Roku has been one of the most popular devices out there for a very long time now. It has a very simple OS, but a hidden world exists beyond the familiar user interface with lots of features that can improve your streaming experience. Here’s how to get more out your streaming device.
Use Bandwidth Saver
This setting is useful for those who are on a monthly data limit from their ISP or are looking to free up bandwidth for other devices to use in the house while not using the TV. When enabled, it will allow your Roku device or TV to automatically pause any streaming after four hours of inactivity if you don’t respond to the confirmation prompt. Inactivity is detected when the remote hasn’t been used at all in that four hour time period.
To enable this feature go to Settings > Network > Bandwidth Saver > On.
Turn Off Sponsored Wallpapers
If you are not a big fan of wallpapers changing automatically on you with some ad taking up your entire home screen, replacing the ones that you like, which I’m sure it must annoy a lot of you. To stop this by happening, it’s better if you turn off Sponsored Wallpapers. Not enjoying the Seasonal Wallpapers either? Disable those too. Go to Settings > Themes > Seasonal Wallpapers > Off and scroll down once and do the same with Sponsored Wallpapers > Off.
Enable Guest Mode
When friends or family visit or you have a short-term rental, you can put your device in Guest Mode so they can access their apps and settings without disturbing yours.
As a guest, they can watch content from their account, add apps, change settings, search content, and select either automatic or manual sign-out date and time that will sign them out and all of their credentials, viewing history, apps, and settings changes will be removed.
To turn on Guest Mode you need a Roku PIN. If you don’t already have one, visit my.roku.com/account/PIN to easily set it up.
Then go to your Roku device, go to Settings > Guest Mode > Enter Guest Mode > enter your Roku PIN and press OK and confirm.
Show Your Team Spirit
You can follow your favorite sports teams on Roku by going to the Home screen on your device, scroll down to Sports, do a search for an upcoming game and click on it, and then select the heart icon next to your team’s name. That will create a My Favorites row under Sports with all upcoming games.
Screen Mirroring
With Roku, you can screen mirror your smartphone, tablet, or PC screen to your TV. This feature is great if you have an app that is not available in the Roku app store and want to bring it to the big screen.
Screen Mirroring is available on Roku running OS 7.7 or later. You can mirror your iPhone or iPad screen via the Control Center to your Roku with AirPlay enabled on your Roku device by going to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and follow the instructions.
For Android devices you can use Smart View and choose the Roku device as the mirroring device.
