• You need to create a free Roku account to set up and use a Roku streaming media player. 
  • You can create a Roku account from the Roku website, the Roku mobile app, or the Roku player itself.
  • You'll be prompted to create a Roku account when you set up a new Roku device.
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You'll need a Roku account in order to set up and use your Roku media player. Once you've purchased a Roku streaming device, setting up your account is free. 

If you don't already have a Roku account to link to a new Roku device during setup, you'll be asked to create one, which you can do from the player, the website, or the mobile app. Here's how. 

How to create a Roku account when activating a Roku device

You'll automatically be offered the opportunity to create a Roku account when setting up a new Roku device. 

When you power it on and connect it to your TV for the first time, one of the initial steps will be to enter your Roku account email address and password or to create an account if you don't already have one.

If you have multiple Roku devices, it's generally a good idea to use the same Roku account on all of them. This way you can manage all your Roku channels and payments (if you use Roku to subscribe to  streaming services) with a single account. 

How to create a Roku account from a web browser

1. Go to the Roku website in a web browser. 

2. Click Sign in in the upper-right corner of the web page.

Screenshot of sign in button on Roku webssite
Use the "Sign in" link to start creating an account.
Dave Johnson

3. On the right side of the page, click Create account.

Screenshot of create account button on Roku website
If you don't already have an account, click the "Create account" button.
Dave Johnson

4. Complete the form by entering your name, email, password, birthdate, and so on. Click Continue.

How to create a Roku account from the mobile app

If you prefer, you can create a Roku account using the Roku mobile app on iPhone or Android. The process is the same regardless of which phone you use.

1. Tap the User icon at the top-right of the screen.

Screenshot of the profile avatar on Roku app
Tap the app's account icon to create a free account.
Dave Johnson

2. On the next page, tap Sign in.

Screenshot of sign in button on Roku app
Tap "Sign in" to begin creating an account.
Dave Johnson

3. On the Sign In or Create Account screen, tap Create a free account at the bottom of the page.

4. Enter details like your name, email address, and password, then tap Submit. 
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.