12 Life Hacks Every Roku User Should Know
Roku was an early player in the streaming market, and even with so many options from Amazon, Apple, Google, and others, it remains one of the most popular thanks to its affordable set-top boxes and streaming devices, as well as its widespread availability as an integrated operating system on some TVs. The platform is fast, simple, and supports virtually every streaming app available.
If you have one or two Roku devices, you may not be using them to their full potential. These tips, hacks, and hidden features will help you go beyond simply running streaming apps and get more out of your device, whether you’ve just unboxed your first Roku or have been using one for years.
Set up PIN protection to protect your Roku.
If you have small children or nosy roommates, you can lock certain Roku features (including making purchases and adding new channels) with a PIN. This can be done through your Roku account page on the web: click “PIN/Parental Controls” on the left, and you can set a new PIN or change the existing one.
Change the look of your Roku with a new theme.
You don’t have to settle for the default visual design of the Roku interface—you can easily switch to a different theme (which essentially means a different wallpaper and screensaver). In your device’s settings , select “Themes” to see alternative options provided by Roku and other Roku community users. You can always select “Restore Default Theme” to return to the original look.
Enable subtitles when re-watching
You may not want subtitles all the time, but you can enable them when rewinding. From the home screen, select Settings > Accessibility > Subtitle Mode > During Playback to enable this feature. Please note that the streaming app you’re using must also support this feature, so it may not work in all situations.
Place the most popular apps at the top of the list.
Here’s a simple and effective trick you might not have thought of yet: you can organize your home screen apps so your most frequently used ones are at the top and easier to access. Select any tile on the home screen, press the star button on your remote to bring up the context menu, and you’ll see options for ” Move app” and “Move app to top.”
Use guest mode when you have guests.
Having guests is great, but don’t let them ruin your recommendations and viewing progress. You can put your Roku device into guest mode by opening “Settings” from the Roku main menu, then selecting “Guest Mode” > “Enter Guest Mode.” This will log you out of all your apps, and your Roku device will reboot, ready for use by anyone else.
Send your photos to Roku to view them on the big screen.
Of course, you won’t always be watching movies and TV shows on your Roku—and when your streaming device isn’t being used for anything else, you can stream images from your Google Photos library to your TV. To do this, go to the Photostreams page on the Roku website, sign in to your account, and then follow the on-site instructions.
Create a cross-platform Roku watchlist.
It’s not uncommon to see something interesting but don’t have time to watch it right away, and that’s when Roku’s Watchlist feature can help. Select any movie or TV show on the home screen, and on the Watchlist page, use the “Save” button to add it to your list. You can then select “Save List” from the main menu to see what you’ve saved.
Connect Bluetooth headphones to your Roku.
If you have wireless Bluetooth headphones and a Bluetooth-enabled Roku device, you can pair them for private listening—convenient if you don’t want to disturb anyone. To do this, go to “Settings” from the Roku main menu, then select “Remotes and Devices” > “Wireless Headphones.”
Listen to music from Roku on your smartphone.
There’s another way to listen through headphones, and it doesn’t require Bluetooth or wireless headphones. If you install the aforementioned Roku app on your smartphone and then connect headphones to the phone, you can press the “Remote” button in the app, then the headphone button to stream audio directly to your ears.
Display content from other devices on your Roku.
Apple devices: Roku Sticks, set-top boxes, and TVs have built-in support for Apple AirPlay, so you can stream audio and video from Apple devices or even mirror your Mac’s screen to a larger screen. On Roku, select “Settings,” then “Apple AirPlay & HomeKit” to ensure everything is set up, then simply press the AirPlay button on your Apple device.
Android devices : As for screen casting, this feature is also available on Android, although—as is typical with Android— features vary by device . Samsung Galaxy phones offer the most convenient integration: swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen, select Smart View , and your Roku should appear as a connection option (if it’s on the same Wi-Fi network).
Windows devices: If you want to mirror your screen to a Roku from Windows, the process is completely different . First, enable this feature on your Roku via Settings > System > Screen Mirroring . Then, in Windows, click the volume and Wi-Fi icons in the lower-right corner, click the “Display” button, and then select your Roku. Again, it must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Quickly find the cheapest way to rent a movie or TV show.
If you’re looking to rent a movie, you have a variety of streaming services to choose from—all major ones offer movie rentals in addition to the content you receive with your subscription. Use the search function in the Roku main menu to find the movie you want and compare prices across all the services you subscribe to.
Control your TV with your Roku remote.
If you want, you can turn your TV on and off and adjust the volume using your Roku remote. When you first set up your Roku device, you’ll be asked if you want to do this, but you can set this up later: go to Settings > Remotes & Devices > Remotes , then select the currently connected remote and select “Set up the remote to control your TV.”