Using a Roku device for your streaming purposes is an easy way to either turn your TV into a smart TV or guarantee that it’s simple to navigate. TheRoku TV operating systemis user-friendly and offers plenty of features that make it useful to those who just want to sit down and enjoy some content without thinking too hard. Whether you’recutting the cord on cableor just looking for something to download streaming apps on, Roku is a smart selection.
Roku TV is not only easy to navigate but also easy to customize. you’re able to move around the app grid to put the ones that you use the most at the top, tailor the background, and more. There’s also so much free content to be had that having the Roku pays for itself after a while. Apps likePluto TVandTubideliver plenty of free entertainment that anyone will love, too.
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But Roku also has some particular settings features you should probably tweak. This includes which ads show up on the platform and just how much data Roku is collecting from you. If you want to ensure that you’re taking the safest approach when it comes to using Roku, you’re able to, but there are some privacy settings you need to be aware of.
Here’s a rundown of the most important ones.
Roku TV is the operating system for Roku devices. Roku is one of the most popular OS on the market for streaming content, as it either comes in standalone devices or built into Roku TVs.
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Setting up Roku isn’t hard. It’s either built into your TV already – if you have a Roku TV – or it’s a standalone device that you plug into it. This comes in the form of a Roku stick that you plug into the HDMI port of your TV, a device that sits near your TV like the Roku Ultra or as a soundbar with the Roku Streambar.
There are a number of different Roku stick devices that you can choose from, depending on what you need. If you’re looking for faster connection and higher quality streaming, choosing theRoku Ultrais probably the smart decision. If you just want something to fit a budget and add streaming capabilities, aRoku Streaming Stickwill do just fine.
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Once you have your Roku device and are on the home page, you’ll see you can watch live TV through The Roku Channel or open up some of the pre-installed apps. You can also download popular apps for streaming services likeNetflix,Prime Video,Hulu,Disney+, and more. More cool features include being able to turn your Roku into a work of art with the help of Roku Backdrops, as this lets you customize the background with either photos that you’ve taken or from a gallery of artwork, so it looks like a painting is hanging in your room when you’re not using your TV to watch something.
Roku can also work with Apple AirPlay and Apple HomeKit, adding to its versatility for smart homes. There’s aGuest Modewhich lets other people log into their own Roku subscriptions to keep accounts secure and private, meaning they can enjoy their settings and content without potentially purchasing anything on your account. Plus, Roku can be controlled with a handheld remote or with the mobile app on your phone.
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Changing your privacy settings in Roku
Keep your info as safe as possible
The Settings menu is different for different versions of Roku devices. Not all of them offer an extended number of settings.
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If you’re worried about how much Roku is tracking, you should consider changing your Privacy settings. You can do that from the main Roku menu:
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If you look in the Privacy submenu, you’ll seePrivacy choices. You can clickDo not share/sell my informationandLimit use of sensitive information. Roku states “Based on where you live, you may have the right to opt out of disclosure of your personal information for ‘cross-context behavioral advertising,’ use of your personal information for targeted advertising, or disclosure of personal information that some laws consider to be a ‘sale.’ To do so, please enable this setting. This setting will apply to your Roku account.”
Focus on what you’re saying with the Roku Remote
Try to limit what is recorded
For any Roku device that has a Roku voice remote, you can press the button and speak a command into it. This will transcribe onto the TV and the technology will then listen to your command and honor it, if possible. If you want to stop Roku from tracking what you’re saying into the microphone on the remote, you can change that in the Privacy settings. You once again have to go to the main Roku home page.
This will stop the mobile app from being able to use the microphone feature, therefore halting the Roku’s ability to use voice commands. For Rokus with voice remotes, there is also a setting forChannel microphone access, which you can chooseNever allowto stop individual channels from accessing what you say into the microphone.
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