Forum Discussion

jamescobban's avatar
jamescobban
Reel Rookie
4 months ago
Solved

Roku app won't connect to Roku when using a hotspot.

When my wired internet connectivity fails, I turn my mobile phone into a wifi hotspot.  I then connect my Roku TV using the hotspot.  But when I try to use the app to control the TV, the app insists ...
mobile app
  • RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
    RokuEmmanuel-D
    4 months ago

    Hey, jamescobban​.

    Thanks for reporting this!

    We understand that you want to connect your Roku Mobile app to your Roku when it is also connected to the Mobile Hotspot.

    Just a heads up! The Roku mobile app can’t be connected to a Roku device if you’re using your phone as a hotspot. That’s because your phone has to be connected to the hotspot to be on the same network as the Roku. When your phone is in hotspot mode, it's acting as a Wi-Fi access point, but it's not actually part of the network; it's broadcasting. 

    Suggested workaround: To run the Roku Mobile app, you need a separate device (like a tablet or another phone) connected to the hotspot.

    Hope that clears things up!

    Roku Community Team

RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
RokuEmmanuel-D
Community Moderator
4 months ago

Hey, jamescobban​.

Thanks for reporting this!

We understand that you want to connect your Roku Mobile app to your Roku when it is also connected to the Mobile Hotspot.

Just a heads up! The Roku mobile app can’t be connected to a Roku device if you’re using your phone as a hotspot. That’s because your phone has to be connected to the hotspot to be on the same network as the Roku. When your phone is in hotspot mode, it's acting as a Wi-Fi access point, but it's not actually part of the network; it's broadcasting. 

Suggested workaround: To run the Roku Mobile app, you need a separate device (like a tablet or another phone) connected to the hotspot.

Hope that clears things up!

Roku Community Team