Is the Roku app not working on iPhone? Well, this guide is made especially for you!
The Roku companion app is a great way to control your Roku TV and benefit from a seamless remote control experience.
Sometimes, the Roku app unexpectedly becomes unresponsive and leaves you an empty hand, so we’ll walk you through various easy fixes to get the app working!
To fix the Roku app on your iPhone, you must first verify that there are no issues on your side involving a bad WiFi connection, an outdated device or app, or bugs with your iOS system.
The solution is to verify the internet connection and cleanly install the Roku app! Let’s dive in to discuss the underlying reasons!
Why is the Roku App on iPhone Not Working?
Sometimes the Roku app doesn’t work when it stops responding to the TV, suddenly crashes, or the app features become unresponsive.
Many factors cause these symptoms, so it’s best to review them all to understand better how to apply the troubleshooting later throughout the guide.
Here are the factors that prevent the Roku app from working on iPhone:
Now that we clearly understand the causes let’s work on troubleshooting!
Roku App Not Working on iPhone? 7 Proven Solutions!
1. Check the Internet Connection
If your devices are connected to a different or unstable internet, the Roku app might be unable to communicate with the Roku TV.
So, it’s undeniable that you first need to ensure that your internet and WiFi on your iPhone are intact for the Roku app to work well.
Important: Your iPhone and Roku TV must be on the same internet/WiFi!
How to Verify the Roku WiFi Connection?
- First, press “Home” and go to “Settings.”
- Go to “Network” and “Check Connection.”
- Note down the name (SSID) of the WiFi.
How to Verify iPhone TV Internet Connection?
- First, open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Then, enter Mobile Data and toggle it OFF.
- Go back to the WiFi tab and check the WiFi.
- Note down the name (SSID) of the used WiFi.
Wired Roku: If you’re using a wired connection to connect your Roku TV to the internet, you must verify that your iPhone is also connected to the same router’s WiFi.
Tips to Optimize the Internet Connection:
- Test the internet speed online for free.
- Unplug the WiFi router for 60 seconds.
- Forget and reconnect to the iPhone WiFi.
- Turn OFF or disable the VPN connection.
- Test your WiFi signal on other devices.
- Move your iPhone closer to the router.
Note: If other apps are also not working, it is likely an issue with the internet or the router!
2. Inspect the Roku Server Status!
If there is nothing wrong with your internet connection, then it is likely that your Roku app is not working due to an offline Roku server.
When the application is currently down or under maintenance, you and all Roku app users will be unable to operate.
Typically outages don’t last long, so we recommend waiting for a couple of hours and, in the meantime, trying the other solutions in this guide.
Tip: Check for Roku service outages on their official Roku X Social.
3. Check for the Roku App Updates
You should check the Roku app version and ensure the system is up to date since the performance is not guaranteed if your iPhone is still using an old version.
You should visit the App Store to check for the available updates for the Roku app and install them ASAP…
Info: Updating apps on your iPhone requires a WiFi or cellular internet connection!
Here is how to check for updates on the Roku app:
- First, go to your iPhone’s App Store app.
- Locate the Roku App and tap on the icon.
- If you see the “Open” button, it’s up to date.
- If you see a “Cloud + Arrow” button, press it.
- Wait a minute until the update process ends.
- Once the app upgrades, then launch the app.
Note: If no update is available, force-close the Roku app and test again!
4. Toggle ON/OFF the Airplane Mode!
Sometimes, due to networking bugs on your iPhone, the connection between the Roku app and the Roku TV might be declined.
A quick and easy way to refresh the networking services on your iPhone is to toggle on and off the Airplay Mode.
The Airplane mode disables all connectivity settings on your iPhone, including Bluetooth, WiFi, and Cellular.
However, this will not affect your settings, and your iPhone’s connectivity will return to the same state as before as soon as you toggle off the Airplane mode.
Simply swipe down from the iPhone screen and tap on the Airplane icon!
Then wait a few seconds, and turn off the Airplay mode to restore the connection.
This may take up to 60 seconds for all services to come online. Then, test whether the Roku app will work.
5. Restart Your iPhone and Roku TV
Remember that smart devices are prone to developing unknown bugs and glitches that affect not only app performance but also the corresponding devices.
Since you can not tell whether your iPhone or Roku TV has bugs, try restarting both devices to eliminate the potential faults.
Here is how to restart the iPhone and Roku TV:
Step to Restart iPhone:
- First, locate the Power Button from the top or side.
- Press and hold the Volume Down + Power Button.
- Wait until you get the “Slide to Power Off” on top.
- Swipe the slider to the right to turn off the iPhone.
- Wait for 60 seconds before turning on the device.
- When the Apple logo appears, restart Roku TV.
Steps to Restart Roku TV:
- Go to the Roku TV home screen.
- Scroll down and enter the Settings.
- Scroll and look for the System tab.
- In the System menu, select Power
- Scroll and select System Restart.
When both devices restart and boot up completely, launch the Roku app and check if it functions correctly.
Reminder: Don’t forget your Roku TV and iPhone must be connected to the same internet!
6. Update the iPhone & Roku Firmware!
It’s not excluded that the app is not working because of an outdated iPhone’s iOS or Roku TV software.
This is a quick solution to attempt, so verify that both instances are up to date, and if any updates are available, carry them out as soon as possible.
Here is how to update your iPhone and Roku TV OS firmware:
- For iPhone: Open Settings menu > select General > choose Software Update.
- For Roku TV: Go to the TV home screen > select Settings > choose System > enter the System Update tab.
Note: Your devices must be connected to the internet to perform the updates!
7. Erase and Install the Roku Application
If your Roku app is still not working on your iPhone, then completely uninstall the app and then download the app back from the App Store.
This method will address all potential faults related to missing or corrupted files and allow you to set up the Roku app freshly.
Here is how to uninstall and reinstall the Roku app on iPhone:
- Go to the home screen of your iPhone.
- Locate the Roku app on the screen.
- Press and hold on to the Roku icon.
- Select “Remove” from the options list.
- Next, go to your iPhone App Store.
- Search for the Roku TV mobile app.
- Open the app’s tab and tap “Install.”
- Wait for 60 seconds to download it.
- Then, sign into your Roku app account.
Note: Any of the previously made in-app settings will be gone!
Need More Help?
In case nothing helps, go to Roku Support. They will guide you further and help you resolve the app problem—best of luck.
Quick Recap:
Hence, when your Roku app not working on iPhone, connect both your iPhone and TV to the same WiFi, check the Roku server status, and update both of your devices.
In case that doesn’t help, you should perform a clean Roku app reinstallation to solve the issue.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.