Roku is the number one streaming media player in the United States; however, many users are likely not taking full advantage of everything the device has to offer.
So, I want to take a moment and show you my top 10 Roku pro tips to help you get the most from your Roku player.
#1 Parental Controls
Ever wish you could keep your kids from installing Roku channels or accessing content you don’t want them to? Roku offers Parental Controls that let you require a PIN to install Roku channels or limit the ability to play movies or shows based on the Roku channel rating.
To set up Parental Controls, go to Settings and select Parental Controls.
#2 Use Your Phone to Enter Usernames & Passwords
Roku offers an onscreen keyboard, but entering passwords and usernames with your Roku remote can be rather cumbersome. The good news is you can use your phone or tablet’s keyboard to enter passwords and usernames with the Roku app.
Roku has a powerful and helpful app for Android, iOS, and Fire OS devices. This app will let you cast photos and videos from your phone or tablet to your TV. And you can use your mobile device as a remote for your Roku if you ever lose your remote.
The Roku app also solves one of the most common complaints about all streaming players: The onscreen keyboards are slow and painful to use. With the Roku app, your mobile device can be used as a keyboard for usernames and passwords. Just click on the keyboard icon on your Roku app to type on your Roku.
#3 Screen Mirroring
Wishing you could cast your Android phone’s screen to your TV? With Roku you can do just that thanks to Screen Mirroring. To set this up, go to Settings and enable Screen Mirroring. After that, go to your phone and search for Cast. This will give you the ability to cast your phone’s screen to your Roku.
#4 Use Your Roku with Public Wi-Fi in a Hotel or Dorm
Ever wish you could take your Roku with you when you travel or use it with public Wi-Fi? Roku added the ability to use your Roku with public Wi-Fi like that you find in a hotel.
Here is how to use your Roku on public Wi-Fi:
- Plug your Roku player into any TV with an HMDI port.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll up or down and select Settings.
- Select Network.
- Select Set up connection.
- Select Wireless.
- From the list of available networks, choose the wireless network for the hotel or college dorm. If you do not see the network, select Scan again to see all networks.
- After your Roku player connects to the network, select I am at a hotel or college dorm.
#5 Add New Roku Channels from Your Computer
When you are looking for a particular Roku channel, sometimes finding it on your computer is a lot easier. The good news is you can use your computer to add a Roku channel to all of your Rokus. All you need to do is go to Roku’s online Channel Store and log in to your Roku account. That will let you add Roku channels to your Roku from your computer.
#6 Rename Your Roku Players
The ability to cast video and photos from your phone is great. The ability to send YouTube videos from your computer or phone to your TV is even better. But if you are like me and own multiple Rokus, it can be hard to remember what serial number is the living room Roku and what is the bedroom Roku.
There is good news. Head over to your My Account page on Roku’s website and you can rename your Roku boxes. That way you can easily figure out what Roku is in your living room and which one is in your bedroom without having to go find a serial number.
#7 Replay Captions
Ever miss what was said on the TV? Is the sound low so you don’t wake someone up or is it just hard to understand what was said? Roku lets you enable captions for instant replay. Just hit the replay button and for the few seconds of the replay, your Roku will enable closed captions. (Settings > Captions > click “Instant replay.”)
#8 Roku Apps
Roku has a super powerful and helpful app for Android, iOS, and Fire OS devices. This app will let you cast photos and videos from your phone or tablet to your TV. And you can use your mobile device as a remote for your Roku if you ever lose your remote.
#9 Mute Captions
We have all been there before. The game or show is on and the phone rings, so you hit mute but still want to know what is being said. With Roku TVs, you can enable mute captions so any time your TV is muted the captions will automatically turn on.
#10 Cast Netflix or YouTube
Searching Netflix or YouTube on your TV is not nearly as fast or as easy as on your computer or phone. Roku will let you search for what show or video you want on your phone and cast it to your TV. All you need to do is hit the cast button on the Netflix or YouTube app and select your Roku player. (Note: Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.)
Do you have a pro tip for Roku players? Post it in the comments and let everyone know about it.
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