Private Listening is Roku’s feature for sending TV audio to headphones instead of the TV speakers. It is useful late at night, in shared rooms, or anytime you want to hear clearly without raising the TV volume.
Roku supports Private Listening in several ways: through the mobile app, through some remotes with a headphone jack, and through Bluetooth on certain newer devices.
Does this affect you?
Use this if you want headphone audio on a Roku TV or Roku streaming player and are not sure which method your remote or device supports.
Use the Roku mobile app
This works with essentially any Roku because the phone receives the audio.
- Install the Roku app on iPhone or Android.
- Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the Roku.
- Open the app and select the Roku from Devices.
- Tap Remote.
- Tap the headphone icon.
- Use wired headphones connected to the phone or Bluetooth headphones paired to the phone.
The TV speakers should mute while Private Listening is active. Tap the headphone icon again to send audio back to the TV.
Use a remote with a headphone jack
Some Roku remotes, including certain Enhanced Voice Remote and Voice Remote Pro models, include a physical headphone jack.
- Look for a small headphone jack on the remote.
- Plug wired headphones into the remote.
- Wait for TV audio to switch to the headphones.
- Unplug the headphones to return sound to the TV speakers.
This is the simplest daily method if your remote supports it. Some newer Roku remotes no longer include the jack, so check the actual remote in your hand.
Pair Bluetooth headphones directly
- Open Settings > Bluetooth, or Settings > System > Bluetooth if your model uses that path.
- Put the headphones in pairing mode.
- Choose Pair New Device.
- Select the headphones from the list.
- Switch back to TV speakers from the same audio or Bluetooth menu when needed.
If you do not see a Bluetooth option, that Roku model does not support direct Bluetooth headphone pairing. Use the mobile app method instead.
Fix connection or lag problems
For the mobile app method, the phone and Roku must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Guest networks and cellular data will prevent the app from finding the Roku.
Mobile-app listening routes audio over Wi-Fi to the phone, so slight delay is possible. The remote jack or direct Bluetooth methods usually have less noticeable lag. If Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting, turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices that may be grabbing the headphones first.
Sources
- Roku Support – Use Private Listening on your Roku streaming device (2025)
- Roku Support – Using the Roku mobile app as a remote (2025)
- Roku Support – Connect Bluetooth headphones to your Roku device (2025)