How to Get Roku to Continue Running Next Episode

You probably want a streaming device for your TV whether you're a cord cutter or not. Roku is a popular choice, particularly as it ramps up its own original content.

Roku devices offer plenty of variety and portability, from the budget Roku Express to the feature-packed but streamlined Roku Streaming Stick 4K+. Whichever one you have, there's more to know beyond the basics. Here's how to get more out of your streaming device.

Our Top-Rated Roku Devices

1. Watch Free Movies and Shows on The Roku Channel

Video-streaming services are great, but they cost money. With The Roku Channel(Opens in a new window), you can sign in and access those premium channels (like HBO Max and Netflix), but the channel also offers free access to thousands of movies and TV episodes, if you can handle a few commercials. Roku acquired Quibi's content last year and is also adding dozens of its own shows.

For a cable-like experience without the cost, go to The Roku Channel and scroll down to the Live TV Channel Guide for hundreds of channels. You can also watch in the Roku app whether you have a Roku device or not. Just download it, sign in or create an account, and start streaming.

2. Search 3,000 Apps at Once

Instead of searching every Roku channel individually to find what you want, you can search across them with Roku Search(Opens in a new window). Enter your search term via the Roku remote, Roku mobile app, or via voice search, and you'll see results from over 3,000 channels. Search by title, actor, or director and you'll get a comprehensive list. Similarly, use Roku Search to compare the costs of streaming content. Type in a movie, show, or star and you'll get a list of available titles and their costs across channels and services.

3. Get in the Zone

Roku Zones are collections of movies and shows from across channels, organized by genre or topic. Go to search, type in a genre like "comedy," and scroll over to the zone that pops up.

4. Discover 'Secret' Roku Channels

Not all available Roku channels are listed in the Roku Channel Store. To find and add private ones that don't show up under the channel guide, check out the Roku Guide(Opens in a new window). Click the link you want, then Add Channel, and you'll be taken to a Roku account page. Log in, add the code for the channel, and you're set.

5. Turn Your Phone Into a Roku Remote

As great as the Roku is, navigating from the remote could use some help. Download the Roku Official Remote Control app (iOS(Opens in a new window), Android(Opens in a new window)) and get the benefit of a keyboard, easy searching, and streaming from your phone or tablet.

6. Talk to Your Roku Remote

That said, there are some ways you can talk to your Roku directly. You can do this if you have a Roku Voice Remote Pro, Enhanced Voice Remote, Voice Remote, Gaming Remote, the Roku Touch tabletop remote that comes with Roku's wireless speakers, or the Roku mobile app. On the remotes, press either the microphone or magnifying glass and hold them while you speak your request. On the app, select the magnifying glass to get to the search page and then tap the microphone, let it go, speak your request, and tap the middle of the screen.

7. Ask Alexa or the Google Assistant

Living room with couple on sofa, Alexa on table, and streaming choices on TV

If you have an Amazon Echo and a Roku, ask Alexa to control your Roku(Opens in a new window). First, you'll have to link both accounts by opening the Alexa mobile app, selecting Skills & Games, and searching for Roku. When you find it, tap Enable, sign in to your Roku account, and select the Roku device you want to link (or Select All if you have more than one). Then close your Roku account so Alexa will search for the device on the Device Discovery screen.

Once it finds it, tap Manage, Link Devices, and select the Roku you want to connect to Alexa. Then add the Roku to a group by selecting the Devices icon. Either add it to an existing group or create a new one by tapping the plus button. In the Alexa app, tap on the Roku device and make sure it is enabled. Then you're set to ask things like, "Alexa, open Netflix on living room Roku."

Roku has also opened its platform to Google, so you can use Google Assistant to make voice requests. First check that your Roku player is running Roku OS 9.0 or higher or that your Roku TV has Roku OS 8.2 or higher. Set up your Google Assistant on your Google device or app. Open the Google Assistant mobile app, tapExplore > Settings > Home Control > Add Device > Find > Roku. Sign in to your Roku account and then choose which device you want to control with Google Assistant.

8. Find That Lost Remote

The Roku remote is easily lost in couch cushions and under coffee tables. If you've spent far too many hours trying to find it, we have some solutions.

If you have a remote with a speaker grille, open the Roku app, tap the microphone, and say, "Hey, Roku, find my remote." The remote will emit a beeping noise.
If you have a Roku Ultra, long-press the button on the right side of the device and the remote will emit a beep.
If the remote you've lost is the Voice Remote Pro, say, "Hey, Roku, find my remote" and it will start beeping.
To stop the beeping noise once you've located your remote, press any button on the remote.

To change the noise your Roku remote emits when it's lost, open the Roku app on your TV and going to Settings > Remote > Change Remote Finder Sound. To hear what it sounds like, click Preview Remote Finder Sound.

9. Make Your Roku at Home(Kit)

For iPhone and iPad owners, Roku devices support AirPlay and HomeKit, so you can send videos, photos, and music from your device to the TV and supported speakers. Set it up in the Roku menu by navigating to Settings > Apple AirPlay & HomeKit > Launch Apple AirPlay & HomeKit setup. A QR code will pop up. Scan it with your iPhone or iPad's camera and follow the instructions on your Apple device to finish setup. HomeKit, meanwhile, lets you control your Roku using Siri and the Apple Home app ("Hey Siri, play jazz on the living room TV").

10. Let Siri and Roku Chat

Three screens with Siri Shortcuts process described below

Your Roku and iPhone can work together with Siri acting as the interpreter. The Roku app for iOS(Opens in a new window) has Siri Shortcuts that let you control your Roku with your voice. Open the app on your phone, tap the account icon at the top right, then select Siri Shortcuts. You can turn on the ability to open the Roku remote, play or pause Roku, search Roku, and even turn a Roku on and off for certain models. When you click on each option, you can keep the suggested phrasing or come up with your own commands.

11. Roku Screen Mirroring

With AirPlay enabled, you can mirror your iPhone or iPad screen via the Control Center to Roku, though most Roku devices(Opens in a new window) support screen mirroring from Android and Windows devices too. To hook it up, press the Home button on your Roku remote, then go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring. You'll have the option to choose between Prompt or Always Allow.

12. Practice Casting

If you prefer Google's Cast technology, you can send music, videos, and photos from mobile devices to most Roku-connected devices(Opens in a new window) easily if both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the content you want to share on the device and look for the cast icon. Click it and you should see all available Roku devices pop up in a menu.

13. Automatic Volume Leveling

How many times have you been lulled into near-somnolence by a show only to be jolted awake by a commercial? On most Roku models(Opens in a new window), you can turn on Leveling so a commercial or a channel change doesn't result in a spike in volume. Or choose to have soft sounds increased and loud sounds decreased with Night mode.

You can turn on the feature either from Settings if you have a Streambar or Smart Soundbar(Opens in a new window) or while streaming with other Roku devices. For Streambars and Soundbars, press the Home button on the remote and go to Settings > Audio > Volume Modes. For other devices, press the star button on the remote and navigate to Sound Settings > Volume Mode.

14. Use Roku Private Listening

Roku Voice Remote Pro

If you want to watch something on your Roku without disturbing those around you, use Private Listening. The Roku Voice Remote Pro, Enhanced Voice Remote, and Gaming Remote include built-in headphone jacks; just plug in and keep watching. Or download the Roku mobile app, connect your headphones to your device, and tap the headphones icon.

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15. Save That Screen

Roku screensavers screen with space, nautical, jungle, and western themes

Maybe you paused whatever you're watching and walked out of the room. Or you fell asleep and now the Roku logo is just bouncing around, like the flying toasters of yore. Give yourself something nice to look at with Roku's screensavers(Opens in a new window). You can get an art gallery viewing, hang out by a crackling fire, or keep an eye on the weather. Click the Home button on your remote then go to Settings > Theme and choose from wallpapers, screensavers, and sounds.

16. Get Your Game On

It's not a Nintendo Switch, but your Roku is still in the game(Opens in a new window). Hit the Home button, go to Streaming Channels > Games and you can go retro with Pac-Man(Opens in a new window) or go on a sugar-fueled rampage in Candy Bear(Opens in a new window). The Roku Enhanced Gaming Remote with Voice Search supports motion-control gaming.

17. Move the Apps on Your Roku Home Screen

Roku displays channels in the order in which you add them, but you can move them around. Find the app you want to move, press the star button on your Roku remote, and select "Move channel" from the pop-up menu. Use the directional pad to move it to your desired location.

18. Say What?

If you missed those last few lines, there's a quick way to catch up. Set up instant replay by going toSettings > Accessibility > Captions Mode and selecting On Replay. Then, when you hit the Instant Replay button on the remote, you'll also get the text on the screen.

19. Stream Your Own Stuff Via Plex

family sitting on a couch navigating the plex interface on a TV

(Photo: Plex)

Though Roku has a ton of different channels and things to watch, you'll probably still want to access your locally stored content on your TV. Sign up for Plex Pass(Opens in a new window) ($4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, $119.99 for a lifetime) and you can. Plex organizes your scattered content and lets you watch it from tablets, TVs, phones, and more; you can record and watch live broadcast TV, too.

Download the Plex app. Then install the Plex channel on your Roku, launch it, then go to plex.tv/pin(Opens in a new window). Log in and enter the code from the Roku Plex channel on the website.

20. Tap Into Live TV Streaming Services

Cable Alternative or Streaming Channels > Watch With Cable

New live TV services are popping up regularly for your sports and Hallmark movie needs. To see what's on offer, click the Home button on your remote and go to Streaming Channels > Cable Alternative to log into services like Sling and Hulu, or Streaming Channels > Watch With Cable, to log in with a pay TV provider, like Comcast or Spectrum. You can also go to the Roku Channel and scroll down to the Live TV Channel Guide and flip through hundreds of channels without ever paying for any of them. That includes NewsOn(Opens in a new window), which streams local news broadcasts from outlets nationwide.

21. Cloud DVRs

A number of live TV streaming services offer cloud DVR, meaning you can record live TV and access your shows later via the service's Roku app.

If you have an antenna to watch live TV, you can also record it with a device like Tablo TV(Opens in a new window). Set it up; download the app to your Roku(Opens in a new window); and you can watch, pause, and record.
If you subscribe to YouTube TV, it comes with a cloud DVR that holds an unlimited number of hours of programming for nine months.
Sling TV customers get 50 hours of free DVR storage. Upgrade to DVR Plus for 200 hours of storage starting at $5 per month.
DirecTV Stream comes with a cloud DVR that holds 20 hours of content for 90 days.
Included with Hulu with Live TV is the ability to DVR up to 50 hours of TV(Opens in a new window) and shows.
Philo subscribers can save anything that streams to the service's included DVR for a year.
If you have fuboTV, there is a DVR function that can be set even partway through a show's airing to capture the entire thing. How much is stored depends on your plan.

22. Be Our Guest

Your guests can make themselves at home by accessing all their Roku settings without disturbing yours. All you have to do is enable Guest Mode (previously Auto Sign Out Mode). Go to my.roku.com/account/PIN(Opens in a new window), set up a PIN, and then press the Home button on the Roku remote. Go toSettings > System > Guest Mode > Enter Guest Mode. Then enter your PIN and select OK. When guests come to stay, direct them to the Roku guide(Opens in a new window) on using Guest Mode

23. Stay Up to Date

To get the most out of your Roku, you want to have the latest software version installed. The device generally handles this on its own, but if you've recently installed a channel or your Roku has been disconnected for a while, you might have missed an update. In that case, you can update manually by going to Settings > System > System Update.

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Source: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/hidden-roku-tricks-for-streaming-success