Roku mobile app

Discover troubleshooting and helpful tips for the Roku mobile app. Learn how to use the Roku remote on your phone, add channels, privately listen, and more.
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jamesrh72
Reel Rookie

Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

My wife and I both have the Roku Mobile App on our phones. We have previously used them to watch our favorite shows when we were away from home. Recently when we try to watch anything while we are away from home it tells us that we have to connect to our device first. The device at home. We leave it at home because we have a Mobile App.

If we have to be at home or have our device with us, set up and working, to watch something then this app is now pretty much useless as "Mobile" anything. It used to work so the answer that keeps popping up "the Mobile App is not the same as the app on the device" is not helpful at all. It only means that Roku has changed the (supposedly) Mobile App for a senseless reason and they're refusing to tell us why.

I hope they realize how many people are upset about this change and I hope they reverse it very soon.

5 REPLIES 5
makaiguy
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

The Roku app on your phone can only connect to a Roku on the same local network as the phone.

When not on your home network you can connect via your web browser to therokuchannel.com, but it will not provide access to any premiums you may subscribe to through Roku that you normally access through The Roku Channel.

Roku Community Streaming Expert
I am not a Roku employee, only a user like you.  Please, no support questions via private message -- post them publicly to the Community where others may benefit as well.
If this post solves your problem please help others find this answer by clicking "Accept as Solution.".

Ultra 4800 | Streaming Stick 4K+ 3821 | TCL Roku TV 43S245/C107X
jamesrh72
Reel Rookie

Re: Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

This reply misses the point of my question. 

My question is, why does the Mobile App need to connect to a device at all in order to stream a show? It used to work on it's own as a streaming app. Now it doesn't. It's been changed. But they won't acknowledge it. Why?

Luddite73
Newbie

Re: Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

Yes, my Roku won't play on my phone anymore, just in my kitchen! So these answers about being away from home- it happens at home too! Apparently there is no where that one can play content on phone, after a few weeks having roku. So disappointing. Idk why it suddenly happened after weeks of having a much better product, not it's not that useful! 

RokuEmmanuel-D
Community Moderator
Community Moderator

Re: Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

Welcome aboard to the Roku Community, @Luddite73.

Thanks for letting us know about the issue you're encountering with a feature that no longer exists on your Roku Mobile App. No worries; we'd be glad to take a closer look into what you're currently running into.

What specific channel are you trying to watch inside the Roku App? Please be advised that as long as you have a Roku account, you can still watch programs on your Roku Mobile App. However, it is only limited to On Demand shows on Roku Channels. 

If you're having trouble doing it, can you please try uninstalling and then reinstalling the app back again?

Let us know if you're still having issues; we're always willing to assist.

All the best,
Emman

Emmanuel-D.
Roku Community Moderator
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Jlindoff
Newbie

Re: Why does the Mobile App have to be connected to a device to watch a show?

Sane issue. I always was able to watch on my phone. There still is an drop down option,  watch on mobile.  But every time I click on it, it just brings me to the remote. I was literally just watching on my mobile last week! Now I can't.  Pissed. 

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