Looking to do more with the Roku 4? This post will walk you through jailbreaking Roku 4 to install additional apps and access content not available in the official Channel Store. Let’s dive in and get started!
What is meant by Jailbreaking?
Jailbreaking means installing a third-party application on the Roku that is officially not available on the Roku channel store. Jailbreaking means modifying the functionality of the device.
Is it Possible to Jailbreak Roku?
Roku is a jailbreak-proof device. Roku is one of the most secure smart TV operating systems next to the Apple TV, but Roku is considerably lower in price. So, that’s why it is very difficult to jailbreak the Roku. There are a lot of free and paid apps available on the Roku channel store. Roku is a highly secured device that is not modifiable. That is the reason many people chose this device. You can not install third-party apps on the Roku, you can not modify the device. You can only access what Roku offers. So, you can not jailbreak Roku.
How to Jailbreak Roku? – Some Alternatives
As Roku is non-Jailbreakable, it offended many users. But you need not worry. There are some alternative ways with which you can jailbreak the Roku and install third-party apps or stream the apps that are not offered by the Roku. In this article, we are going to show these alternatives.
- Private Channels
One of the alternatives to jailbreak Roku is through private channels. Private channels are part of the Roku store but they are hidden due to many reasons. These apps are also known as non-certified apps. To install such channels/apps you need the channel code of the channel you want to install.
How to Add a Private Channel on Roku?
To stream any private channel, you need to add it manually. For this you need the following:
- Roku Account
- Private Channel Code
- Step 1 : Open the browser on your PC or a smartphone go to the Roku website roku.com
- Step 2 : Click Sign in from the top right corner.
- Step 3 : Enter the username and password and click Sign in. If you don’t have an account, create one by signing up.
- Step 4 : After signing in, go to the My Account page.
- Step 5 : Click Add channel from Manage Account.
- Step 6 : Provide the Channel code of the channel you want to add. For example typing, Dailymotion will install the Daily Motion app.
- Step 7 : Click on Add Channel from the app info screen.
- Step 8 : Click Yes, Add channel to confirm installing the app.
- Step 9 : Wait for at least 24 hours for Roku to Add the channel on your Roku. After that go to the home screen of Roku and launch the app.
- Screen Mirroring
You can stream the apps or channels that are not available on the Roku channel store by screen mirroring. Screen mirroring is one of the best alternatives to jailbreak the Roku.
To mirror the screen on Roku, you need an Android or an iPhone. Screen mirroring casts your Android or iPhone screen to the Roku. Roku does not offer screen mirroring by default so you have to do the following changes on Roku.
Enable Screen Mirroring on Roku
- Step 1 : Press the home button and go to the settings.
- Step 2 : Select “System” in the settings.
- Step 3 : Select screen mirroring and select screen mirroring mode.
- Step 4 : Check the Prompt/Always allow option.
Screen Mirror Phone to Roku
- Step 1 : Download the Roku App on your android or iPhone from the play store/apple store.
- Step 2 : After downloading, launch the Roku app.
- Step 3 : Roku app will search for the device and show you the available Roku device.
- Step 4 : It will mirror the screen automatically immediately if you selected always allow. It will show a prompt on the Roku TV screen if you selected Prompt.
Screen Casting
You can stream more apps and content that is not available officially on the Roku without jailbreaking Roku. Screencasting is a feature that comes with some apps that allows you to cast the screen to the other devices connected to the same network. Some of the apps that provide this feature are YouTube, HBO Go, HBO Now, Netflix and Spotify, etc.
How to Screen Cast from Phone to Roku TV?
- Step 1 : On your Roku, install a casting app from the Roku channel store.
- Step 2 : On your phone, download the same app on your phone from the respective store.
- Step 3 : Now launch the app from the phone.
- Step 4 : Look for the cast icon and select it.
- Step 5 : Select the Roku device from the available list.
- Step 6 : Your phone will be cast to your Roku TV.
Play on Roku
Another alternative to jailbreak the Roku device is to use Play On Roku. Play on is the feature available on the Roku app. You can use this feature by installing the Roku mobile app on an Android phone or an iPhone. You can view photos, music and videos from your phone on your Roku with this feature.
How to perform Play On Roku?
- Step 1 : Launch the Roku mobile app on your Android or iPhone.
- Step 2 : Select the Photos+ icon from the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Step 3 : Select anything between Photos, Music, and Videos you want to share.
- Step 4 : Allow access to the media library when asked.
- Step 5 : Now select the content from the phone you want to share. It will be shared on the Roku screen.
Using Home Network
If you want to share photos, music or videos from your PC to the Roku device then this method will help you. This method will only work for PC and media servers. With this method, you can watch photos, videos from the PC/media server that are connected to the same Home Network. This method requires a Roku media player. If you don’t have a media player, download it from the Roku Channel Store.
How to Play Media using Roku Media Player App on Roku TV?
- Step 1 : Open the Media Player app on your Roku TV
- Step 2 : Select the type of media you want to play from the Media Type Selection.
- Step 3 : Select the device from which you want to play the media like Windows Media Player.
- Step 4 : Now select the content you want to play from the folder.
- Step 5 : Click OK or use the Play/Pause buttons on the remote to pause or play the content. Press the Back button to stop playing the media.
That was all on jailbreaking the Roku devices. It is not possible to jailbreak the Roku as it is a highly secured operating system. But there are some ways to stream the content that is not offered by Roku like watching videos, surfing websites. You can stream this kind of content by following the above-mentioned ways. Still, if you have any confusion or any queries regarding jailbreaking Roku, feel free to ask in the comment section. We are here to help you and guide you to find solutions to your problems. You can also tell if you found this article helpful by writing to us in the comment section. We will appreciate your responses.
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