Asking can you use Roku with hotspot? Well, stay with us to find out.
In this guide, we’ll explain the hotspot in simple terms, how to set the feature up, and how to connect your Roku TV or streaming stick.
Let’s unwrap the most-important first:
Yes, the Roku stick and Roku TV can connect to any hotspot as long as the transmitter device is as close as possible and the correct password is inserted.
To simplify, connecting Roku to the mobile hotspot is the same as connecting Roku to the WiFi.
Let’s next start unwrapping the most frequent question on this topic!
What is a Mobile Hotspot?
The mobile hotspot is a feature that smartphones have been utilizing for years. The main purpose of the hotspot is to share your cellular internet with other devices in the form of a wireless network (WiFi).
In order to enable your mobile hotspot you must have a contract with a carrier (operator) and preferably (unlimited megabytes of internet data).
In addition, the hotspot can be enabled only from a device that supports the feature and the SIM card has to be inserted.
Info: You can choose and set a password for your hotspot in order to prevent any breaching, hence you can connect to any device to your own WiFi.
Can You Use Roku with Mobile Hotspot?
Yes, it’s entirely possible to connect your Roku streaming stick or Roku TV to a hotspot shared from a smartphone.
In fact, you can connect any device to the shared cellular hotspot as long as the included internet data megabytes are enough for the required tasks.
There are quite a few tasks that your mobile hotspot might not be able to fulfill on your Roku because 1. – it’s wireless & 2. – it’s a cellular network.
Streaming on Roku with Hotspot (Limitations):
- Stream 4K content on your Roku TV or streaming stick
- Download apps or in-app content when connected to the hotspot
- Watching Live Streams and using IP or multicast
Tip: Keep the hotspot (smartphone) as close as possible to the Roku!
Should You Connect Roku to a Hotspot?
Well, the straightforward answer is yes, if you need to…
Connecting your Roku TV or streaming stick to the hotspot is a double-edged blade since Roku is designed for streaming content.
As we know, streaming anything better than 480p requires a reliable (5mbps) internet speed, which the hotspot does not always deliver.
Quick Fact: The hotspot from the smartphone is not as strong as the router’s WiFi!
| Benefits | Downsides |
| Wireless with no cables required. | Uses a significant amount of data (Mbps). |
| Portable, can be used everywhere. | Close proximity is mandatory. |
| Easy to set up with no technical steps. | Not reliable enough for work! |
| Free of limitations with unlimited data. | The hotspot speed is reception based. |
The benefits and downsides of connecting Roku to the hotspot of your smartphone are balanced, thus it’s up to the user’s needs.
How To Connect Roku To a Mobile Hotspot?
Connecting Roku to a mobile hotspot is not hard at all, as long as you can properly enable the hotspot on your mobile and connect to Roku.
We’ve prepared 3 general steps that will guarantee that the setup will be done correctly!
Step #1 – Share a Hotspot from a Mobile
Let’s next learn how to share a wireless hotspot on Android and iOS:
Enable The Mobile Hotspot on Android:
- On your mobile device, open Settings.
- Scroll down and select Network & Internet.
- Then, tap on Hotspot & Tethering.
- Toggle on your personal hotspot.
- Create a unique password for the WiFi.
Enable Personal Hotspot on Apple (iOS):
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Personal Hotspot.
- Press on the WiFi Password.
- Enter a unique password.
- Toggle on “Allow Others to Join”
Note: You can also edit the name of your personal hotspot for quick recognition!
Step #2 – Find the Hotspot with Roku
The next step is to discover the recently shared hotspot from your Roku TV or Roku stick and connect the device. The name of the WiFi (hotspot) that you’re looking for can be edited and found in the settings of your mobile.
Here’s how to connect Roku to a hotspot or a WiFi:
- Press the Home button on the Roku remote.
- In Settings, scroll down and select Network.
- Then, choose Set Up Connection > Wireless.
- From the list, select your personal hotspot.
- Insert the correct hotspot password to connect.
Step #3 – Test the Hotspot on Roku!
Shortly after you connect to the mobile hotspot, you would be able to browse through the Roku content and stream anything. However, you might start noticing drawbacks such as constant video buffering or frequent hotspot disconnects.
Note: We strongly recommend reading the rest of the guide!
5 Tips For Connecting Roku to Hotspot!
Well, if you’re still asking can you use Roku with hotspot, you should know that things do not always go the way we want and issues occur.
Roku might refuse to connect to the recently shared hotspot from your smartphone.
Other times, Roku would connect but the streaming would appear impossible because of constant buffers or frequent disconnects.
Here are the best tips for connecting Roku to a hotspot:
- Connect only the Roku TV/stick to the hotspot of your device!
- Prevent any internet-demanding tasks on your hotspot device.
- Disable the WiFi on your hotspot device to prevent interference.
- Close all apps, stop VPN services, and close all open tabs.
- Lower the Roku streaming resolution when connected to a hotspot.
Can I Stream Roku Content with Hotspot?
Streaming Roku content, when connected to the hotspot, might sometimes work and other times not so well.
The speed and consistency of your mobile internet (hotspot) depend on the strength of the reception on your smartphone, which speaks for itself.
You shouldn’t count on streaming 4K content without interruptions, however, Full HD (1080p) and HD (720p) movies and TV shows shouldn’t be a problem.
Well, there are possible issues that might impact and slow down your hotspot, so we’ll discuss reasonable solutions as well.
Note: Streaming on smaller monitors doesn’t require high resolution to look good.
How Long Will Roku Work With Hotspot?
There is no time limit to how much time you can keep your Roku TV or stick connected to the mobile hotspot of your device.
The only dependency is the distance between both instances and the battery of your smartphone.
If you can keep your smartphone (hotspot) near the Roku TV, while charging it at the same time, this will provide unlimited internet for your Roku.
Tip: You can charge your smartphone by connecting it to your Roku TV!
Can you Use a Tablet/Laptop Hotspot?
Yes, any tablet or laptop that supports SIM cards, hence cellular internet and hotspot features can share mobile internet with your Roku.
The procedure is identical on Android and iOS tablets with respect to their phone version guides described earlier in the article.
Sharing a hotspot from a tablet is better since their battery lasts longer and we don’t usually carry them with us when leaving.
Can You Use Roku as a WiFi Hotspot?
Unfortunately, the Roku TV or Roku streaming stick can’t be used as a hotspot device since it’s built to connect to WiFi and not host one.
The Roku TV and Roku stick require good internet to provide the user with access to all streaming content.
- Roku doesn’t work without being connected to the internet!
In addition, you’re not able to connect other devices to your Roku or to any of the WiFi connections your device has remembered.
Can I Connect Roku to a 5G Hotspot?
The 5G internet speeds can only be reached on devices that support the 5G feature such as iPhone 12 and above, Samsung A53 (5G), and much more.
Sadly, the Roku TV and Roku streaming stick are not one of those devices, hence the speeds are limited.
Roku will reach up to 200 Mbps when connected to a 2.4Ghz WiFi (hotspot) and up to 1300 Mbps when connected to a 5Ghz WiFi.
Sadly, smartphones can only share hotspots on 2.4 GHz frequency, which allows almost any device to connect but in contrast, limits the speed.
Hence, you can’t really share a hotspot with the speeds of your 5G!
Quick Recap:
Now we know if you can use Roku with a hotspot and how to establish a connection.
We’ve also learned the limitations of streaming content on Roku with hotspot as well as all the benefits and advantages of learning and utilizing the connection.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.