26 hidden Roku tips and tricks you’ll wish you knew years ago

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Hidden Roku menus help you fix issues and tweak your setup fast.
• You can organize apps, watchlists, and remotes way better than you think.
• Your Roku has tons of shortcuts that make streaming quicker and easier.

I’ve been a Roku user for years and have spent countless hours launching apps, navigating menus, and digging through settings. If you feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface of what Roku can do, take a seat.

I am sharing all the best hidden Roku tips and tricks so you can unlock the full power of your device.

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

You’ll learn how to stream from Plex or a USB, create a guest mode, quickly find lost remotes, and use special button combos to access hidden screens. There’s a ton of cool stuff hiding in plain sight that makes streaming and binging TV easier than ever.

By the end, you’ll know more about Roku than you ever thought you would.

1. Manage subscriptions in one place

Ever subscribe to a new streaming service and then forget all about it? Guilty. But Roku can help you track down all your subs in one account. Just head to My Subscriptions on Roku. There, you’ll see all the services you’ve added through Roku and can turn on email reminders so Roku pings you a couple of days before any renew and charge you.

1. Go to my.roku.com and sign in to your account.
2. Click Payment Methods and enter your credit card or PayPal details.
3. On any Roku screen, you can now subscribe to supported channels.
4. To manage existing subs, go to my.roku.com > My Subscriptions. You’ll see every active and expired subscription that Roku is billing you for, and you can cancel or renew them with just a click.

If you subscribed to a service outside the Roku platform, like ESPN through the Disney Plus website, you won’t see it listed under My Subscriptions. So I suggest streamlining how and where you subscribe to services and keeping them within Roku.

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2. Create a universal watchlist

I have a long list of shows to watch across my favorite streaming services. Each app has its own watchlist, which is handy when you’re in that service. But what if you want to quickly see everything in one place? You can, with Roku’s master watchlist feature.

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

In any Roku app or while using the system search, you can find a movie or show you want to watch and select Add to Save List on its details page. Roku collects all those saves into a single “What to Watch” list you can access from the Home screen.

1. From the Roku Home or in Roku search, find the show or movie you want to add.
2. On the title’s detail page, choose Add to Save List (sometimes it’s called “Save”).
3. Press Home and select What to Watch to see your full Save List.
4. Scroll to Continue Watching in that menu to resume any paused show.

This lets you see every movie and episode you saved from across all your services. No more flipping through apps to remember.

3. Resume watching with ‘Continue Watching’

Roku automatically tracks in-progress videos across apps and lists them for you in one place. Forget which app had that movie you paused last night? No problem. Roku will show every show or movie you’re able to resume, no matter the app.

1. On the Roku Home screen, select What to Watch.
2. Scroll to the Continue Watching section.
3. Select any paused show or movie to resume playback.

Selecting a movie or show in Continue Watching will jump straight back to where you left off.

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4. Watch free content on The Roku Channel

Roku’s own channel, The Roku Channel, offers thousands of free TV shows, movies, and even live news and sports channels. There’s no subscription needed, but you will have to sit through a few ads. There’s also a Live TV Channel Guide in The Roku Channel where you can browse more than 500 free live channels, including news, sports, kids TV, and music.

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

1. From Home, open The Roku Channel (add it from Streaming Channels if it’s not on Home).
2. Browse the Featured Free or Popular Free sections for on-demand films and shows.
3. Scroll to Live TV Channel Guide to see hundreds of free live streams.

This is a hidden gem for cord-cutters.

5. Use Roku Search (across all apps)

On any Home screen, you can press the Search button (or use the microphone if you have a voice remote or the Roku app) to look for content by title, actor, or director. 

Roku will then search every channel on your device at once and show you where that content is available, including where it’s free or any rental or subscription costs. This saves time and can save you money.

1. On your Roku remote, press Star and select Search, or press the Search key or mic.
2. Enter a title or say it aloud.
3. Roku will list channels that have that content and the price or subscription required.
4. Select an entry to jump directly to that channel.

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6. Browse Roku Zones

Roku has Zones, or curated collections of content by genre or theme. These pop up when you search certain keywords. 

Also: How to reset your Roku: 4 easy ways

For example, search “Comedy” or “Kids” and Roku will offer to open the Comedy Zone or Kids Zone. Each Zone displays recommended movies and shows grouped in rows like New Releases and Free. It’s a fun way to find something to watch.

1. Press Home and go to Search. Type a genre or topic.
2. Look for a Zone result (e.g., Comedy Zone) and select it.
3. Browse shows and movies grouped by new releases, free picks, and more.

7. Display your photos

Want to see your vacation photos on the big screen? Use Roku’s Photo Streams to turn your camera roll into a TV slideshow or screensaver. 

Go to photostreams.roku.com on your computer to create a stream. You can upload photos or link Google Photos. Then open Photo Streams on your Roku, pick your stream, and select Slideshow. You can also set any stream as your screensaver.

1. In a web browser, go to photostreams.roku.com and log in.
2. Click Create Stream, upload photos, or link your Google Photos library.
3. On Roku, select Photo Streams and pick Slideshow.
4. For screensaver: Home > Settings > Themes > Screensavers > Photo Streams > Set as Screensaver.

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8. Customize your screensaver

You can change your default screensaver and even use a custom one. Roku lets you choose from built-in options or set any of your Photo Streams as the screensaver, so your TV can cycle through personal photos when it’s idle.

1. Home > Settings > Theme > Wallpaper and Screensavers.
2. Browse Featured Screensavers.
3. Choose Set as Screensaver.
4. Tap Preview to see it first.

9. Turn your phone into a remote

Roku’s mobile app is more than a backup remote. Once you install the Roku Official Remote app on your iPhone or Android device, you get a full keyboard, swipe and tap navigation, voice search, and channel launching. It’s also great if you lose your physical remote.

1. Download and open the Roku app on your device.
2. Select your Roku on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Use the Keyboard icon to type quickly.
4. Tap the Voice icon to search by speaking.

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10. Find your lost remote

If your voice remote has a speaker grille, you can make it beep to find it. Open the Roku app, tap the mic, and say “Hey Roku, find my remote.” If you have a Roku Ultra, press the physical button on the device to make the remote beep.

1. Ensure the Roku app is connected to your Roku device.
2. Say “Hey Roku, find my remote.”
3. (On Roku Ultra) Press the button on the player to trigger the beep.
4. Press any button on the remote to stop the beeping.

11. Link Roku to Apple and Siri

Roku supports AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. After pairing, you can mirror your iPhone, iPad, or Mac screen, stream audio and video directly to your Roku, or use Siri Shortcuts in the Roku app to control playback with voice commands.

1. On Roku: Home > Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay.
2. On iPhone: Open Control Center > Screen Mirroring > select Roku.
3. In the Roku app: Account > Siri Shortcuts to enable Siri control.

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12. Screen mirror and cast

Roku can mirror screens from iPhone, Android, and Windows, so whatever is on your device will appear on your TV. This lets you show photos, stream apps, or display presentations and webpages directly from your phone or computer.

1. On Roku: Settings > System > Screen Mirroring > Prompt or Always Allow.
2. On iPhone: Screen Mirroring > select Roku.
3. On Android or Windows: Use Cast or Smart View and select Roku.
4. To stop mirroring, disconnect from the casting menu.

13. Calibrate audio, including for nighttime

Roku has Volume Leveling to keep audio consistent across channels and apps. It also features a Night Mode that softens loud commercials and sudden volume spikes so you can continue watching TV late without disturbing anyone. There are other modes too.

1. During playback, press Star.
2. Select Sound Settings > Customize sound mode > Volume Leveling.
3. Next, go back to Sound Settings and choose Sound Mode.
4. Pick from Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night, or Standard.

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14. Listen privately

Private Listening lets you watch quietly without bothering anyone.

The Voice Remote Pro Gen 1 has a built-in headphone jack for wired listening, but you can also use the Roku mobile app’s Private Listening mode, which streams audio to your phone so you can listen through wired or Bluetooth headphones.

1. With Voice Remote Pro Gen 1: plug headphones into the remote.
2. Without a jack: open the Roku app and connect to your Roku.
3. Tap the Headphones icon to enable private listening.

15. Play games on Roku

Your Roku has a small selection of games you can install and play. These include classic titles like Solitaire, Snake, Sudoku, and other simple arcade-style games. You control them with your Roku remote.

1. On the Home screen, open Streaming Store.
2. Select Games and browse. 
3. From here, you can choose a Roku Zone called Video Games.
4. Install and launch any game.

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16. Organize channels on your Home screen

You can rearrange the channels on your Home screen to put your favorites up front. Some Roku software versions also support folders, so you can group apps together for a cleaner, more organized layout.

1. Highlight the app you want to move.
2. Press Star and select Move Channel.
3. Use arrows to reposition, then press OK.
4. Optional: Options > Create Folder (if available)
5. Optional: Remove an app if it’s acting glitchy or you don’t want it anymore. You can always reinstall it later.

17. Instant Replay with captions

Want captions when you use Instant Replay? Instant Replay is a built-in feature on most Roku remotes that rewinds the current video with one button press. Roku can also show captions during that jump back so you don’t miss any dialogue.

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions Mode.
2. Select On Replay.
3. Press the Instant Replay button during playback.

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18. Stream your personal library with Plex

Plex is an easy way to stream your own media library on Roku. Just install Plex Media Server on your computer, add the Plex app on your Roku, and sign in so Plex can scan your files, add artwork, and stream everything to your TV. The free tier covers personal media streaming, so you don’t need a Plex Pass unless you want premium features.

1. Install Plex Server on your computer and add media.
2. On Roku, search for Plex and install it.
3. Launch Plex to get a linking code.
4. Go to plex.tv/link and enter the code.
5. Your library will now appear on Roku.

19. Watch content from a USB drive

For simple local playback, Roku Media Player lets you play videos, music, and photos directly from a USB drive if your Roku has a USB port. Just plug in your drive, open the Roku Media Player app, and browse your files. It supports formats like MP4, MKV, MP3, and JPG, making it an easy way to view personal media without setting up Plex or a DLNA media server.

1. Load your videos, music, or photos onto a USB drive.
2. Plug the USB drive into your Roku’s USB port.
3. Open the Roku Media Player app.
4. Select Videos, Music, or Photos.
5. Browse your USB folders and choose a file to play.

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20. Use the Guest Mode

Guest Mode prevents visitors from changing your settings, watchlist, or logged-in apps. Once enabled, your guests can sign in with their own accounts, and Roku can automatically sign them out on a date you choose.

1. Set a PIN at my.roku.com/account/PIN.
2. On Roku: Settings > System > Guest Mode > Enter Guest Mode.
3. Enter your PIN.
4. Guests sign in to their own apps.
5. When done: Settings > Guest Options > Sign Out of Guest Mode.

21. Access hidden screens

Did you know Roku has several secret menus you can access with just a few clicks of the remote? They’re like easter eggs, hidden screens that can reveal diagnostic information, advanced toggles, and developer tools you never knew you wanted (or needed).

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

Here are a few example remote combinations you can enter, but check out my other guide here that rounds them all up.

1. Wireless Info Screen: Home x5, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.
2. Secret Screen 2 (ads or screenshot controls): Home x5, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up.
3. HDMI Info Screen: Home x5, Down, Left, Up, Up, Up.

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22. Ask Alexa or Google

You can control your Roku hands-free with either Alexa or Google. After linking your accounts in their respective apps, you can use voice commands to open apps, launch channels, or control playback on your Roku device.

How to set it up with Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to Skills and Games.
2. Search for Roku, tap Enable to Use, and sign in.
3. Select your Roku device and let Alexa discover it.
4. Link the device and add it to a group.

How to set it up with Google:

1. Make sure your Roku is running a recent version of Roku OS.
2. Open the Google Home app on your phone.
3. Go to Devices >  tap the Plus icon in the top corner > choose Works with Google.
4. Tap the Search icon and look up Roku. Select Roku from the results.
5. Sign in to your Roku account when prompted.
6. Tap Continue and follow the prompts to return to Google Home.

23. Follow your favorite teams

You can follow your favorite sports teams on Roku and keep track of upcoming games. Just visit the Sports section, find a game or team, and add it to your favorites to create a personalized My Favorites row on your Home screen.

1. Go to the Home screen and scroll to Sports.
2. Look for an upcoming game.
3. Open the game page and select the heart icon next to the team.
4. Your My Favorites row will appear under Sports with all upcoming games.

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24. Clear your Roku cache (soft reset)

Your Roku device has a cache that stores temporary data to help apps load faster. However, over time, this cache can become cluttered, causing slow performance, app crashes, audio-video sync issues, and error messages. Roku does not have a single “clear cache” button, nor can you do it by app, but you can still fix most issues by using a special remote sequence that initiates a soft reset.

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

1. Go to the Home menu and make sure the highlight is over the Home option on the left.
2. On your remote, push the Home button five times.
3. Push the Up arrow once.
4. Push the Rewind button twice.
5. Push the Fast Forward button twice.
6. Wait for your Roku to restart.

If you don’t want to use the special button combo above, you can also just go to Settings > System > System Restart on your Roku to flush temporary cache. This will turn off your TV, but it will not factory reset it. Your Roku TV should turn back on in 30 seconds. 

25. Limit the data Roku collects

Roku gathers a wide range of information from your device, including search history, voice inputs, channel usage, ad interactions, and personal preferences, and it shares some of this data with advertisers. While you cannot block all tracking, you can reduce it.

1. Open Settings from the main Roku menu.
2. Go to Privacy.
3. Select Advertising, then check Limit Ad Tracking.
4. Go to Microphone > Channel Microphone Access, and select Never Allow.
5. Go to Smart TV Experience, open ACR, and uncheck Use Info from TV Inputs.

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26. Play Daily Trivia on your Roku

There’s a Daily Trivia section on Roku that gives you 10 new pop culture questions to answer every day. It is available on all Roku devices in the US, and you can access it right from your Home Screen.

1. Go to your Home Screen Menu.
2. Look for Daily Trivia among your available Roku features.
3. Open it to play the 10 daily questions or browse the Trivia Vault.

Source: Information Technologies - zdnet.com