Roku mobile app

[Jess94]

I just bought a roku tv and have set it up connected to my phone and using my mobile data, since I do not have a wired internet connection. The tv and streaming work fine, however i am trying to set up the app but when it opens it simply says no networks detected and sends me to my wireless settings. Of course there's nothing for me to connect to because my phone itself is the router.

Will the app not function using a mobile data connection or is there some way for me to set this up?

[DBDukes]

@Jess94 

When your Roku is connected to your phone/hotspot, it's on a network. When you open the app (or any app) it's not connecting to your phone's hotspot. It's already using the phone's cellular connection and doesn't need to connect to that network. It's operating outside your hotspot (the network), so to speak.

Now, someone on another device could ride your hotspot and if they opened their Roku app, they'd be able to connect to your Roku, since they would be on the same network.

[Jess94]

Thank you for replying @DBDukes. i understand what you're saying. My problem unfortunately is that even though my Roku is connected to my phone's "network", the app will not function as it doesn't detect me being connected to a wireless connection and gives an impassable prompt to do so.

I don't know anything about the technical side of things so I don't know if this is simply an oversight in design or a technical limitation.

[DBDukes]

@Jess94 

If you're familiar with the idea of having a primary home WiFi network, along with a Guest network, then it'll make more sense. Many home setups have the capability of offering a guest network to allow guests access to the Internet, but keep them off  your primary network.

Or, you may have encountered at, say, a public library where there is a public network, and a staff network. Hotels sometimes have this as well.

When your phone is operating as a hotspot, it's setting up a network. Think of it like a guest network. The apps on your phone aren't using that. They're on the primary (your cellular connection). The hotspot (a guest network, so to speak) is connected to it, but it's still a separate network. So, your app is on one network, and your Roku is on another (the hotspot). They aren't on the same network. It's not a design oversight. This is also how it works when you set up a laptop and turn on "Internet Connection Sharing." All that really means is it's operating a hotspot.

[Jess94]

@DBDukes I see, thank you. Is there any way to get the app to connect to the hotspot network so I can use it?

[DBDukes]

@Jess94 

You'd have to connect from a different device. The phone can't connect to itself. That would be the WiFi version of this:

[makaiguy]

The hotspot function acts as a local wifi router.  When acting as a hotspot your phone cannot be used as a wifi enabled device any more than a standalone router can.

If you have another wifi-capable device running Android or iOS, you can connect it to your existing hotspot along with your Roku TV and use the Roku app on that second device to connect to and control your Roku TV. 

This second device can be a tablet or even an old phone.  It only needs wifi capabilities and need not be able to connect to a cell phone carrier. If this second device only supports the 2.4 GHz wifi band, be sure your hotspot is not set up to use the 5 GHz wifi band.