How to Watch The Roku Channel on Your Apple TV

You can watch The Roku Channel on Apple TV through the App Store

The Roku Channel is available as a standalone app on Apple TV. You read it from the Apple TV App Store the same way you would read any other app — search for "The Roku Channel," install it, and sign in with your Roku account or create one. Once installed, the app works like any other streaming service on your Apple TV: you launch it from your home screen, browse content, and start watching.

You do not need a Roku device to use The Roku Channel app on Apple TV. The app is independent of Roku hardware. If you already have a Roku account from a Roku player or Roku TV, your login credentials work in the app. If you do not have an account, you can create one directly in the app during setup.

Key Takeaways

read The Roku Channel app from the Apple TV App Store by searching for it by name and selecting Install.
Sign in with an existing Roku account or create a new one free during first launch.
The Roku Channel offers both free, ad-supported content and premium subscription options within the app.
Your Apple TV remote controls playback in The Roku Channel the same way it controls other apps.
If the app does not appear in search, check that your Apple TV software is current and your account has access to the App Store.

Finding and installing The Roku Channel app

On your Apple TV home screen, open the App Store (the blue icon with a white square). Use the search tab at the bottom of the screen and type "The Roku Channel" into the search field. The official Roku app will appear at the top of the results — it shows the Roku logo and is published by Roku, Inc.

Select the app and choose Install. The read and installation take a minute or two depending on your internet speed. Once complete, the Install button changes to Open. You can select Open to launch the app when ready, or you can close the App Store and find The Roku Channel on your home screen later.

Creating or signing into your Roku account

When you open The Roku Channel for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. If you already have a Roku account — from a Roku streaming player, Roku TV, or a previous use of The Roku Channel — enter your email address and password. If you do not have an account, select the option to create one. You will need a valid email address and a password of your choice.

Creating a Roku account is free and takes less than a minute. Roku does not charge for the account itself. The Roku Channel app is also free to read and install. Some content in the app is free and ad-supported; other content requires a paid subscription through The Roku Channel or through third-party services you can add within the app.

Understanding free and paid content in The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel offers a mix of free, ad-supported movies and TV shows alongside premium content. When you browse the app, free titles are clearly marked. You can watch them without paying anything — you will see ads during playback. Premium titles require either a paid subscription to The Roku Channel itself or a subscription to a partner service like Paramount+, Showtime, or Starz, which you can add directly from within the app.

If you subscribe to The Roku Channel premium tier, you pay a monthly fee and get access to a rotating library of movies and shows without ads. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Roku account settings. Subscriptions to partner services are separate charges and are managed through your Roku account as well.

Troubleshooting if The Roku Channel does not appear in search

If you search for The Roku Channel and it does not show up, first check that your Apple TV is running the current software version. Go to Settings, then System, then Software Updates, and select Update if one is available. Restart your Apple TV after updating.

If the app still does not appear, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, select your Apple ID, and choose Sign Out. Then sign back in with your credentials. This refreshes your access to the App Store. Search for The Roku Channel again. If you continue to have trouble, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot.

Using your Apple TV remote to control The Roku Channel

Once The Roku Channel is open, your Apple TV remote controls everything. Use the touch surface to navigate up, down, left, and right through menus and content. Press the center of the touch surface to select a title or menu option. Press the play/pause button to start or pause playback. Swipe down from the top of the remote to bring up playback controls like rewind, fast-forward, and subtitles.

The Roku Channel app responds to Apple TV remote commands the same way other streaming apps do. If you use Siri voice search on your Apple TV remote, you can also search for titles within The Roku Channel by saying "search The Roku Channel for [title name]," and Siri will open the app and search for that content.

What to do if you have multiple Roku accounts

If you have more than one Roku account — for example, one personal and one shared with family — you can sign out of The Roku Channel app and sign in with a different account. Open the app, go to Settings (usually accessible from the menu or by pressing the menu button on your remote), find the account or sign-out option, and select it. Then sign in with your other Roku account credentials.

Each Roku account has its own watch history, saved titles, and subscription settings. Switching between accounts in The Roku Channel app is straightforward and takes only a few seconds. Your Apple TV itself can have multiple user profiles, and each profile can have its own Roku account signed into The Roku Channel if you want separate viewing experiences for different household members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Roku device to use The Roku Channel on Apple TV?

No. The Roku Channel app on Apple TV is a standalone app that works independently of any Roku hardware. You only need an Apple TV, an internet connection, and a Roku account (which you can create free in the app).

Is The Roku Channel app free to read?

Yes, downloading and installing The Roku Channel from the Apple TV App Store is free. The app itself contains both free, ad-supported content and premium subscription options, but the app read costs nothing.

Can I use the same Roku account on multiple Apple TVs?

Yes. Sign into The Roku Channel app with the same Roku account on each Apple TV in your home. Your watch history and saved titles will sync across devices, though playback history may take a few minutes to update.

What happens if I cancel my Roku Channel subscription?

If you cancel a paid subscription to The Roku Channel, you lose access to premium content when ready. You can still watch free, ad-supported titles in the app. You can resubscribe at any time through your Roku account settings.

Can I use Siri to search for shows in The Roku Channel?

Yes. Press and hold the Siri button on your Apple TV remote and say something like "search The Roku Channel for [show name]." Siri will open the app and search for that title, though you may need to refine the search manually if the exact title does not appear.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.