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Roku OS
The Roku OS is a Linux-based operating system software developed by Roku, Inc. It has powered consumer electronics products such as Roku-branded streaming players and TVs since 2004. The Roku OS is the most popular TV operating system in the U.S., reaching an estimated 90 million households as of 2025.
The Roku OS works as a streaming platform which hosts both free and paid streaming channels through its graphical user interface. The operating system initially powered Roku's streaming players in 2004, extended support for smart TVs in 2014, and since also to Roku-branded home entertainment devices such as smart speakers, as of 2023.
In January 2004, Roku's digital media player, called HD1000, was powered by the Roku OS. The Roku OS was reportedly based on Linux with kernel version 2.4.18, and leveraged open-source software, including Samba, Busybox, jpeglib, and zlib. The Roku OS also accompanied a C/C++ based software development kit (SDK), for its media player, in order to provide a development environment supporting Windows, Mac, or Linux-based hosts.
According to a news report in August 2014, The Roku OS featured on a Hisense TV model. Later, in June 2015, it was reported that the operating system powered an Insignia TV model. In October 2015, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 7. This release allowed television viewers using Roku’s streaming devices to "follow" actors, directors, as well as TV shows and films. In June 2016, Roku OS 7.2 was launched, followed by a Roku OS 8 release announcement in October 2017. The latter operating system release featured single sign-on for paid TV customers and integration of TV programming from over-the-air TV, among other updates.
In June 2018, WIRED wrote that Roku devices running Roku OS 8.0 or lower were found to be vulnerable to a type of web attack known as DNS rebinding. The WIRED article also cited Roku as saying that it had created a software patch in response, and was rolling out the patch to its customers.
April 2019 saw the release of Roku OS 9.1 adding "automatic account linking" (sparing users from re-entering login credentials previously entered on a Roku streaming device or TV), genre search, smarter voice control and other features.
In April 2021, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 10, which featured "instant resume" for streaming channels, automatic configuration for gaming consoles, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to Roku HD streaming boxes and TVs etc. In May 2021, Engadget reported on an "exploit" which took advantage of two vulnerabilities, in Roku OS versions lower than 10, to enable a "persistent root jailbreak" on Roku devices. The exploit gave users control over what channels they installed. Roku stated in response that it had mitigated the vulnerabilities by updating Roku OS 9.4.
In March 2022, Roku announced Roku OS 11, adding new audio options, custom photo screensavers and more.
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Roku OS AI simulator
(@Roku OS_simulator)
Roku OS
The Roku OS is a Linux-based operating system software developed by Roku, Inc. It has powered consumer electronics products such as Roku-branded streaming players and TVs since 2004. The Roku OS is the most popular TV operating system in the U.S., reaching an estimated 90 million households as of 2025.
The Roku OS works as a streaming platform which hosts both free and paid streaming channels through its graphical user interface. The operating system initially powered Roku's streaming players in 2004, extended support for smart TVs in 2014, and since also to Roku-branded home entertainment devices such as smart speakers, as of 2023.
In January 2004, Roku's digital media player, called HD1000, was powered by the Roku OS. The Roku OS was reportedly based on Linux with kernel version 2.4.18, and leveraged open-source software, including Samba, Busybox, jpeglib, and zlib. The Roku OS also accompanied a C/C++ based software development kit (SDK), for its media player, in order to provide a development environment supporting Windows, Mac, or Linux-based hosts.
According to a news report in August 2014, The Roku OS featured on a Hisense TV model. Later, in June 2015, it was reported that the operating system powered an Insignia TV model. In October 2015, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 7. This release allowed television viewers using Roku’s streaming devices to "follow" actors, directors, as well as TV shows and films. In June 2016, Roku OS 7.2 was launched, followed by a Roku OS 8 release announcement in October 2017. The latter operating system release featured single sign-on for paid TV customers and integration of TV programming from over-the-air TV, among other updates.
In June 2018, WIRED wrote that Roku devices running Roku OS 8.0 or lower were found to be vulnerable to a type of web attack known as DNS rebinding. The WIRED article also cited Roku as saying that it had created a software patch in response, and was rolling out the patch to its customers.
April 2019 saw the release of Roku OS 9.1 adding "automatic account linking" (sparing users from re-entering login credentials previously entered on a Roku streaming device or TV), genre search, smarter voice control and other features.
In April 2021, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 10, which featured "instant resume" for streaming channels, automatic configuration for gaming consoles, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support to Roku HD streaming boxes and TVs etc. In May 2021, Engadget reported on an "exploit" which took advantage of two vulnerabilities, in Roku OS versions lower than 10, to enable a "persistent root jailbreak" on Roku devices. The exploit gave users control over what channels they installed. Roku stated in response that it had mitigated the vulnerabilities by updating Roku OS 9.4.
In March 2022, Roku announced Roku OS 11, adding new audio options, custom photo screensavers and more.