Can i browse internet on roku

Can you browse the internet on a Roku? Contrary to popular belief, it's possible to install an internet browser on your Roku. On the downside, the number of Roku web browser options are very limited and lacking in features.

Nonetheless, if you want to learn about the best Roku web browser options, along with a workaround that offers a better web browsing experience, keep reading. If you want to use your streaming device as a web browser, Roku sticks and set-top boxes are definitely not the best option.

Despite being around for several years and despite several of Roku's main competitors offering internet browsers on their own streaming devices , there are only two browsers in the Roku Channel Store. Neither of them developed by Roku itself. The best Roku web browser is Web Browser X. We use the word "best" somewhat loosely.

If you're expecting a slick and modern interface, you're going to be disappointed. Web Browser X looks like it was designed in the early s; the fonts and the interface are shockingly old fashioned. That said, it does workthough it will struggle to render and format highly complex pages. You can also add your own frequently visited sites to your list of favorites. To navigate a web page, use the left and right buttons on your remote to cycle through the links on a page, and use the up and down arrows to scroll through the text.

On the downside, the browser cannot play videos so stay clear of YouTube et al. And another word of warning. During the research for this piece, I downloaded the app from the Mexican version of the Channel Store. So apart from being a decent web browser, it is also offering a truckload of other features, including but not limited to:. However, it has added so many features that one might even confuse it for a media streaming service first and a browser later.

If only it focused more on its browsing interface, it could have probably gained a higher rank in this list. Whether directly picking up the name of the device as your own branding will work or not, only time will tell. But one thing that seems to have worked out in its favor is its incorporation of various media services. So be it for news, sports, music or live TV, you could view all of them under one root itself.

Some of its other features that might prove to be useful includes:. However, most of its offerings are behind a paywall. So you would have to empty your pockets in order to enjoy the full potential of this service.

The Roku Channel. Apart from Web Browser X and Media Browser, it is the only browser that you could directly get a hold of from the Roku store. Unfortunately, that very feature leads to its downfall as well. A few Google searches and going through the RSS feeds is the most that it could handle. All in all, the downsides of missing such important browser components seem to have outweighed the benefits accrued from its availability in the Roku store.

Most of them could only carry out a few basic tasks. This is why we decided to share this method with you. However, the biggest drawback is the fact that you could only cast an Android device and not an iPhone.

Moreover, casting requires a strong internet connection, otherwise, you would notice lags and pairing issues. So with this, we come to the end of this list of the best internet browsers for Roku. We have shared seven different browsers in this write-up, each having its own USP and drawbacks. There is no point of having a browser if it cannot stream these contents. This means that the best way is then using screen mirroring.

This allows you to cast or to mirror your screen on your Android device and start surfing directly in it. You can also cast any other browsers on your Roku, and this will allow streaming of content. The only drawback is that it depends on the other device as it needs the help of the other devices so that you can cast their screen. The best approach that I would recommend when using Roku is to use screen mirroring and cast a browser directly to your computer or your phone to the Roku device.

If you prefer to browse the internet on your Roku from your Android phone or tablet, these are the steps you should follow to set up. You should note that not every Android device supports Miracast.

Consult your manufactures literature for more information concerning this. Roku devices are considered the best ways to help you streaming content on your TV although there are sometimes when you cant use Roku for things like browsing the web and sorting photos.

That is the point when you need to have access to Google services on your Roku. Given that Roku devices support all the major streaming services, it is no surprise that Google Play Movies and TV also has an o fficial Roku channel that you can download and start using. Once you install the Google Play Movies App on your Roku, you then need to pair it with your Google account by going to this site play.

You should also provide a payment method when you sign up although they will not charge you unless you order something. Theoretically, you can only use this App if you stay in Canada, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, or the United Kingdom although it is still unclear how accurate this information is. The non-supported countries may have some issues when accessing. Currently, there is no official Google play music that is for Roku devices.

There were a couple of ways in which you could listen to Google Play Music on your Roku with the Nowhere Music private Roku channel or using the third-party plug-in for Plex, but developments have stopped on both projects. The only remaining option is to cast Google Play Music from an Android device or Windows computer to your Roku directly.

Roku sticks use Miracast technology , and iOS devices are not supported. As per now, there is no Google Chrome app for Roku, and if you need to get access to your Chrome on your TV screen, you need to mirror your screen from another device that is Miracast enabled. There is also no official Google Photos app that you can use for Roku. Although you can still use a third-party app from the Roku channel store. It is the best way that you can use to access your photos on Roku.

The App enables Roku to have screen saver features, Google Photo albums and an integrated search feature. The photos can also be played in a slideshow when Roku is not in use. When you use screen mirroring, it opens up Roku to a lot of new possibilities. Roku is a closed device, and when you screen to mirror, it is the only way you can use to communicate with other devices. There are many products that are coming up in the smart home world and I have put together an e-book that has all the newly and rapidly growing trends that you may want to know.

You can get access to this ebook here for more information. Roku is now excited to team up with Hisense and they now bring the first TV that has the Roku operating system, the Hisense Roku TV R7 series will bring all your entertainment together in one place. Find the best streaming device that is good for you here.

Get all the accessories you need for your Roku TV here. Enjoy great offers to stream your favourite shows and movies when you buy any new Roku player here. Hopefully, you will enjoy my posts and be a regular around here!