What the star button on a Roku remote does
The star button on a Roku remote is context-sensitive, opening option menus and doubling as an accessibility shortcut. What it offers differs between Roku TVs and streaming boxes.
Roku, the US company that makes streaming devices and televisions, equips its remotes with one button whose purpose is not obvious: the star, located above the fast-forward button. It appears on the physical remote and in the Roku mobile app. Its function changes depending on where the user is on the device, and it essentially combines an options menu with an accessibility shortcut. Some features depend on whether the user has a Roku TV or a Roku streaming box.
On the home screen
On the home screen, the result depends on the section. In Quick Access, pressing star on a highlighted app only offers the option to remove it from that section. In the full apps list the menu is broader: users can see the app's version and build number, move or remove the channel, rate the app, send feedback or check for updates. On a Roku TV, highlighting an external device such as a game console lets the user rename it.
While watching
When video is streaming on a Roku TV, the star button opens viewing options in a sidebar. These include picture quality, a sleep timer, closed captions, volume mode and more. The exact options vary slightly between apps. On a Roku streaming box, this menu contains fewer options than on a Roku TV.
Accessibility shortcut
Some Roku devices support a text-to-speech screen reader, formerly called Audio Guide, which helps with navigation. It is currently available only in the United States. Supported devices include Roku TV, Streambar and Streambar Pro, Smart Soundbar, Express and Express+, Express 4K and 4K+, Streaming Stick and Stick+, Streaming Stick 4K and 4K+, Premiere and Premiere+, and Ultra and Ultra LT.
The screen reader can be switched on in the accessibility settings, but it can also be toggled by pressing the star button four times quickly in a row. Precise speech rate and volume are adjusted in the Accessibility category of the Settings page.
