Roku has been a popular streaming device for some time now. People who are looking to cut the cord with their cable providers and enjoy an affordable, easy-to-use online TV experience find Roku provides just that.
This article will show you the various ways to add apps to Roku to boost your streaming experience.
How to Add Apps to a Roku Device
Installing Roku apps on the device works pretty much like adding apps to your smartphone. Apps can help you get the most out of your Roku device, such as a game or tool. Some good examples include Screen Cast which lets you cast a video from your smartphone to your TV and Downloader which lets you install third-party apps.
You can add apps to the Roku three ways: using the Roku Mobile app, your Roku device, or visiting the Roku website.
Let’s see how each approach works.
How to Add Official Apps Using the Roku Mobile App
The Roku App (Official) mobile app presents an innovative and convenient way to enjoy your Roku device. With the app, you can control your TV from anywhere in the world. It lets you pause, play, rewind, and fast forward as you like. You can also launch your most recent channels with just your voice. The Roku mobile app is especially handy when you want to add apps to your Roku device.
Roku apps could include a new game for your kids or even a fancy channel airing your favorite new show. It could also be an all-music channel letting you enjoy authentic, soothing music from your favorite artists. Whatever the case, adding apps to your Roku device has never been easier.
To add an app using “The Roku App (Official)” mobile app:
- Launch the Android/iOS/iPhone “Roku” app. Once installed, it just says “Roku.”
- Scroll down to the very bottom of the Home Screen, then tap on “Go to Store” in the “Recommended” section.
- Tap “View All” to see all featured channels under the “Featured” section (the top half of the screen), or select a “Genre,” such as “Movies & TV.”
- Scroll through the list to find the app you’d like to add, then tap on it.
- Tap the “Add” button to add the channel to your device.
- If the channel is free, it should download and install on your device right away. If it’s a paid channel, you’ll be redirected to the purchase page to complete the order/subscription before downloading the channel.
The Roku mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
How to Add Official Apps Using the Roku Website
If you don’t fancy using the mobile app, the Roku website is where you can go to find all the apps available for your Roku TV. All you need to do is sign into your account and add any app that you want. Here are the steps:
- Visit the “Roku Channel Store“ and enter your account information to sign in.
- Browse through the categories to find the channel you wish to add. If you know the channel by name, you can enter it in the search bar at the top of the page.
- Click on “Details” to view more about the channel, such as what it features and pricing information.
- Click on the “+ Add Channel” button to add the app to your device. Free channels get added right away, but subscription-based channels can only be added after you’ve made the required payments. All paid channels come with simple on-screen instructions on how to go about it.
How to Add Official Apps Using Your Roku Device
If you haven’t installed the Roku mobile app and perhaps don’t have time to visit the official Roku website, you can conveniently add channels using your Roku device. This is how you do it:
- Open the “Home” menu using your Roku remote.
- Select “Streaming Channels” from the sidebar on the left. This should launch the Roku app store.
- If you know the name of the channel you’d like to add, enter it in the search box, and the channel’s submenu should open in a few moments. Otherwise, browse through the categories to find the channel you’d like to add.
- When you find the channel you want, press “OK” on the remote to view its synopsis.
- If you want the selected app, choose “Add channel.” However, subscription-based channels come with a “Buy” button.
- Before installation begins, you’ll also be prompted to enter your “PIN” if you’ve already created one for your Roku account.
How to Add Third-Party Apps to a Roku Device Using Downloader
You can download and install non-certified channels to your Roku device through the Roku website, otherwise known as the downloader option. But first, what’s the difference between certified and non-certified channels?
Certified channels are “official” channels that run on any Roku device, and the company has approved them. Non-certified channels are those that someone created but have not yet been submitted to be certified. They exist because Roku allows developers to distribute newly created channels to a limited number of users for testing. A non-certified channel is not available on the Roku app store and can only be downloaded using a dedicated channel code (e.g., PG184).
To add non-certified channels to a Roku device:
- Visit the “official Roku website“ on your phone or computer and enter your account details to sign in.
- Click on your “profile” icon in the top right section.
- Under the “Manage Account” tab, select “Add Channel Code.”
- Enter the channel code provided by the developer and then select “Add Channel.”
- You’ll be prompted to acknowledge that you’re about to install a non-certified channel. Once that’s out of the way, the channel will download and install on your Roku device.
All newly downloaded channels are added to your Home screen on your Roku device. The newest channel appears at the bottom of the list.
Additional FAQs
Can you install an APK on a Roku device?
The answer is no; you can’t install an APK (Android Package Kit) on a Roku device because Roku is a closed operating system. You can’t download and install apps that aren’t in the Roku app store or the non-certified channel list.
However, some users have been able to install APK files (which extend the device’s features) on Roku and run them using hacked software. This is not recommended as there is no guarantee that such hacks will continue to work with future updates.
Can you install third-party apps on Roku?
Yes, you can, but you can only do so if the app is on the non-certified list of apps that developers have submitted for approval.
What are the most popular Roku apps?
The most popular Roku apps include the following:
1. Peacock (Paid)
2. Amazon Prime Video (Paid)
3. Netflix (Paid)
4. Pluto (Free)
5. Disney Plus (Paid)
6. Crackle (Free)
7. Max (formerly HBO Max) (Paid)
8. Tubi (Free)
9. YouTube Channel (Free)
10. Hulu (Free and Paid)
Improve Your Viewing Experience
Whether you’re looking for new ways to enjoy your favorite content or want to explore something different, Roku offers a wide variety of channels that can be added in just a few clicks. In this article, we’ve outlined the steps to add apps to your Roku device to improve your viewing experience and get the most out of Roku.
What’s your favorite channel on Roku? Let us know in the comments section below.
