4 Best Web Browsers for Roku TV: How to Browse the Internet

Roku remains a powerhouse for streaming Netflix and Hulu, but many users are surprised to find a major missing feature: a native web browser. You cannot download a browser from the Roku Channel Store, and Roku does not work with Google Cast, so you cannot cast a Chrome or Opera tab to it either. You can still get web pages onto your TV, though.

The method that actually works is screen mirroring: you show your phone or computer screen, browser and all, on the Roku. This guide explains why the usual “cast a browser tab” trick fails on Roku, how to mirror from Windows, Android, and Apple devices, and which browsers are worth using once your screen is on the big display.

Is There a Native Roku Web Browser App?

No. Roku OS does not include a web browser, and there is no reliable browser app in the Roku Channel Store, which is a common frustration for anyone who wants to open a website directly on the TV.

It is also worth clearing up a popular myth. Many guides tell you to open Chrome on your PC, right-click, choose Cast, and pick your Roku from the list. That does not work, because Roku is not a Google Cast receiver. Google’s own Chrome help page lists the devices that can receive a cast tab, such as Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, and TVs with Google Cast built in, and Roku is not among them. Your Roku will not appear in Chrome’s cast menu, no matter which Chromium browser you use.

The route that does work is screen mirroring. When you mirror your device, the Roku shows everything on your screen, including whatever browser you have open, so you get the full web page on your TV.

How to Browse the Web on Your Roku TV With Screen Mirroring

Screen mirroring copies your phone or computer display onto the TV. Open your browser on the device, start mirroring, and the page appears on the Roku. Before you start, connect your device and your Roku to the same Wi-Fi network.

From a Windows PC

Windows mirrors over Miracast, so you can send your whole desktop, and any browser on it, to a compatible Roku.

1. Open the browser you want to use, such as Chrome or Edge.
2. Press the Windows logo key + K to open the Cast panel.
3. Select your Roku from the list of available displays. If Windows shows Connect to a wireless display first, click that.
4. On the TV, use your Roku remote to choose Allow or Always allow.

From an Android Phone

Most Android phones can mirror to a Roku, and the browser you open on the phone rides along.

1. Pull down the status bar and tap Smart View, Cast, or Wireless display. The name varies by brand.
2. Select your Roku from the list.
3. Accept the request on your TV with the Roku remote.
4. Open your browser and it appears on the big screen.

One exception: Google-branded phones such as Pixel and Nexus cannot screen mirror to Roku.

From an iPhone, iPad, or Mac (AirPlay)

Apple devices use AirPlay, which compatible Roku models support. First, on your Roku, go to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is On.

1. Open Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Tap or click Screen Mirroring.
3. Select your Roku from the list.
4. If a passcode appears on the TV, enter it on your device, then open Safari.

For step-by-step instructions for every device, which Roku models support each method, and fixes when your Roku does not show up, see our full guide to screen mirroring to Roku.

What About Browser Apps in the Roku Channel Store?

A few browser-style channels have shown up in the Roku Channel Store over the years. In practice they are very limited: they load slowly, struggle with modern sites, often cannot sign in to accounts or play video, and are awkward to type into with a remote. None of them is a real substitute for mirroring a proper browser from your phone or computer, which is why we do not recommend building your setup around them.

Tips for a Smoother Browsing Session

Mirroring sends your screen over Wi-Fi, so a few small changes make a real difference:

• Put your device and your Roku on the same network, and use the 5 GHz band if your router has one. It carries the video more smoothly than 2.4 GHz.
• Keep the phone or PC you are mirroring from awake. If its screen sleeps, the mirror stops.
• Expect a slight delay between your device and the TV. Mirroring suits reading, shopping, and showing photos far better than fast, click-heavy tasks or gaming.
• On a phone, turn it to landscape so the page fills the TV instead of sitting in a tall strip.
• If the connection drops, restart both devices and try again, and make sure nothing is set to Always block in your Roku’s screen mirroring settings.

Best Browsers to Use When You Mirror to Roku

Because you are mirroring your whole screen, any browser works. These four are the ones we would reach for on the device you mirror from.

1- Google Chrome

Many people consider Google Chrome to be the best web browser available, and they are not mistaken. Compared with other options, Chrome is generally seen as easier to use, faster, and more reliable, with a wide selection of extensions and the ability to sync bookmarks and passwords across devices. Users do frequently criticize it for consuming a lot of CPU and RAM, even when it is idle. On a Windows PC, open Chrome and mirror with Windows logo key + K.

2- Kiwi Browser

If you mirror from an Android phone, Kiwi Browser is a strong pick. It is a Chromium-based browser that stays fast and lightweight while adding an integrated ad blocker, a night mode, and protection against invasive trackers. Its standout feature is support for Chrome extensions, which very few Android browsers offer. Open Kiwi on your phone, then mirror with Smart View.

3- Opera

Opera is one of the oldest browsers still in use, first released in 1996, and it is known for its speed, privacy, and flexibility. Although it is Chromium-based, it stands out with a battery-saving mode, a broad collection of extensions, and built-in ad blocking and VPN. Open Opera on your PC and mirror the screen to your Roku.

4- Vivaldi

Vivaldi is a highly customizable browser built for power users. It includes a built-in notes tool, a flexible interface, tracking protection, and an unusual tab management system. It is seriously underrated and worth a look. As with the others, open it on your computer and mirror the screen to your Roku.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I browse the Internet on my Roku TV?

Yes, but not with a built-in browser, because Roku does not have one. Instead, you screen mirror a phone or computer to the Roku, which shows your browser, such as Chrome, Opera, or Kiwi, on the TV.

Can I cast a Chrome tab to my Roku?

No. Roku is not a Google Cast receiver, so it will not appear in Chrome’s cast menu. To get a browser onto your Roku, use screen mirroring instead: on Windows, press the Windows logo key + K; on Android, use Smart View; on an iPhone or Mac, use AirPlay.

How do I get Google on my Roku?

Open a browser on your phone or computer, go to google.com, and screen mirror that device to your Roku. Whatever you do in the browser, including a Google search, then shows on the TV.

The Bottom Line

Roku streaming devices have been around for a while, but they still do not come with a web browser, and you cannot cast a browser tab to them the way you can with a Chromecast.

That does not mean the web is off-limits on your TV. Screen mirror your Windows PC, Android phone, iPhone, or Mac, open Chrome, Kiwi, Opera, or Vivaldi on that device, and the page appears on your Roku. It is the one method that reliably works.