How to Use Google Play on Roku: Complete Guide in 2021
Although there’s an official Google Play Movies & TV Roku channel, you can’t get other apps, such as the Google Play Store, on Roku. Read on to find out different ways you can use Google Play on Roku.
Roku has tons of streaming services and other content available on its channel store, such as Netflix, HBO Max and even some free Roku channels. However, there are some services that have been left out when it comes to dedicated Roku apps. Google Play is one of them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy it through your Roku. In this article, we’ll show you how to use Google Play on Roku.
Key Takeaways:
- You can’t install the Google Play Store on Roku.
- The Google Play Movies & TV channel is the only official Google app available on Roku.
- You can use the PhotoView Roku channel to view your Google photos on Roku.
- If you want to use other Google Play services on Roku, your only option is to mirror your screen.
Yes, you can watch a Google Play Movie on your Roku TV. You can either install the Google Play Movies & TV Roku channel and link your Google account, or you can mirror your screen to Roku.
Free movies aren’t offered very often on Google Play. There isn’t a “free movies” section, but you can search “free” and it will return a few results — they’re not likely to be blockbusters, though.
Yes, you can install the Google Play Movies & TV channel on any Roku TV or Roku device model — including Roku Streaming Stick.
Getting Google Play on Roku
There are lots of Google services available, but they’re not all available on Roku. In fact, the only dedicated Google app for Roku is Google Play Movies & TV, which is available for all Roku models. You can use the third-party app PhotoView for Google photos, but for any other Google service, you’ll need to mirror your screen to Roku.
Can You Get Google Play Store on Roku?
Unfortunately, you can’t get Google Play Store on Roku. Roku has its own operating system, so there’s no framework to include Android-based apps. You can only install apps — or channels — that are made specifically for Roku. You can still mirror your screen, but the only benefit of that is having the content displayed on a larger TV screen.
How to Get Google Play Movies & TV on Roku
Roku has a dedicated Google Play Movies & TV channel, and it’s easy to add channels to Roku. Simply follow the steps below.
- Press the “Home” Button
Press the “home” button on your Roku remote to ensure you’re on the home screen.
- Go to “Streaming Channels”
Select “streaming channels” from the menu and press “OK” on the remote.
- Go to “Search Channels”
Select “search channels” and press “OK” on the remote.
- Search for “Google Play Movies & TV” and Select the Channel
Type “Google Play Movies & TV” into the search box until you see it listed on the right-hand side. Then, select the channel and press “OK” on the remote.
- Go to “Add Channel”
Select “add channel” and press “OK” on the remote. You’ll then see a message that says the channel has been added — press “OK.”
- Select “Go to Channel”
Select “go to channel” and press “OK” on the remote.
- Choose the Movies and TV Shows You Want
You can now browse movies and television shows — single episodes or whole seasons — that are available on Google Play. Before you purchase anything, though, you need to link your Google account. Click on the movie or show you want to purchase and you’ll receive an on-screen code to use with your Google account.
- Link Your Google Account
Go to google.com/device and enter the on-screen code you were given.
- Sign In to Your Google Account
Sign in to your Google account and tap “allow” when prompted.
How to Use Google Play Music on Roku
Unfortunately, Google Play Music no longer exists. Google announced back in late 2020 that it would be discontinued, with its services moving to YouTube music.
There wasn’t a dedicated Google Play Music channel anyway, so you would have had to use screen mirroring to use it through any Roku devices.
How to Access Google Play Photos on Roku
There’s no dedicated Google Play Photos channel on Roku. However, there are two ways that you can view your Google Photos library on Roku: you can mirror your device to Roku, or use a third-party Roku app. Below we’ll show you how to access Google Play Photos using PhotoView on Roku.
- Press the “Home” Button
Press the “home” button to make sure you’re on the home screen.
- Go to “Streaming Channels”
Select “streaming channels” and press “OK” on the remote.
- Go to “Search Channels”
Go to “search channels” and press “OK” on the remote.
- Search for “PhotoView” and Select the Channel
Type “PhotoView” into the search box until you see it listed on the right-hand side. Select the channel and press “OK” on the remote.
- Go to “Add Channel”
Select “add channel” and press “OK” on the remote. A message will pop up to say that the channel has been added — press “OK.”
- Select “Go to Channel”
Select “go to channel” and press “OK” on the remote.
- Link Your Roku Device to Your Google Account
You’ll be given an on-screen code so you can link your Roku device to your Google account.
- Go to the PhotoView Website and Enter Your Code
Go to www.photoviewapp.com/link and enter the on-screen code. Then, click “link device.”
- Select Your Google Account and Sign In
Select the Google account you want to link and sign in.
- Click “Allow” When Prompted
Click “allow” to allow PhotoView to access your Google Photos library.
- You’ll See a “Successful” Message on Both Devices
A “successful” message will be displayed on both devices. Press “OK” on the Roku remote to continue.
- Browse Your Google Photos Albums
Select the “Google Photos Albums” icon (selected by default) and press “OK” on the remote to view your Google photos. Use the Roku remote to navigate through different albums.
- Go to “Settings” to Link an Additional Google Account or Change Display Settings
You can link more than one Google Account by selecting the “settings” icon and then “link an additional Google account.” Then, follow the steps listed above to link your other account. You can easily remove your Google account here by selecting “remove account link from device.” You can also change your display settings here if you need to.
Final Thoughts
There are a few ways you can use Google Play on Roku. You can install the official Google Play Movies & TV Roku channel to watch your favorite television shows and movies. To view your Google photos, you can use a third-party app called PhotoView. However, if you want to use any other Google services on Roku, the only option you have is to mirror your screen.
What’s your experience using Google Play on Roku? Do you think there should be more native apps? Have you had any issues using Google Play on Roku? Let us know in the comment section. As always, thank you for reading.
Sandra Pattison is from the rolling hills of the United Kingdom where, when she’s not enjoying that one day of summer, she researches and writes on online security and censorship around the world. Writer by day, mother morning, noon and night, during her little free time she enjoys photography and likes to be spontaneous, but mostly ends up sipping tea with her pinky out.