You can’t install Google Search or the Chrome browser on a Roku. Roku says its players and TVs stream video and music but don’t let you browse the internet, and there’s no Google app in the Roku Streaming Store. To use Google Search or any website on your TV, mirror your screen to the Roku: from a Windows PC or a compatible Android phone with Roku’s screen mirroring, or from an iPhone, iPad or Mac with AirPlay.
Several Google services do work on Roku in other ways. YouTube has its own Roku app, you can control a Roku with Google Assistant, and Roku Photo Streams can show a Google Photos album. This guide covers each option and helps you pick the right one.
Quick Answer
- Connect your Roku and your phone or computer to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On Windows 11, press Windows key + K, choose Connect to a wireless display if asked, and pick your Roku.
- On a compatible Android phone, open the screen mirroring option in Quick Settings (often called Smart View) and pick your Roku.
- On an iPhone or iPad, use Screen Mirroring and pick an AirPlay-compatible Roku.
- On the Roku, select Allow or Always allow, then open Google in a browser on your device.
In This Guide
- What Google services work on Roku
- Before you start
- Mirror Google from a Windows PC
- Mirror Google from an Android phone
- Use AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Cast YouTube to your Roku
- Control your Roku with Google Assistant
- Show Google Photos on your Roku
- Which option should you use?
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Google Services Work on Roku
A Roku runs Roku OS, not Android or Google TV. That means apps from the Google Play Store can’t be installed, and there’s no way to add Chrome. Here’s where things stand as of September 2026:
| Google service | On Roku? | How |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search / Chrome | No app | Mirror your phone or computer screen |
| YouTube | Yes | YouTube app from the Streaming Store, or cast from your phone |
| Google Assistant | Yes, for control | Link Roku in the Google Home app |
| Google Photos | Yes, as a screensaver | Roku Photo Streams |
| Google Play Movies and TV | No longer | The Roku app was removed in 2021; past purchases are in YouTube |
| Google Play Store | No | Roku apps come only from the Roku Streaming Store |
You may see older guides call the app store the “Channel Store.” Roku now calls it the Streaming Store. Roku confirms the browser limitation in Does my Roku streaming device have an internet web browser?
Before You Start
- Same Wi-Fi network. Your Roku and the device you’re mirroring from must be on the same wireless network.
- A supported Roku. Most current Roku players and Roku TVs support screen mirroring. The Roku Express model 3700 and Roku Express+ model 3710 don’t. To check your model, go to Settings, then System, then About on the Roku.
- A supported phone or computer. Windows 10 or 11; most Android phones running Android 10 or later; or an iPhone or iPad on iOS 12.3 or later (or a Mac on macOS 10.14.5 or later) with an AirPlay-compatible Roku.
- Google-made phones are an exception. Roku lists Google-branded Android phones, such as Pixel, as not supporting Roku screen mirroring.
Screen mirroring means your TV shows an exact copy of your phone or computer screen, so anything you open, including Google Search, appears on the TV. Casting is different: a supported app sends a video to the Roku, and the Roku plays it on its own.
Mirror Google from a Windows PC
This is the most practical way to browse Google on a Roku, because you get a full keyboard and mouse.
Windows 11
- Make sure the PC and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network and the Roku is on.
- Press the Windows key + K. Expected result: A panel lists nearby wireless displays. If you see Connect to a wireless display, click it.
- Select your Roku from the list.
- On the TV, use your Roku remote to choose Allow (this time only) or Always allow (this device in future). Expected result: Your PC’s screen appears on the TV.
- Open Chrome or any browser on your PC and go to Google.
Windows 10
- Open the Action Center from the right end of the taskbar.
- Select Connect.
- Choose your Roku from the list of wireless displays.
- Choose Allow or Always allow on the TV, then open Google on your PC.
For more detail, see how to cast Windows 10 to Roku and Roku’s article How to screen mirror to your Roku streaming device.
Mirror Google from an Android Phone
Android phones running Android 10 or later generally support Roku screen mirroring, but the button name depends on the phone maker. Samsung calls it Smart View; other brands may say Screen mirroring, Cast or something similar.
- Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap your phone’s screen mirroring button, such as Smart View. You may need to swipe to find it.
- Pick your Roku from the list.
- On the TV, choose Allow or Always allow. Expected result: Your phone screen shows on the TV.
- Open the Google app or Chrome on your phone and search. Turn the phone sideways for a larger picture.
Pixel phones and other Google-branded devices aren’t supported for Roku screen mirroring. On those phones, use the casting button inside apps like YouTube instead.
Use AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad or Mac
Many Roku devices support Apple AirPlay, which lets you mirror an iPhone, iPad or Mac screen. Roku Select and Plus Series TVs support it, and other compatible models need Roku OS 9.4 or 10.0 or later, depending on the device.
- On the Roku, go to Settings and make sure Apple AirPlay and HomeKit is set to On.
- Connect your Apple device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring. On a Mac, use the Screen Mirroring control in Control Center.
- Choose your Roku. If a code appears on the TV, enter it on your Apple device.
- Open Safari or the Google app and search.
See Roku’s AirPlay and HomeKit guide for the full compatibility list.
Cast YouTube to Your Roku
YouTube is available as a free app in the Roku Streaming Store. You can also send videos from your phone, which works even with Pixel phones.
- Install the YouTube app on your Roku if it isn’t already there.
- Put your phone and Roku on the same Wi-Fi network.
- In the YouTube app on your phone, tap the Cast icon and choose your Roku. Expected result: YouTube opens on the Roku and the video starts.
Once a video is casting, your phone is free for other things, unlike screen mirroring. Netflix and some other apps work the same way. Roku explains this in How to cast apps like YouTube or Netflix. Note that Roku isn’t a Chromecast device, so casting a whole Chrome tab from a computer doesn’t target a Roku; use Windows mirroring instead.
Control Your Roku with Google Assistant
Roku still supports Google Assistant in 2026. It lets you use a Google Nest speaker, Pixel phone or other Assistant device to control the Roku by voice. It doesn’t add Google Search to the TV.
- Make sure your Roku runs Roku OS 9.1 or later and you have a Roku account.
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- Add a device and choose Works with Google.
- Search for Roku and sign in to your Roku account.
- Choose which Roku devices to link.
After that, you can say things like “Hey Google, pause Roku” or ask it to open supported apps. On Roku TVs, you can also change volume, switch inputs, and turn the TV on or off. Launching Netflix by voice isn’t supported through this integration. The feature works in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany and Brazil. See Roku’s Google Assistant guide.
Show Google Photos on Your Roku
Roku Photo Streams turns your photos into a Roku screensaver. Roku says you can connect Google Photos by going to photostreams.roku.com, selecting Create Stream, and then Connect to Google Photos. Labels may change as Roku updates the site. A stream holds up to 1,000 photos. For showing a calendar on your TV, see how to display Google Calendar on a TV.
Which Option Should You Use?
| You want to… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Search Google or browse websites | Mirror a Windows PC (easiest typing) or a phone |
| Watch YouTube | YouTube app on Roku, or cast from your phone |
| Control the TV by voice | Google Assistant via Google Home |
| Show family photos | Roku Photo Streams with Google Photos |
| Use a Pixel phone | Cast from supported apps; mirroring isn’t supported |
If you want built-in Google Search on the TV itself, you’d need a Google TV device instead of a Roku.
Troubleshooting
My Roku doesn’t appear in the device list
Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, not a guest network, and that the Roku is awake. Restart the Roku and try again. Check that your Roku model supports mirroring.
I accidentally blocked my device
If you chose Block or Always block, look for the screen mirroring options under Settings on your Roku to change the device’s status. The exact menu can vary by Roku OS version.
Mirroring is laggy or keeps dropping
Move closer to the router, close other apps on your phone or PC, and avoid mirroring over busy networks. For video, casting from the app is smoother than mirroring.
AirPlay isn’t listed on my Roku
Your model or Roku OS version may not support it. Check for a Roku OS update in the System section of Settings (the update option’s name can vary), and confirm your model is on Roku’s compatibility list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Chrome on a Roku?
No. Chrome isn’t in the Roku Streaming Store, and Roku doesn’t allow apps from other stores.
Is there any web browser for Roku?
Roku doesn’t provide one. Any third-party browser-style apps are limited, and Roku’s own answer is that its devices don’t let you browse the internet. Mirroring is the reliable option.
Can I get the Google Play Store on Roku?
No. Roku runs its own operating system and only installs apps from the Roku Streaming Store.
Where did Google Play Movies go on Roku?
Google removed that app from Roku in June 2021. Your purchased movies and shows are available in the YouTube app.
Can I mirror my Pixel to a Roku?
Roku lists Google-branded phones as unsupported for screen mirroring. You can still cast from apps like YouTube.
Does Google work on PlayStation instead?
Consoles have similar limits. See how to get Google on PS5.
Summary
- Roku has no Google Search or Chrome app and no built-in web browser.
- Mirror a Windows PC or supported Android phone to use Google on the TV.
- Use AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad or Mac on a compatible Roku.
- Watch YouTube with its Roku app or by casting from your phone.
- Link Roku to Google Assistant in the Google Home app for voice control.
- Show a Google Photos album with Roku Photo Streams.
Next step: check your Roku model under Settings, System, About so you know whether it supports mirroring and AirPlay before you start.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.