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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

The Roku App (Official)

65
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

The Roku App is widely appreciated as a convenient remote control alternative, especially for its private listening feature, but recent updates have introduced significant connectivity issues, UI changes, and subscription management problems that frustrate many users.

4.7★ lifetime (5,813,526) Free to download since 2011 by ROKU INC updated 0.1 mo ago recent negative 33% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Remote Functionality Private Listening User Interface Changes Subscription & Billing Issues Missing Features
5★423
4★46
3★49
2★65
1★188
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

The Roku App serves as a remote control and content finder for Roku devices, offering features like private listening and easy channel access. While many users find it highly convenient and a good substitute for a physical remote, recent updates have led to frequent connection failures, changes to the user interface, and reports of unauthorized subscription charges.

What users like

  • Functions effectively as a remote control, especially when the physical remote is lost or out of reachR2R10R15R53
  • Private listening feature allows users to listen to TV audio through headphones connected to their phoneR22R28R41R255
  • Generally responsive and easy to use when connectedR11R19R20R38

What users complain about

  • Frequent and persistent connectivity issues, often failing to connect to the TV or disconnecting randomlyR3R12R18R23
  • Recent updates have changed the user interface, making the remote control and navigation less intuitive for some usersR9R37R42R55
  • Private listening feature is reported to be broken or inconsistent after updatesR3R66R81R255
  • Users report unauthorized charges and difficulty canceling subscriptions or getting refundsR6R34R95R116
  • Lacks a volume control button for the TV in the app interfaceR43R526R628
  • Some users report the app crashing or freezing frequentlyR299R324R391R140

Latest update · v14.0.0

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

- Fixed an error trying to stream some certain content. - Other minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

Recurring themes

Remote Functionality mixed
Many users praise the app as a convenient and effective remote control, especially for replacing a lost physical remote. However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight severe and frequent connectivity issues, making the remote function unreliable. The latest update notes mention 'minor bug fixes and performance improvements,' but users still report persistent connection problems.R2R10R11R12
Private Listening mixed
The private listening feature, which allows users to listen to TV audio through headphones connected to their phone, is highly valued. However, several recent reviews indicate that this feature is now broken, constantly disconnecting, or not working at all after updates.R3R22R28R41
User Interface Changes negative
Recent updates have altered the app's interface, particularly the remote control layout and TV home screen, which many users dislike. They find the new 'OK' button, navigation, and input access less user-friendly and more complicated.R9R37R42R55
Subscription & Billing Issues negative
A recurring concern is unexpected charges for subscriptions, difficulty canceling services, and poor customer support for billing issues. Users report being charged even after cancellation attempts.R6R34R95R116
Missing Features negative
Users frequently point out the absence of a volume control button within the app, which is a basic function expected of a remote. Other minor complaints include lack of auto-play toggle and difficulty with AirPlay.R43R56R324R526

Who it's for

This app is for Roku device owners who frequently misplace their physical remote or want the convenience of controlling their TV from their phone R2R10. It's also suitable for those who value the private listening feature to watch TV without disturbing others R22R28. However, users who rely heavily on consistent connectivity or dislike frequent UI changes should be cautious R12. It is not for users who are sensitive to potential subscription billing issues or require robust customer support R6.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew significantly negative (32.8% negative), which contrasts sharply with the lifetime rating of 4.7. This indicates a recent downward trajectory in user satisfaction, likely due to issues introduced in recent updates. The developer's notes mention 'minor bug fixes,' but user reviews strongly contradict this, reporting major and persistent bugs, especially with connectivity and private listening.

Frequently asked

Does the Roku app work as a remote control?
Yes, the Roku app functions as a remote control for Roku devices, allowing users to navigate menus and select content R2R10. However, many recent reviews indicate frequent connectivity issues, making it unreliable for some users R12R46.
Can I use headphones with the Roku app?
Yes, the Roku app has a private listening feature that allows you to connect headphones to your phone and listen to the TV audio R22R28. However, some users report this feature is currently buggy or not working after recent updates R3R66.
Are there any issues with subscriptions or charges through the Roku app?
Some users have reported issues with unauthorized charges, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and problems obtaining refunds for services purchased through Roku R6R34R119R123.
Does the Roku app have a volume button?
No, several users note that the Roku app lacks a volume control button for the TV, which is a common complaint R43R526R628.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 5/5 · US Good for remote: I’m a lazy girl so when my clicker is to far away from me I just use my phone for the remote and it’s nice so yeh
  2. [R10] 5/5 · US To Roku from Dylan dancer: Thank you for still letting us use our TV what are phones that save my life a lot so when I lose my remote, I can just use it with my phone
  3. [R15] 5/5 · US Lost my remote: I downloaded the app because I lost my remote•_•.
  4. [R53] 5/5 · US Roku: I love this app because when you lose your remote or if you don’t want to buy a remote, you can just download this app and use the remote off of this. It’s very convenient.
  5. [R22] 5/5 · US Upgraded Experience: So nice to not have buy replacement batteries any more. And the headphone connection feature has made living in an apartment with thin walls easier.
  6. [R28] 5/5 · US Awesome: The app allows me to listen with my AirPods. The best idea
  7. [R41] 5/5 · US Love it: Very efficient, I don’t even use my remote and I love the headphones setting.
  8. [R255] 3/5 · GB Love the headphones mode .. BUT: The Headphones mode is great but it doesn’t work on the AppleTV app! Please fix this bc I am hard of hearing and love using my headphones with Roku.
  9. [R11] 5/5 · US Roku App: very responsive and connects to any roku tv
  10. [R19] 5/5 · US My Roku: I enjoy my Roku. It is so easy to use. I can even use a remote from my phone. If necessary.
  11. [R20] 5/5 · US Exceptionally easy home base: It is so convenient to have all of our entertainment in one place, on one device. Adding channels and keeping track of subs is easy.
  12. [R38] 5/5 · US I love this app🤭🥰: I love how easy it is for you to use it isn’t like other apps where it makes you watch adds and you will never lose it 💅🏽🥳👏
  13. [R3] 1/5 · US Update sucks: Updated app because it kept dropping the private listening. Now it won’t control my sound at all?!!!
  14. [R12] 1/5 · US Terrible: Controller takes 5 tries to actually connect and multiple open and closing of app
  15. [R18] 2/5 · US Fix remote: Remote has problems sometimes won’t work and TV Randomly turns off.
  16. [R23] 2/5 · US roku: takes damn near 30 minutes to connect it to my tv even if they’re connected to the same wifi and wont connect even when it pops up just does the count down then nothing happens
  17. [R9] 3/5 · US Center OK button: I don't like the new center OK button
  18. [R37] 1/5 · US Digital remote: Why did the original move function change its very complicated now
  19. [R42] 1/5 · US New update: The new update for the Roku TVs suck so bad. Literally had the perfect set up, now the TV inputs are in a different area, got to do a lot extra just to get to the inputs I need. Not a fan of that.
  20. [R55] 2/5 · US Remote control screen: I do not like the new remote, the old one was better it was easier to control it now I overshoot all the time. It’s annoying.
  21. [R66] 2/5 · US Private Listening: Man the private listening is not working anymore I don’t now what you guys did to the app but bring it back. Before the private listening worked fine now even with the aux cable I still can’t get it to work? It screen mirrors fine but not words come out?
  22. [R81] 1/5 · US Need a way to play thru my headphones: Need a way to play thru my headphones
  23. [R6] 1/5 · US Charges: Money keeps taken away me even after I cancel subscriptions
  24. [R34] 1/5 · US ROKU: I’m getting charged $8.55 per month to have ROKU and I have never used it as I don’t know how and I don’t know how I got enrolled in it and I don’t know how to get out of it so I don’t have to pay for this service I don’t use. Please help me out. I don’t know where to call if that’s what I need to do. I’m not tech-savvy so please help.
  25. [R95] 1/5 · US Free trial: I tried Fs1 or Fox1 for a day on the 3 day trial. I have tried to cancel the subscription for an hour and the app will not let me cancel. Disappointed in the system once again. Beware.
  26. [R116] 1/5 · US Cancelled: Cancelled / I cancelled this in June so it would not renew but u took my money anyways.
  27. [R43] 5/5 · US Roku 4.5 stars: i like it it’s really convenient when i lose my remote the only down side is that it doesn’t have a volume button.
  28. [R526] 3/5 · CA Por favor: Implementen botón de volumen
  29. [R628] 3/5 · CA No volume button: It works fine but for some reason i dont have volume buttons so i cant control the volume up or down as shown at its supposed to be able to..
  30. [R299] 3/5 · GB Roku: Every time i try getting on the app it keeps kicking me out and it’s getting really annoying
  31. [R324] 3/5 · GB Not the best experience: The app works maybe 1 in 10 times. I keep getting the same error over and over again, “something went wrong while loading this page, use the remote control”. AirPlay is a nightmare to use. It works again maybe 1 in 10 times. 1) it forces me to add a credit card or PayPal. I’m not going to buy any add ons so I don’t like this. 2) UStream app CRASHES THE STICK !! SORT IT
  32. [R391] 3/5 · GB Frustrating: When using it on my iPhone, it works fine as long as I stay on the Roku remote. If I click off the Roku app when I go back to it, it freezes so have to close the app and restart it, which gets frustrating really quick. Roku had fixed the issue, but it has reared its ugly head once again. Hopefully, Roku will fix the bug that's affected the app in the past, hopefully.But the headphone
  33. [R140] 1/5 · US Absolutely unusable: this is the worst, most buggy app I have ever had the displeasure of using. it constantly disconnects, will refuse to connect to the wifi, and sometimes shuts down for no reason.
  34. [R56] 3/5 · US Could be better: This many years into the streaming era has not having the ability to turn off auto-playing the next episode of a TV series keeps this app basic and out of the majors. Same goes for its companion, Howdy.
  35. [R46] 1/5 · US i wish it worked for more than 1 second: this app would be so convenient if it actually worked. i open it and it takes forever to connect and when it does i can click one button before it disconnects again. please make an app that actually works. i feel like im being ragebaited.
  36. [R119] 1/5 · US App Purchases: Watch out when you purchase anything through them because they will recharge you and they won’t fix it. You’ll get surprise charges happens all the time so even if they have a promotion going on be leery of it.
  37. [R123] 1/5 · US Yea: First because it won’t let me unsuspended my HBO Roku account and it keeps charged me $20 and I do not appreciate it and I’ve been trying to get rid of it. But every time I try to sign in it says that the account is not working, but my card keeps going off. So it sucks.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store