Roku Mobile App

[Rwoz]

Hello Everyone,

Can the Roku mobile app for Android work with a Roku Ultra that is connected to the network by an Ethernet cable, or does it only work with a Roku Ultra that is connected to the network wirelessly?

I want to use the Roku mobile app as a remote for the Roku Ultra. Unfortunately, I do not know much about networks and this seems to be a network issue.

My Roku Ultra is connected by an Ethernet cable to the same router that controls the wireless network. The mobile app does not see the Roku Ultra. 

The support page that addresses this issue (titled "Why does the Roku mobile app not see my Roku streaming device?") suggests trying both "default" and "permissive" network settings, neither of which worked.

It then suggests ensuring that the Roku Ultra is connected to the same wireless network as the phone. This is why I am wondering if the mobile app will work only with wirelessly connected Rokus.

Thanks

Rick

[RokuTannerD]

@Rwoz  Thanks for the note.

Have you tried connecting your device to the same wireless network that your mobile device is connected to? That should allow you to connect to your device via the Roku mobile app. 

Thanks,

Tanner

[magickal]

Can the Roku Mobile App connect to the Roku Ultra that is connected via Ethernet?

That is the question that was posted above and that is the question I have too!

I don't want Roku connected via wireless, Ethernet is much more stable . Will we be unable to use the mobile app to control the Roku device if it is on an Ethernet connection On The SAME Network or not?
and if not, why not? same network.

Thank you!

[qpackard]

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@RokuTannerD wrote:

@Rwoz  Thanks for the note.

Have you tried connecting your device to the same wireless network that your mobile device is connected to? That should allow you to connect to your device via the Roku mobile app. 

Thanks,

Tanner

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Tanner, you did not answer the question. Rick (and I) have the Roku on the ethernet because that is where we want and that is where it is going to stay. The question is whether your android app can control the ethernet-connected Roku Ultra.

If I may add, the remote control is wireless, my phone is connected to the same wireless network, so why cannot the android app on my phone control the Ultra the same as the remote does?

[danrobinson]

I am having the same problem!  I want to use wireless headphones through the app while watching Roku wired to the TV.

[jegger79]

Same issue here. Roku TV on a wired connection. Phone on wireless. App says it "can't find device."

[atc98092]

Answer to all: yes, you can control a Roku with the app if the Roku is connected to Ethernet instead of WiFi. The requirement of course is that the device with the app is connected to the same network. It won't work if the device is connected to the Internet via the cellular connection. It has to be connected via WiFi to the same network that the Roku is wired into.

Also as a reminder: some WiFi access points are configured to block the wireless device from seeing the internal network, only allowing access to the Internet. So the network must be configured correctly as well.

Two of my Roku devices are wired to my Gigabit network. but my phone app sees every device, wired or wireless. 

[Gyorke]

For me, the iOS app wasn’t seeing the new Ultra b/c the Ultra was connected directly to the cable company router, not to anything connected to the separate downstream WiFi router. That meant it was outside the WiFi router’s subnetwork. Once I corrected that by connecting the Ultra to the WiFi router’s Ethernet ports, the app could see the Ultra. 

[atc98092]

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@Gyorke wrote:

For me, the iOS app wasn’t seeing the new Ultra b/c the Ultra was connected directly to the cable company router, not to anything connected to the separate downstream WiFi router. That meant it was outside the WiFi router’s subnetwork. Once I corrected that by connecting the Ultra to the WiFi router’s Ethernet ports, the app could see the Ultra. 

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Yep, that would do it.

[Anonymous]

Today I'm trying to connect the app over mobile myself. In principle there is no reason why this would not work. So, as for the "network being configured properly," it may be necessary to open a port. So... maybe search for roku compatible ports or pirt ranges. Be mindful of VPNs. Also try enabling the DMZ to allow any app or device to open a default or comlatible port on request. This is a fairly high security risk if you are oarticular about network security. However, it is not such a risk to open a port just for a couple devices. I would start with one port that you can open for your roku and mobile device. Any port range your roku supports should also be support on android. These OSs are both linux based: Your phone and your TV. Also, make sure you don't have a potential stock antivirus app like lookout or an installed avg app that may block ports. Maybe check what antivirus apps may allow you to bypass ports or allow various ports. These are just probable solutions. I've been a computer tech for 14 years; that's the best advice off the top of my head. Another option would just be adding "trusted devices" in your router. This is different than mac addresd filtering. With mac address filtering, anybody can scan hidden networks, spoof your mac, and hop right on your network.