The fastest way to add apps to Roku

You add apps to Roku through the Roku Channel Store, which is built into your device. Press the Home button on your remote, scroll to "Streaming Channels," and search for the app you want. Select it, choose "Add Channel," and it installs immediately — you don't download anything to a computer first. The app then appears on your home screen and is ready to use.

Most people find what they need this way in under two minutes. The process is the same whether you own a Roku TV, a Roku stick, or a Roku box. You do need an internet connection and a Roku account (which you set up when you first turn on the device), but you don't need a credit card unless you're buying a paid app.

Key Takeaways

  • Apps install directly from the Roku Channel Store on your device — you search, select "Add Channel," and it's done.
  • Your Roku account is required, but you can add free apps without entering payment information.
  • Newly added apps appear on your home screen and can be rearranged or removed at any time.
  • If an app won't install, restart your Roku device and check that your internet connection is working.
  • Roku occasionally removes apps from the Channel Store, so an app you used before may no longer be available.

Step-by-step: Adding an app from the Roku Channel Store

Start by pressing the Home button on your Roku remote. You'll see your home screen with rows of apps and channels. Look for "Streaming Channels" — it's usually near the top of the screen. Select it and press OK.

You're now in the Channel Store. At the top of the screen, you'll see a search box. Press the button with the magnifying glass icon (or navigate to "Search Channels" if you don't see it), then use your remote to type the name of the app you want. For example, type "Netflix" or "YouTube." As you type, Roku shows matching results below.

When you see the app you want, select it. A details page opens showing the app name, a description, and a button that says "Add Channel." Press OK on that button. Roku connects to the internet, downloads the app, and installs it — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You'll see a message saying the channel has been added.

The app now appears on your home screen. You can open it immediately or come back to it later. If you add several apps in a row, they stack up on the right side of your home screen in the order you added them.

What to do if an app won't install

If you search for an app and it doesn't appear in the Channel Store, Roku may have removed it or it may not be available in your region. Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu are always there, but smaller apps come and go. Try searching for a similar app instead — for example, if one streaming service isn't available, another usually is.

If the app appears but the "Add Channel" button doesn't work, restart your Roku device. Press Home, go to Settings, select System, then select Power, and choose "Restart." Wait about 30 seconds for the device to come back on. Then try adding the app again.

Check your internet connection if the app starts to install but stops halfway. Go to Settings, select Network, and choose "Check Connection." If the connection is weak or dropping, move your Roku device closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

Rearranging and removing apps from your home screen

Once an app is on your home screen, you can move it around. Press and hold OK on any app for about two seconds until a menu appears. Select "Move Channel" and use the arrow buttons on your remote to slide it left or right. Press OK when it's where you want it.

To remove an app from your home screen without deleting it, press and hold OK on the app, select "Remove Channel," and confirm. The app stays in the Channel Store and you can add it back anytime. If you want to delete the app completely from your Roku device, select "Remove Channel" and the app is gone — you'd have to add it again from the Channel Store if you change your mind.

Adding paid apps and managing your account

Some apps in the Roku Channel Store cost money — usually $5 to $15 — and some require a subscription. When you try to add a paid app, Roku asks for payment information. You can enter a credit card, debit card, or use a Roku gift card if you have one.

To see what you've paid for or manage your account, go to Home, select Settings, then select "Roku Account." From there you can view your purchase history, change your password, or update your payment method. If you're sharing a Roku device with family members, each person can have their own account, though only one account can be active on the device at a time.

Using a computer or phone to add apps remotely

You can also add apps to your Roku from a web browser or the Roku mobile app without touching your remote. Go to my.roku.com and sign in with your Roku account. Find the app you want in the Channel Store section, and click "Add Channel." The app installs on your Roku device within a few seconds.

The Roku mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) works the same way. Open the app, sign in, tap the search icon, find the channel you want, and tap "Add Channel." This method is useful if your remote is lost or the batteries are dead, or if you want to add multiple apps quickly without navigating with the remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add apps that aren't in the Roku Channel Store?

No. Roku only allows apps from the official Channel Store. You cannot sideload apps from other sources onto a standard Roku device. If an app you want isn't in the Channel Store, it's not available for Roku.

Do I need to pay for apps every time I use them?

No. Once you add a free app, it's yours to use as many times as you want. Paid apps are a one-time purchase — you pay once and own it. Subscription apps (like Netflix or Hulu) charge a monthly fee, but that's separate from the Roku Channel Store and you manage it through the app itself.

What happens to my apps if I factory reset my Roku?

A factory reset removes all apps from your device. You'll have to add them again from the Channel Store. However, if you've paid for apps, you don't pay again — Roku remembers your purchases and you can reinstall them for free using the same account.

Why did an app I used before disappear from the Channel Store?

Roku removes apps from the Channel Store when developers stop maintaining them, when licensing agreements end, or when the app violates Roku's policies. If an app you had installed is removed, it stays on your device and continues to work, but you can't add it to a new Roku or reinstall it if you remove it.

Can I add apps to my Roku without an internet connection?

No. Your Roku must be connected to the internet to search the Channel Store and download apps. Once an app is installed, you can use it offline if the app itself supports offline use (like some games), but the installation process requires internet.