IPTV has taken the television world by storm in the last decade. IPTV content is much more efficient than standard cable or satellite TV, and it can be more personalized towards your interests. So can you install this IPTV on your Roku device?
To install IPTV on Roku, add official services like Netflix from “Streaming Channels” on the Roku menu. For IPTV Smarters, enable Roku's Developer Options, use the Roku website to add the channel, and install the IPTV Smarters app. You can also screen mirror content from your other devices.
After reading this, you may have realized that IPTV is not nearly as complicated as the name makes it seem. You likely still have questions though, like “How to install IPTV Smarters on Roku”? Let’s go through a little crash course on the idea of IPTV services for Roku so that you can watch what you want on your Roku device.
What is IPTV?
IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is a technology that delivers TV content over the Internet instead of traditional methods. It enables streaming of live channels and on-demand content on various devices like TVs and smartphones. (Source)
IPTV offers a personalized viewing experience, with content tailored to user preferences and location. It's becoming popular due to high-speed internet availability, with services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
However, it is important to note that the legality of IPTV service providers can vary by country, and some providers may offer unauthorized or pirated content. Therefore, it's crucial to use reputable providers to avoid legal issues with unauthorized content.
Does IPTV Require a Subscription?
IPTV is not one service, but instead the concept of streaming TV over the internet rather than through satellite or cable. This means that not all IPTV services will have the same practices. As you can see in our article on one of the most popular service used by some on Roku, Apollo Group TV, different types of IPTV have various levels of features and costs associated with them.
This means that some IPTV services will require a subscription and some won’t. For example, HBO Max and Disney+ are IPTV services that will require you to pay for a subscription to use. On the other hand, IPTV services like Hulu and Crunchyroll allow you to watch TV shows for free with ads.
It is important to note that if an IPTV service is entirely free to use and you don’t need to make an account, it may not be a legal service.
Can You Install IPTV on Roku?
Since IPTV is any TV content delivered over the internet, there are actually several different IPTV services available on Roku. These include things like HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
To add these apps to your Roku TV, all you need to do is open the Roku’s home menu by pressing the home button. After this, select “Streaming Channels”. After this, you will see a plethora of Roku IPTV services that are likely completely free to download.
Choose an app, click “Add Channel”, and after installation, you’ll have access to all of the content available on that IPTV service. However, some will require that you pay a fee before you can watch anything.
How to Add IPTV Smarters to Your Roku Account
IPTV Smarters, commonly found in various IPTV services, serves as the primary application for streaming video online. When installed on Roku, it enables the addition of channels that are not officially available as apps on the device.
To accomplish this, you'll need to undertake a sequence of complicated tasks. However, we'll simplify it by guiding you through each step, making the process manageable. For those who prefer simpler solutions, alternative methods are provided in the next section.
Step 1: Enable Developer Options
First, we need to enable developer options on your Roku so that we can mess with it in some unintended ways. To do this, just follow these steps:
- Turn on your Roku device.
- Take your Roku remote and enter this series of buttons exactly: Hit the home button 3 times, the up arrow twice, the right arrow once, the left arrow once, the right arrow once, the left arrow once, and then hit the right arrow.
- If you hit the buttons correctly, a developer options menu should open up on your screen.
- Write down the URL located above your Username.
- Next, select “Enable installer and restart.”
- Agree to the license that appears and then create a password when prompted. (Make sure you’ll be able to remember this password.)
- At the bottom, select “Set password and reboot”
Step 2: Add the IPTV Smarters Channel
Now we need to actually add the IPTV Smarters channel to our Roku account so that we can use it. To do this, once again just follow these steps:
- Open your computer and go to the Roku website (found here).
- Log into your Roku account.
- Once you’re logged in, under the text that says “Manage Account”, select “Add channel with a code”.
- In the text box that appears, type “iptvsmarters” exactly, select “Add Channel”, and then click OK on the warning message.
- Finally, select “Yes, add channel” and the channel will be added to your Roku account.
Step 3: Download IPTV Smarters
This is perhaps the easiest step. We just need to download IPTV Smarters. To do this, just go to the IPTV Smarters download page and store the program somewhere you’ll remember.
Step 4: Install IPTV Smarters on Your Roku
Now it’s time for the final step, we need to actually install IPTV Smarters onto your Roku. For the final time, to do this, just follow these steps:
- Open your computer again and open your web browser.
- Click on the address bar, type in the URL you wrote down in Step 1, and then hit enter.
- This should cause a box asking you to sign in to appear. For the username, type “rokudev”, and for the password, type the password you set in Step 1.
- Click “Sign in” and then “Upload” on the page that follows.
- Now use the file explorer to select the IPTV Smarters file you downloaded in Step 3.
- Click “Install” and then head back to your Roku device. You should see that IPTV is open on your screen.
- Now just log in to your IPTV account using the same username and password as earlier and you should now be able to use IPTV Smarters on your Roku.
How to Screen Mirror IPTV to Roku
If you don’t want to go through all of those steps to get IPTV Smarters on your Roku, you can instead just open the unregistered IPTV service on either your phone or computer and then mirror your screen to your Roku to get the same effect.
The steps to do this will depend on what device you’re using, so let’s go through each of them.
Using a PC
- Ensure your Roku device and PC are connected to the same network.
- On your Roku, navigate to Settings > System > Screen mirroring. Set it to Prompt or Always Allow.
- On your PC, click the Notifications icon at the bottom-right corner, then select Project.
- Choose Connect to a wireless display. Your Roku should appear in the list. Click on it to connect.
Once connected, your PC screen will appear on your Roku. Adjust display settings on your PC as needed.
To navigate, use your PC. To disconnect, simply stop screen mirroring on your PC or turn off your Roku streaming device.
Using a Macbook
You can use a Macbook to screen mirror Roku through AirPlay. First, make sure that both your MacBook and Roku are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Start on your Roku's home screen and navigate to the Settings menu.
- Within Settings, select System and then Screen Mirroring.
- Ensure the “Screen mirroring” option is set to either Prompt or Always Allow.
- On your MacBook, click the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) in the menu bar.
- From the dropdown menu, select Roku and wait for the connection to establish.
- Once connected, your MacBook screen will be mirrored to your Roku, allowing you to view content from your MacBook on your Roku.
If you experience any issues, jump over to our troubleshooting guide for using AirPlay on Roku. It's also important to note that some older Roku models may not support screen mirroring via AirPlay, so be sure to check your device's specifications before attempting to connect.
Using an iPhone
To mirror your iPhone screen to your Roku, first begin by making sure your iPhone and Roku are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your Roku, navigate to the home screen and select Settings.
- Scroll down and choose Screen Mirroring. Make sure it's set to Prompt or Always Allow.
- On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Mirroring button and select Roku from the list of available devices.
- If prompted, enter the four-digit PIN displayed on your Roku.
Once you've completed these steps, your iPhone screen should be mirrored to your Roku, allowing you to watch any IPTV services on your phone on a much bigger screen.
Using an Android
Mirroring your Android screen to your Roku is just as easy as mirroring a computer screen (as we have already mentioned in this article). Watch the short video on how to do it, then proceed to follow the steps below.
- Make sure your Roku device and Android device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your Roku device, go to Settings > System > Screen mirroring and enable the feature.
- On your Android device, go to Settings > Display > Cast screen.
- Select your Roku device from the list of available devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Android device to your Roku.
- Once connected, you can mirror your Android screen to your Roku and enjoy your IPTV content on a bigger screen.
Troubleshooting Common IPTV and Roku Issues
1. IPTV Smarters Not Working or Crashing
- Check Network Connection: Ensure your Roku device is connected to a stable internet connection.
- Update the App: Verify that IPTV Smarters is updated to the latest version.
- Restart Roku: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve minor glitches.
2. Login Failed Error
- Verify Credentials: Double-check your username and password.
- Reset Password: If you've forgotten your password, try resetting it through the IPTV Smarters app on Roku.
- Contact Support: If issues persist, you might want to consider contacting the service provider for assistance.
3. Streaming Issues or Buffering
- Internet Speed: Confirm that your internet speed is sufficient for streaming.
- Reduce Traffic: Limit the number of devices using the network while streaming for the best quality.
- Clear Cache: Clearing the cache on Roku could improve streaming performance.
4. Screen Mirroring Not Working
- Compatibility Check: Ensure both your device (PC, Mac, iPhone, Android) and Roku support screen mirroring.
- Wi-Fi Connection: You must connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. Follow the steps in this guide to connect Roku to Wi-Fi and learn about connection issues on Roku.
- Roku Settings: Double-check the screen mirroring settings on Roku.
Making Your Roku Do More For You
Now that you've got IPTV set up on your Roku, consider what else it can do for you. There are other channels and apps you can install, and if you have a RokuTV you can add other streamers, like the Amazon Firestick to it you really can get the most out of your device.