To block apps on Roku TV, you must understand that Roku's built-in parental controls do not block individual streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube. Instead, they limit content on the Live TV input and within The Roku Channel and Howdy, and you can require a PIN to prevent new apps from being added to your device.
What you can actually block on Roku TV
Roku's parental controls are designed to restrict content on the Live TV input, which includes over-the-air channels and streaming TV channels on the Live TV Channel Guide. These controls do not block individual installed apps such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. For those services, you must use their own separate parental controls, though you can block apps on Vizio smart TV models directly through their system settings. If your child uses a tablet for streaming, you'll also want to block porn on a tablet to close that gap in your safety net. The Roku Channel and Howdy also have rating-based limits that require a Roku PIN to watch restricted content. Additionally, you can set your Roku PIN to be required whenever someone tries to add a new app to your device.
How to block apps on Roku TV using parental controls for Live TV
To block content on the Live TV input, you first need to set up parental controls.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll and select "Settings."
- Select "Parental controls."
- The first time you access parental controls, create a 4-digit PIN. This PIN is different from your Roku PIN.
- Before configuring Live TV controls, ensure your TV tuner is set up by scanning for channels.
- Enable parental controls and configure blocking based on US television ratings (Y, Y7, G, PG, 14, MA) and content types (V, S, L, D), US movie ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17), and Canadian English ratings (C, C8, G, PG, 14+, 18+).
These settings only apply to content watched on the Live TV input.
How to block content on The Roku Channel and Howdy
You can limit shows and movies within The Roku Channel and Howdy by requiring a Roku PIN for content that exceeds a rating limit you set. All movies and shows will still appear when you search, but a PIN will be required to watch restricted content.
- From the Home screen, go to Settings > Parental controls.
- Choose a rating limit: Off (no PIN required), G/TV-Y/TV-G, PG/TV-PG, or PG-13/TV-14. Content at or below the selected rating will play without a PIN; anything above requires your Roku PIN.
How to require a PIN for adding new apps
To prevent anyone from adding new apps without your permission, set your Roku PIN to be required for adding apps.
- On a computer or phone, sign in to my.roku.com.
- Selecting the first option means a PIN is needed for all three actions.
You must be signed in to your Roku account for these controls to take effect.
How to unblock content on Roku TV
To remove restrictions, return to the parental control settings and enter your PIN.
- Press Home, go to Settings > Parental controls.
- Enter your PIN.
- For Live TV: adjust or disable the rating restrictions you previously set.
- For The Roku Channel and Howdy: change the rating limit back to "Off" or a lower restriction.
Remember that you can also change your PIN settings on my.roku.com to stop requiring a PIN for adding apps.
Limitations and what to do about other apps
Roku's parental controls do not work in Guest Mode. You must be signed in to your Roku account for all parental and PIN controls to take effect. These controls only apply to The Roku Channel and Howdy on your Roku device, not to the website, mobile app, or other streaming services. For apps like Netflix, YouTube, or any other streaming service, you must configure their own separate parental controls directly within those apps. This is the only way to block content on those individual services, as Roku cannot control what plays inside third-party apps.
For the wider topic, see setting up parental controls.
