Replace your Roku TV now for a free efficiency improve

Close to the tip of final yr, Roku rolled out its massive Roku OS 15 replace, bringing a handful of adjustments and enhancements to its streaming units. This contains efficiency optimizations and higher Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ passthrough help.

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

So when you could not discover something dramatically totally different in your Roku system straight away whenever you obtain this replace, you are still more likely to really feel the affect over time. Let’s dive into what’s new.

Higher video in search of

Skipping an intro or a recap in a present ought to grow to be smoother

The primary main change Roku is introducing with this replace is improved video in search of, because of a brand new HLS manifest mode for builders that provides them extra exact management over the place a video begins whenever 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 benefiting from this new manifest mode, skipping sure components 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 “document, 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 increased than typical, comparable to elevated processing and reminiscence calls for, throughout particular actions throughout 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 variation is fully behind the scenes and one thing you will not discover whenever 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 finally 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” operate. This operate allowed builders to append textual content to a string of their code. When a operate is marked as deprecated, it means Roku plans to section it out and finally take away it, so builders are inspired to cease utilizing it. On this case, Roku advises builders to modify to the SetString operate as an alternative.

replace to Roku OS 15.1

You’ll be able to manually examine 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 benefit from any optimizations builders implement to their apps because of this replace.

That mentioned, Roku OS 15.1 remains to be rolling out, so it’s possible you’ll or could not see it in your Roku system but. Your Roku often scans for updates routinely, but when you have not obtained a notification {that a} new replace is accessible, you may manually examine for one. This is how:

1. Press the Dwelling button in your Roku distant.

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

3. Go to System > Software program replace.

4. Choose Examine Now.

5. If an replace is accessible, you may obtain it and set up it.

In different Roku information, you may snag a free HDMI extender to your Roku in the event you want one, and it is rolling out extra free channels.