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

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Hidden Roku menus assist you repair points and tweak your setup quick.
• You possibly can manage 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 through settings. In case you really feel such as you’ve barely scratched the floor of what Roku can do, sit down.

I’m sharing all the most effective hidden Roku ideas and methods so you possibly can unlock the total energy of your gadget.

Additionally: 8 HDMI tricks I use to get the best performance from my TV – and most are free

You may learn to stream from Plex or a USB drive, create a visitor mode, shortly find misplaced remotes, and make the most of particular button mixtures 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 tip, you may 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 neglect all about it? Responsible. Nevertheless, Roku may also help you observe all of your subscriptions in a single account. Simply head to My Subscriptions on Roku. There, you may see all of the companies you’ve got added by Roku and might 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 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 current subs, go to my.roku.com > My Subscriptions. You may see each energetic and expired subscription that Roku is billing you for, and you’ll cancel or renew them with only a click on.

In case you 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 companies and maintaining them inside Roku.

2. Create a common watchlist

I’ve an extended record of exhibits to look at throughout my favourite streaming companies. Every app has its personal watchlist, which is helpful once you’re in that service. However what if you wish to shortly see every thing in a single place? You possibly can, 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, you’ll find a film or present you wish to watch and choose Add to Save Checklist on its particulars web page. Roku collects all these saves right into a single “What to Watch” record you possibly can entry from the Residence display.

1. From the Roku Residence 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 Checklist (generally it is known as “Save”).
3. Press Residence and choose What to Watch to see your full Save Checklist.
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 companies. No extra flipping by apps to recollect.

3. Resume watching with ‘Proceed Watching’

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

1. On the Roku Residence 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 dwell information and sports activities channels. There is not any subscription wanted, however you’ll have to sit by just a few advertisements. There’s additionally a Reside TV Channel Information in The Roku Channel the place you possibly can browse greater than 500 free dwell 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 Residence, open The Roku Channel (add it from Streaming Channels if it is not on Residence).
2. Browse the Featured Free or In style Free sections for on-demand movies and exhibits.
3. Scroll to Reside TV Channel Information to see tons of of free dwell streams.

It is a hidden gem for cord-cutters.

5. Use Roku Search (throughout all apps)

On any Residence display, you possibly can press the Search button (or use the microphone if in case 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 gadget directly and present you the place that content material is offered, 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 record 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 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 advisable films and exhibits grouped in rows like New Releases and Free. It is a enjoyable technique to discover one thing to look at.

1. Press Residence and go to Search. Kind a style or subject.
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 images

Need to see your trip images on the large display? Use Roku’s Photograph 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 possibly can add images or hyperlink Google Pictures. Then open Photograph Streams in your Roku, choose your stream, and choose Slideshow. You may as well 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 images, or hyperlink your Google Pictures library.
3. On Roku, choose Photograph Streams and choose Slideshow.
4. For screensaver: Residence > Settings > Themes > Screensavers > Photograph Streams > Set as Screensaver.

8. Customise your screensaver

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

1. Residence > 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 cellular app is greater than a backup distant. As soon as you put in the Roku Official Distant app in your iPhone or Android gadget, you get a full keyboard, swipe and faucet navigation, voice search, and channel launching. It is also nice if you happen to lose your bodily distant.

1. Obtain and open the Roku app in your gadget.
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 seek 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 gadget to make the distant beep.

1. Make sure the Roku app is related to your Roku gadget.
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 manage playback with voice instructions.

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

12. Display mirror and forged

Roku can mirror screens from iPhone, Android, and Home windows, so no matter is in your gadget will seem in your TV. This allows you to present images, stream apps, or show shows and webpages straight out of your telephone 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 Solid 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 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. Choose from Dialogue, Film, Music, Night time, or Commonplace.

14. Pay attention privately

Personal Listening permits 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 cellular app’s Personal Listening mode, which streams audio to your telephone so you possibly can pay attention by wired or Bluetooth headphones.

1. With Voice Distant Professional Gen 1: plug headphones into the distant.
2. And not using a jack: open the Roku app and connect with your Roku.
3. Faucet the Headphones icon to allow personal 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 traditional titles like Solitaire, Snake, Sudoku, and different easy arcade-style video games. You management them together with your Roku distant.

1. On the Residence 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 sport.

16. Arrange channels in your Residence display

You possibly can rearrange the channels in your Residence 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 structure.

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 do not need it anymore. You possibly can at all times reinstall it later.

17. On the spot Replay with captions

Need captions once you use On the spot Replay? On the spot Replay is a built-in function on most Roku remotes that rewinds the present video with one button press. Roku may also 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 straightforward technique 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 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 Cross 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 permits you to play movies, music, and images 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 straightforward technique to view private media with out organising Plex or a DLNA media server.

1. Load your movies, music, or images 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 friends can sign up with their very own accounts, and Roku can routinely 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. Visitors sign up to their very own apps.
5. When accomplished: 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 info, 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 try my other guide here that rounds all of them up.

1. Wi-fi Information Display: Residence x5, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.
2. Secret Display 2 (advertisements or screenshot controls): Residence x5, Up, Proper, Down, Left, Up.
3. HDMI Information Display: Residence x5, Down, Left, Up, Up, Up.

22. Ask Alexa or Google

You possibly can 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 gadget.

The right 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 gadget and let Alexa uncover it.
4. Hyperlink the gadget and add it to a bunch.

The right way to set it up with Google:

1. Make sure that your Roku is operating a latest model of Roku OS.
2. Open the Google Residence app in your telephone.
3. Go to Gadgets >  faucet the Plus icon within the prime 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 comply with the prompts to return to Google Residence.

23. Comply with your favourite groups

You possibly can comply with your favourite sports activities groups on Roku and hold observe of upcoming video games. Simply go to the Sports activities part, discover a sport or crew, and add it to your favorites to create a personalised My Favorites row in your Residence display.

1. Go to the Residence display and scroll to Sports activities.
2. Search for an upcoming sport.
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 gadget has a cache that shops non permanent information to assist apps load sooner. Nevertheless, over time, this cache can change into 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 possibly can nonetheless repair most points by utilizing 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 Residence menu and ensure the spotlight is over the Residence choice on the left.
2. In your distant, push the Residence 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 to your Roku to restart.

In case you 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 non permanent cache. It will flip off your TV, however it is not going to manufacturing unit 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 gadget, together with search historical past, voice inputs, channel utilization, advert interactions, and private preferences, and it shares a few of this information with advertisers. When you can’t block all monitoring, you possibly can cut back it.

1. Open Settings from the primary Roku menu.
2. Go to Privateness.
3. Choose Promoting, then test 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 Information from TV Inputs.

26. Play Day by day Trivia in your Roku

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

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