Forum Discussion

ThePurpleWatch's avatar
ThePurpleWatch
Channel Surfer
6 years ago

Feature Request: Support for audio out - Airplay

It would be great to use Airplay to send Roku/Roku TV audio to other sound devices in the house.  This could let the sound follow me through the house and I can take advantage of my Sonos speakers even for the TV room.

  • RokuTannerD's avatar
    RokuTannerD
    Retired Moderator

    Hi there! 

    Using the free Roku mobile app, you can use the Private Listening feature to route your Roku device's audio to your phone. If you then pair your phone to an audio output device via bluetooth, this should achieve the result you are looking for. Hope that helps! 

    I'll pass along your request for Airplay support to our team. 

    Thanks,
    Tanner

    • Yung40oz84's avatar
      Yung40oz84
      Channel Surfer

      Well I just tried this and the HomePod mini doesn’t show in Bluetooth devices... I’d like to see this feature as well. I’ll be getting another mini and they can be linked for stereo sound and I’d like to be able to airplay sound externally from my Roku TV to them 👍🏼

    • ThePurpleWatch's avatar
      ThePurpleWatch
      Channel Surfer

      I've done that.  The extra hop to Bluetooth on top of wifi adds a noticeable lag.

      The whole thing drains my phone's battery as well when the Roku is already connected to the network with multiple available wireless speakers.

       

      There are some reports that turning on Private Listening on an iOS device and then system-wide on iOS choosing an AirPlay speaker will get audio to the AirPlay speaker, but that is not reproducible.

  • pfarfour's avatar
    pfarfour
    Channel Surfer

    I just purchased a Roku TV because it now has Airplay 2 - My primary use is to airplay the TV audio to my speakers.  Very disappointed to learn that feature doesn't exist.  Probably returning the TV for another option.  

  • From what I understand reading multiple sources, this isn't something that will be possible any time soon, unless Apple has a change of heart. I tried to output an Apple TV stream both to Roku as well as the HomePod. As soon as I connect to the HomePod, the stream on Roku turns into audio only.

    • BGage's avatar
      BGage
      Newbie

      Just hooked roku stick up to a projector and it would be great if you could chose to send the audio signal from the stock to my sonos speakers without interrupting the video.

    • Akiymoto's avatar
      Akiymoto
      Newbie

      Same here. Soon as I connect homepod, Roku video turns to audio.

      Roku please tell us why?

      I’ll be returning my Roku Express 4K+ tomorrow if I can’t find a workaround.

      • Tylerdotdo's avatar
        Tylerdotdo
        Channel Surfer

        Yeah, it’s time to return your Roku. You can’t mix audio streams and video streams. If video and audio along with audio on your HomePods is what you want, the only way to accomplish this is an Apple TV 

  • wdon's avatar
    wdon
    Reel Rookie

    Me too. The only reason I bought a new Ruko 4800X was to use Airplay 2 to send audio to my Homepod mini pair.  My old Roku was still working just fine.

    It looks like I should return the 4800X and just wait for the next version of Apple TV. 

    What a shame.

    • Yung40oz84's avatar
      Yung40oz84
      Channel Surfer

      Ya I kind of feel let down lol. I figured when they put AirPlay support it would be all in. I’m not completely sure but I think this can be added on the software side of things to get this running on the latest Roku devices, hopefully!

      • pfarfour's avatar
        pfarfour
        Channel Surfer

        I wish Roku would at least chime in and let us know if this is a limitation imposed by Apple or a choice made by Roku to limit features.