Auto-launch app?
Is there any way to have Roku automatically launch YouTube TV when I turn on my tv?
Forum Discussion
No there is not. A Roku TV can be configured to start on Live TV, or maybe an HDMI input (can't recall the exact settings) but there's no way to auto-start any of the Roku apps/channels.
Depending on your criteria "AutoLaunch" might work for you. AutoLaunch a screensaver that allows you to automatically launch a channel when the "screensaver" kicks in. First, download AutoLaunch from the channel store then go to Settings > Theme > Screensavers > AutoLaunch > Change screensaver settings. Select the channel you want to automatically launch. You'll then need to adjust your Screensaver wait time under Settings > Theme. Unfortunately, 1 minute is the quickest the screensaver would turn on. It worked for my application. Good luck.
yeah, tried that, 1 minute? ridiculous for real time stuff (i.e. I turned on my TV now wait a minute+ for a screen saver to kick in and switch me to the app of my choice, -but understandable for a product that is billed as a screensaver. There needs to be a real auto-app launch capability that is instant.
Many Roku customers are trying to replace cable, cable does not come up and say, what main app do you want to watch so you can then select something to actually watch. An additional problem for YouTubeTV or many Apps is that even if it goes to 'Live' and last channel viewed within YouTube, it then imposes the dark overlay & guide instead of just immediately full screen showing what you last looked at (like cable or over-the-air tv does).- thus yet even more buttons to press before your normal go-to channel comes up.
That last part is not something for Roku to address, just the option to get you direct to an App of your choice if you want (i.e. a setting).
I also would like that option of autostarting an app - we have an elderly mom that loves her chinese stations and I've downloaded several apps for her to pick but she's starting to be very challenged to see and select an app so I want to automatically default to one for her.
I hate to go to cable but looking like that's the only viable option...
Count me in to have a Roku setting to launch a specific channel like YouTubeTV.
The Auto Launch screensaver does not work well for me. It worked during the day bur overnight something changed. The screensaver did not function and went to the Roku menu when the TV was turned on. When I went to the Auto Launch settings, the start-up channel changed to ABCNews Live. Not sure why that happened.
Anyway, Roku, please listen to your customers and add an auto launch setting.
I’ve managed to get autolaunch to start YouTube tv on start up, sort of. I'm running a Roku express 4K+ with v 11.0.0. I configured autolaunch to launch YouTube tv and at first I thought everything worked fine when the system powered up. But I discovered that at some period of time after the system is powered down (determined by screensaver start time setting), the system restarts automatically. Not good for trying to sleep after tuning the bedroom tv off.
any thoughts?Thanks. Lex
TheLex I'm not certain how you're auto-starting a specific channel, but if you say you've done it, great.
As to Roku "powering down", you didn't specify what model Roku you have. Some of the latest models have a setting called Power Saver, which doesn't actually power the system off, but does put it into a deep sleep mode. If you're seeing a true system reboot, it sounds like it is losing it's power. How are you powering your Roku? If it's connected to a USB port on a TV, then the power is likely being shut off after some internal timer on the TV. If you plug your Roku directly into wall power that should stop happening.
There's also a setting under the Network menu labeled Bandwidth Saver. This is supposed to stop streaming if the remote isn't used within a four hour period. Since I never go that long without touching my remote, I don't know if it simply stops the stream or closes whatever channel is open. If the latter, that might be what's happening with yours. Try turning the saver function off to see if that resolves the issue.
Hey, Dan. Thanks for the response. As indicated, I’m using. (2) Roku express 4K+ with v 11.0.0. Using the autolaunch app as default screensaver, I’ve been able to get each to launch YouTube tv upon hitting the power button on the remote (top center, button with red outline and vertical line). i have not e experienced a lag in app launch that others on this thread described.
I turn the unit and the display off with the same remote power button. When going thru turn off sequence, the display goes dark and the blue light on the Roku goes out. After the unit is in this "off" state for a time period equal to the selected screensaver start time, the unit and the display "come on" automatically. Not a good feature in the middle of the night
Anyway, I’ve given up on the autolaunch app and instead am testing things with the screensaver function disabled. So far, upon turning the unit on, the last screen used is displayed. I’m uncertain whether this result is independent of the "off time."
Lex
Bobshaks: If it worked for Hulu, etc and not YouTubeTV its probably because Alexa is Amazon and YouTubeTV is Google- these guys dont care about 'us' and what we want, only their own eco system, so perhaps try this w google nest and tell Amazon thats why you threw them out?
