After several months of quietly rolling out to a select few devices, Roku's newest OS update is finally going wide and will be available this week for all compatible TV models (2014-2025) according to recently uploaded software release notes on Roku's official support site. And fortunately for Roku users, this Roku OS 15 is packing quite a lot of new features under the hood that will make your TV faster, improve accessibility and more.
Technical upgrades are the centerpiece of Roku OS 15
Faster speed, and improvements to HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
If you've seen a slowdown in your Roku's performance over the past few years, you're not alone. And though I always recommend clearing the cache as a first step towards improving your Roku's performance, it looks like Roku OS 15 will be making some changes under the hood to help speed up your TV, including code optimizations like nullifying JSON data processing inefficiencies, removing data management redundancies, and refining how the system processes information using its in-house BrightScript programming language.
In addition to improved speed, this new update will include improved HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through on compatible TVs, along with automatic content frame rate matching to ensure whatever you stream runs as smoothly as possible.
Improved accessibility features
It has never been easier to access your favorite content
According to Cord Cutters News, Roku OS 15 will also bring a number of accessibility enhancements to the platform, including new voice commands that use more natural language for those who want to control playback, adjust volume, or launch apps using voice assistants built into the Roku remote or compatible mobile apps.
In addition, there will be broader support for smart home accessories that work with the Roku TV, making it easier than ever to optimize your setup with the equipment you already have.
AI features are coming to Roku...eventually
Roku OS 15 prepares for the future
Though Roku doesn't have AI features just yet, it looks like this update is laying the groundwork for future AI-driven features, which will, according to Cord Cutters News, include predictive content suggestions that will preload based on user schedules.
How do I update my Roku TV OS?
The process couldn't be simpler
Typically, your Roku will scan for updates automatically and notify you within 24-36 hours of the update becoming available. However, if, for some reason, your Roku isn't giving you this notification, you can manually check for OS updates by doing the following:
- Press Home on your Roku remote and select Settings from the side menu.
- Scroll down and select System followed by Software update.
- Select Check Now to manually check for updates. If one is available, you'll be able to download it immediately.