Roku is a streaming device that’ll make your life easier. Or at least your binging experience.

Roku helps you stream your favourite services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO from your TV. But it has many more benefits to it.

If you are not quite sure whether it’s the right device for you, let us explain how it functions and all the ways to use web browser for Roku.

How to get Roku devices in Australia?

There are a few different Roku players and they all work the same way – you just need to plug them into your TV via HDMI cable.

Although they were mainly built for the USA, Mexico and the UK market, you can purchase and connect them in Australia as well.

These devices only require a one-time payment,  with some of the most popular models being:

Note: You can also buy preowned devices and save up to half the original price.

Setting up Roku in Australia

To fully enjoy Roku’s potential, you will need to set up your Roku Account. Keep in mind that, during the initial setup, your IP address will decide the available channels.

Roku doesn’t have an integrated VPN option, so if you want to connect to the US or UK country server, you will need to do so by using another VPN software or browser extension.

Norton VPN offers some pretty good features and one of them is unlimited browsing data (even on the cheapest plan).

Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll have access to hundreds of channels.

Is Roku the Same as Roku TV?

Apart from Roku devices, there’s also an option of purchasing a Roku TV, meaning that you’ll get a smart TV with a Roku interface and therefore won’t need to connect any external Roku devices.

If you were planning to switch your TV, this might be just the right option. However, if you want to keep your existing TV and just upgrade to stream your favourite services, then only look into Roku streaming devices. Remember that you don’t need a smart TV to use Roku.

How to Use a Web Browser on Roku Using an Android or iPhone?

How to Browse Internet on Roku from Your Mobile App

There is a free Roku mobile app on both App Store and Google Play. It has more functions than regular apps, for example, you can use it as a remote control. To do so, first, you need to allow accepting commands via the internet on your Roku device. This setting can be found in the Control by Mobile Apps on your device.

When you enable this option, this is how to turn your Roku mobile app into a remote:

  • Press Home on your remote;Select Settings;Select System;Select Advanced System Settings;Select Control by Mobile Apps/Network Access;Choose between three options – Default, Permissive, or Disable.

This will allow you to search for channels on your phone and choose the available options on the internet. Keep in mind that your smartphone needs to be connected to the same wireless network as your Roku device.

  • Launch Roku app;Tap the Discovery screen;Choose your Roku device.

If you’re having connection issues, there’s also a troubleshooting possibility, as well as the online manual for fixing the issues.

Other Benefits of Having a Roku App

As mentioned, the Roku app has many functions, with some of them being:

How to use Play on Roku:

  • Display photos, videos, songs from your smartphone to the TV, without cables, just using your WiFi connection and the Play on Roku in-app feature. This means your friends and family will also be able to share personal files from their devices.The casting option allows you to send the content directly to your TV. Services such as Youtube, Netflix or Mubi support this option, so you can just tap the Casting icon in the corner of your app screen.

Getting Google on Roku: How to?

Google Play on Roku

In June 2021, Google Play Movies and TV was removed from Roku, which surprised many users. However, thanks to the Youtube Roku app, there’s still a way to enjoy Google Play content with your Roku device. This is how:

  • Open the Roku app on your mobile device;Connect your Roku device to your mobile device (if you haven’t already);Select Media and press Play on Roku;Select Music, Photos or Videos;Allow access to your media library;Select which files you want to share.

You’ll see free titles and some old classics, whereas paid videos are categorised by genre. You can rent and purchase videos either directly from Youtube Roku App, or by browsing through the Play Store on your phone, renting the video and then accessing it from the Youtube app on your TV.

  • Press Home on your remote.Select Streaming Channels and press OK.Select Search Channels and press OK.Type in Youtube in the search box and press OK when you find it.Select Add Channel and press OK.Select Go To Channel and press OK.Sign in to your Google account and make sure it’s the same you use for Google Play.Click on Library and select Your movies & shows. All the content you purchased from Google Play Movies & TV will appear here.

For viewing Google Photos, we recommend using a third app such as PhotoView. The instructions for adding this channel are the same as for Youtube, just in this case you need to type PhotoView in the search bar and connect it to the device you want to share the photos from.

Google Play Music doesn’t exist anymore, but you can find every song that you can think of on Youtube Music, or you can screen mirror from your phone.

Built-in Roku Browsers

If you’d like to add a web browser for Roku device, there are three options to do so. From your channel store, you can add:

However, these are not official Roku browsers and cannot provide you with web browsing the same way as Chrome, Mozilla or other browsers do.If this is what you’re looking for, we recommend trying with Screen Mirroring, which is thoroughly explained below.

  • Media Browser – Browse, control and play movies, tv, and music.Reddit Browser – Login to view your subreddits, images and posts.

Roku Mirror Screening: What’s Good About it?

How to Connect Your Device for Roku Screen Mirroring?

Screen mirroring to Roku is available from your Windows PC or Android device. It means that everything you’re doing on-screen will be wirelessly replicated to your TV display. To be able to do so, first, you need to:

This is also the best way to browse the internet by using your TV screen since there isn’t an official Roku internet browser. This is simply because navigating the web is much more complicated if you don’t have a keyboard or a mouse.

  • Enable the feature on your Android or Windows device;On some Androids, such as Samsung Galaxy S9, this feature is called Smart View.On Windows, you can find it within Action Center.Request a connection to your Roku device;Confirm the request;Your mobile screen will be visible on the TV.

  • On some Androids, such as Samsung Galaxy S9, this feature is called Smart View.On Windows, you can find it within Action Center.

Is Screen Mirroring Available on iOS?

If you want to do Roku Mirror Screening from your iOS devices, you cannot follow the same instructions as above. However, there is an option to use Apple’s AirPlay. This way, you’ll be able to stream, control and share content from your Mac, iPhone or iPad to your 4K Roku device.

You can also use AirPlay to view photos, videos and music from your mobile device to your TV screen.

Note: For some apps, you may need to tap Share in order to view the AirPlay icon.

However, some iPhones and Macs will allow you to connect to your Roku device and you can try to do so by:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Screen Mirroring

There are many advantages to screen mirroring, with one of the most obvious ones being easier to connect to your TV, without the need of finding appropriate cables and connecting them. It’s especially useful if more than one device will be sharing the content, for example in business meetings or while holding presentations.

  • iPhone – Swipe up to open Command Center and tap Screen Mirroring.Macs – Click the Command Center icon in the upper right corner.

On the other side, it’s understandable that some users will have privacy concerns related to network connecting, but they can rest assured knowing that Roku Screen Mirroring usually stays within the range of your local network, making it way more secure than connecting to public or unknown networks.

One of the disadvantages that users reported is a lower quality picture, especially if you’re mirroring content from your smartphone in a vertical view.

Bottom Line

To conclude, Roku makes your TV smarter and your watching experience more exciting. With everything synced in one place, you can enjoy all your favourite streaming services from the comfort of your couch, and join the rest of the Australian population to stream their favourite shows on an average of 3.5 hours every day.

Now that we’ve explained the ways to use web browser for Roku you can fully connect your mobile devices to your TV and do what you normally would – but on a bigger screen and without cables or struggle whatsoever.

1. Is there a way to browse the Internet on Roku?

You can search for your favourite streaming services and add channels to your Roku device, whereas traditional internet browsing is available if you screen mirror content from your mobile device.

2. Is Roku the same as Roku TV?

It’s not. Roku is a streaming device, while Roku TV is a smart TV with a Roku interface.

3. How do I get Google on my Roku?

Even though Google Play Movies & TV has been removed from Roku in June 2021, there are still ways to use web browser for Roku, as described step-by-step in this guide.