Account, payments & subscriptions

[scott4AgedPs]

I'm new to Roku and I'm setting it up for my Aged P's who are in their late 80s. 

1. In the Roku universe, what's the difference between a Subscription an APP and a Channel?

They only want to watch a few things, a farmer RFD-TV channel for instance.  They are not interested in one of the streaming services like Netflix or Hulu etc - too many choices and too many places to get lost.

I set up an account, put in my payment info, all good.  I then went on my computer into my account and went to the "apps" area and one by one  "installed" RFD-TV, Fox Nation and a few others.  Some of these said they "may have fees".  In each case I clicked OK.  

2.  Where do I pay for these apps?  I thought that after I clicked my approval to "install" that a screen would pop up for me to approve the app fees to be charged to card attached to my Roku account.  But nothing ever showed up and I can't find any place to go in my Roku account to pay for the apps.  When I go to "subscriptions" it says I have none. 

I read online somewhere that it is better to add content from within Roku rather than directly with the content provider because if you bring existing subscriptions into Roku there can sometimes be additional steps to verify or reenter passwords - more steps than subscriptions setup from within Roku.  I need simple for my Aged Ps.  But maybe that applies to "subscriptions" like Netflix, Hulu, disney, etc, and Not to apps like RFD-TV?

3. How do I get things set up SIMPLE and REMOVE all channels, subscriptions and apps that they do NOT use?  Here is what I want - they turn on the TV and the only options they see to choose from are RFD-TV, Fox and a few other places they want.  I want this SIMPLE for their peace of mind and so I'm not fielding dozens of calls per week to get them unstuck!   🙂  

[HDMIGuy · Accepted solution]

@scott4AgedPs Answer to question 1.  There is no difference between an APP and a channel.  All Apps/channels on Roku are free to install.  Many apps like Netflix Hulu, Disney Plus etc... then require a paid subscription to use.  Some apps are free.  

Question 2.  I prefer to pay for any subscriptions to the provider themselves so I can use the subscription on any device like Firestick, Apple TV, Roku etc...  You can subscribe to many apps on Roku and they will be charged to the card you have on file in your Roku account.  However many of these then must be accessed through the Roku channel.  I personally feel it would be easier to subscribe through the provider and then make sure you are logged into the app on their Roku device.  Then just click on the app and it will open.  I would also go to your Roku account on a computer and put in a pin to make purchases.  If you do not put in a pin it is far too easy for an elderly person, child, or actually anyone to just add a paid subscription(s) to your account.

Question 3.  To remove the apps you are not using go to the app, do not click ok but hit the asterick button on the remote and you can remove the app.