The best Roku features according to our customers

What’s your favorite Roku feature?

We asked thousands of streamers across the nation that exact question on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit. And we combed through hundreds of answers to find out what features the experts (Roku customers) agree are the best of the best.

In this article, we’re going to dive in and discuss all the features Roku customers said they loved, including:

• The Roku mobile app remote
• Roku Search & Roku Voice
• Private listening
• Lost remote finder
• Theme Packs, Screensavers and Wallpapers

You may have tried some of these yourself, especially if you’ve read our Roku TV features and settings guide. Others may have slipped under your radar. Whatever your Roku experience, we hope these tips will have you feeling like a true streaming professional.

Remote feature in the Roku mobile app

The Roku mobile app is your streaming sidekick.

When we asked our friends on social media to name their favorite feature, many of them said it was the Roku mobile app’s remote control feature. To fire it up, just open up the app, click remote, and select the device you would like to control from your smartphone.  Once you are connected, you have all the functionality of your traditional Roku remote—and more!

The mobile app remote is especially useful if you misplaced your remote, or when someone (like your kids) aren’t listening and you need to pause their show. This is one of our most popular features and if you haven’t tried it yet, go download the free Roku mobile app now!

Roku Search & Roku Voice

Roku Search makes it really easy to discover something great to watch.

You can search by title, actor, genre, and more, and see results that not only show where they’re streaming, but are also ranked by price. Just go to the “Search” menu on your home screen and type in what you’re looking for to see where you can find your favorites.

You can also search, play movies and TV shows, control your device, and more from any screen just by using your voice. If you’re using a voice remote, try commands like:

• “Show me free movies”
• “Launch The Roku Channel”
• Or “Play classic rock”

Just press and hold the voice button and say what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a voice remote, you can also use voice search on the free Roku mobile app.

Private listening

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could watch TV at full volume—even when everyone else is asleep?

If you’ve ever had to cut a binge session short because you didn’t want to disturb anyone’s Zs, then private listening is the feature for you. Our users love private listening, and you can try it with any Roku remote with a headphone jack—just plug your headphones in, adjust the volume, and you’re all set.

Private listening also works on the Roku mobile app with your favorite wireless headphones, and fun fact – up to 4 people can use their phones to try private listening at the same time. You can activate or disable private listening simply by tapping the headphone icon on the app’s remote screen.

Lost remote finder

This feature is a good one for those who are constantly misplacing their Roku remotes. You know who you are.

If you have a compatible remote, the remote finder feature can help you find it quickly and easily almost every time, and there are a couple ways to activate it.

If you have a Roku Voice Remote Pro, just call out “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” and wait for the tone.

You can also trigger it by pressing the lost remote button on your Roku Ultra. Or, if you have the Roku mobile app and a Roku Ultra, Roku Streambar Pro, or Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, you can ping the remote straight from the app!

Theme packs, screensavers, and wallpapers

If you haven’t explored the theme packs, screensavers, and wallpapers in the theme store – stop what you’re doing right now and go check ‘em out!

Changing the theme pack or wallpaper is a fun way to make your Roku home screen your very own. If you want to update your home screen, click the home button, scroll to settings, then themes, and you’ll see all the ways you can customize your device. Just select the options you want, install them, and you’re good to go!

Well, that’s all for now. Hopefully you picked up a thing or two to help you get the most out of your Roku device. Looking for more? Check out these Roku tips.

Happy Streaming!