How to Connect Roku to Wi-Fi Without a Remote

• you can connect a roku to wi-fi without a remote by setting up the roku app on your phone.
• once connected the roku app to your roku device, you can use your phone as a virtual remote.
• your roku must already be connected to a wi-fi connection to do this; otherwise, you’ll need a real remote.
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almost all roku models use wi-fi to connect to the internet. this usually works fine, but if you need to connect to a new wifi network and you don’t have the remote, things can get messy.

but if your roku is already connected to a wifi network and you just need to switch it to another, you’re in luck. You can use the Roku app on your smartphone as a virtual remote and then switch Wi-Fi networks with just a few taps.

here’s how to control your roku without a remote, including how to connect it to a new wifi network.

quick tip: many guides state that you can do this without your roku already being connected to the internet, by using a mobile hotspot. this method might have worked, but it no longer works. your roku needs to be connected to wi-fi to use the roku app, and if it isn’t, you’re out of luck.

how to connect roku to wi-fi without a remote

first, you will need to set up the roku app on your phone. It is available for free on iPhones in the Apple App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.

1. connect your smartphone to the same wi-fi network as the roku player. again, if your roku isn’t connected to wi-fi, you’re stuck.

2. open the roku app and tap devices in the bottom right corner of the screen.

3. tap your roku device when it appears in the app. if you don’t see it, try restarting your phone or the roku then check again.

4. Your phone should now be connected to the roku as a remote. touch the remote and use the virtual remote to select settings on the left side of the roku home screen, then select network.

5. select set up connection and let your roku search for a new wifi signal. when you find the one you want, select it and enter the password.

once you connect to the new network, your virtual remote control will be disconnected. you will need to connect your phone to the new network and reconnect.

and remember you can keep using the roku app as your virtual remote for as long as you want. it has all the same features as a regular remote control, and maybe even more, if you were using an older remote control model.