Forum Discussion

CanadaGuy1978's avatar
CanadaGuy1978
Newbie
2 years ago
Solved

Roku add an Internet web browser

Why does Roku not have an internet browser. This is absolutely retarded. I spent over $600 on a TV. That was advertised as a smart TV and you can't search the Internet. How stupid  If I would've kn...
tv & player features
  • RokuJohnB's avatar
    RokuJohnB
    2 years ago

    Hi Rexdude,

    From the Roku Community, greetings!

    We will be more than happy to assist you further. Please be advised that your Roku streaming player or Roku TV provides you with access to stream video and music from the Internet but does not allow you to browse the Internet on your television.

    For more information, you may check out this support article: Does my Roku streaming device have an internet browser?

    Hope you'll find this info useful. Let us know in case you still have any questions.

    Kind regards,
    John
Tim_Hare's avatar
Tim_Hare
Roku Guru
2 years ago

Why not contact the developers of Chrome, Opera, or Firefox and ask that they try to develop one for the Roku platform.   Please realize that the Roku OS is not Android,  it may be based on Linux (I don't remember), but what is available to developers is a scripting language, not a compiled language.

That said - you could 'cast' or screen mirror your phone to the TV and search on your phone while viewing the screen on the TV, as an interim solution

Dfresh567's avatar
Dfresh567
Roku Guru
2 years ago

Tim_Hare CanadaGuy1978 3vy- nonet 

Tim you obviously know how easy internet access is on a Roku. I forgot which one started this thread but dude if the internets is so critical you should know how to “cast” from your smart phone to your Roku. It’s honestly the fastest way to browse the internet too using your phone instead of a TV remote. Also, if you think I’m ripping on you. I’m just mirroring the how your post sounded and made me want to respond. Also, dude, if it’s that important do you homework. You could have found out all the interests functions Roku has or doesn’t in the time it took to write that post. So in closing don’t be angry at Roku be angry at yourself and also do some self reflecting in general. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😤🤫🤧

  • Xboxcontroller's avatar
    Xboxcontroller
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    i for one i am pissed about myself for not researching and just assuming it would have a browser. i guess the fact that i can still return it and get a full refund makes it up. but still, the disappointment is big. google tv is super slow and roku seems pretty good in every other way... oh well.

    • RealTobes's avatar
      RealTobes
      Newbie
      6 months ago

      Try the "Free Movie Browser" app. It's a bit clunky but it does let you watch web videos from Roku without casting from your phone. (I found it after being frustrated by the same issue, but Roku is soooo much faster than Android/Google TV.)

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        6 months ago

        Really not the same thing as a web browser, as you can only select items they have provided a link to. And I am suspicious if they are actually providing the content legally. I'm not going to try using it, because of my suspicions. 

  • Rexdude's avatar
    Rexdude
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    Casting and actually using a browser from within Roku are entirely different...

    • RokuJohnB's avatar
      RokuJohnB
      Community Moderator
      2 years ago

      Hi Rexdude,

      From the Roku Community, greetings!

      We will be more than happy to assist you further. Please be advised that your Roku streaming player or Roku TV provides you with access to stream video and music from the Internet but does not allow you to browse the Internet on your television.

      For more information, you may check out this support article: Does my Roku streaming device have an internet browser?

      Hope you'll find this info useful. Let us know in case you still have any questions.

      Kind regards,
      John
      • borneoblood's avatar
        borneoblood
        Newbie
        7 months ago

        stupid.. Should have a browser.

  • boola39's avatar
    boola39
    Newbie
    11 months ago

    You obviously did not read what he said "dude"

  • Suzyelle's avatar
    Suzyelle
    Reel Rookie
    10 months ago

    Knowing how to cast from my phone or iPad does not mean I automatically want to tie up my phone or iPad, which another family member wants to use BTW, when Roku could simply add an app for a browser. That was the request. We know how to cast. Thanks

  • Brimtown's avatar
    Brimtown
    Reel Rookie
    8 months ago

    Screen casting doesn't really a good option if you want to be using your phone for other things while web browsing. 

  • rolomart's avatar
    rolomart
    Reel Rookie
    7 months ago

    You are missing the point. Many of us don't want to cast. Include a browser so we don't have to jump through extra hoops.

  • Damienbowne's avatar
    Damienbowne
    Newbie
    6 months ago

    Unless you have a Google pixel phone and you can't cast to your TV, I wish I would have known that about Google pixel phones before I purchase one.... And I also wish I would have known my Roku TV. Doesn't have internet browsing before I purchased it. Now I'm stuck in a box. I can't even cast to it and use the internet for my phone and use my TV as a screen

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      6 months ago

      Damienbowne 

      There are a few third party casting apps available in the Roku Channel Store that you can use with your Google Pixel.

      I use Web Video Caster on my Android Phones. (install receiver from Roku Channel Store, and install the Web Video Caster app from the Play Store).  Free version works just fine or you can upgrade with a one-time purchase of $4 or $5. 

      https://channelstore.roku.com/search/web-video-caster

      I have also used Castify and Tubio in the past as well, but Web Video Caster is my go-to.

      As an alternative to casting, you can also try using Screen Mirror of your Pixel to the Roku.

      I use a combination of casting (web video caster), screen mirroring, and connecting my laptop to the TV via HDMI cable to stream internet content to my TVs from my browser.

  • zdigital's avatar
    zdigital
    Binge Watcher
    4 months ago

    Sure, use your phone to screen cast. Then of course you want everyone to see you text messages and constant phone call interruptions, and other notifications from social media, etc., when you're watching a movie. Great idea!

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 months ago

      zdigital​ 

      Screen Casting is different than Screen Mirroring.

      When you Screen Cast, you simply 'push' a video to the Roku device (uses a casting protocol).  Nothing from your phone activity will be present on the TV Screen.  You can even shut off your phone or leave the premises after initiating a Cast and the video will continue playing. (phone does not need to be continuously connected to network during casting.   Only needs to be connected for the initial push of the protocol).

      What you are describing may occur during Screen Mirroring, but not Screen Casting.

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 months ago

      While a phone can certainly be used to screen cast, it makes far more sense to instead use a laptop. But you could also put your phone in silent mode and stop those alerts from appearing. On an iPhone it's called Do Not Disturb.

      • zdigital's avatar
        zdigital
        Binge Watcher
        4 months ago

        yes. all that is possible. But simple is best, and adding another device is not simple. Also, additional devices cost money to own as well.