Streaming Streaming Devices How to Jailbreak a Roku Express Workarounds to add content to your Roku streaming experience by Robert Silva Writer Robert Silva has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has written for Dishinfo.com, and made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Robert Silva Updated on September 11, 2020 The Ultimate Guide to Roku The Ultimate Guide to Roku Introduction Get Started With Roku What Is the Roku Channel? Set Up Your Roku Set Up the Roku Smart Soundbar Pair a Roku Remote Control Connect Your Roku to Wi-Fi Set Up A VPN For Roku Connect Alexa to Roku Connect Google Home to Roku Turn Off Your Roku Using Your Roku Best Ways to Use Your Roku TV Remote How to Watch Live TV on Roku Get Local Channels on Roku Add Channels to Roku Cast to Roku From Your Device Watch Free Movies on Roku Mirror Your iPhone to Roku How to Use Roku Parental Controls Get Netflix on Roku Roku Tips & Tricks Roku Hacks to Make Your Life Easier Great Roku Channels That You Should Add 10 Best Ways to Use the Roku Mobile App Add Spotify to a Roku Device Use Roku While Traveling or At School Install Kodi on Roku How to Jailbreak a Roku Express How to Jailbreak a Roku Device Troubleshooting Your Roku Is Your Roku Remote Not Working? Reset Your Roku Box or Streaming Stick How to Reset Your Roku Remote Find Your Roku IP Address Roku Error Code 014.30 Our Recommendations: Reviews & Devices The Best Roku Devices for Streaming TV Roku Streaming Stick Review Roku Express Review Roku Premiere Review Roku Smart Soundbar Review Tweet Share Email The Roku Express is an inexpensive Roku streaming stick that provides users with a wealth of channels and content. If you're wondering if you can jailbreak a Roku Express to sideload more apps, the short answer is no, because Roku devices use closed system software. Still, there are some workarounds that will allow you to watch additional content. This article's information addresses Roku Express jailbreaking alternatives, including screen mirroring, casting, using the Roku mobile app, and playing content from a media server. Screen Mirroring With an Android or Windows Device With an Android or Windows device, screen mirroring allows you to see your device's content on your TV screen with a Roku Express. Screen mirroring is compatible only with Roku Express models 3900 and later. From your Roku's main menu, select Settings. Select System > Screen mirroring. Select Screen mirroring mode. While screen mirroring is active, you can't perform other tasks on your smartphone. If you tap another app or icon, the content will stop playing. Select Prompt or Always Allow to enable screen mirroring. From your Android or Windows device, go to Settings > Display. Select Wireless Display. Find and select your Roku Express. Your device's content is now displaying on your Roku Express-equipped TV. Traditional screen mirroring to a Roku isn't supported on iOS devices, but there are a number of apps to download on your Mac or iOS device, such as Mirror for Roku, that allow screen mirroring functionality. Screen Casting Another Roku Express jailbreaking alternative is casting. To cast content to your TV, you'll need an Android or iOS device and a casting-compatible app, such as Netflix or YouTube, installed on your Roku Express. Here's how it works: The app you're trying to cast from your phone must be installed on your Roku, but it doesn't have to be open. On your mobile device, open the app you want to cast, and then tap the casting icon. Select your Roku Express. You'll see a connection message on your phone, and then the app will automatically begin playing on your Roku Express-equipped TV. Play on Roku Another jailbreak workaround is the Play on Roku feature in the Roku mobile iOS or Android app. With Play on Roku, display your photos and videos or send music to your Roku Express-equipped TV. This feature is compatible with the JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV, M4V, MP3, and M4A formats. Before you get started, make sure to download the Roku mobile app to your device and connect your Roku Express. Open the Roku mobile app and select Devices from the bottom menu. Select your Roku Express. Tap the Media icon to launch Play on Roku. Tap Music, Photos, or Videos. Tap Give Access to permit Roku to access your photos and videos. When prompted, tap OK to give access to your photo library. If you selected Photos, tap the album you want to display. Tap the Play button from the bottom. You'll see your photos or videos on your Roku Express-equipped TV. Play Content From a PC or Media Server Use a smartphone and your Roku Express to play content stored on a PC or media server with the Roku Media Player channel, which is preinstalled on your Roku streaming device. If you don't see it, install it from the Roku Channel Store. This app plays music, photos, and videos from PCs and media servers on the same home network. Here's how it works: Roku Media Player is compatible with many media server software platforms, including PlayOn, Plex, Serviio, Tversity, Twonky, and Windows Meda Player. Open the Roku Media Player channel. On the Media Type Selection screen, select All, Video, Audio, or Photo. Select your media player. In a folder, find the content you want to play. If the content is in an unsupported file format, you won't see it. Press the OK or Play button on the Roku remote. Use the remote's controls to navigate your media, including play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward. Not all file types support all controls, however. To stop playback from the Roku Media Player, press the back button on the Roku remote. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! 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