How to get apps on a Roku player or streaming stick

The Roku Streaming Stick's remote in the foreground with the Tubi page in the background.

(Image credit: Future)

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The guide

The way you enjoy your Roku streaming stick is by downloading apps with which you watch movies, TV shows or sports. So once you've set up your Roku player, here's how to get apps to use on it.

By default, Roku players like the Roku Streaming Stick have a few useful streaming apps downloaded like The Roku Channel and Netflix, with the exact number and line-up varying based on where you live.

However there are plenty of other apps you can download on Roku if you know how to get them, letting you enjoy some of the best free streaming services, music platforms or sports offerings (if you have a subscription for the latter two, of course). You just need to know how.

So here's how to get apps on a Roku player or streaming stick.

What you'll need

Your Roku player & TV
Subscriptions to the apps you want to use

Certain free streaming services don't require a subscription, so if you're not wanting to pay more, there will be something ready for you to watch.

How to get apps on a Roku player

The Roku Streaming Stick's app menu. — (Image credit: Future)

How to get apps on a Roku player at a glance

Go to the player's Streaming Store
Find the app you want
Press 'Add app'
Select 'Open app'

How to get apps on a Roku player in full

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The Roku Streaming Stick main menu for the Streaming Store. — (Image credit: Future)

Start at the Roku player's home page, which you get to by pressing the picture of a house on the remote.

Now you'll want to scroll down on the main menu until you're over the option for the Streaming Store. Select it to be taken to the Roku player's version of an app store.

This store will show you a carousel of big apps at the top, but below there are options to search or filter by apps for certain media like TV shows or movies.

Scroll around to find the app you want, or search for it, and then select it. By the way, any app icon with a circle and tick in the bottom right is one you've already got.

When you select the app you'll be taken to its store page which will tell you about it. There's only one button here so you know what to press: 'Add app'.

When you do this, the app will be downloaded onto your Roku player. You'll now be able to find it on your player's home page or simply from the same storefront by pressing 'Open app'.

And now you've got the app! Repeat the process for any you want to use.