20+ useful Roku shortcuts and menus that every user should know about (and how to access them)

Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most popular supply on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Hidden Roku menus enable you repair points and tweak your setup quick.
• You’ll be able to arrange apps, watchlists, and remotes manner higher than you assume.
• Your Roku has tons of shortcuts that make streaming faster and simpler.

I have been a Roku person for years and have spent numerous hours launching apps, navigating menus, and digging by settings. For those who really feel such as you’ve barely scratched the floor of what Roku can do, sit.

I’m sharing all the very best hidden Roku suggestions and tips so you’ll be able to unlock the complete energy of your system.

Additionally: 8 HDMI tips I exploit to get the very best efficiency from my TV – and most are free

You may learn to stream from Plex or a USB drive, create a visitor mode, rapidly find misplaced remotes, and make the most of 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. Nonetheless, Roku may also help you monitor all of your subscriptions in a single account. Simply head to My Subscriptions on Roku. There, you will see all of the providers you have added by Roku and may activate e mail reminders so Roku pings you a few days earlier than any renew and costs you.

1. Go to my.roku.com and check in to your account.
2. Click on Cost Strategies and enter your bank card or PayPal particulars.
3. On any Roku display screen, 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’ll cancel or renew them with only a click on.

For those who subscribed to a service outdoors the Roku platform, like ESPN by the Disney Plus web site, you will not see it listed below My Subscriptions. So I recommend streamlining how and the place you subscribe to providers and preserving them inside Roku.

2. Create a common watchlist

I’ve a protracted listing of exhibits to look at throughout my favourite streaming providers. Every app has its personal watchlist, which is useful if you’re in that service. However what if you wish to rapidly see every thing in a single place? You’ll be able to, with Roku’s grasp watchlist characteristic.

Additionally: Roku might have lastly mounted the largest headache in TV streaming – here is how

In any Roku app or whereas utilizing the system search, you’ll find a film or present you wish 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” listing you’ll be able to entry from the Dwelling display screen.

1. From the Roku Dwelling or in Roku search, discover the present or film you wish to add.
2. On the title’s element web page, select Add to Save Listing (typically it is referred to 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. Neglect which app had that film you paused final night time? No drawback. Roku will present each present or film you are capable of resume, irrespective of the app.

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

Choosing 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, motion pictures, and even dwell information and sports activities channels. There is no subscription wanted, however you’ll have to sit by a number of advertisements. There’s additionally a Dwell TV Channel Information in The Roku Channel the place you’ll be able to browse greater than 500 free dwell channels, together with information, sports activities, youngsters TV, and music.

Additionally: Your Roku TV has 100+ free dwell channels – here is learn how to watch them (and what’s obtainable)

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

It is a hidden gem for cord-cutters.

5. Use Roku Search (throughout all apps)

On any Dwelling display screen, you’ll be able to press the Search button (or use the microphone when you have 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 directly and present you the place that content material is accessible, together with the place it is free or any rental or subscription prices. This protects time and may 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 listing channels which have that content material and the worth 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 if you search sure key phrases. 

Additionally: Methods to reset your Roku: 4 straightforward methods

For instance, search “Comedy” or “Children” and Roku will provide to open the Comedy Zone or Children Zone. Every Zone shows beneficial motion pictures and exhibits grouped in rows like New Releases and Free. It is a enjoyable strategy to discover one thing to look at.

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

7. Show your pictures

Wish to see your trip pictures on the massive display screen? Use Roku’s Photograph Streams to show your digicam roll right into a TV slideshow or screensaver. 

Go to photostreams.roku.com in your laptop to create a stream. You’ll be able to add pictures or hyperlink Google Images. Then open Photograph Streams in your Roku, decide your stream, and choose Slideshow. You too can set any stream as your screensaver.

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

8. Customise your screensaver

You’ll be able to change your default screensaver and even use a customized one. Roku enables you to select from built-in choices or set any of your Photograph Streams because the screensaver, so your TV can cycle by private pictures 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 telephone 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 kind rapidly.
4. Faucet the Voice icon to look by talking.

10. Discover your misplaced distant

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

1. Make sure the Roku app is related 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’ll be able to mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac display screen, 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 pictures, stream apps, or show shows and webpages straight out of your telephone or laptop.

1. On Roku: Settings > System > Display Mirroring > Immediate or All the time Permit.
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 contains a Evening Mode that softens loud commercials and sudden quantity spikes so you’ll be able to 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, Evening, or Commonplace.

14. Pay attention privately

Personal Listening enables 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 too use the Roku cell app’s Personal Listening mode, which streams audio to your telephone so you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to set up and play. These embrace traditional titles like Solitaire, Snake, Sudoku, and different easy arcade-style video games. You management them along with your Roku distant.

1. On the Dwelling display screen, open Streaming Retailer.
2. Choose Video games and browse. 
3. From right here, you’ll be able to select a Roku Zone referred to as Video Video games.
4. Set up and launch any sport.

16. Manage channels in your Dwelling display screen

You’ll be able to rearrange the channels in your Dwelling display screen to place your favorites up entrance. Some Roku software program variations additionally assist folders, so you’ll be able to group apps collectively for a cleaner, extra organized format.

1. Spotlight the app you wish to transfer.
2. Press Star and choose Transfer Channel.
3. Use arrows to reposition, then press OK.
4. Non-obligatory: Choices > Create Folder (if obtainable)
5. Non-obligatory: Take away an app if it is appearing glitchy or you don’t need it anymore. You’ll be able to at all times reinstall it later.

17. On the spot Replay with captions

Need captions if you use On the spot Replay? On the spot Replay is a built-in characteristic on most Roku remotes that rewinds the present video with one button press. Roku may 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 On the spot Replay button throughout playback.

18. Stream your private library with Plex

Plex is a simple strategy to stream your individual media library on Roku. Simply set up Plex Media Server in your laptop, add the Plex app in your Roku, and check in so Plex can scan your information, add art work, and stream every thing to your TV. The free tier covers private media streaming, so you do not want a Plex Move except you need premium options.

1. Set up Plex Server in your laptop 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.television/hyperlink 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 enables you to play movies, music, and pictures straight 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 information. It helps codecs like MP4, MKV, MP3, and JPG, making it a simple strategy to view private media with out establishing Plex or a DLNA media server.

1. Load your movies, music, or pictures 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 Images.
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 visitors can check in 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 check in to their very own apps.
5. When carried out: Settings > Visitor Choices > Signal Out of Visitor Mode.

21. Entry hidden screens

Do you know Roku has a number of secret menus you’ll be able to entry with just some 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 a number of instance distant combos you’ll be able to enter, however try my different information right here that rounds all of them up.

1. Wi-fi Data Display: Dwelling x5, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.
2. Secret Display 2 (advertisements 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’ll be able to management your Roku hands-free with both Alexa or Google. After linking your accounts of their respective apps, you need to use voice instructions to open apps, launch channels, or management playback in your Roku system.

Methods 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 check in.
3. Choose your Roku system and let Alexa uncover it.
4. Hyperlink the system and add it to a gaggle.

Methods to set it up with Google:

1. Make sure that your Roku is working a current model of Roku OS.
2. Open the Google Dwelling app in your telephone.
3. Go to Gadgets >  faucet the Plus icon within the high nook > select Works with Google.
4. Faucet the Search icon and lookup 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’ll be able to observe your favourite sports activities groups on Roku and preserve monitor of upcoming video games. Simply go to the Sports activities part, discover a sport or staff, and add it to your favorites to create a personalised My Favorites row in your Dwelling display screen.

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

24. Clear your Roku cache (delicate reset)

Your Roku system has a cache that shops short-term knowledge to assist apps load sooner. Nonetheless, over time, this cache can grow to be cluttered, inflicting sluggish 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’ll be able to nonetheless repair most points through the use of a particular distant sequence that initiates a delicate reset.

Additionally: Do this 30-second refresh in your Roku TV earlier than changing it for good

1. Go to the Dwelling menu and ensure the spotlight is over the Dwelling possibility on the left.
2. In your distant, push the Dwelling button 5 instances.
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.

For those who do not wish to use the particular button combo above, you can too simply go to Settings > System > System Restart in your Roku to flush short-term cache. It will flip off your TV, however it won’t manufacturing unit reset it. Your Roku TV ought to flip again on in 30 seconds. 

25. Restrict the information 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’t block all monitoring, you’ll be able to scale back it.

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

26. Play Day by day Trivia in your Roku

There is a Day by day Trivia part on Roku that provides you 10 new popular culture inquiries to reply each day. It’s obtainable on all Roku gadgets within the US, and you’ll entry it proper out of your Dwelling Display.

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