Do you own a Roku or Roku TV? Today, we break down five Roku 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? The good news is 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 rating in the Roku Channel.
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 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 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 allows you to search for a show or video 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.)
#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? The good news is Roku added the ability to use your Roku with public Wi-Fi like you find in a hotel.
Here is how to allow 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 Apps from Your Computer
When you are looking for a particular show or movie on Roku, 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 your Rokus. Go to Roku’s online App Store and log into your Roku account. That will let you add Roku Channels to your Roku from your computer.
Do you have a tip for Roku owners? Post it in the comments and let everyone know about it.
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