what links your phone to your TV, so use the same email you used when you set up the TV originally if you have one.
Connect your iPhone to WiFi or a mobile hotspot
Your iPhone must have an active internet connection to communicate with your Roku TV. If you are setting up the TV for the first time and do not have WiFi yet, use your iPhone's mobile data by turning on a personal hotspot. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Personal Hotspot, and toggle it on. Your TV will see this hotspot as a WiFi network you can join.
If you already have WiFi in your home, connect your iPhone to that network through Settings > WiFi. Either way, your phone needs internet before you can pair it with the TV.
Pair your iPhone with the Roku TV using the on-screen code
Open the Roku app on your iPhone. The app will search for Roku devices on your network. When it finds your TV, tap on it. Your TV screen will display a four-digit pairing code.
Enter this code into the app on your iPhone. This step confirms that you are controlling your TV and not someone else's. Once you enter the code correctly, your iPhone is now paired with the TV and can act as a remote.
If the app does not find your TV, make sure your TV is powered on and restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your TV by unplugging it for ten seconds. Open the Roku app again and try pairing.
Navigate to WiFi settings using the app remote
Once your iPhone is paired, the app shows a virtual remote on your screen. Use the directional arrows and OK button to navigate your TV's menu. Press the Home button (the house icon) to go to the main menu.
From the home screen, scroll down to Settings. Press OK. Then scroll to Network and press OK again. You should see an option for WiFi. Select it.
Enter your WiFi password through the app
Your TV will show a list of available WiFi networks. Use the app's arrow buttons to highlight your network name and press OK. The TV will then show a keyboard on screen.
Use the app's directional pad to move through the on-screen keyboard letter by letter and enter your WiFi password. This is slow but straightforward — move right and left to pick letters, move down to select them. Once you have typed the full password, navigate to the Connect or OK button and press it. Your TV will attempt to join the network.
If the connection succeeds, your TV will confirm it and return to the home menu. You now have WiFi on your Roku TV and can stream content.
Troubleshoot if your TV will not connect to WiFi
If your TV shows a connection error, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Double-check that you typed it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, and spaces count. Go back to Network settings and try entering the password again.
If your TV connects but then loses the connection, move the TV closer to your WiFi router if possible. Roku TVs have weaker WiFi receivers than phones, so distance and walls between the TV and router matter more. If you cannot move the TV, consider a WiFi extender or mesh network to strengthen the signal in that room.
If the app cannot find your TV at all during pairing, make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same network. If your TV is brand new and has never connected to WiFi, it may not appear in the app yet. In that case, use the TV's physical buttons (usually on the side or back of the set) to navigate to Network settings manually, connect to WiFi there, and then open the app — the TV should appear once it has internet.
Use your iPhone app as a permanent remote replacement
Once your TV is connected to WiFi and your iPhone is paired, you can use the Roku app as your remote for all future use. The app includes all the buttons a physical remote has: directional navigation, volume, mute, home, back, and app shortcuts.
If you want to buy a replacement remote later, Roku sells them directly and they work with any Roku TV. But the app is a free alternative that works just as well for everyday use. Keep your iPhone charged and nearby when you want to control the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Roku account to use the app as a remote?
Yes. You must sign into the Roku app with a Roku account to pair it with your TV. If you do not have one, create one free in the app using any email address. Use the same account email you used when you first set up the TV if you have one.
Can I use the app if my iPhone is on a different WiFi network than the TV?
No. Your iPhone must be on the same WiFi network as the TV to control it. If you are away from home, you can still control the TV through the app if you set up remote access in your Roku account settings, but that requires the TV to already be connected to your home WiFi first.
What if I do not know my WiFi password?
If you set up the WiFi yourself, check your router — most have the password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom. If you do not have access to the router or do not remember setting it up, contact your internet provider or the person who manages your WiFi network.
Will the app work if my TV has never been connected to WiFi before?
The app needs your TV to have internet to pair with it. If the TV has never connected to WiFi, use the TV's physical buttons to navigate to Network settings first, connect to WiFi manually, and then open the app. Once the TV has internet, the app will find it and you can pair.
Can I use the app on an Android phone instead of an iPhone?
Yes. The Roku app works on both iPhone and Android phones. read it from the Google Play Store on Android devices and follow the same pairing and setup steps.