Our top 14 Roku tips and tricks to up your streaming game
Streaming is how we access everything, from movies, sports events, and TV shows to music. The on-demand and live content is available on everything from our phones to our TVs. We even have smart devices that make our older devices smart. Streaming devices are one of the best examples, and using them makes older devices smarter or TVs with complicated systems simple.
Roku makes some ofthe best streaming devicesat almost any price point with various specifications. Roku devices have several helpful features and tricks that make them even more powerful. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Roku device.
Nothing should come between you and your favorite shows
1Use your phone as a remote
If you lose your remote or the batteries in your remote die, use your phone to control your Roku device. To do so, download the official Roku app and sign in. After signing in, go to theDevicestab, select the device you want to control, and tap theRemotebutton. This displays a virtual remote with all the buttons and functions you’re used to on your regular remote, including the signature purple Roku d-pad buttons.
2Find a lost remote
Remotes are getting smaller, and they can easily get lost on the couch or around the house. If you have certain models of Roku remotes, they have features to help you find them when they’re lost.
After locating your remote through any of these methods, press any button on the remote to stop the beeping. you could customize the sound your remote makes in the Roku app by going toSettings>Remote>Change Remote Finder Soundand tapping any sound.
3Use a smart assistant to control your Roku device
Many people have smart assistant-compatible devices in their homes. These devices can control your Roku device without lifting a finger. you could’t use this feature to do things like move around the interface. Still, many of the core features of your device can be controlled with your voice.
If you have an Alexa-compatible device, launch the Alexa mobile app and go to theSkills & Gamessection. When you’re there, search for Roku, tapEnable, sign in to your Roku account, and select the devices you want to link. After your devices are linked, add your Roku device to a group. After that, it’s possible to ask Alexa to control your Roku.
Shutting down your Roku streaming device isn’t absolutely necessary
If you prefer Google Assistant over Alexa, you’re in luck. You’re good to go as long as Google Assistant is activated on another device.
4Share your screen and media to your Roku device
Whether you’re partial to the Google or Apple ecosystem, Roku devices allow you to cast your screen or media to your device. Most Roku devices come preinstalled with technology that allows you to cast from Android devices. Whether you want to share your screen, put on a YouTube video, or play music, tap thecast iconand get casting.
If you have an Apple device, turn on AirPlay and HomeKit on your device. Go toSettings>Apple AirPlay & HomeKit>Launch Apple Airplay and HomeKit setup. When you’re there, you’ll see a QR code. Use the camera on your Apple device to scan it and follow the instructions that appear. When you’ve set up AirPlay and HomeKit, go toSettings>System>Screen Mirroringto always allow screen mirroring.
5Reorganize your Roku homescreen
Apps and channels are automatically added in the order you installed them. If you want to move them so that your most used apps are at the top, rearrange your homescreen. If you want to move an app around, move your cursor to highlight the app, press theStarbutton, and selectMove channelfrom the menu that pops up. Then, use the arrow keys to move the app to your desired location.
6Mi casa es su casa (AKA Use the Guest Mode feature)
If you have guests over and don’t want them to mess with your Settings, Roku has a mode for that. Guest Mode allows guests to sign in to their streaming accounts on your Roku. That way, they won’t mess up your suggestions. You must first set up a pin by going toRoku’s pin setting website. After setting up a PIN, go toSettings>System>Guest Mode>Enter Guest Modeand enter your PIN to activate the feature.
7Change your Roku’s appearance
For those who like making things their own, the Roku allows you to customize some facets of its appearance. The two things you can customize are your device’s theme and screensaver. Your device’s theme changes the look of the interface of your device, while the screensaver is what pops up if your device is stationary for a little bit.
To change your device’s theme, go toSettings>Themesand select your desired theme. To modify your screensaver, go toSettings>Screensaverand find one that suits you best.
8Watch TV without disturbing others with Private Listening
When others in your home don’t want to be disturbed, Roku allows you to watch TV without bothering them. Whether you use the app or have a remote that lets you plug in your headphones, you can take advantage of the Private Listening feature.
Private listening turns off the TV volume and plays the volume through your headphones, whether they’re connected to your remote or another device. When you unplug or disconnect your headphones, your Roku moves the sound back to your TV.
9Make sure commercials don’t give you a rude awakening
Has a commercial that’s louder than the show you’re watching ever woken you up after you’ve dozed off? Roku has a solution for that using a feature called Volume Leveling. Volume Leveling tries to level the volume of all sounds in what you’re watching, whether it’s leveling commercials with the show or leveling loud noises in the show with dialogue.
To activate this feature, start watching something. Then, press theStarbutton to pull up the in-show settings. In the settings menu, selectSound settings>Volume Leveling, and the feature is turned on.
10Manage apps and games using the Roku mobile app
The Roku mobile app isn’t limited to activating a virtual remote on your phone. Apart from navigating the Roku OS, it’s possible to manage apps and games on your streaming device. Follow the steps below to add or remove channels on Roku using the mobile app.
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