There are times when one would end up losing a remote to a certain device; losing a remote for a video game system, a remote to control access to one’s garage, or, for this article, losing a remote for a streaming device.

You can use a Roku Device without a remote. There are multiple ways to access and gain control of many Roku streaming devices/smart televisions without a remote control.

To elaborate the Roku’s various means of accessibility, one would need to describe how to do so without any mistakes or frustrations in the process.

One of the many ways to access the Roku device would be to use the Roku Application that can be installed into any Android or Apple device with a good internet connection. 

With this app, one can connect to all sorts of settings through their Roku device.

Once you’ve downloaded the Roku App from the App Store or Google Play Store, follow these instructions to pair your mobile device with your Roku: 

  • Link the app to the Roku device of choice by tapping on the device iconThere will be a list of devices from which the app can link the app to the phone/tabletOnce connected, tap on the remote icon that will provide a list of devicesYou now have access to whatever streaming services provided through the Roku device

The Roku device can be accessed through the same internet connection through the app. 

This is very convenient since there are many instances when a remote control would be lost or broken, leaving those without its use unable to gain access to the various streaming services. As stated before, this is only one of many ways to access the Roku device.

There will be a time when the Roku device will not be able to be accessed through the App. Sometimes, the app would be unresponsive or even have trouble connecting to the Roku device. There is a simple solution to these cases.

If it were just a connection issue, one would simply need to close the app and open it again. This is a quick solution to a temporary problem as the application tries to fix itself. However, this might not help all the time, especially if there are other problems that occur.

When an app restart does not change its connection situation, another solution would be:

  • One can remove the app and redownload it again, having the app reboot its internet connection and have the app reconnect with the device again.Another action would be to restart the internet router and modem, as this might be an internet connection, and the connection can be interrupted because of a poor connection.Another solution would be to move the Roku device closer to the internet router. The next solution would be to contact customer support, as this might be something related to the app itself that is outside the user’s control.

In any case, these situations are to help out with the connection for the Roku app. The same procedure can somewhat be applied for the browser extension. 

If your Roku remote isn’t working, consider some of these troubleshooting steps before purchasing a new Roku remote or a universal remote. 

How to Access the Roku Device Without the Roku app

There might be a time when the availability of the Roku phone app will be unavailable. Therefore, it might be necessary to familiarize oneself with the internet extension of the Roku App.

While it must seem strange at first, this is necessary if one wishes to access the Roku device if the use of a phone becomes difficult for whatever reason.

To do this, one must:

  • Gain access to an internet browser (i.e., Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge)

  • Install the Roku extension through one of these browsers.Click on the Roku icon on the extension tab

Once everything is set up, the Roku browser remote control will be at your disposal. 

Nevertheless, this is not to say that simply installing these apps or extensions that there won’t be any need to replace the remote itself.

The Roku devices are capable of being used without the remote, thanks to the help of the phone app. 

The main component for this would be the need for an Android or Apple device. 

There will always be a need for the use of a smartphone regardless of what brand it is, and this is a common solution available whenever the Roku remote is missing/broken.

Regardless of what devices one can use, there is always a solution. On the off chance that there is no Android device or Apple device available, purchasing a remote is another easier solution.