Roku mobile app

[MrMichaelC]

My iOS Roku mobile app starts up and finds/connects to my TCL Roku TV just fine - as long as the app stays open and has focus. However if the phone goes to sleep or the Roku app loses focus (i.e. another app is opened or the Roku app is simply minimized) the connection is lost and upon waking the Roku app it will not RECONNECT to the TV. The entire app is frozen and the only way to RECONNECT is to close the Roku app entirely and restart it. Is this normal behavior. It’s kind of inconvenient to have to close and restart the app each time. 

[RokuJohnB · Accepted solution]

Hi @MrMichaelC,

Thank you for your first post here in the Roku Community!

We understand you're having a problem with the Roku mobile app since it will disconnect. We're happy to assist you further.

If you are having trouble reconnecting a phone to your Roku TV system or streaming player, verify how you have the settings configured on your device. To use the Roku mobile app for iOS or Android as your remote, your device must be permitted to accept commands over the Wi-Fi network. There is a Control by Mobile Apps setting on your Roku device that, when disabled, prevents the Roku mobile app and any third-party app from communicating with your Roku device. When this setting is disabled, you may need to enable the setting again using the following steps.

1. Press Home on your remote  
2. Scroll and select Settings
3. Select System
4. Select Advanced System settings
5. Select Control by mobile apps
6. Select Network Access
7. Choose one of three options:
   
   
   • Default: This setting is for users who want to use the Roku mobile app or a third-party app to act as a remote and control their Roku device. Most users choose this setting.
   • Permissive: This is for users who want the Roku mobile app or a third-party app to control their Roku device and are on a publicly accessible network. This choice is uncommon and typically used with an advanced network configuration.
   • Disable: This is for users who do not want a third-party app to be able to control their Roku device.

You can also check our support for additional information here: How to connect your phone to a Roku streaming device with the Roku mobile app

Please let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

All the best,
John