Did you know that even though regular Roku headphones don't have Bluetooth built-in, you can still hook up your Bluetooth headphones to Roku? Many Roku fans have raved about how useful this feature is.
All you have to do to create your own Roku Bluetooth headphones is to connect them to the Roku mobile app and activate their “Private Listening” feature.
In this article, we are going to show you the different ways you can do that.
Connecting Your Bluetooth Headphones to a Roku Device
You can connect your Bluetooth headphones to your Roku device using the Private Listening feature on the mobile app. Once you do this, the Roku device will stream the audio via Wi-Fi to your phone, which then outputs it to the Bluetooth headphones.
Here’s how you can use the Private Listening feature.
- First, if you don’t have the Roku app on your smartphone, install it from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
- Next, pair your wireless headphones with your mobile device.
- Open the Roku app.
- At the bottom left corner of the screen, tap the Devices option.
- Choose the device you want.
- Once you select the device, go to the navigation bar and tap Remote.
- Finally, tap the headphones icon on the screen to activate the Private Listening feature.
- Your Roku device should display a headphones icon with a sound wave in the middle. This shows that the Private Listening feature has been activated.
- Note: For this feature to work, your smartphone and your Roku device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. So, before you start, make sure they are both connected to the correct network.
- You can check and modify your Roku’s network settings, by clicking: Settings > Network from the home screen.
Connecting Your Bluetooth Headphones to a Roku Remote
If you have a Roku remote with a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the side, you can connect your wired headphones for the Private Listening feature. One benefit of using this method is that you don’t have to go through any long setup process – it connects automatically.
Here’s how you can do it:
- First, check for the 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- Plug your headphones into the jack.
- The Private Listening feature will be automatically activated for you to listen to your music through the earphones.
One thing to note is that you cannot use this feature with Bluetooth headphones while using the headphone jack. Once you plug in a wired headset, it disconnects all other devices.
Connecting Your Phone to a Roku Device Via Bluetooth
You can connect your smartphone and any other Bluetooth-enabled devices to Roku devices via Bluetooth. However, this is only available to certain Roku devices, including:
– Roku Streambar
– Roku Ultra Model 4800
– Roku Ultra LT Model 4801
– Roku Streambar Pro
– Roku Wireless Speakers
– Roku Smart Soundbar
To connect your phone to your Roku device via Bluetooth, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings menu on the Roku homepage.
- Click on Remotes and Devices.
- Under this, select Pair Bluetooth Device.
- Go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings and scan for the Roku device.
- Follow the onscreen prompts and pair both devices.
You should see your phone with a Connected status next to it on the TV screen, meaning the pairing was successful.
Common Questions Relating to Roku Bluetooth Headphones
How many devices can I connect at once?
You can connect up to four devices at once to your Roku device using the “Private Listening” feature. The only catch is that you have to use four separate devices running the Roku mobile app for this.
Is the Private Listening feature available for every connected device?
Yes, the “Private Listening” feature is available for each connected device. As long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network with the Roku device, you can listen to each show concurrently.
However, once you connect a wired headset to the Roku device, all other devices are cut off. This means that the feature is now only accessible through the wired headset.
How can I use the Private Listening feature for live digital broadcasts?
You can use the “Private Listening” feature for live digital broadcasts with an HDTV antenna connected to your Roku TV.
The following steps will show you how to set it up.
- Connect your antenna’s co-axial cable to the Cable In port at the back of your Roku TV.
- To set up Live TV from the home screen, navigate to Settings > TV Input > Live TV > Set Up Input.
- Using the on-screen prompts, set up the device.
Once Live TV is up and running, you can set up the Private Listening feature using the app.
Can I stream audio from my device to a Roku device?
Yes, you can stream audio from your Bluetooth device to your Roku device. First, you have to make sure both devices are paired and connected.
Once you play any audio on your device, the Bluetooth channel will automatically launch and play the audio.
What is the Bluetooth range?
The standard range for Bluetooth devices is about 30 feet. However, when you consider interference from walls, obstructions, and other signals, this drops to 20 feet.
So, for the best audio quality, always make sure your smartphone is within 20 feet of the Roku device.
The Verdict
Roku’s “Private Listening” feature compensates for its lack of support for Bluetooth headphones. In addition, its support for multiple users gives it a significant edge over similar streaming devices.
This way, it means you can technically enjoy owning a pair of your own Roku Bluetooth headphones and watch your favorite shows in peace.