Turn your old Android phone into a free Roku-like streaming stick

Instead of buying a $30–$50 streaming dongle, you can turn a spare Android phone into a fully functional streaming stick. The process takes about six steps and requires no extra hardware — just a phone with Wi-Fi, a TV that supports casting or screen mirroring, and a few free apps. ZDNET tested this with an old Pixel phone.

The key is using native casting (e.g., Netflix cast icon) instead of full-screen mirroring, which is laggy. A TV-style launcher (like TV Launcher or Sideload Channel Launcher) transforms the phone's interface into something Roku-like, making streaming apps easier to browse. You can also plug the phone directly into HDMI via a USB-C to HDMI adapter for a wired connection. The guide recommends cleaning up the phone (removing unused apps, turning off notifications, updating Android) and installing streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video, YouTube TV, and Tubi. The result: a dedicated streaming device that costs $0 and takes minutes to set up.