How to Add a Channel to Roku Guide

What You're Actually Doing When You "Add a Channel" to Roku

Before we walk through the technical steps, it helps to understand what happens behind the scenes when you add a channel to your Roku device. A Roku channel isn't software you're installing on your TV in the traditional sense—it's more like a shortcut to an app that lives on Roku's servers. When you add a channel, you're telling your Roku device to display that app in your home screen menu and giving yourself permission to use it.

Free Guide to Recycling Your Old Oil Filters →

Think of it like bookmarking a website, except the "bookmark" actually opens up a full application designed specifically for Roku's interface. The channel itself doesn't take up much space on your device because most of the processing happens either on Roku's servers or through the channel provider's servers (like Netflix or Hulu). This is why older Roku models can still handle dozens of channels without running out of storage—they're not storing much locally.

There are roughly 10,000 channels available in the Roku Channel Store, though most users will only add a fraction of that. Some channels are maintained by major companies like Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, while others are smaller services or niche content providers. The channel infrastructure has been around since Roku's early days, and the process has remained fairly consistent, though the menus and button names have changed slightly depending on your Roku model and software version.

Understanding this distinction matters because it explains why adding a channel is nearly instantaneous compared to downloading apps on a smartphone, and why you might have multiple versions of the same service available (for example, some channels focus on free, ad-supported content while others are the paid subscription version).

Practical takeaway: Adding a channel is a quick operation that doesn't risk filling up your Roku device's storage, so you can experiment with different services without worry.

The Standard Method: Adding Channels Through Your Roku Home Screen

The most common way to add a channel works directly from your Roku remote and television screen. Start by pressing the Home button on your Roku remote—this takes you to the main menu, which shows all your currently installed channels across the top, with a row of options below. Look for an option labeled "Streaming Channels," "Add Channel," or sometimes just a plus sign (+). The exact wording depends on whether you have an older Roku model (like the Roku 2 or Roku 3 from several years ago) or a current model running Roku OS 9.0 or later.

Get Your Free Guide to Using 3D Printers →

Once you select the Streaming Channels option, you'll see the Roku Channel Store open on your television. This displays both featured channels and categories you can browse through. You can search for a specific channel by name if you know exactly what you want—just select the search option and use the on-screen keyboard (controlled by your remote) to type the channel name. Alternatively, you can browse categories like "Movies & TV," "Sports," "Music," "News," or "Kids" to discover what's available.

When you find the channel you want, select it and look for a button that says "Add Channel" or sometimes "Install." Press this button, and within seconds the channel appears on your home screen. You don't need to enter payment information at this step unless the channel requires a subscription—free channels (and free tiers of paid services) add instantly. If you're adding a paid subscription service like HBO Max or a cable provider's channel, you'll be guided through the login process either immediately or the first time you open the channel.

A useful detail: the order your channels appear on your home screen can be rearranged. On most modern Roku devices, you can press the Options button (marked with three horizontal lines on newer remotes, or labeled "Options" on older remotes) while highlighting a channel to move it left or right. This helps you keep your most-watched channels at the front of your menu for quicker access.

Practical takeaway: The standard method takes about two minutes total and requires nothing more than your remote and TV—no computer or smartphone needed.

Adding Channels Through the Roku Mobile App or Website

Roku offers an alternative method for adding channels that some people find more convenient: using the Roku mobile app on your smartphone or visiting roku.com on a computer. This approach can be faster if you already know the exact channel you want and prefer typing on a keyboard rather than using your remote's on-screen keyboard.

Get Your Free Exercise Band Workout Guide →

If you use the mobile app (available for both iPhone and Android), log in with your Roku account. Once you're logged in, you'll see an option for "Search Channels" or a store section. Find the channel you want to add and select "Add Channel" or a similar button. Behind the scenes, this sends a signal to your Roku device, and the channel appears on your device almost instantly—you don't even need to be in front of your TV. This works because your phone and your Roku are both connected to your Roku account, which is stored on Roku's servers.

The website method works similarly: visit roku.com, sign in to your account, navigate to the "Channels" or "Channel Store" section, search for what you want, and select the option to add it. Within a minute or two, the channel will show up on your Roku device regardless of whether the device is on or off. This can be particularly useful if you're researching channels on your computer at work or if you want to add multiple channels without holding a remote.

One important note: both the mobile app and website methods require that you've already set up your Roku device and linked it to a Roku account. You can't add channels remotely to a device that's completely new and hasn't been connected to your account yet—that initial setup must happen using the device itself and your remote.

Practical takeaway: Using your phone or computer can save time when you know exactly what you're looking for, and channels appear on your TV within minutes even if you're not in the room.

Navigating Different Roku Models and Roku OS Versions

Roku has been making streaming devices since 2008, which means there's considerable variation in what you're using if you have an older model. The basic process of adding a channel is the same across nearly all models—find a channel and confirm you want to add it—but the menu navigation and button names shift between product lines.

Free Guide to Understanding the New York DMV Website →

If you have a current-generation Roku device (Roku Ultra, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Roku Express, etc. from 2021 onward), you're running Roku OS 10 or later. These devices use a streamlined home screen with a dedicated "+" button that explicitly says "Add Channel" or displays a plus icon. The process is intuitive: press Home, select the plus sign, search or browse, and add.

Older Roku devices from roughly 2015-2020 still work fine but use slightly different menu structures. You might need to navigate to "Home" and then look for "Streaming Channels" as a separate menu item rather than a plus button. The Roku 2 and Roku 3 (the original models from the early 2010s) have a channel store that's still functional but looks noticeably different from modern versions. Despite the visual differences, the underlying process is identical: you're selecting a channel and confirming its addition.

To determine which Roku model you have, press the Home button, then navigate to "Settings" or "System." Look for "About" or "System Information," and your model and OS version will be displayed. This information can help if you're following instructions online and they don't quite match what you see on your screen—you'll know whether the difference is due to your model's generation.

Roku also periodically updates the software on your device (usually automatically, overnight). After a major update, your home screen menu might rearrange or buttons might move to different locations. This is normal and not something you need to address—the update happens without your input and channels you've already added remain installed.

Practical takeaway: Check your device model and OS version if menu navigation doesn't match what instructions describe, and know that updates occasionally shift where buttons appear but don't affect channels you've already added.

Understanding Roku Channels: Paid, Free, and Freemium Models

Not all Roku channels work the same way financially, and understanding the difference prevents confusion when you're adding channels. Some channels are completely free with no payment required—

Learn About Social Security Tax Rules →