I work for a major sports league and they have a video cast that I can access any game that is/has broadcast. The problem is it requires a web browser to access and does not work when trying to cast from a laptop (doesn't work on mobile devices either). My coworker can get it to work on his Samsung TV through his browser and I am stuck using my laptop connected with HDMI which is a pain. Why can we not have a browser on our Roku TVs? It's kind of ridiculous Roku TVs do not have a browser option in 2023.

Hi Xerxes910, Thanks for reaching out to the Roku Community.Just wanted to let you know that your Roku streaming player or Roku TV is not designed to browse the Internet on your television. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. Thanks, Arjiemar

Really need a web browser | Roku Community

35 Replies

lee333
Newbie
2 years ago
I does seem silly not having an app for web browsing,especially when the competition (Amazon Firestick) does. Makes you wonder about the management of this outfit.
Tiromoph
Newbie
2 years ago
I require a new TV for my DAKboard, which requires a browser. I like Roku, but a Roku TV is not an option without a browser.
Aparker57
Newbie
2 years ago
I agree, a full function web browser is needed. We have a Roku tv in a conference room, we bought it because it was easy to mirror to. However, we have a lot of guests that come in and out without a laptop. They’d like to log on to their office 365 or Google docs account. If we could get that far, zoom meetings and teams would be awesome.
JB12341
Newbie
2 years ago
I recommended Roku to my friends but Roku has restrictions to open blowing which is the fatal error. And weak remote. I am considering to buy smart tv without Roku. Roku was good but not any more.
makross
Channel Surfer
2 years ago
I too support the need of a web browser. Bring Mozilla in to develop Firefox for Roku.
- jri-creator
  Channel Surfer
  12 months ago
  The reason why I have a Roku TV was because it was going to serve as a device that allowed me to view the Web without being close to a screen.
  The fact that Roku TV doesn't have a Web Browser is very annoying. Where I am, the only cheap option for a TV, and the ones that are only on display are your TV's. If I was a millionaire, I could buy a better TV, and have a web browser.
  The only reason I don't use my Smart Blu-ray Player that DOES have a Web Browser is due to age, and lack of support. I had to use stupid, but alternative, ways to get a Web Browser on my TV, using my Ubuntu-Book
  Roku, hear us. We want a Browser built into your smart devices, and that's not hard to develop. Even a simple Browser by Opera would do the job for many of us.
  
  Please, Give Us A Web Browser!
  - andyross
    Roku Guru
    12 months ago
    Get a cheap, Walmart ONN Google TV device. Connect it to your TV. Then customize with all the Android-based stuff you want. You can even add a mouse and keyboard.
ThinkMattClark
Newbie
11 months ago
I second. Need a web browser to go to a specific URL for specific content.
- jri-creator
  Channel Surfer
  11 months ago
  Good thing old Chromebooks, HDMI cables & support, and Ubuntu exist. Media Center for 7 months & counting, with great performance and a WEB BROWSER, ROKU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
djalski
Newbie
10 months ago
I love the way roku works but it's #1 reason why i got away from it, No supported browsers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RokuArjiemar
Retired Moderator
3 years ago
Hi Xerxes910,

Thanks for reaching out to the Roku Community.

Just wanted to let you know that your Roku streaming player or Roku TV is not designed to browse the Internet on your television.

Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Arjiemar
- Xerxes910
  Reel Rookie
  3 years ago
  So what you are really saying is that I basically need to ditch my RokuTV and buy another without Roku built in. In 2023 it's really lazy not to have a browser on the TV. I understand not having it on my streaming sticks (of which I have 3) but to not have it on a Roku TV is unacceptable. All my coworkers can watch the games because they have TVs with built in browsers. Well I know what I won't be recommending to any of my family and friends when they ask about TVs.
  - Steve39
    Newbie
    2 years ago
    I am so glad I read this post because I was considering buying a TV with built-in Roku. Now I'll make sure to buy one that has a browser, especially now that apps on Roku are shutting down and we're being redirected to the web. Roku love your stuff but it's obvious you're trying to limit our options for short-term gain.
- BP22
  Newbie
  2 years ago
  Nobody said “surf the internet”. It is common for sports venues to have a url pointing to video content. We have dozens of Roku devices in our corporate venues and will likely never buy another because of the removal of the ability to see streamed content that is delivered by industry standard protocols.
- Batman--59
  Newbie
  2 years ago
  I currently have a Dumb TV and made it a Simi-Smart TV by adding the ROKU streaming device. I was considering upgrading to a 65 inch ROKU TV, but seeing you cannot access the internet thru an installed Web Browser That makes a New ROKU TV Out Date???? I guess I'll have to go with anothere manufacturer That access the Internet. So I have Fiber Optic Wi-Fi and can't use it on this TV to go on the internet, WHAT A WASTE.
Todd69
Reel Rookie
10 months ago
You can now. But you have to pay a monthly fee. So dumb.
- Balou
  Newbie
  10 months ago
  Can you explain how to do it?
user7891
Newbie
9 months ago
With an iphone or ipad you can use the Roku screen mirror function. Simply go into the Roku settings to mirror your screen and enable this feature. Then select the mirror function on your iphone or ipad in the control panel (slide from upper right on your iphone or ipad) and then select your tv. Your tv and iphone or ipad need to be on the same network. The mirror function works really great since it also includes sound, works with all your apps, and the mirror function knows if you are playing a video and will play full screen on your tv.
Not sure if there is similar function for google phones.
I really like my roku devices, I have one on each of my tvs. Guess some of the folks complaining about the roku not doing what they want will need to find something else to b**** about.