Roku is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world, but most people only scratch the surface of what it can do. Whether you're a new Roku user or a long-time owner, here are 10 tips and tricks to level up your streaming experience.
1. Use Your Phone as a Keyboard
Tired of pecking at the on-screen keyboard one letter at a time with arrow keys? Use a Roku remote app like Advanced Remote Controller to type with your iPhone's full QWERTY keyboard. It's dramatically faster for entering passwords, search queries, email addresses, and activation codes.
This single feature alone can save you minutes of frustration — especially when setting up new channels that require account sign-in.
2. Rearrange Your Channels
You can reorder channels on the Roku home screen to put your favorites at the top. Here's how:
- Highlight the channel you want to move on the home screen
- Press the Star (*) button on your remote
- Select "Move channel"
- Use the arrow keys to position it where you want
- Press OK to confirm
Move Netflix, YouTube, and your most-used apps to the top row for instant access.
3. Use Private Listening
Want to watch a loud action movie late at night without waking anyone? Roku supports private listening — audio streams through your phone to your headphones instead of through the TV speakers. Some Roku remotes even have a built-in headphone jack.
To use private listening through your phone, open the official Roku app or a compatible remote app, connect your headphones to your iPhone, and enable private listening mode.
4. Enable Bandwidth Saver
If you have a data cap from your internet provider, this feature is essential. Go to Settings → Network → Bandwidth saver and turn it on. This automatically stops streaming after 4 hours of inactivity, preventing your Roku from eating through your data when you fall asleep watching TV.
5. Access the Secret Menu
Roku has a hidden settings menu that provides advanced information useful for troubleshooting. From the home screen, press this button sequence on your remote:
- Home × 5
- Fast Forward × 1
- Play × 1
- Rewind × 1
- Play × 1
- Fast Forward × 1
This reveals additional network diagnostics and system information that isn't available in the normal settings menu.
6. Mirror Your iPhone Screen
Most Roku devices from 2019 and later support Apple AirPlay. This means you can mirror your entire iPhone screen, or cast specific content, directly to your TV:
- Make sure your iPhone and Roku are on the same WiFi network
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center
- Tap "Screen Mirroring"
- Select your Roku device
This is great for sharing photos, presentations, or apps that don't have native Roku channels.
7. Set a Sleep Timer
Falling asleep in front of the TV? Many Roku TVs have a built-in sleep timer. Go to Settings → System → Time → Sleep Timer. You can set it to turn off after 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, or 3 hours. Your TV will automatically power down, saving electricity and preventing all-night streaming.
8. Use Voice Search Across All Apps
Roku's voice search is more powerful than most people realize. When you search by voice (using your remote or app), Roku doesn't just search one app — it searches across Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Peacock, and many more simultaneously.
The results show you where that movie or show is available, whether it's included with your subscription, or if it requires a rental or purchase. This helps you find the cheapest way to watch anything.
9. Disable Autoplay Video on Home Screen
Annoyed by videos auto-playing and making noise on the Roku home screen? Turn it off:
- Go to Settings → Home Screen
- Find "Home Screen Video Autoplay"
- Turn it Off
Your home screen will be quieter and actually load faster without auto-playing promotional content.
10. Use Guest Mode for Visitors
Hosting guests who want to sign into their Netflix or other streaming accounts? Don't let them sign in normally — use Guest Mode instead:
- Go to Settings → System → Guest Mode
- Enable it
- Your guests can sign into their accounts
- When they leave, all their accounts are automatically removed
This prevents the awkward "your ex's Netflix profile is still on my TV" situation and keeps your Roku clean after visitors leave.
Bonus: Control Roku with Advanced Remote Controller
Many of these tips are even easier to execute with a proper remote app on your phone. Advanced Remote Controller gives you voice search (tip #8), keyboard input (tip #1), and channel shortcuts that make navigating your Roku faster and more enjoyable than any physical remote.
The app connects over WiFi in seconds, works with all Roku devices, and has a beautiful dark UI that's perfect for nighttime use. Try it and see the difference.