Your Roku home screen is the control center for everything you watch, be it channels, live inputs, recommended shows, and shortcuts.
Left alone, Roku’s default layout will display promotions, recommendation rows, and an arrangement that may not align with how you watch TV.
But Roku also gives you a surprising amount of control. You can move channels, remove apps, hide recommendation rows, change wallpapers, etc..
Steps on how to customize your Roku home screen like a pro
Here is how you can take advantage of the freedom Roku gives you to control your homepage:
1. Rearrange your channel tiles
Placing your most-used apps or channels in the foremost row or near your Home button saves time and stops you from scrolling endlessly through pages. This Operating System supports manual rearrangement unless your set is presently set to auto-arrange.
Use the following procedure:
- Press Home on your Roku remote.
- Navigate to the channel tile you want to move.
- Press and hold the OK button.
- Only release when the tile becomes movable.
- Use your set’s remote arrow keys to move the tile to the position you want.
- Press OK to drop it in place.
- Repeat for other tiles.
- If tiles snap back later, go to Settings. Find an option named Home screen then tap on App arrangement and set it to Manual.
- If you don’t see the option, your set is managing it automatically.
- Restart it after changing all the above settings to ensure they stick.
Note: If you cannot move a tile, check that it’s not in the “Shortcuts” or special rows. In such a place, you cannot manually edit them. We have covered removing shortcuts below.
2. Add or remove channels
Removing unused channels shrinks the Home screen and reduces the chance your gadget places promoted tiles in your view. Adding channels you actually use gives them a slot you can easily access near the front.
Use these steps:
- To remove a channel:
- From Home, highlight the channel tile.
- Press the Star (*) button to open Options.
- Select Remove channel and confirm.
- If removal is blocked, sign into my.roku.com and cancel any subscriptions tied to that channel, then remove again.
- To add a channel on your TV:
- Press Home then select Streaming Channels (Channel Store).
- Browse or search for the channel you want.
- Select Add channel. If it’s paid, you may be asked for your PIN.
- After install, move the new tile to the front using the steps in “Rearrange.”
- If an app appears installed but not on Home, check Settings > Home screen > Shortcuts or search “All Channels” from the list. Some apps install but don’t auto-add to your visible grid.
3. Remove the “Recommended for you” noise
Roku populates rows like “Recommended for you” and curated content that can clutter the middle of your screen. If you want a clean grid of apps with no recommendations, hide these rows.
Follow this method:
- Press Home, go to Settings > Home screen > Recommendation Rows or similar.
- Toggle Show Recommendation Rows off.
- Restart your Roku if these changes don’t appear immediately.
Note: Some promotional banners or system tiles will still appear even after hiding rows.
4. Remove Shortcuts and special sections
Shortcuts, Categories, and other special Home sections create visual clutter in your set’s home screen. We recommend deleting them to keep your app grid tidy and straightforward.
Here is how to customize your Roku home screen like a pro to keep it clean and minimal:
- Press Home > Settings.
- Find Home screen > Shortcuts.
- Uncheck every shortcut you don’t want to see (Categories, Streaming Store, etc.).
- Return to Home and verify. Restart if necessary to apply changes.
If a specific section won’t disappear, it is undoubtedly a forced panel in a layout Roku is testing for your account. You can try opting out or wait for firmware updates, or contact Roku support.
5. Change your wallpaper
Changing the background makes the Home screen feel yours and more personal. The Backdrops addition lets you customize the theme. The feature also enables you to upload your own photographs to have the screen look exactly how you want it.
Use these steps:
- Open your PC or tablet and go to backdrops.roku.com.
- Sign in with your account details.
- Create a new album.
- Upload photos from your computer. You could also link to your Google Photos.
- Keep your photo filenames straightforward. Do not use special characters.
- For reasonable quality and aesthetics, have full HD or 4K files.
- Return to your set’s Settings menu, then tap Theme or Backdrops.
- Choose your album under Backdrops.
- Wait a moment; your TV will fetch the images and use them as wallpaper/screensaver. If it doesn’t, do a quick system restart.
Important: Big 4K images are okay on 4K TVs. However, avoid them if your network is slow. If Backdrops fails to show, try smaller JPG/PNG files.
6. Control ads and ad personalization
Ads and targeted recommendations are really intrusive. Thankfully, Roku has privacy settings that reduce personalized ads. They allow you to manage ad categories.
Of course, this won’t remove all ads. But it reduces the number of recommendations on the Home screen.
Here is how to customize your Roku home screen like a pro to remove ads:
- Press Home > Settings > Privacy > Advertising.
- Toggle Limit ad tracking or Interest-based ads off (wording may vary).
- Manage Sensitive ad categories if you want to exclude topics.
- Return to Home and optionally reboot the Roku for changes to propagate.
7. Use the Roku mobile app for faster organization and keyboard input
The mobile app makes moving, deleting, and adding channels faster because you can drag tiles and use your phone keyboard for searches and PIN entry. It’s quicker than the remote for many tasks.
Use these steps:
- Download the official app. You will get it from your phone’s store.
- You must be on the same network. It could be different Wi-Fi names, but the source of the internet has to be the same gateway.
- On your phone’s app, go to Devices.
- Tap the set you want to pair with.
- Use the remote widget for on-screen keyboard typing. Select Apps to remove installed apps by long-pressing and choosing Remove. Use the Channel Store section in the app to add channels.
Tip: The app also shows “Remote > Private listening” and lets you pair headphones. This is applicable if you want to stream channels without disturbing others.
8. Manage inputs and rename TV inputs
If you use external devices (game consoles, Apple TV, soundbars), renaming inputs and moving the Inputs tile saves time. Roku allows adding an Inputs folder and renaming inputs depending on model.
Here is how to customize your Roku home screen like a pro for better inputs:
- From Home, go to the Inputs tile or, on some TVs, Settings > TV inputs.
- To rename, highlight the input > press Star (*) > select Edit or Rename > choose a name or type a custom one with the on-screen keyboard.
- To move the Inputs tile, treat it like an app tile. Press OK and move it into a visible spot. If your device supports a TV Inputs Folder, enable it under Settings > Home screen.
9. Keep your home screen updated
Roku firmware updates change Home screen behavior. Most of them also add new customization options or rectify bugs. For the best home screen experience, you should consistently confirm you are on the latest OS.
Follow this method:
- Go to your set’s Settings > System.
- Choose System update and select Check now.
- After update, go to Settings > System > Power > System restart (or System > System restart depending on model).
- Wait for the Roku to boot, then verify any Home screen changes.
10. Parental controls and PIN
If kids use the TV, set a PIN for purchases and channel additions so they can’t install or buy content without permission. This also keeps surprises off your Home screen.
Use these steps:
- On a browser, sign into my.roku.com > PIN preferences > configure when the PIN is required.
- On the device, go to Settings > Parental controls (or PIN) to change local options.
- Test by attempting to add a paid channel; you should be prompted for the PIN.