An upcoming free Roku update promises to reduce endless scrolling by letting you find something to watch faster. Here’s how to check for the software update once it’s ready.An upcoming free Roku update promises to reduce endless scrolling by letting you find something to watch faster. Here’s how to check for the software update once it’s ready. An upcoming free Roku update promises to reduce endless scrolling by letting you find something to watch faster. Here’s how to check for the software update once it’s ready.
Last week, Roku unveiled two updated streaming devices and three new TVs to its lineup for 2025, along with a new set of software features that will head to Roku devices in the coming months, with a focus on discovering new content to watch.
In its own survey, Roku says that 57% of viewers give up and do something else after searching fruitlessly for something to watch. This new experience hopes to address the scroll fatigue that many streamers face when trying to find something to watch without specific content in mind.
Below, we’ll break down what the new software update is packing and how to manually check for a software update on your Roku device.
For more, here’s how to set up a VPN on your Roku device.
Here are the new features coming to all Roku devices
So what can Roku users expect with the upcoming update? A lot, actually. Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming.
- Coming Soon to Theaters: A new row will be added that will keep you up to date with the latest films that are currently in theaters. If you’re more of an at-home movie watcher than a cinema-goer, you can add the films you’re interested in to your Save List and you’ll get a notification when it’s available to stream.
- Short-form video content: Roku’s getting on the short-form bandwagon and rows will appear in the All Things Food and All Things Home tabs to get recipes and quick home hacks in a flash.
- New badges: In addition to new, paid and free badges, an Award Winner badge will be added to titles so you can prioritize quality content.
- Personalized sports highlights: New and personalized sports highlights in the Sports Zone section will give you the clips that are most important to you for easy viewing.
- Sports Zone expansion: Roku is expanding its Sports Zone availability globally, too, giving you a dedicated spot to catch up on highlights for mobile. You can also select your favorite teams to get notifications when they’re playing.
- Additional Roku mobile app updates: Roku is making its app a solid second-screen companion, allowing you to explore what’s on and use the app as a remote for your TV. Updated content details will bring cast and crew, IMDb ratings, trailers and more so you won’t need to switch to another app to get the information you want.
- Daily trivia: Test your entertainment knowledge with up to 10 new daily trivia questions each day. From there, you can tap into the Trivia Vault for even more.
- New Roku City tile: You’ll soon be able to jump into the side-scrolling Roku City with a press of a button, complete with purple and orange vibes and plenty of Easter eggs hidden throughout.
Here’s a video of Roku City in action in case you need something to mindlessly watch on repeat and are away from your Roku TV.
“We designed the Roku Experience to make TV better for everyone-to be where simplicity meets delight,” said Neala Gollomp, Senior Director of Viewer Experience at Roku. “With thoughtful features and seamless performance, Roku delivers an unmatched entertainment experience, whether you’re enjoying your favorite shows, playing trivia or discovering something new.”
The update will be headed to all Roku devices in the coming months. Roku will also occasionally send out emails asking to join its beta program, so some lucky users might be able to get the new content discovery update a bit sooner.
How to manually check your Roku for software updates
If you’re wondering how you’ll be able to get the update (or any update) on your Roku when it’s available, checking to see if new software is waiting for you is a breeze. As long as it’s connected to the internet, your Roku will eventually automatically update itself.
If you’re impatient, here’s how to check for new software updates on your Roku.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll to and select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Software update.
- Select Check Now to manually check for updates for your device.
If you’re having trouble connecting your Roku to the internet, you can also update the software via a USB flash drive.
For more, don’t miss our best streaming device picks for 2025.