I admit that I’m something of a Roku newbie, at least when it comes to actually utilizing my smart TV properly. But lately, I’ve been craving applications and oddball streaming channels that offer way more than I would have expected. Normally, I use an Xbox Series X for all my streaming, and it can feel a bit limiting at times, especially in terms of the apps that are actually available.
So, I have been using my Roku television a lot more lately. Like any piece of technology that I end up using, I just had to do my research. And now I feel a bit silly, because there are many little tips and tricks you can use to make your Roku television perform much better, and I’m always a fan of simplifying my life in any way possible.
Clear your cache
This can speed up your television drastically
It seems like a no-brainer, but one of my constant issues with a Roku television is that the freezing of apps can be very frustrating to deal with at times. One of the best temporary solutions I found to this issue is clearing your cache. Like entering a cheat code on an old console, this can be done with a series of button pushes on the Roku remote.
To clear your cache, press these buttons in order: the home button five times, the up button, rewind twice, and then fast-forward two times. After this, your Roku television will probably freeze up for a minute or so, and then it will restart. After that, you are good to use the device again, and hopefully it’ll run much better. I know it did wonders for me.
Download the Roku application on your phone
This will open up so many options on your television
I know, I know, another app to download, but I swear this one is absolutely worth it. The Roku app can be a game-changer in many ways. One of the best ways to utilize the app is to use it as a remote for your television. I’ve found that the actual Roku remote can be a bit finicky to use, and honestly, I sometimes accidentally leave it on my desk when I’m in bed.
But the really awesome feature I discovered is that you can send audio from your television directly to your phone. If you have a nice pair of headphones, then this can be a solid method for watching movies late at night when other people in your house are asleep. For me, my wireless headset will only connect to my phone and PC, so being able to use it through the app to watch television is huge for me.
Use Roku’s watchlist
Who has time for switching between streaming apps anyway?
I’m a big fan of curating a watchlist for any streaming service I use, because I’m old, and I have a hard time remembering everything I want to watch. That becomes a little more complicated when you have to split up different lists for different services. However, that doesn’t have to be the case with a Roku television, as there’s a handy universal watchlist just waiting to be used.
To find it, navigate to the “What to watch” section on the home screen. This will list out every movie and show from various streamers, including shows and movies. You can also search if you know what you’re looking for. From that point, just add each piece of media to Roku’s list, and now you have all the content you’ll ever want to watch saved in one convenient place. This is just one of many Roku tricks you can use to make your television more useful.
Play games on your Roku
Not exactly next-gen stuff, but still fun
Who says a smart television is only for streaming and playing video games through a console? If you’re feeling nostalgic or just need a break from the latest AAA game, Roku actually offers a wide range of free games. These aren’t graphical masterpieces by any means, but they offer a nice way to kill some free time when nothing else is hitting the spot.
I’ve spent countless hours this week playing Snake, one of the most iconic time-waster games. There’s something soothingly therapeutic about chasing dots around as an ever-growing line on a screen. But I’ve also enjoyed getting absolutely demolished by the computer on chess, as well. To access these games, simply go to your home screen, click on the streaming store, and then search for some game applications.
Utilize guest mode
I grew tired of other people messing with my settings
I have my Roku television set up just the way I like it, from volume settings to adjusting my color scheme to my liking. Sadly, if your television is used by multiple people in your household who also have preferences, this can be a chore to keep changing. However, fortunately for us, Roku offers a handy guest mode that can be activated with ease.
First, you will need to head to your Roku account and set up a PIN. After that, simply head to the home screen, then navigate to settings, and finally select “enter guest mode” on the television. You will be asked to enter your pin, and then you’ll officially be in guest mode.
Roku’s customization options are the best feature
While I still find myself gravitating toward my console for a lot of streaming, my Roku television has seen a lot more use lately. Discovering these various tips has opened up possibilities for using my smart TV effectively. I hope they help you utilize your Roku as well. Next, check out some secret Roku shortcuts that you can access using just your remote.
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