Replace your Roku TV now for a free efficiency improve

Close to the top of final 12 months, Roku rolled out its massive Roku OS 15 replace, bringing a handful of adjustments and enhancements to its streaming gadgets. This consists of efficiency optimizations and higher Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ passthrough assist.

Now, to kick off 2026, Roku is rolling out its first main replace of the 12 months: Roku OS 15.1 (through Cord Cutter News). This replace builds on what got here earlier than, however the focus this time is usually behind the scenes. Lots of the adjustments are geared toward app builders, giving them new instruments to optimize apps and improve video playback.

So when you might not discover something dramatically completely different in your Roku system immediately while you obtain this replace, you are still prone to really feel the influence over time. Let’s dive into what’s new.

Higher video searching for

Skipping an intro or a recap in a present ought to develop into smoother

The primary main change Roku is introducing with this replace is improved video searching for, due to a brand new HLS manifest mode for builders that provides them extra exact management over the place a video begins while you skip forward.

Extra particularly, builders can use the EXT-X-START file tag inside this new manifest mode to outline a precise timestamp for playback to leap to. This is identical tech behind options like skipping intros or recaps in a present.

In sensible phrases, as builders begin profiting from this new manifest mode, skipping sure elements of exhibits and films ought to really feel smoother in your Roku.

Builders can use Perfetto to assist them observe useful resource consumption

Credit score: Roku

One other key a part of this replace is the introduction of Perfetto app tracing. In response to Roku’s update notes for Roku OS 15.1, builders can use Perfetto to “file, analyze, and visualize traces” of their Roku apps, serving to them determine methods to cut back useful resource consumption and, in flip, optimize their apps to enhance efficiency.

What’s distinctive about Perfetto for app builders is that it presents all of the traced knowledge on a timeline, permitting them to pinpoint precisely the place useful resource utilization is larger than typical, similar to elevated processing and reminiscence calls for, throughout particular actions inside the app. So if builders see an surprising spike in useful resource demand of their Roku app utilizing Perfetto, they will higher observe and repair it.

Once more, this transformation is completely behind the scenes and one thing you will not discover while you obtain Roku OS 15.1 in your system. However for builders, this makes it simpler to launch updates to their Roku apps to enhance efficiency, which you will ultimately profit from when your Roku apps run higher.

Lastly, Roku has rolled out one final change for builders with this replace, deprecating the “roString.AppendString” perform. This perform allowed builders to append textual content to a string of their code. When a perform is marked as deprecated, it means Roku plans to section it out and ultimately take away it, so builders are inspired to cease utilizing it. On this case, Roku advises builders to change to the SetString perform as a substitute.

replace to Roku OS 15.1

You may manually test for updates in your Roku

Credit score: Roku/Canva/Pocket-lint

Whereas the adjustments with Roku OS 15.1 are primarily developer-facing, it is nonetheless good to maintain your system up to date and able to make the most of any optimizations builders implement to their apps due to this replace.

That stated, Roku OS 15.1 continues to be rolling out, so chances are you’ll or might not see it in your Roku system but. Your Roku normally scans for updates routinely, but when you have not obtained a notification {that a} new replace is obtainable, you’ll be able to manually test for one. Here is how:

1. Press the House button in your Roku distant.

2. Within the facet menu that seems in your display screen, choose Settings.

3. Go to System > Software program replace.

4. Choose Examine Now.

5. If an replace is obtainable, you’ll be able to obtain it and set up it.

In different Roku information, you’ll be able to snag a free HDMI extender to your Roku if you happen to want one, and it is rolling out extra free channels.