20+ hidden Roku TV menus and shortcuts I wish I knew years ago

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Hidden Roku menus enable you repair points and tweak your setup quick.
• You may set up apps, watchlists, and remotes method higher than you assume.
• Your Roku has tons of shortcuts that make streaming faster and simpler.

I have been a Roku consumer for years and have spent numerous hours launching apps, navigating menus, and digging through settings. If you happen to really feel such as you’ve barely scratched the floor of what Roku can do, sit down.

I’m sharing all the very best hidden Roku suggestions and methods so you possibly can unlock the complete energy of your system.

Additionally: After testing streaming devices for over a decade, this $19 Roku is the best deal I’ve seen

You may learn to stream from Plex or a USB, create a visitor mode, shortly discover misplaced remotes, and use particular button combos to entry hidden screens. There is a ton of cool stuff hiding in plain sight that makes streaming and binging TV simpler than ever.

By the top, you will know extra about Roku than you ever thought you’ll.

1. Handle subscriptions in a single place

Ever subscribe to a brand new streaming service after which overlook all about it? Responsible. However Roku may help you observe down all of your subs in a single account. Simply head to My Subscriptions on Roku. There, you will see all of the providers you’ve got added by Roku and might activate e-mail reminders so Roku pings you a few days earlier than any renew and cost you.

1. Go to my.roku.com and sign up to your account.
2. Click on Fee Strategies and enter your bank card or PayPal particulars.
3. On any Roku display, now you can subscribe to supported channels.
4. To handle present subs, go to my.roku.com > My Subscriptions. You may see each lively and expired subscription that Roku is billing you for, and you may cancel or renew them with only a click on.

If you happen to subscribed to a service exterior the Roku platform, like ESPN by the Disney Plus web site, you will not see it listed underneath My Subscriptions. So I counsel streamlining how and the place you subscribe to providers and conserving them inside Roku.

2. Create a common watchlist

I’ve a protracted checklist of exhibits to observe throughout my favourite streaming providers. Every app has its personal watchlist, which is helpful once you’re in that service. However what if you wish to shortly see all the pieces in a single place? You may, with Roku’s grasp watchlist function.

Additionally: Roku may have finally fixed the biggest headache in TV streaming – here’s how

In any Roku app or whereas utilizing the system search, yow will discover a film or present you need to watch and choose Add to Save Listing on its particulars web page. Roku collects all these saves right into a single “What to Watch” checklist you possibly can entry from the Dwelling display.

1. From the Roku Dwelling or in Roku search, discover the present or film you need to add.
2. On the title’s element web page, select Add to Save Listing (generally it is known as “Save”).
3. Press Dwelling and choose What to Watch to see your full Save Listing.
4. Scroll to Proceed Watching in that menu to renew any paused present.

This allows you to see each film and episode you saved from throughout all of your providers. No extra flipping by apps to recollect.

3. Resume watching with ‘Proceed Watching’

Roku mechanically tracks in-progress movies throughout apps and lists them for you in a single place. Overlook which app had that film you paused final night time? No drawback. Roku will present each present or film you are in a position to resume, regardless of the app.

1. On the Roku Dwelling display, choose What to Watch.
2. Scroll to the Proceed Watching part.
3. Choose any paused present or film to renew playback.

Deciding on a film or present in Proceed Watching will bounce straight again to the place you left off.

4. Watch free content material on The Roku Channel

Roku’s personal channel, The Roku Channel, provides 1000’s of free TV exhibits, films, and even stay information and sports activities channels. There is not any subscription wanted, however you’ll have to sit by just a few adverts. There’s additionally a Reside TV Channel Information in The Roku Channel the place you possibly can browse greater than 500 free stay channels, together with information, sports activities, youngsters TV, and music.

Additionally: Your Roku TV has 100+ free live channels – here’s how to watch them (and what’s available)

1. From Dwelling, open The Roku Channel (add it from Streaming Channels if it is not on Dwelling).
2. Browse the Featured Free or Fashionable Free sections for on-demand movies and exhibits.
3. Scroll to Reside TV Channel Information to see tons of of free stay streams.

This can be a hidden gem for cord-cutters.

5. Use Roku Search (throughout all apps)

On any Dwelling display, you possibly can press the Search button (or use the microphone when you’ve got a voice distant or the Roku app) to search for content material by title, actor, or director. 

Roku will then search each channel in your system without delay and present you the place that content material is out there, together with the place it is free or any rental or subscription prices. This protects time and might prevent cash.

1. In your Roku distant, press Star and choose Search, or press the Search key or mic.
2. Enter a title or say it aloud.
3. Roku will checklist channels which have that content material and the value or subscription required.
4. Choose an entry to leap on to that channel.

6. Browse Roku Zones

Roku has Zones, or curated collections of content material by style or theme. These pop up once you search sure key phrases. 

Additionally: How to reset your Roku: 4 easy ways

For instance, search “Comedy” or “Children” and Roku will supply to open the Comedy Zone or Children Zone. Every Zone shows beneficial films and exhibits grouped in rows like New Releases and Free. It is a enjoyable approach to discover one thing to observe.

1. Press Dwelling and go to Search. Kind a style or matter.
2. Search for a Zone outcome (e.g., Comedy Zone) and choose it.
3. Browse exhibits and films grouped by new releases, free picks, and extra.

7. Show your photographs

Need to see your trip photographs on the large display? Use Roku’s Picture Streams to show your digicam roll right into a TV slideshow or screensaver. 

Go to photostreams.roku.com in your pc to create a stream. You may add photographs or hyperlink Google Pictures. Then open Picture Streams in your Roku, choose your stream, and choose Slideshow. You may also set any stream as your screensaver.

1. In an online browser, go to photostreams.roku.com and log in.
2. Click on Create Stream, add photographs, or hyperlink your Google Pictures library.
3. On Roku, choose Picture Streams and choose Slideshow.
4. For screensaver: Dwelling > Settings > Themes > Screensavers > Picture Streams > Set as Screensaver.

8. Customise your screensaver

You may change your default screensaver and even use a customized one. Roku allows you to select from built-in choices or set any of your Picture Streams because the screensaver, so your TV can cycle by private photographs when it is idle.

1. Dwelling > Settings > Theme > Wallpaper and Screensavers.
2. Browse Featured Screensavers.
3. Select Set as Screensaver.
4. Faucet Preview to see it first.

9. Flip your cellphone right into a distant

Roku’s cell app is greater than a backup distant. As soon as you put in the Roku Official Distant app in your iPhone or Android system, you get a full keyboard, swipe and faucet navigation, voice search, and channel launching. It is also nice when you lose your bodily distant.

1. Obtain and open the Roku app in your system.
2. Choose your Roku on the identical Wi-Fi community.
3. Use the Keyboard icon to sort shortly.
4. Faucet the Voice icon to go looking by talking.

10. Discover your misplaced distant

In case your voice distant has a speaker grille, you can also make it beep to search out it. Open the Roku app, faucet the mic, and say “Hey Roku, discover my distant.” You probably have a Roku Extremely, press the bodily button on the system to make the distant beep.

1. Make sure the Roku app is linked to your Roku system.
2. Say “Hey Roku, discover my distant.”
3. (On Roku Extremely) Press the button on the participant to set off the beep.
4. Press any button on the distant to cease the beeping.

11. Hyperlink Roku to Apple and Siri

Roku helps AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. After pairing, you possibly can mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac display, stream audio and video on to your Roku, or use Siri Shortcuts within the Roku app to regulate playback with voice instructions.

1. On Roku: Dwelling > Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay.
2. On iPhone: Open Management Heart > Display Mirroring > choose Roku.
3. Within the Roku app: Account > Siri Shortcuts to allow Siri management.

12. Display mirror and solid

Roku can mirror screens from iPhone, Android, and Home windows, so no matter is in your system will seem in your TV. This allows you to present photographs, stream apps, or show displays and webpages instantly out of your cellphone or pc.

1. On Roku: Settings > System > Display Mirroring > Immediate or At all times Enable.
2. On iPhone: Display Mirroring > choose Roku.
3. On Android or Home windows: Use Forged or Good View and choose Roku.
4. To cease mirroring, disconnect from the casting menu.

13. Calibrate audio, together with for nighttime

Roku has Quantity Leveling to maintain audio constant throughout channels and apps. It additionally incorporates a Night time Mode that softens loud commercials and sudden quantity spikes so you possibly can proceed watching TV late with out disturbing anybody. There are different modes too.

1. Throughout playback, press Star.
2. Choose Sound Settings > Customise sound mode > Quantity Leveling.
3. Subsequent, return to Sound Settings and select Sound Mode.
4. Decide from Dialogue, Film, Music, Night time, or Customary.

14. Hear privately

Non-public Listening allows you to watch quietly with out bothering anybody.

The Voice Distant Professional Gen 1 has a built-in headphone jack for wired listening, however you can even use the Roku cell app’s Non-public Listening mode, which streams audio to your cellphone so you possibly can hear by wired or Bluetooth headphones.

1. With Voice Distant Professional Gen 1: plug headphones into the distant.
2. With out a jack: open the Roku app and connect with your Roku.
3. Faucet the Headphones icon to allow non-public listening.

15. Play video games on Roku

Your Roku has a small number of video games you possibly can set up and play. These embody basic titles like Solitaire, Snake, Sudoku, and different easy arcade-style video games. You management them together with your Roku distant.

1. On the Dwelling display, open Streaming Retailer.
2. Choose Video games and browse. 
3. From right here, you possibly can select a Roku Zone known as Video Video games.
4. Set up and launch any recreation.

16. Arrange channels in your Dwelling display

You may rearrange the channels in your Dwelling display to place your favorites up entrance. Some Roku software program variations additionally help folders, so you possibly can group apps collectively for a cleaner, extra organized format.

1. Spotlight the app you need to transfer.
2. Press Star and choose Transfer Channel.
3. Use arrows to reposition, then press OK.
4. Non-compulsory: Choices > Create Folder (if out there)
5. Non-compulsory: Take away an app if it is performing glitchy or you do not need it anymore. You may at all times reinstall it later.

17. Immediate Replay with captions

Need captions once you use Immediate Replay? Immediate Replay is a built-in function on most Roku remotes that rewinds the present video with one button press. Roku also can present captions throughout that bounce again so you do not miss any dialogue.

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions Mode.
2. Choose On Replay.
3. Press the Immediate Replay button throughout playback.

18. Stream your private library with Plex

Plex is a straightforward approach to stream your personal media library on Roku. Simply set up Plex Media Server in your pc, add the Plex app in your Roku, and sign up so Plex can scan your recordsdata, add paintings, and stream all the pieces to your TV. The free tier covers private media streaming, so you do not want a Plex Go except you need premium options.

1. Set up Plex Server in your pc and add media.
2. On Roku, seek for Plex and set up it.
3. Launch Plex to get a linking code.
4. Go to plex.tv/link and enter the code.
5. Your library will now seem on Roku.

19. Watch content material from a USB drive

For easy native playback, Roku Media Participant allows you to play movies, music, and photographs instantly from a USB drive in case your Roku has a USB port. Simply plug in your drive, open the Roku Media Participant app, and browse your recordsdata. It helps codecs like MP4, MKV, MP3, and JPG, making it a straightforward approach to view private media with out organising Plex or a DLNA media server.

1. Load your movies, music, or photographs onto a USB drive.
2. Plug the USB drive into your Roku’s USB port.
3. Open the Roku Media Participant app.
4. Choose Movies, Music, or Pictures.
5. Browse your USB folders and select a file to play.

20. Use the Visitor Mode

Visitor Mode prevents guests from altering your settings, watchlist, or logged-in apps. As soon as enabled, your company can sign up with their very own accounts, and Roku can mechanically signal them out on a date you select.

1. Set a PIN at my.roku.com/account/PIN.
2. On Roku: Settings > System > Visitor Mode > Enter Visitor Mode.
3. Enter your PIN.
4. Company sign up to their very own apps.
5. When finished: Settings > Visitor Choices > Signal Out of Visitor Mode.

21. Entry hidden screens

Do you know Roku has a number of secret menus you possibly can entry with only a few clicks of the distant? They’re like easter eggs, hidden screens that may reveal diagnostic data, superior toggles, and developer instruments you by no means knew you wished (or wanted).

Additionally: I unlocked my Roku TV’s full potential with these hidden settings and menu screens

Listed below are just a few instance distant mixtures you possibly can enter, however take a look at my other guide here that rounds all of them up.

1. Wi-fi Data Display: Dwelling x5, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.
2. Secret Display 2 (adverts or screenshot controls): Dwelling x5, Up, Proper, Down, Left, Up.
3. HDMI Data Display: Dwelling x5, Down, Left, Up, Up, Up.

22. Ask Alexa or Google

You may management your Roku hands-free with both Alexa or Google. After linking your accounts of their respective apps, you should utilize voice instructions to open apps, launch channels, or management playback in your Roku system.

The way to set it up with Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to Abilities and Video games.
2. Seek for Roku, faucet Allow to Use, and sign up.
3. Choose your Roku system and let Alexa uncover it.
4. Hyperlink the system and add it to a gaggle.

The way to set it up with Google:

1. Ensure your Roku is operating a current model of Roku OS.
2. Open the Google Dwelling app in your cellphone.
3. Go to Gadgets >  faucet the Plus icon within the prime nook > select Works with Google.
4. Faucet the Search icon and search for Roku. Choose Roku from the outcomes.
5. Sign up to your Roku account when prompted.
6. Faucet Proceed and observe the prompts to return to Google Dwelling.

23. Observe your favourite groups

You may observe your favourite sports activities groups on Roku and maintain observe of upcoming video games. Simply go to the Sports activities part, discover a recreation or crew, and add it to your favorites to create a customized My Favorites row in your Dwelling display.

1. Go to the Dwelling display and scroll to Sports activities.
2. Search for an upcoming recreation.
3. Open the sport web page and choose the guts icon subsequent to the crew.
4. Your My Favorites row will seem underneath Sports activities with all upcoming video games.

24. Clear your Roku cache (delicate reset)

Your Roku system has a cache that shops non permanent knowledge to assist apps load quicker. Nonetheless, over time, this cache can change into cluttered, inflicting gradual efficiency, app crashes, audio-video sync points, and error messages. Roku doesn’t have a single “clear cache” button, nor are you able to do it by app, however you possibly can nonetheless repair most points through the use of a particular distant sequence that initiates a delicate reset.

Additionally: Try this 30-second refresh on your Roku TV before replacing it for good

1. Go to the Dwelling menu and ensure the spotlight is over the Dwelling choice on the left.
2. In your distant, push the Dwelling button 5 occasions.
3. Push the Up arrow as soon as.
4. Push the Rewind button twice.
5. Push the Quick Ahead button twice.
6. Wait on your Roku to restart.

If you happen to do not need to use the particular button combo above, you can even simply go to Settings > System > System Restart in your Roku to flush non permanent cache. It will flip off your TV, nevertheless it is not going to manufacturing facility reset it. Your Roku TV ought to flip again on in 30 seconds. 

25. Restrict the info Roku collects

Roku gathers a variety of knowledge out of your system, together with search historical past, voice inputs, channel utilization, advert interactions, and private preferences, and it shares a few of this knowledge with advertisers. When you can not block all monitoring, you possibly can scale back it.

1. Open Settings from the primary Roku menu.
2. Go to Privateness.
3. Choose Promoting, then verify Restrict Advert Monitoring.
4. Go to Microphone > Channel Microphone Entry, and choose By no means Enable.
5. Go to Good TV Expertise, open ACR, and uncheck Use Data from TV Inputs.

26. Play Each day Trivia in your Roku

There is a Each day Trivia part on Roku that provides you 10 new popular culture inquiries to reply daily. It’s out there on all Roku units within the US, and you may entry it proper out of your Dwelling Display.

1. Go to your Dwelling Display Menu.
2. Search for Each day Trivia amongst your out there Roku options.
3. Open it to play the ten day by day questions or browse the Trivia Vault.