If you want to jailbreak Roku TV, you want to remove restrictions to enable ultimate customization. Essentially, you want to increase the user privileges on a Roku past its initial level. This allows you to install any software you’d like and alter the device in other ways.
Before getting any further, know that you won’t jailbreak Roku TV in the traditional sense. You won’t exactly do what we described above. Instead, to jailbreak Roku TV, you’ll simply avoid certain rules to view content not traditionally available on the device. Unfortunately, there isn’t any sideloading or way to install Kodi like on a Fire TV or other Android devices.
This is the main reason I prefer a FireStick over a Roku device. You can jailbreak a FireStick and sideload many free streaming apps without complications.
Ready to jailbreak Roku TV? Here are our methods:
- Use screen mirroring mode.
- Cast your screen to your Roku device.
- Play video content via a USB device or your local network.
- Take advantage of the Roku Mobile App’s “Play On Roku” feature.
Let’s break down each of these methods. I’ll show you how each works and help you find the best one.
Screen Mirroring Mode
Screen mirroring mode lets you cast a mobile device, such as an iOS or Android phone, onto your Roku TV. Even without jailbreaking your Roku, you can use apps on the TV or view media from your phone on a bigger screen. Of course, this also allows you to play mobile games on your big screen. The additional screen real estate makes a big difference in your gaming experience!
While you can’t use Kodi on Roku, screen mirroring is the next best thing. With the screen mirroring feature, you can install free movie APKs on your Android device and stream them on Roku.
These steps will help you start screen mirroring mode on your Roku TV:
1. Head to Settings and then System from the main menu of your Roku device.
2. Go to Screen Mirroring.
3. Select Screen Mirroring Mode and make sure Prompt has a checkmark next to it. If it does not already have a checkmark, select it to enable screen mirroring.
4. Find the wireless sharing option on your mobile device. For example, on a Samsung S21+, you can pull down the drop-down menu and select the Smart View option to enable screen mirroring.
5. Select Roku Streaming Stick+, or whatever your Roku device is named. Now, you can enable screen mirroring on your Roku device.
Are you wondering what popular streaming apps you can install on your Android device to screen mirror on Roku? Check out the list below:
You can also check out the complete list of popular free movies and TV shows APKs for Android devices.
Screen Casting Mode
Screencasting works similarly on the Roku as it does on a smart TV or other device. You’ll want your phone or tablet connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku. Then, you’ll open an application with casting, like YouTube. When you play a video, the screencasting options list the Roku, which you can select.
However, note that the Roku TV must also install the relevant app. So, if you want to screencast Netflix from your phone, Roku must already have Netflix installed. Otherwise, this feature will not work on the device. It’s still useful, though, as you can avoid the Kodi limitations on Roku.
Follow these steps to activate screencasting on your Roku TV:
1. Ensure the app you want to stream on is downloaded on your Roku and casting device. In this example, we’ll use YouTube. Head to the Search bar on the Roku home page.
2. Type in YouTube.
3. Select YouTube from the search results.
4. Select Add Channel.
5. Load a YouTube video on your mobile device. Tap the screen so the video overlay appears, and select the Cast option at the top right. You do not need to have YouTube open on your Roku TV. The YouTube app must be installed on your device.
6. In the casting device list, choose your Roku device, and the video should start casting on it.
Please note that your mobile device must continue streaming the video. If you do something else on your mobile device, the video will stop casting to your Roku TV, and you’ll have to set up casting again. However, this doesn’t happen if you’re using screen mirroring software like Kodi.
USB or Local Network
If you have a local home network, Roku can pull media from it, allowing you to view that media on your TV. Examples of a working media network include Plex or Windows Media Player. It’s similar to installing Kodi on your streaming device or even traditionally jailbreaking Roku. Unfortunately, you cannot get Kodi on Roku TV without using a screen mirror on Kodi-supported devices.
To access these applications on your TV through Roku, you must first install the Roku Media Player App. Then, ensure you’re connected to the Wi-Fi hosting your media library.
Here’s how to connect to the content on your local network via your Roku TV:
1. Head to the Search bar on the Roku home page.
2. Type in Roku Media Player.
3. Select Roku Media Player from the search results.
4. Select Add Channel to add the app to your home page.
5. Head to your home page and open the Roku Media Player app.
6. If your local network is open to media, the network should appear on your Roku streaming device. Select the media you’d like and start watching on Roku.
Otherwise, if you have a USB device with media, a Roku with a USB slot can play that media. However, only specific Roku devices, like the Roku TV, have a USB slot.
If you have a USB slot, you can connect a USB drive or other device and play media on the USB via the Roku Media Player App.
Note that the Roku cannot play every type of media file, which is an unfortunate side effect of not being able to jailbreak a Roku. However, it does support the vast majority of file types.
Play On Roku Mobile App
Finally, there’s the Play On Roku application built into the Roku. If you have the Play On Roku mobile application installed, you can use this feature to stream photos and videos via your device. This also allows you to avoid the Kodi problems so many users face, even if they jailbreak Roku. And there’s no need to do any screen mirroring.
Follow these steps to connect via the Play On Roku feature:
1. Download the Play On Roku mobile application on your iOS or Android device.
2. Sign into the app with your Roku email and password.
3. Ensure your device and the Roku are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, head to the Devices tab on the bottom right of the mobile app.
4. Your Roku TV device should appear in this list. Select it to start controlling your Roku through your mobile streaming device.
5. Go to the Media section of the connected device within your mobile app.
6. Select the media you want to play—music, Photos, or Videos—and give the application permission to access it.
7. You can now cast your media to the Roku device.
Can I Install Kodi on Roku?
Many of you have heard of Kodi. If you haven’t, Kodi is a popular open-source software that supports most media types, including video and audio. It’s a light software compatible with Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, FireStick, and other operating systems.
Users enjoy Kodi due to its streamlined interface and bright colors. It’s quite easy to use, even for beginners, and it offers a variety of platforms and streaming methods to consume content. Some users want to install Kodi on Roku through their TVs. Unfortunately, you cannot get Kodi on Roku, even if you jailbreak Roku.
That said, there is a way to use Kodi on Roku. First, open Kodi on your mobile phone or computer. Next, mirror the device to your Roku using the steps mentioned above. Then, simply view the content from Kodi on Roku.
Is It Legal to Jailbreak Roku?
You can’t jailbreak a Roku due to its closed operating system. However, it’s not illegal to use any of the methods mentioned above. They’re all officially supported by the Roku device, so you should have no problems with these options. After all, you’re not using any trick to jailbreak Roku. There are other ways around it like screen mirroring Kodi onto your device.
Can I Watch Illegal Content on Roku?
You can view content from countless sources on your Roku through the abovementioned methods. Thus, the issue of illegal content arises. Roku and its team do not condone viewing illegally acquired content. You should not stream such content. This is true even if you jailbreak Roku, regardless of your method.
Again, you do not need to jailbreak Roku in the traditional and illegal sense. This article describes several legal methods, like mirroring Kodi or using the “Play on Roku” feature of the Roku Mobile App.
Other Roku Hacks
Now that you know how to jailbreak Roku, here are some other tricks for better device use.
Private Channels on Roku
While you can’t install Kodi on Roku, you can achieve a similar goal thanks to private channels on your Roku device. These are channels that don’t show up on the Roku channel store. They contain all sorts of TV shows. Here’s how to add them to your home screen on a Roku or Roku TV.
1. Input a developer code via your Roku remote. Here is the code: Home Button x3, Up x2, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right
2. You’ll be taken to the Roku developer settings. From there, click on Enable Installer and restart.
3. Write down the password that appears on your Roku. Then, head to your Manage Account settings.
4. Find the Add channel with a code option and select it. Now, you can start adding private channels using codes.
Here are some examples of private channels to add to your Roku device. Again, even if you jailbreak Roku, these do not appear on the Roku channel store. I hope this compensates for the fact that you can’t install Kodi on Roku.
Red Bull TV
For sports fans, Red Bull TV is a private channel that showcases events worldwide on your Roku. From extreme sports to motorbiking to racing and more, this channel has you covered. To add the channel, type REDBULLTV in the Add channel with a code menu and select Yes, add channel.
Funny or Die
Comedy fans may know the YouTube channel Funny or Die. If so, you may want easy access to a dedicated channel on your Roku device for smart TV viewing. Many dedicated TV shows feature stars like James Franco and Will Ferrell. To add the channel, select Add channel with a code, type in IU1VY, and choose Yes, add channel on the following prompt.
iTunes Podcasts
Are you a hardcore podcast listener? Maybe you want to play podcasts on your smart TV in the background while doing something else. You can add the Apple Podcasts channel to your Roku with the following code. Head to the Add channel with a code menu under your account settings. Then, type in ITPC and, pick Yes, add the channel to add it to your Roku.
Instant Replay on Roku
Even if you don’t jailbreak Roku, you can still enhance your content experience with this one trick. If you head to your caption settings and enable Instant Replay, you’ll never miss dialogue again.
Once enabled, hit the Instant Replay button on the remote. This will reflect the last few seconds on TV and the captions for that timeframe. Then, the captions will turn off. It’s a useful little feature that should work on any app within your Roku. Unfortunately, this feature won’t apply to content viewed on another application, like Kodi, through screen mirroring.
Customize Bitrate
Setting your streaming bitrate means limiting how much data you’re using at once. This is great for users with many people on their home network or those who want to avoid hitting data caps. However, it is another way to jailbreak Roku, even if this feature is built in.
Follow these steps to customize your bitrate:
1. Input this code with your Roku remote control: Home Button x5, Rewind x3, Fast Forward x2
2. Choose a bitrate that works for you and your users.
Double Check Your Connection
While you can check your Roku connection speeds via the Network tab, there’s a way to get deeper into the operating system. Here’s how:
1. Input the following code in your remote: Home Button x5, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.
2. The menu will show various connection strengths. This information will alter your router setup, giving Roku the best connection possible. This is an extra useful feature for screen mirroring or utilizing Kodi.
Playing Games on Roku
While various mini-games are available on Roku, screen mirroring is a better way to play ROMs and retro titles.
If your computer has an emulator with various ROMs installed, you can mirror the content to your Roku device. Then, hook up a wireless controller to the machine, and you’re set to play games. This is a great time-killer and a solid alternative to Kodi.
Conclusion
Now you’re aware of how to jailbreak Roku. While this isn’t jailbreaking in the traditional sense, these features allow you to avoid the shortcomings of the Roku operating system. Now, you can watch movies and TV shows from other devices on your TV screen. Since you can use Kodi on those devices, screen mirroring lets you watch Kodi on your Roku TV.
You don’t need streaming devices that can install Kodi natively. Use the methods in this article to watch TV shows or anything you want on your Roku streaming stick. Enjoy your Roku streaming experience!
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