Roku Adds AirPlay 2, HomeKit Support

Roku announced today that Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit are now supported on most of its modern streamers and other devices, courtesy of the free Roku OS 9.4 upgrade.

“With regular automatic software updates, the Roku OS enables consumers to easily get to the entertainment they want via the new features we add over time,” Roku senior vice president Ilya Asnis said. “With Roku OS 9.4 now available on streaming players, we are adding all-new ways to navigate and control content-rich experiences on Roku devices as well as ensuring Roku devices provide a great entertainment experience for customers, regardless of what other technology products they prefer in their homes and particularly with the addition of Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.”

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After the upgrade, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will be available on select 4K Roku devices, which includes the Roku Ultra, Roku Streambar, Roku Smart Soundbar, Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Premiere.

For those unfamiliar, AirPlay 2 lets iPhone, iPad, and Mac users stream content from their devices directly to compatible speakers and other devices, similar to how Google’s Chromecast/Google Cast works. HomeKit is Apple’s smart home platform; it lets users control compatible via the Home app or using their voice with Siri.

Roku also notes that Roku OS 9.4 has other features like a Live TV Channel Guide on Roku TVs, Roku Voice hints, Surround level control for multi-channel audio, updated Theme Packs, and various performance enhancements.

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Conversation 8 comments

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    11 November, 2020 - 12:25 pm

    <p>My Roku Ultra got this update last week and so far AirPlay has worked well. It was really nice to have as a work-around to watch HBO Max. </p>

  • whistlerpro

    11 November, 2020 - 12:30 pm

    <p>Any sign of this coming to Xbox? I was looking forward to the Apple TV app but it doesn't seem to have this feature.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      12 November, 2020 - 9:33 am

      No, not that I’ve heard.

  • behindmyscreen

    11 November, 2020 - 3:01 pm

    <p>sucks that the TVs are not supported :-(</p>

    • richardfenoglio

      12 November, 2020 - 8:21 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#592325">In reply to behindmyscreen:</a></em></blockquote><p>My TCL Roku TV got the update and Airplay and HomeKit both work well.</p>

      • behindmyscreen

        12 November, 2020 - 1:27 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#592488">In reply to RichardFenoglio:</a></em></blockquote><p>4K TV?</p>

        • richardfenoglio

          13 November, 2020 - 12:29 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#592533">In reply to behindmyscreen:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yeah mine is 4k. Just realized they also left out the non-4k TVs; planned obsolescence at it's finest :(</p>

  • glenn8878

    11 November, 2020 - 5:49 pm

    <p>About time, I was wondering why no AirPlay to stream my iPhone photos and video. This is helpful for old LCD televisions that don't have AirPlay. Newer televisions have AirPlay built in.</p>

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